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Murder

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

Erick Garcia Allegedly Shot and Killed 19-Year-Old Carlos Guillen

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on April 12 that Erick Garcia, 20, of Central Islip, was indicted for Murder in the Second Degree and other related charges, for allegedly fatally shooting Carlos Guillen, 19, of Bay Shore, during an attempted robbery in October 2022.

“Our prosecutors and law enforcement partners are relentless in their pursuit of solving homicide cases in Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I would like to thank the detectives here for not giving up and making sure that no victim is overlooked.”

According to the investigation, on October 1, 2022, Garcia allegedly arranged to meet Guillen in a plan devised by Garcia to rob Guillen. When Guillen arrived at the meeting location, Garcia allegedly went into Guillen’s vehicle armed with a firearm and attempted to execute the robbery. Guillen then accelerated with Garcia still inside the vehicle, and Garcia allegedly then shot Guillen. Surveillance video captured Garcia exiting Guillen’s vehicle thereafter, while it was still in motion. Guillen attempted to call 911 but was unable to speak during the call and then crashed his vehicle. He was then transported to South Shore University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

On November 10, 2022, approximately one month after the shooting, Garcia was arrested in Central Islip on an unrelated case after police allegedly found him in possession of a 9 mm unserialized gun. Garcia was then indicted for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony, and arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski. Justice Pilewski ordered Garcia to be placed on supervised release with GPS conditions during the pendency of that case, which is still pending. Garcia is due back in court for that case on May 3, 2024. The gun allegedly recovered from Garcia during the November 2022 arrest is not believed to be connected to the homicide.

Garcia was located by the Suffolk County Police Department on April 11, 2024, and placed under arrest for homicide. On April 12, 2024, Garcia was arraigned on the new indictment before Justice Pilewski, for the following charges:

 Two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, Class A felonies;
 One count of Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, a Class C violent felony; and
 One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony.

Justice Pilewski ordered Garcia to be remanded during the pendency of the case. Garcia is due back in court on May 31, 2024, and he is being represented by Christopher Gioe, Esq.

The homicide case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Sheetal Shetty of the Homicide Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Michael Repperger from the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad. The gun possession case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Matthew Laube of the Major Crime Bureau.

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Peter Pendzinski

Peter Pendzinski Admitted to Shooting and Setting Nathanael Rodriguez on Fire

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on April 12 that Peter Pendzinski, 24, of Shirley, pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree and other related charges, for fatally shooting 21-year-old Nathanael Rodriguez, of Bay Shore, in December 2020.

“This defendant brutally murdered Nathanael Rodriguez by shooting him in the head and neck and attempted to cover up his crimes by desecrating the victim’s body by setting it on fire,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Thanks to the quick thinking of the Suffolk County first responders on scene, the defendant’s plan to cover up his crime was quickly foiled. This defendant’s conduct in the commission of this murder warrants a lengthy prison time, which we will seek at the sentence.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s statements during his plea allocution, on December 26, 2020, at approximately 12:00 a.m., Pendzinski, who was driving a Mercedes Benz, picked up the victim, Rodriguez, from his home in Bay Shore. The victim got inside of Pendzinski’s vehicle and sat in the passenger’s seat. Shortly thereafter, Pendzinski pulled out a revolver and shot Rodriguez five times in the head and neck, killing him. Pendzinski then drove from Bay Shore to his home in Shirley with Rodriguez’s body still in the front passenger seat.

Once Pendzinski arrived at his residence, he moved Rodriguez’s body to the backyard where he placed leaves over him. Pendzinski proceeded to pour gasoline over the victim and set his body on fire. A 911 caller reported excess smoke coming from an open fire at Pendzinski’s residence. When Suffolk County police officers responded to the location, they observed Pendzinski shoveling leaves onto an open fire. When officers asked if anyone was inside of the home, Pendzinski lied and said yes. While officers were attempting to gain entry into the home, Pendzinski moved Rodriguez’s burning body to the other side of the backyard. When officers realized what Pendzinski was doing, he was swiftly stopped and placed under arrest.

