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Murder

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Suffolk County D.A. Raymond Tierney

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on June 18 that James Quininchetta, 40, of Ridge, was indicted for Murder in the Second Degree, and related charges, in connection with the fatal shooting of his former girlfriend Rebecca Roth, 33, of Moriches.

“What was, at most, a minor financial dispute escalated to a senseless act of violence,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Our office will seek justice for Rebecca Roth and her family.”

According to the investigation, on June 6, 2025, at around 12:30 a.m., Quininchetta allegedly traveled by rideshare service to Roth’s residence located in the Heatherwood Apartment Complex in Moriches to try to collect money the victim allegedly owed him. When he approached, she allegedly refused to pay him back. Quininchetta then allegedly fired a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun at Roth seven times while she was inside her parked vehicle and fled the scene. A forensic examination would later reveal that she had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her torso. After the shooting, the defendant is alleged to have discarded the weapon and ammunition before returning to his residence via rideshare service.

When Suffolk County Police responded to the scene, they recovered the alleged murder weapon, which was found abandoned near a pickup truck in an adjacent parking lot.

The department’s K-9 unit also located a gray fanny pack containing ammunition in a wooded area near the complex exit. Further scene investigation recovered ammunition packaging and spent shell casings.

On June 7, 2025, shortly after midnight, Quininchetta voluntarily surrendered at the Suffolk County Police Seventh Precinct in Shirley.

Justice Mazzei has ordered that Quininchetta be remanded during the pendency of the case. Quininchetta is due back in court on July 30, 2025, and faces 40 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by George Duncan, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eric S. Aboulafia of the Homicide Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detectives Matthew Sagistano, James Hughes, and Michael Ronca of the Suffolk County Homicide Squad.

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James Brown

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on June 16 that James Brown, 45, of Mastic, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of Murder in the Second Degree and other related charges, for fatally shooting his longtime friend, Umar Elquhir, 45, of Mastic, in November 2023.

“Violent rage has been met with severe consequence,” said District Attorney Tierney. “A life sentence is the only appropriate sentence for a criminal with a prior violent conviction, who has once again used a gun and has now killed. The public must be protected from such danger.”

The evidence at trial established that on November 7, 2023, at approximately 9:27 p.m., Suffolk County Police received multiple 911 calls reporting that a male was on the ground and possibly shot in the Poospatuck Reservation in Mastic. Once police arrived at the scene, they saw the victim unresponsive and with multiple gunshot wounds laying on the ground next to a home where Brown resided. The victim was transported to Long Island Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

During their investigation, law enforcement obtained video surveillance from a smoke shop across the street from Brown’s home which revealed that Brown and the victim had a physical altercation earlier in the evening.

The victim left the area but returned approximately two hours later and parked outside of Brown’s home. When Brown came out of the home, he walked toward the victim’s car while repeatedly yelling, “You wanna die?” before firing approximately nine shots into the vehicle. Multiple bullets hit the victim, who was seated in the driver’s seat. Brown then walked away and went inside his home, and the victim got out of his vehicle and collapsed onto the ground. The jury rejected Brown’s claim at the trial that he was acting in self-defense when he shot the unarmed Elquhir.

On May 9, 2025, Brown was convicted of one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C felonies, after a jury trial heard before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins.

Brown was previously convicted in February 2012 of Assault in the First Degree (Loaded Weapon) for which he served five years imprisonment.

On June 16, 2025, James Brown was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. He was represented by Jason Russo, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eric S. Aboulafia of the Homicide Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective T. Michael Palumbo and retired Detective Brendan O’Hara of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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File photo

UPDATE: Suffolk County Police arrested a man on June 7 for killing a woman in Moriches on June 6. Homicide Squad detectives arrested James Quininchetta at Suffolk County Police Seventh Precinct for shooting and killing Rebecca Roth in the Tall Oaks Apartments parking lot, located at 63-10 Long Tree Lane, on June 6

Quininchetta, 40, of Ridge allegedly killed Roth over a debt of $1,500, according to authorities.

He was charged with Murder 2nd Degree. He is being processed at the Seventh Precinct and is scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on June 7.

Below is the original release:

Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a woman in
Moriches on June 6.

A woman called 911 after finding her daughter, Rebecca Roth, dead of a gunshot wound in a Hyundai
Elantra in the Tall Oaks Apartments parking lot outside their residence, located at 63-10 Long Tree Lane, Moriches, at 8:20 a.m. Roth, 33, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on the shooting to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-
6392 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

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James Brown

Previously Convicted Felon James Brown Faces Up to 40 Years to Life in Prison at Sentencing

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that James Brown, 45, of Mastic, was found guilty after a jury trial of Murder in the Second Degree and other related charges, for fatally shooting his longtime friend, Umar Elquhir, 45, of Mastic, in November 2023.

