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Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

The Defendants Allegedly Robbed, Kidnapped, Assaulted, and Left the Victim Unconscious in an Abandoned Building at the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney  announced on Feb. 9 that seven alleged members and associates of the Huntington Criminal Locates Salvatrucha or “HCLS” clique of the MS-13 street gang, have been variously charged with robbery, kidnapping, and gang assault, and other related charges, following the alleged violent attack on a 15-year-old boy on January 6, 2024.

“This indictment is an example of my office’s dedication and commitment to ensuring that gang members and associates who commit violence in Suffolk County are investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent,” said District Attorney Tierney. “The allegations of this indictment are horrific. Gang violence has no place in Suffolk County, and it will not be tolerated.”

According to the investigation, on the morning of January 6, 2024, the 15-year-old victim was lured to the Huntington Train Station by a minor. While at the train station, five of seven co- defendants, JOSUE ZEPEDA PADILLA, BRAYAN JIMENEZ AVILA, YEISON CHAVEZ CAMPOS, MAYCOLL RAMIREZ CERRATO, and MARCOS SERPOS, allegedly displayed a knife while surrounding the victim, stole the victim’s money and property, and took turns punching and kicking the victim.

The five co-defendants then allegedly forced the victim into a car driven by defendant MAYBELLINE GARCIA CORNEJO, who then allegedly drove the victim and the five co- defendants to the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center in Brentwood. While on way to Pilgrim Psychiatric Center, one of the defendant’s is alleged to have forcibly taken the victim’s cellular telephone.

Once the defendants and victim arrived on the grounds of the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center, the defendants allegedly forced the victim to climb through a hole in the wall of an abandoned building. While inside, each of the male defendants then allegedly punched, kicked, and beat the victim. During the assault, ZEPEDA PADILLA allegedly stabbed the victim in the neck, causing a laceration that required stitches to close. One of the defendants then allegedly hit the victim on the head with a hard object believed to be a rock, knocking the victim unconscious, and fracturing his skull.

When the victim re-gained consciousness, he found a way out of the building and walked down the road until he collapsed, only to be found by someone passing by. The victim required surgery, including a craniotomy, to treat the brain bleed and fractured skull.

ZEPEDA PADILLA, 26, of Huntington Station, JIMENEZ AVILA, 23, of Amityville and Huntington Station, CHAVEZ CAMPOS, 21, of Huntington Station, RAMIREZ CERRATO, 18, of Huntington Station, SERPOS, 19, of Huntington Station, and GARCIA CORNEJO, 22, of Seaford, are each indicted for:

  •   One count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
  •   One count of Gang Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
  •   One count of Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
  •   One count of Kidnapping in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony;
  •   One count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree, a Class C violent felony;
  •   One count of Gang Assault in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony;
  •   Three counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony; and
  •   Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony.The minor was indicted for:
  •   One count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
  •   Two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony; and
  •   One count of Criminal Facilitation in the Fourth Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

On January 30, 2024, RAMIREZ CERRATO was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Anthony S. Senft Jr., who ordered that the defendant be held on $500,000 cash, $1,000,000 bond, or $5,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of his case. RAMIERZ CERRATO is due back in court on March 4, 2024, and he is being represented by Ian Fitzgerald, Esq.

On January 31, 2024, CHAVEZ CAMPOS was arraigned on the indictment before Justice Senft, who ordered that the defendant be held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $2,500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of his case. CHAVEZ CAMPOS is due back in court on February 23, 2024, and he is being represented by Pierre Bazile, Esq.

On February 2, 2024, SERPOS and GARCIA CORNEJO were arraigned on the indictment before Justice Senft, who ordered that SERPOS be held on $500,000 cash, $1,000,000 bond, or $5,000,000 partially secured bond, and that GARCIA CORNEJO be held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $2,500,000 partially secured bond, during the pendency of their cases. SERPOS is due back in court on February 23, 2024, and he is being represented by Xavier Palacios, Esq. GARCIA CORNEJO is due back in court on February 20, 2024, and he is being represented by Peter Mayer, Esq.

On February 6, 2024, JIMENEZ AVILA and the minor were arraigned on the indictment before Justice Senft, who ordered that JIMENEZ AVILA be held on $500,000 cash, $1,000,000 bond, or $5,000,000 partially secured bond, and the minor be held on $125,000 cash, $250,000 bond, or $2,500,000 partially secured bond, during the pendency of their cases. JIMENEZ AVILA is due back in court on March 4, 2024, and he is being represented by George Duncan, Esq. The minor is also due back in court on March 4, 2024, and they are being represented by Robert Tsigler, Esq.