During law enforcement’s investigation, detectives observed the passenger side window of the Mercedes Benz was damaged from the shooting. Law enforcement recovered a saw, a pair of pliers, and floor mats covered with blood in Pendzinski’s driveway, some of which contained Rodriguez’s DNA. Additionally, a Smith and Wesson handgun and a can of gasoline were recovered in a detached garage.

On April 12, 2024, Pendzinski pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro, to one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A violent felony, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Class C felonies. Pendzinski is due back in court on May 17, 2024, and is expected to be sentenced to 18 years to life in prison. Pendzinski is represented by Christopher Gioe, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Melissa Grier of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Jeffrey Bottari of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Unit.

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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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Tenia Campbell

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Jan. 29 that Tenia Campbell, 28, of Medford, was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty in December 2023 to two counts of Murder in the First Degree, after suffocating her twin two-year-old daughters to death in June 2019.

“These two young lives were cut short by the one person who was supposed to love and protect them,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Although the 20-year sentence here resolves this sad case, it will not bring back these girls.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admission during her plea allocution, on June 27, 2019, at approximately 2:37 p.m., Campbell’s mother called 911 to report that Campbell was driving around in the family van and was threatening to kill her daughters, Jaida and Jasmine. Law enforcement launched a large-scale search for Campbell and her daughters between the areas of Medford and Montauk. At approximately 4:00 p.m., an East Hampton Police Officer spotted the van just off Montauk Highway, a few miles west of Montauk Point.

When the officer approached, she saw Campbell outside of the van. The officer walked over to the van and saw Campbell’s two-year old twin daughters dead in their car seats. Campbell later admitted to smothering the girls to death.

On December 13, 2023, Campbell pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard Ambro, to two counts of Murder in the First Degree, a Class A violent felony.

On January 29, 2024, Justice Ambro sentenced Campbell to 20 years to life in prison. She was represented by John Halverson, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Frank Schroeder of the Homicide Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Ron Tavares of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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Wayne Chambers

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Dec.7 that Wayne Chambers, 51, was found guilty of Murder in the Second Degree after a jury trial for the fatal stabbing of his former girlfriend, Sandra McIntosh, in 2021.

“The domestic violence murder of Sandra McIntosh was a tragedy that should not have happened,” said District Attorney Tierney. “If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic violence, I urge you to contact the Police Department or the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office to help us prevent tragedies like this one.” The evidence at trial established that on July 22, 2021, at approximately 7:43 p.m.

Chambers picked up McIntosh after her nurse’s shift at Stony Brook University Hospital was over. He had dropped her off earlier and had been driving McIntosh’s 2010 white Lexus RX350. Chambers had previously been in a relationship with McIntosh for approximately six years but had broken up months before the fatal stabbing. Chambers violently stabbed McIntosh, 46, of Medford, at least 25 times including in her neck and back, puncturing her heart and lung.

At about 8:03 p.m. a “911” caller reported seeing Chambers in the same vehicle driving erratically and then stopping the vehicle on Woodland Avenue in Holtsville. Witnesses saw Chambers outside the Lexus in a physical altercation with McIntosh. In addition, they heard McIntosh screaming and when they came out saw Chambers physically assaulting McIntosh and attempting to drag her out of the woods by her hair. Once Chambers saw the witnesses, he fled and jumped into McIntosh’s Lexus and sped away. McIntosh died within two hours of the fatal attack.

After the fatal incident, the Suffolk County Police Department was able to track Chambers to a location in the Bronx. It was there that McIntosh’s 2010 white Lexus RX350 was found as a result. Red staining that appeared to be blood was observed on both the exterior and interior of the vehicle. The evidence at trial established that that the red staining not only tested presumptively positive for blood, but many of those stains contained mixtures of DNA between the decedent and this defendant.

Surveillance video evidence was recovered across the street from McIntosh’s vehicle was found in the Bronx. This surveillance video captured the white SUV pulling up at approximately 10:39 p.m. on July 22, 2021. A man can be seen getting out of the driver’s side of the vehicle and walking away with what appeared to be a cellular phone in his hand.

Members of the Suffolk County Police Department testified that they spoke with a female acquaintance of the defendant, whose residence was located approximately one block away from where McIntosh’s vehicle was discovered. In sum and substance, she stated that Chambers went to her home in the Bronx on the evening of July 22, 2021. Upon arriving at her home, she observed that Chambers had a cut on one of his index fingers that was covered by a Band-Aid. She also observed a bloody spot on his green shirt. Additionally, cell site data placed Chamber’s cell phone near the murder scene, immediately after the murder.