“This previously convicted felon killed his longtime friend by shooting him multiple times,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I thank the jury for the attention they paid to this case. We will seek a sentence that ensures defendant Brown can no longer hurt other Suffolk County residents.”

The evidence at trial established that on November 7, 2023, at approximately 9:27 p.m., Suffolk County Police received multiple 911 calls reporting that a male was on the ground and possibly shot in the Poospatuck Reservation in Mastic. Once police arrived at the scene, they saw the victim unresponsive and with multiple gunshot wounds lying on the ground next to a home where Brown resided. The victim was transported to Long Island Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

During their investigation, law enforcement obtained video surveillance from a smoke shop across the street from Brown’s home which revealed that Brown and the victim had a physical altercation earlier in the evening.

The victim left but returned approximately two hours later and parked outside of Brown’s home. When Brown came out of the home, he walked toward the victim’s car while repeatedly yelling, “You wanna die?” before firing approximately nine shots into the vehicle. Multiple bullets hit the victim, who was seated in the driver’s seat. Brown then walked away and went inside his home, and the victim got out of his vehicle and collapsed onto the ground. Brown testified at the trial that he was acting in self-defense and scared for his life.

Police lifted a palm print from an area where Brown was seen to be touching when he was firing the shots in the video surveillance. The palm print was compared to Brown’s palms, and it was determined to be a match.

On May 9, 2025, Brown was convicted of one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C felonies, after a jury trial heard before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins.

Brown was previously convicted in February 2012 of Assault in the First Degree (Loaded Weapon) for which he was sentenced to five years imprisonment.

Brown is due back in court for sentencing on June 16, 2025, and potentially faces up to 40 years to life in prison. He is being represented by Jason Russo, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eric S. Aboulafia of the Homicide Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective T. Michael Palumbo and retired Detective Brendan O’Hara of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on April 17 that a 15-year-old defendant was indicted for Murder in the Second Degree and Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, for his killing his grandmother by stabbing her over 35 times and also stabbing his mother causing her serious physical injuries.

According to the investigation, on April 7, 2025, at approximately 9:40 p.m., the defendant was arguing with his mother when she confronted him about missing classes at school. The defendant’s grandmother told her daughter, the defendant’s mother, to take the 15-year-old’s computer away as a punishment. At that point, the 15-year-old grabbed a knife and stabbed his grandmother and then turned the knife on his mother. After being stabbed, the mother fell to the ground and played dead. At that point, the 15-year-old turned back to his grandmother and continued to stab her. The defendant’s grandmother died at the scene, and the defendant’s mother was taken to a hospital, where she is still recovering from her injuries.

On April 16, 2025, the defendant was arraigned on the indictment before Judge Karen Kerr, for Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony, and Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony.

Judge Karen Kerr ordered the defendant be remanded during the pendency of the case. The defendant is due back in court on May 21, 2025, and faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count. He is being represented by Peter Mayer, Esq.

“This is an exceptionally tragic case that has devastated a family,” said District Attorney Tierney. “When a child allegedly turns violent against their own family members, it creates layers of trauma that extend far beyond physical injuries. Our office will pursue justice for the victims of these horrific acts.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Dena Rizopoulos of the Homicide Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Michael Ronca of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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

Christopher Miller Faces 25 Years to Life in Prison for the Fatal Shooting of His 75-Year-Old Father

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on April 1 that Christopher Miller, 43, of Dix Hills, was indicted for Murder in the Second Degree, for allegedly shooting and killing his 75-year-old father John Miller.

“The indictment handed down today marks a crucial step toward justice in this tragic case,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I would like to thank Officer Galeazzi who did a great job here apprehending this defendant before anyone else could be harmed.”

According to the investigation, on the afternoon of March 17, 2025, Christopher Miller was involved in a motor vehicle crash which resulted in his being admitted at Stony Brook University Hospital. The next day, unaware that he had been in a crash and in the hospital, John Miller called the police to report his son missing. Christopher Miller lived with his father. Suffolk County First Precinct Officer Matthew Galeazzi responded to John Miller’s home on Bruno Lane in Dix Hills. After conducting a brief computer search, Officer Galeazzi informed John Miller that his son was at Stony Brook University Hospital. Relieved, John Miller profusely thanked the officer for his help.

On March 19, 2025, Officer Galeazzi responded to a call from a Dix Hills resident that reported a suspicious individual hiding in that person’s shed. Officer Galeazzi responded to that residence, opened the shed, and allegedly identified the suspicious individual to be Christopher Miller.

Officer Galeazzi informed Christopher Miller that he spoke to John Miller the day before at their Bruno Lane home, and that his father was worried about him. Officer Galeazzi offered to drive Christopher Miller home, which the defendant initially rejected. However, after insisting, Christopher Miller allegedly agreed to be driven back to his home, a half mile away.

