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Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney

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

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R), District Attorney Ray Tierney (R), Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) and Department of Social Services (DSS) officials have unveiled sweeping reforms to the county’s Child Protective Services (CPS) system in response to the tragic Thomas Valva case.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. File photo

Under Romaine’s leadership, Suffolk County DSS has implemented measures aimed at improving services, enhancing interagency collaboration and focusing on the needs of vulnerable populations. The changes also promote open communication among stakeholders involved in social services.

“We took swift and significant action to reform the Suffolk County Department of Social Services to ensure that children in CPS are truly protected,” Romaine said. “We’ve allocated funds to fill vacancies, improve services, reform processes and ensure better training. These efforts will help prevent tragedies like the one experienced by Thomas Valva.”

District Attorney Tierney emphasized the importance of ensuring accountability. “We must never allow a tragedy like Thomas Valva’s to happen again,” he said. “I am proud of the work of the task force, in partnership with the new administration and Legislature, to enact the recommendations from the Grand Jury Report.”

Legislator Bergin echoed these sentiments, noting, “It was critical that the grand jury report not gather dust. We’ve worked diligently to implement necessary changes and ensure such a tragedy is never repeated.”

Key reforms to child protective services:

Quality improvements recognized by New York State

 The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) 2024 Program Quality Improvement Review reported substantial progress in Suffolk County’s CPS, Preventative/Protective Services and Foster Care systems. Many categories achieved a 100% compliance rate, reflecting the county’s renewed commitment to better serve families.

Implementation of blind removal policy

Suffolk County now uses a blind removal policy for CPS cases requiring a child’s removal from their family. This process excludes personal and demographic information about the child and family during decision-making, reducing potential biases.

Relocation of CPS abuse teams

CPS caseworkers investigating child abuse cases will relocate to the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in Central Islip in December. The move allows caseworkers to collaborate closely with law enforcement and attorneys during investigations.

Interagency training initiatives

Since March 2024, DSS has conducted training sessions on child protection, trauma-informed care, forensic interviewing and multidisciplinary approaches to child abuse investigations. These sessions include participation from CPS staff, Suffolk County Police and legal professionals.

Legal training enhancements

In partnership with the County Attorney’s Office, DSS has improved training for handling sensitive abuse and neglect cases. This initiative strengthens collaboration between caseworkers and legal representatives.

Integration of adult protective services

 In September 2024, Adult Protective Services (APS) was reintegrated into the Family and Children’s Services Division. This change enhances collaboration between APS and CPS, particularly for developmentally disabled youths transitioning to adult services.

Specialized training for disabilities

More than 170 DSS employees have completed training at Daemen College, focusing on understanding and addressing the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Topics included autism, ADHD and other conditions.

Multidisciplinary training

 DSS, in collaboration with state and county partners, is expanding training for frontline workers to better serve children, adults with disabilities and older adults. Training emphasizes skills for investigating, prosecuting and protecting vulnerable populations.

Supervisor training

DSS is enhancing training for supervisory staff to develop a family-centered clinical model. This approach provides middle management with advanced decision-making tools and support for caseworkers.

Improved safety and security

DSS is equipping over 600 employees with a panic button app to instantly connect with emergency services, enhancing staff safety during high-stress situations.

Support for staff wellbeing

To combat burnout and compassion fatigue, DSS is offering additional support services to employees managing trauma from child welfare cases.

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

Caciem Kruer and Abdul Muhammad Allegedly Sold Eight Guns to an Undercover Detective

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Aug. 29 that Caciem Kruer, 26, of Farmingville, and Abdul Muhammad, 23, of Bay Shore, were charged in a 39-count indictment following a long-term investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Suffolk County Police Department, into an alleged gun-trafficking operation run by alleged gang members in Suffolk County.

“The trafficking and sale of illegal firearms poses a significant risk to public safety, and has no place in Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I want to thank our investigators in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the detectives in the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney Squad for their tireless efforts to ensure that these alleged illegal guns were kept out of the hands of gang members and those who would use firearms unlawfully.”