Chamber’s cell phone also connected to a cell site within a mile of where McIntosh’s vehicle was discovered in the Bronx, coinciding with the surveillance video that captured the SUV being parked in the Bronx.

On July 30, 2021, members of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad, Newburg City Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, and New York State Police located Chambers at a hotel in Newburgh and placed him under arrest.

On December 7, 2023, Chambers was convicted after a jury trial, heard before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard Ambro of Murder in the Second Degree. Chambers is due back in court on January 9, 2023, for sentencing and faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

He is being represented by Ian Fitzgerald, Esq. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Eric S. Aboulafia of the Homicide Bureau and Michelle Chiuchiolo of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detectives Guido Cirenza and Brendan O’Hara of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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Ray Tierney will run for Suffolk County district attorney this November on the Republican and Conservative tickets. Photo from Tierney’s office

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Nov. 28 that James Brown, 43, of Mastic, was indicted for Murder in the Second Degree and other related charges, for allegedly shooting his longtime friend, Umar Elquhir, multiple times causing his death.

“Wanton violence such as this will not be tolerated in Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I would like to thank the Suffolk County Police Department for their great work on this investigation.”

According to the investigation, on the evening of November 7, 2023, multiple 911 calls were placed reporting that a male was on the ground and possibly shot in the Poospatuck Reservation located in Mastic. Once Suffolk County police officers arrived at the scene, they saw the victim unresponsive and laying on the ground outside of a house where Brown resided. The victim had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to Long Island Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Video surveillance from a store across the street from Brown’s home allegedly shows Brown and the victim in a brief physical altercation earlier in the evening. The victim left but returned approximately two hours later and parked outside of Brown’s home. Brown then allegedly exited his home, walked toward the victim’s car, and fired approximately nine shots at the victim through the rear passenger window. The victim opened the driver’s door and collapsed onto the ground. Brown was placed under arrest on November 20, 2023.

On November 28, 2023, Brown was arraigned on the indictment before the Honorable JUDGE
Collins, for the following charges:
 One count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A violent felony;
 Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent
felonies;
 One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony; and
 One count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E felony.

Judge Collins ordered Brown be remanded during the pendency of the case. Brown is being represented by Steven Politi, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Eric Aboulafia and Sheetal Shetty of
the Homicide Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Brendan O’Hara of the Suffolk
County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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Oscar Morocho-Morocho

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Nov. 20 that Oscar Morocho-Morocho, 32, of Shirley, pleaded guilty to Manslaughter after admitting to beating his girlfriend, 34-year-old Ruth Para-Martinez, to death.

“The brutal beating of Ms. Para-Martinez by this defendant was horrifying,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We take all such domestic violence seriously. We hope this disposition will give Ms. Para-Martinez’s friends and loved ones a small measure of justice.”

According to the investigation and the defendant’s statements during his plea allocution, on the evening of May 7, 2023, Morocho-Morocho became angry with his girlfriend, Para-Martinez, and began to publicly and violently beat her in a commercial area of Shirley. Surveillance video from a local business allegedly captured Morocho-Morocho punching, kicking, and dragging Para- Martinez. The following morning at approximately 6:00 a.m., Para-Martinez was found deceased by members of the Suffolk County Police Department, in the same location where she was beaten.

On November 20, 2023, Morocho-Morocho pleaded guilty to the top charge of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony, before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable John B. Collins.

Morocho-Morocho is due back in court on December 21, 2023. Morocho-Morocho is being represented by Jason Bassett, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Francis X. Schroeder of the Homicide Bureau and Scott Romano of the Major Crime Bureau with lead investigative assistance from Detective Jim Hughes of the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad.

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Michael Gilbert

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Nov. 2 that Michael Gilbert, 29, of Riverhead, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of fatally shooting Tyrell Durham 37, of Moriches, following an argument between the victim and Gilbert’s girlfriend in 2021.

“What started out as a verbal argument escalated to murder,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We hope that this lengthy prison sentence provides some measure of justice for Tyrell’s family and friends, all of whom still mourn his tragic loss.”