When they arrived at the residence, footage from Officer Galeazzi’s body cam captured not only his entry into the home, but also his immediate viewing of the victim lying on the kitchen floor in a large pool of blood, and a shotgun lying nearby. Allegedly, Christopher Miller immediately attempted to flee up the stairs, however, Officer Galeazzi subdued him and placed him under arrest. In addition, witness interviews alleged Christopher Miller attempted to steal a landscaping truck but was unsuccessful.

Police recovered a shotgun along with four expended shot shells at the scene. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner determined that John Miller suffered multiple perforating and penetrating shotgun wounds.

On April 1, 2025, Christopher Miller was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski for Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony.

Justice Pilewski ordered Christopher Miller remanded, during the pendency of the case. Christopher Miller is due back in court on June, 12, 2025, and faces 25 years to life in prison, if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Glenn Obedin, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eric S. Aboulafia of the Homicide Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Guido Cirenza of the Suffolk County Homicide Squad.

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

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Jeremias Anaribamoran, 47, of Central Islip, was indicted for Murder in the Second Degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, for allegedly fatally shooting 40-year-old Gustavo Godinez-Carcamo.

“What allegedly began as a social gathering escalated to violence, resulting in the tragic and unnecessary loss of life,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Our office is committed to seeking justice for the victim and his loved ones, and to holding accountable those who commit violent crimes in our community.”

According to the investigation, on March 15, 2025, just before midnight, Anaribamoran and Godinez-Carcamo allegedly got into a verbal altercation while sitting in the back seat of a vehicle parked in front of the victim’s Central Islip home. The two along with two others had been allegedly hanging out most of the day consuming alcohol. The confrontation escalated to deadly violence after Anaribamoran allegedly pulled out a 9 mm pistol and shot Godinez-Carcamo three times. Godinez-Carcamo then allegedly fled to his home on foot, which was less than half a mile away.

When Suffolk County Police officers responding to the scene arrived, they attempted to render lifesaving measures on Godinez-Carcamo who quickly lost consciousness. Central Islip Volunteer Ambulance Company EMS personnel also attempted to render aid and transported Godinez- Carcamo to South Shore Hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy would later reveal that Godinez-Carcamo suffered multiple perforating gunshot wounds of his torso and right arm.

Investigators quickly began canvassing Central Islip for video surveillance and conducted numerous witness interviews. As a result, the defendant’s identity as well as his residence were quickly identified.

On March 18, 2025, Suffolk Police Homicide Squad detectives arrested Anaribamoran during the early morning after surveilling his home for hours.

While in custody, Anaribamoran, a Honduran national, allegedly confessed to committing the murder to two Spanish speaking homicide detectives. Anaribamoran also consented to having members of the Homicide Squad back to his home and he identified not only the clothing he was wearing when he committed the murder, but he also provided the murder weapon which he had discarded in his trash. As a result, the murder weapon and clothing were recovered

On March 27, 2025, Anaribamoran was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis for Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C felonies.

Justice Wilutis ordered Anaribamoran remanded during the pendency of the case. Anaribamoran is due back in court on April 25, 2025, and faces 40 years to life in prison. He is being represented by Katherine Fernandez, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eric S. Aboulafia of the Homicide Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detectives Frankie Sierra and Jose Johnson of the Suffolk County Homicide Squad.

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Suffolk County D.A. Raymond Tierney

Georgios Boultadakis Allegedly Choked His Partner to Death in the Basement of Their Home

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on March 26 that Georgios Boultadakis, 25, of East Meadow, was indicted for Murder in the Second Degree, for allegedly killing his partner, John Melnikoff, Jr., in 2022.

“The indictment here charges the tragic and brutal murder of a domestic partner,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We are committed to ensuring that the victim’s voice is heard, standing firm against domestic violence and advocating for the safety of all citizens.”

According to the investigation, on August 8, 2022, shortly after 6:00 a.m., Boultadakis, a former Town of Oyster Bay Parks Department employee, called 911 to report that he found Melnikoff passed out at the foot of the basement stairs of their Huntington Station home and was not moving or breathing. The 911 operator who took his call instructed Boultadakis on how to perform lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The defendant’s statements and actions during the call created reasonable belief in the operator that CPR was being performed. When police arrived at the scene, Melnikoff was pronounced dead.

Based on the initial scene investigation, the lack of evidence of a struggle, and no obvious signs of foul play, the matter was initially treated as an unattended death investigation.

On August 10, 2022, an autopsy determined that Melnikoff suffered fractures to the hyoid bone and left horn of the thyroid cartilage as well as soft tissue hemorrhaging.

The findings turned the case into a homicide investigation, with the cause of death determined to be due to neck compression. On March 3, 2025, after an extensive investigation, Boultadakis was arrested.