As of February 9, 2024, ZEPEDA PADILLA remains at large. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should contact the Suffolk County Police Department or Crime Stoppers at: 1-800-220-TIPS.

This case is being prosecuted by the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, with investigative assistance of Detective Sean Walsh of the Suffolk County Police Department.

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Police car

Suffolk County Police arrested a man on Feb. 9  for a fatal shooting in Bay Shore that occurred in
2022. Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives arrested an 18-year-old man, who was 16 at the
time, for allegedly killing Linver Ortiz-Ponce, 29, of Ronkonkoma in a parking lot, located at 6 Holbrook St., on September 17, 2022. He was charged with Murder 2nd Degree and Kidnapping 1st Degree.

Below is the original release:
Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating a shooting that killed a man in Bay
Shore on Sept. 17.  Third Precinct police officers responded to a call of shots fired at 6 Holbrook Street at 12:57 a.m. Upon arrival, Linver Ortiz-Ponce was found shot in the parking lot. Ortiz-Ponce, 29, of Ronkonkoma, was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the shooting to contact the Homicide Squad at 631- 852-6392 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

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Jason Labbe

Jason Labbe Also Admitted to Stealing a Car from a 7-Eleven Parking Lot

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Jason Labbe, 46, of Medford, was sentenced to three to six years in prison, after pleading guilty to Auto Stripping and other related charges, for stealing a car and several catalytic converters in 2022.

“We will not tolerate quality-of-life crimes like catalytic converter theft in Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I hope this sentence sends the message that we will continue to vigorously prosecute criminals who negatively impact the quality of life in Suffolk County.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on August 22, 2022, Labbe broke into the parking lot of a business in Calverton and removed catalytic converters from three vehicles. On December 5, 2022, Labbe removed a catalytic converter from a work truck parked in front of a home in Shirley. Then, on December 20, 2022, Labbe stole a car that was parked in front of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Medford.

Catalytic converters are a part of a vehicle’s exhaust device and use precious metals to reduce pollutants from a vehicle’s engine. These precious metals make catalytic converters a target for theft.

On December 20, 2023, Labbe pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Steven A. Pilewski, to one count of Auto Stripping in the First Degree, a Class D felony, and two counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Class D felonies.

On February 9, 2024, Justice Pilewski sentenced Labbe to three to six years in prison. He was represented by Christopher Gioe, Esq.

Jason Labbe’s brother, Daniel Labbe, 43, of Medford, had previously pleaded guilty in April 2023 to Auto Stripping in the Second Degree, a Class E felony, for stealing a catalytic converter from a truck in Rocky Point. Daniel Labbe was sentenced to two to four years in prison in May 2023. At the time of that sentence, he was already serving a prison sentence of two to four years for a previous catalytic converter theft in which he was sentenced in January 2023.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Blythe C. Miller of the Financial Crimes Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Michael Carrieri of the Riverhead Town Police Department, and Detectives Adam Friedlander and Stephen Masciopinto of the Suffolk County Police Department.

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Donald Archibald

Donald Archibald is Expected to be Sentenced to One to Three Years in Prison

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Donald Archibald, 44, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of grand larceny and identity theft for stealing the identities of multiple Suffolk County residents and then using their personal identifying information to obtain money.

“Identity theft is on the rise not just in Suffolk County but nationwide. These crimes can happen to anyone and often have lasting effects on the victims for years,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office will continue to partner with the Suffolk County Police Department and our other law enforcement partners to hold these defendants accountable.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on April 13, 2023, at approximately 12:12 p.m., after obtaining his first victim’s Suffolk County address and contact information off the dark web, Archibald entered an M&T Bank in Bridgeport, Connecticut and displayed a false driver’s license to the bank teller. The license displayed the victim’s correct name and address but had the defendant’s face depicted. Archibald presented the teller a withdrawal slip and withdrew $2,000 from the victim’s checking account. Later that same day, at approximately 12:36 p.m., Archibald entered a different M&T Bank branch in Bridgeport, Connecticut and used the same Suffolk County resident’s bank account information and a “washed” check to withdraw $3,000 in cash from the victim’s account.

In a similar scheme, on April 14, 2023, after once again obtaining another Suffolk County resident’s personal information off the dark web, Archibald entered a TD Bank in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, similarly, displayed a false driver’s license with a picture of his own face but with the victim’s information. Archibald then cashed a $4,500 “washed” check issued in the name of the victim.

On February 9, 2024, Archibald pleaded guilty to the following charges before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard Ambro:

  •   One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   Two counts of Identity Theft in the First Degree, Class D felonies;
  •   One count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony; and
  •   One count of Identity Theft in the Second Degree, a Class E felony.