According to the investigation, from February 2024 through March 2024, Kruer and Muhammad, who are alleged members the “Hit Squad Brims,” a subset of the nationwide violent street gang known as the Bloods, allegedly acted together to sell weapons to an undercover detective. Over the course of several dates, Kruer and Muhammad allegedly sold the undercover four loaded pistols, one revolver, two assault rifles, several high-capacity magazines, and ammunition. Three of the eight firearms allegedly sold to the undercover by the defendants were purchased in the southern region of the United States and were transported to Suffolk County. The remainder of the guns sold allegedly had their serial numbers defaced, preventing their origin from being traced.

In addition to the use of an undercover detective, several other investigative techniques were used including the execution of search warrants, audio and video recordings, and physical surveillance.

On August 21, 2024, Kruer was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski, for the following charges:

  • Two counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, Class B violent felonies;
  • Seven counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violentfelonies;
  • Fourteen counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, Class D violent felonies;
  • Eleven counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D violentfelonies;
  • Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D felonies;
  • One count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E felony; and
  • One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a Class Amisdemeanor.Justice Pilewski ordered Kruer held on $1,000,000 cash, $2,000,000 bond, or $10,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Kruer is due back in court on September 23, 2024, and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count. He is being represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society.

    On August 21, 2024, Muhammad was arraigned on the indictment before Justice Pilewski, for the following charges:

  • Two counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, Class B violent felonies;
  • Seven counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violentfelonies;
  • Thirteen counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, Class D violent felonies;
  • Eleven counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D violentfelonies;
  • Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D felonies; and
  • One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a Class Amisdemeanor.

Justice Pilewski ordered Muhammad held on $1,000,000 cash, $2,000,000 bond, or $10,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Muhammad is due back in court on September 30, 2024, and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count. He is being represented by Glenn Obedin, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Raymond Coscia of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, and the investigation was led by Detective Jennifer Foster of the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney Squad.

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

Daniel Tomasky Allegedly Stabbed the Victim in Front of Multiple Children

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Aug. 7 that Daniel Tomasky, 42, of Shirley, was indicted for Assault in the First Degree and other related charges, for allegedly stabbing a man at Adventureland Amusement Park in Farmingdale.

“Our community deserves to feel safe in places open to the public, particularly those designed for families,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This indictment represents our commitment to upholding that safety. We will pursue this case diligently, guided by the facts and the law.”

According to the investigation, on July 7, 2024, at approximately 4:45 p.m., members of Tomasky’s family got into an altercation with members of the victim’s family while visiting Adventureland Amusement Park. The victim himself had not been involved in the altercation. Tomasky allegedly pulled a knife from his waistband, charged at the victim, and then stabbed him. The incident took place in front of numerous children. The victim was taken to Nassau University Medical Center where he received surgery for his injuries.

Shortly after the incident, Tomasky allegedly placed the knife used during the attack in a sewer drain near his vehicle. He was then arrested at the scene by Suffolk County Police officers. Law enforcement later recovered a knife from the sewer.

On August 7, 2024, Tomasky was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Anthony J. Senft, Jr., for the following charges:

  •   One count of Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
  •   One count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a Class A

    misdemeanor; and

  •   Three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Class A misdemeanors.

    Justice Senft ordered Tomasky be held on $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, or $500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Tomasky is due back in court on September 3, 2024. He is being represented by Michael Brown, Esq.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kieran R. Rogers and Jonathan P. Cappiello of the Major Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Thomas O’Neill of the Suffolk County Police Department’s First Squad.

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

Darieo St. Leger Slashed a Bouncer in the Face After Being Denied Entry into a Bar

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Aug. 8 that Darieo St. Leger, 35, of Islip Terrace, was sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty in November 2023 to Assault in the First Degree, for slashing a bouncer with a sharp object at a bar in Huntington.

“The victim survived a vicious attack by this defendant just for doing his job, and he will continue to face a difficult recovery,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This lengthy prison sentence sends a clear message that in Suffolk County, we will hold violent offenders accountable. Thank you to the Suffolk County Police Department and the United States Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force for bringing this defendant to justice.”

According to the investigation and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on October 23, 2022, about approximately 12:40 a.m., at a bar in Huntington, St. Leger got into an argument with the bouncer who was not allowing St. Leger into the bar. St. Leger then slashed the bouncer across the face, from ear to mouth, with a sharp object. The slash caused an artery in the victim’s cheek to be severed. St. Leger fled the scene after the attack.