Justice Mazzei ordered Boultadakis remanded during the pendency of the case. Boultadakis is due back in court on April 16, 2025, and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is represented by William Keahon, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Dena Rizopoulos of the Homicide Bureau and Veronica McMahon of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Frankie Sierra of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Brayan Heredia Escobar, 19, of Guatemala, Jhon Lopez Campos, 18, of El Salvador, and Julio Beltran, 39, of El Salvador, were indicted for Murder in the Second Degree, for their alleged roles in the killing of 39-year-old Salvadoran national Candido Guadalupe Saravia Martinez.

“This alleged murder was brutal,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We will not tolerate such violence in Suffolk County. Violence such as is alleged here, affects us all, and we remain dedicated to holding these offenders responsible for their actions.”

According to the investigation, on February 18, 2025, Suffolk County Police discovered the body of Saravia Martinez inside a tent on the side of Suffolk Avenue, just east of Carleton Avenue in Central Islip. Saravia Martinez was found with a rope tied around his neck, under which ligature marks were visible and police observed that he appeared to have blunt force trauma to his face, and a stab wound to his neck. Each of the defendants, as well as the victim, are believed to have been living undomiciled in Central Islip.

page1image40574272Inside the tent, police recovered a machete, and a knife covered in blood, lying on top of the decedent’s neck. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office later determined that the victim died of a combination of blunt force trauma, strangulation, and a stab wound to the neck that lacerated his carotid artery.

Video surveillance was obtained from several businesses on Suffolk Avenue, including a laundromat located directly across the street from where Saravia Martinez’s body was found. The extensive surveillance allegedly depicts the three defendants, running from the tent after the murder and entering the laundromat.

On March 18, 2025 Heredia Escobar was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins for Murder in the Second Degree. Justin Collins ordered Escobar remanded during the pendency of the case. Escobar is due back in court on March 27, 2025 and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Pete Mayer, Esq.

On March 19, 2025 Lopez Campos was arraigned on the indictment before Justice Collins for Murder in the Second Degree. Justin Collins ordered Lopez remanded during the pendency of the case. Escobar is due back in court on April 23, 2025 and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Christopher Give, Esq.

On March 24, 2025 Beltran was arraigned on the indictment before Justice Collins for Murder in the Second Degree. Justin Collins ordered Lopez remanded during the pendency of the case. Escobar is due back in court on April 10, 2025 and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Katherine Fernandez, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michelle Chiuchiolo of the Homicide Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Matthew Sagistano of the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad.

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Joseph Scalafani. Photo from SCPD

Two Co-Defendants Also Pleaded Guilty to Hindering Prosecution

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Joseph Scalafani, 34, of Mastic Beach, pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree for the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Alex Smith, also of Mastic Beach. His brother Daniel Scalafani, and friend, Jeffrey Mercury, also pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree for assisting the defendant flee New York after the murder.

“Today’s guilty plea closes a case where a life was senselessly taken and efforts to evade justice failed. Although it will not bring back Mr. Smith, the defendant and the two accomplices who aided his attempt to escape have all now been held accountable,” said District Attorney Tierney. “In Suffolk County, playing any role in attempts to flee from a homicide will be met with serious consequences.”

On May 20, 2023, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Joseph Scalafani ambushed Smith and his ex- girlfriend as they exited a bar in Mastic Beach. Joseph Scalafani fired numerous shots at Smith, striking him multiple times in the back and torso.

While Smith was collapsed on the ground, Joseph Scalafani shot him again, twice in the head at close range. He then got into his vehicle and fled the scene, only to crash a short distance away and then flee on foot. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the murder, Scalafani fled New York with the help of his brother, Daniel Scalafani, 31, of Shirley, and friend Jeffrey Mercury, 62, of Mastic Beach. Daniel Scalafani and Mercury each provided money to the defendant to assist him in fleeing New York and then lied to law enforcement when asked about his whereabouts. Additionally, Mercury drove Joseph Scalafani down to Virginia and dropped him off to assist him in evading apprehension.

On June 4, 2023, Joseph Scalafani was tracked down and arrested in Florida by members of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. He was then extradited back to Suffolk County on July 6, 2023.

On December 20, 2023, Daniel Scalafani pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, a Class D felony, before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins. Daniel Scalafani is due back in court on December 6, 2024, and he is being represented by Peter J. Creedon, Esq. and Jonathan Gill, Esq.

On February 1, 2024, Mercury pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, a Class D felony, before Justice Collins. Mercury is due back in court on November 21, 2024, and he is being represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

On November 12, 2024, Joseph Scalafani pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A violent felony before Justice Collins. Joseph Scalafani is expected to be sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.

Joseph Scalafani is due back in court on January 21, 2025, and he is being represented by Anthony LaPinta, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Guidarelli of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Thomas M. Palumbo and Detective Brendan O’Hara of the Suffolk County Police Department Homicide Squad.

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