    Archibald is due back in court on March 13, 2024, for sentencing and is expected to be sentenced to one to three years in prison. He is being represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

    This case is being prosecuted by Ryan Hunter of the Financial Crimes Bureau with the investigative assistance from Detective Daniel Pagano of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Financial Crime Unit.

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Eric Freeman

Eric Freeman Faces Up to Life in Prison at Sentencing if Found to be a Persistent Felony Offender

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Eric Freeman, 48, of Bellport, was found guilty after a jury trial of four counts of Burglary and one count of Rape, for burglarizing four homes, raping a teen who was in one of the homes, and then attempting to rape another woman that he harassed at another home.

“This defendant, a previously convicted Level Three sex offender who was out on bail for failing to register as a sex offender, brazenly targeted women who were alone in their homes,” said District Attorney Tierney. “During the commission of his crimes, he sexually assaulted two women, and then returned to harass one of his victims to terrify her further. This conviction ensures that he will no longer pose a threat to women or any other Suffolk County residents.”

The evidence at trial established that between June 22 and July 16, 2021, Freeman illegally entered four homes in Suffolk County which were occupied by women at the times of the break-ins.

Beginning on June 22, 2021, Freeman entered a Bay Shore residence where a 16-year-old female was inside alone. Freeman sexually assaulted the teen and threated to kill her when she screamed for help. Freeman then fled the residence.

On June 25, 2021, Freeman attempted to enter and burglarize a home in Bellport while harassing a woman who was inside, under the pretense that he was looking for water. A week later, on July 1, 2021, Freeman returned to the same home, illegally entered, and attempted to rape a different woman who was living alone in a small apartment attached to the main house. The woman was able to dissuade Freeman by offering him money. Prior to leaving her home, Freeman tried to obstruct the woman’s breathing by choking her. Three days later, on July 4, 2021, Freeman again returned to the woman’s home to taunt and harass her.

On July 12, 2021, Freeman illegally entered another Bellport residence while a mother and her 11- year-old son were inside and stole money and other personal items from the home. Freeman was arrested by Suffolk County Police officers later that day and was found with several stolen items in his pockets. When he was arraigned on those charges, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office requested that bail be set in the amount of $75,000 cash, $150,000 bond or $750,000 partially secured bond. However, at his arraignment, Suffolk County District Court Judge Edward J. Hennessey released Freeman on his own recognizance and ordered that he wear a GPS ankle monitor. It was later determined that Freeman, despite having the ankle monitor, did not charge it so his location could not be tracked.

On July 16, 2021, Freeman illegally entered a Huntington Station residence where a female was home with her 7-year-old daughter. While inside, Freeman stole money and choked the woman in front of her child. Freeman fled the home after the mother and child began screaming and banging on the walls to an adjoining apartment. Freeman was arrested by Suffolk Police shortly thereafter.

In November 2023, while he was being held in jail for these charges, Freeman was indicted for Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony, for allegedly attempting to smuggle fentanyl into the correctional facility through his unsuspecting defense attorney. That case is still pending.

Prior to these crimes, Freeman was determined to be a Level Three sex offender stemming from a 1990 juvenile offense conviction. He was later convicted of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender in June 2021, and at the time that the instant crimes were committed, he was out of custody and ordered by a judge to be released on his own recognizance while pending sentence on that case.

On February 9, 2024, Freeman was convicted after a jury trial, heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard I. Horowitz, of the following charges:

  •   Two counts of Burglary in the First Degree, a Class B Violent Felony;
  •   Rape in the First Degree, a Class B Violent Felony;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a Class B Violent Felony;
  •   Attempted Rape in the First Degree, a Class C Violent Felony;
  •   Two counts of Burglary in the Second Degree, a Class C Violent Felony;
  •   Two counts of Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree, a Class D Violent Felony;
  •   Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D Violent Felony;
  •   Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D Violent Felony
  •   Two counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, a Class E Felony;
  •   Rape in the Third Degree, a Class E Felony;
  •   Three counts of Criminal Obstruction of Breathing, a Class A Misdemeanor;
  •   Two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A Misdemeanor;
  •   Two counts of Harassment in the Second Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree, a Class B Misdemeanor

    Freeman is due back in court on March 20, 2024, for sentencing and faces up to life in prison if found by the court to be a persistent felony offender. He is being represented by John Halverson, Esq. and Christopher Gioe, Esq.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tara Laterza of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Dena Rizopoulos of the Homicide Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detectives Alberto Acevedo and Michael Oberg of the Suffolk County Police Department.