The evidence at trial established that on November 26, 2021, just after midnight, Gilbert overheard an argument between Durham and Gilbert’s girlfriend over the telephone. Gilbert got onto the telephone call and began arguing with Durham, culminating in Gilbert telling Durham to meet him outside. Coles resided in the same apartment building as Durham.

Durham and his girlfriend went outside of his apartment. Moments later, Gilbert and his girlfriend appeared around the corner of the building. Gilbert then fired a .22 caliber semiautomatic handgun at Durham six times, striking him three times in his body.

Durham was pronounced dead within one hour of his transport to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue. Gilbert fled the scene but surrendered to Suffolk County Police Department Homicide Detectives on December 1, 2021.

On September 26, 2023, Gilbert was convicted after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Anthony S. Senft, of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A violent felony, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony. On November 2, 2023, Gilbert was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. He was represented by Jonathan Manley, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eric S. Aboulafia of the Homicide Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Jeffrey Bottari of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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Ramon Lyons

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 18 that Ramon Lyons, 16, of Huntington Station pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree for fatally shooting 21-year-old Luis Cameron Rimmer-Hernandez in 2021.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney speaks at a press conference on Oct. 18.

“Unfortunately, the unintended effect of New York’s 2018 ‘Raise the Age’ law is an increase in shootings and violent crimes committed by young offenders, such as this defendant, who was only 14 years old when he took the victim’s life,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Gangs are increasingly using younger members to carry weapons and commit shootings because they know that these offenders will face lesser consequences. The murder of Cam was a direct consequence of this misguided ‘Raise the Age’ law. My heart goes out to him and his family.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s statements during his plea allocution, on August 9, 2021, Luis Cameron Rimmer-Hernandez drove up to a location on Lowndes Avenue in Huntington Station to meet up with some friends. As Rimmer-Hernandez stood there, Lyons, then 14, ran up to him and fired approximately seven shots from a 9 mm handgun. Rimmer-Hernandez was struck multiple times in the chest and arm. Lyons was then observed fleeing the location and ultimately running back into his apartment, less than half a mile away. The defendant was tracked through surveillance video and made admissions to the homicide on social media.

 Lyons pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A violent felony before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Karen Kerr. Lyons is expected to be sentenced to 12 years to life in prison. He is due back in court for sentencing on November 13, 2023. He is being represented by Matt Tuohy, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Frank Schroeder and Sheetal Shetty of the Homicide Bureau with investigative assistance from 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

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Felix Martinez, 46, of Port Jefferson Station, was indicted for Murder in the Second Degree and other related charges, after Richard Shields, 56, died of injuries he sustained after Martinez allegedly brutally beat and choked him in front of their shared residence.

“Richard Shields suffered brutal and deadly injuries after this defendant allegedly attacked him,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office will continue to work hard to ensure appropriate justice as a result. We will not allow individuals to carry out such acts of violence in Suffolk County without facing significant consequences.”

According to the investigation, on August 4, 2023, shortly after 12:00 p.m., Martinez confronted the victim, Richard Shields, in front of the house they shared on Jarvin Road, in Port Jefferson Station. Video surveillance footage recovered from a neighbor’s home showed that the confrontation began while Shields was seated on a chair in front of the home. Over the course of 15 minutes, Martinez allegedly repeatedly punched, choked, and stomped on Shields, and then struck him on the head with a mop bucket. Martinez culminated the attack by stripping Shields of his clothing and then urinating on him as he lay unconscious on the ground.

When members of the Suffolk County Police Department arrived at the scene, they found Martinez in front of the house, smoking a cigar while Shields laid unconscious at his feet. Martinez was then placed under arrest.

Shields was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. Five days later, on August 9, 2023, after succumbing to the injuries he sustained from Martinez’s attack, Shield was pronounced dead.

On August 29, 2023, Martinez was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable John B. Collins, for Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A violent felony, and Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony. Judge Collins ordered Martinez remanded without bail or bond during the pendency of the case.

Martinez’s next court date is September 22, 2023. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count. He is being represented by Jeremy Schileppi, Esq.

This case is prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Carlos J. Benitez II of the Major Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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