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Marcus Reid
Marcus Reid is expected to be sentenced to 20 years in prison

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb. 7 that Marcus Reid, 24, of Riverhead, pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, for the fatal shooting of Branzel Bonner, 25, during a robbery in December 2021.

“A life was taken far too soon,” said District Attorney Tierney. “While this plea cannot undo the victim’s death, I thank the prosecutor on this case for securing the defendant’s conviction and holding him accountable for this senseless fatal shooting.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on December 2, 2021, at approximately 9:50 a.m., in the woods behind 50 Middle Country Road in Coram, Reid fired multiple rounds from a semiautomatic .40 caliber handgun at the ground below Bonner’s feet, demanding that he hand over his fanny pack. When Bonner refused, Reid repeatedly shot Bonner in the torso. Reid then attempted to remove Bonner’s fanny pack from his motionless body, but was unsuccessful, so he instead removed the contents. Reid then fled the scene. Bonner was pronounced dead at Stony Brook University Hospital within an hour of the shooting.

In his haste to flee, Reid dropped his own debit card at the scene which was recovered by law enforcement and was also captured on surveillance video.

On February 7, 2024, Reid pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Stephen L. Braslow, to Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class B felony, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon, a Class C felony.

Reid is due back in court on March 11, 2024, and is expected to be sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. He is being represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Eric S. Aboulafia of the Homicide Bureau, with investigative assistance from retired Detectives Patrick Portela and Kenneth Buckheit of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Section.

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Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Police have arrested a man and seized a dirt bike after he was allegedly riding recklessly and fled police in Central Islip on Feb. 7.

Third Precinct Community Support Unit officers initiated a traffic stop on Elmer Turcios after he operated a 2008 Kawasaki 250 dirt bike northbound on Wilson Boulevard, a public roadway, which is in violation of Suffolk County Code 822-3.

Turcios, fled on the dirt bike and went to his home on Wilson Blvd., where police arrested him on the driveway at approximately 5:10 p.m.

Turcios, 24, was charged with Unlawful Fleeing of a Police Officer, four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree, and was issued 20 summonses in relation to his vehicle and traffic law violations. The vehicle was seized and towed to the impound yard in West Hampton.

Turcios was issued a Desk Appearance Ticket and will be arraigned at First District Court on a later date.

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Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD
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Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD
Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly stole merchandise from a Lake Grove store.

A man allegedly stole approximately $900 worth of clothing from Macy’s, located at the Smith Haven Mall, on January 27 at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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Jesus Bonilla

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb. 8 that Jesus Bonilla, 21, of Commack, pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Reckless Driving, for his role in a street racing crash that killed James Beck, 57, of Huntington Station.

“James Beck’s death was completely avoidable and occurred because this defendant recklessly engaged in street racing with another driver,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Suffolk County’s roadways are not racetracks. Anyone caught driving recklessly and jeopardizing the lives of other motorists or pedestrians will be held accountable.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on November 19, 2022, at approximately 8:45 p.m., Bonilla was operating a 2009 Honda sedan westbound on Jericho Turnpike when he began racing a Saab SUV allegedly operated by co- defendant Jared Cooper. Witnesses observed the Honda and Saab vehicles driving side by side at high rates of speed, running red lights, and crossing into oncoming traffic. The victim, James Beck, was struck by Bonilla’s vehicle while he was walking across Jericho Turnpike at the intersection of Totten Avenue in Huntington Station. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Crash reconstruction determined that Bonilla was driving 79 mph in a 40-mph zone at the time he struck the victim.

On February 8, 2024, Jesus Bonilla pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C felony, and Reckless Driving, a Class A misdemeanor, before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard Ambro.

Bonilla is due back in court for sentencing on April 4, 2024, and faces up to two to six years in prison. He is being represented by Michael Franzese, Esq.

Cooper’s case is still pending, and he is being represented by Jonathan Manley, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James Curtin of the Vehicular Crime Bureau with investigative assistance from Detective Anthony Iadevaio of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Second Squad.

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Anthony Perez
Update: Anthony Perez, who was reported missing on Feb. 6, was located on Feb. 12 and is unharmed.
Below is the original release:

Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to locate a Dix Hills man who was reported missing.

Anthony Perez was reported missing by a family member on February 6. The family member said that no one had seen or heard from Perez since February 1.

Perez, 32, of 306 Weymouth St., is 5 feet 6 inches tall, approximately 165 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Perez’s vehicle is parked in front of his residence.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on his location to call 911 or the Second Squad at 631- 854-8252.

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