The victim was rushed to Huntington Hospital to undergo lifesaving emergency surgery which included multiple blood transfusions. The victim had difficulty hearing out of his left ear and was unable to blink out of his left eye, so he was required to undergo an immediate second surgery to reattach a nerve ending that was severed during the attack. He also sustained a scar along the entire left side of his face.

Law enforcement discovered St. Leger had absconded to Virginia, and with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service, he was brought back to New York and arrested at LaGuardia Airport in December 2022.

On November 28, 2023, St. Leger pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Anthony S. Senft, Jr., to Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony.

On August 8, 2024, Justice Senft sentenced St. Leger to 12 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. St. Leger was represented by John Halverson, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patrick E. Fedun of the Major Crime Bureau with investigative assistance from Detective Brandon Reiber of the Suffolk County Police Department’s First Squad and Detective Thomas Corso of the United States Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force.

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Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. File photo

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R), New York State Sen. Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) and county Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. (D) released public safety announcements to remind the public of the dangers of drunk and drugged driving. They further discussed the importance of staying at the scene of a crash, as well as the legal and financial ramifications of a criminal arrest. 

“We are more than half-way through this year’s ‘100 deadliest days of driving.’ In Suffolk County alone, there have been at least 20 fatalities since Memorial Day weekend, many of which were caused by drunk or drugged drivers. That is almost three lives lost per week, many of which were completely preventable, and despite the prevalence and convenience of ride-shares,” Tierney said.

“Drunk and drugged drivers threaten the lives of random and innocent roadway users of every age, gender, ethnicity and economic status, every single day throughout [our state],” he added.

In 2022 Long Island saw 245 people die in crashes, with 164 in Suffolk County alone — a third of which involved DWIs. According to a member of the SCPD, ​​“Suffolk County holds the trophy for [these accidents], and it’s not a good trophy to hold.”

Murray, Toulon and Tierney doubled-down on their pledge to fight for the safety of all New Yorkers.

“Drunk and drugged drivers threaten the lives of random and innocent roadway users of every age, gender, ethnicity and economic status, every single day throughout [our state],” Tierney said.

They further urged all Long Islanders not to drive under the influence of any alcohol/drugs, regardless of the amount, since the officials want everyone to remember that any amount of alcohol or drugs in a person’s system is too much when it comes to driving.

Furthermore, these officials stressed the desire to have the Deadly Driving Bill passed in Albany, “to save countless lives, and make our roadways safer across New York State.”

This bill would call on lawmakers to close a great many of the loopholes in drugged driving laws. More specifically, the Deadly Driving Bill would end the allowance of an individual to avoid arrest and prosecution for operating a vehicle while drugged, unless the officer can pinpoint the drug by which the driver is impaired — while said drug must be listed in Section 3306 of the Public Health Law, as well.

Murray voiced concern over the specifics of legalized marijuana, as he feels that many have been left wondering whether it is appropriate to ingest any amount of it before taking the wheel.

“When New York State rushed through legislation to legalize marijuana, it was done so in a way that left many questions unanswered. Who can legally sell it? Who can legally buy it, use it or consume it?” Murray said. “There is definitely a need to educate the public [on this], and I’m thrilled to team with Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney and Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. to put these PSAs out to the public, to help facilitate that process.”

All public safety announcements can be found on the Suffolk County District Attorney’s  website at www.suffolkcountyny.gov/da.

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Janell Funderburke

Janell Funderburke Pleaded Guilty to Attempted Aggravated Murder and Robbery Charges in June

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on July 11 that Janell Funderburke, 21, of Coram, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after pleading guilty in June to Attempted Aggravated Murder and Robbery in the First Degree, arising out of two separate incidents that included the shooting of a Suffolk County Police Officer in May 2023.

“This sentence reflects the gravity of the defendant’s actions” said District Attorney Tierney. “While we are thankful Officer Lafauci survived, this case is a reminder of the dangers and risks members of law enforcement face daily. In Suffolk County we appreciate and support our law enforcement officers. If you seek to injure a police officer while in the performance of his or her duties, we will pursue you with the full force of the law.”

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine released a statement shortly after. “Justice has been served today as Suffolk County DA Ray Tierney has announced a 25-years-to-life sentence for Janelle Funderburke for his attempt on the life of a Suffolk County police officer as well as armed robbery. If you commit crimes in Suffolk County, you will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. My administration will continue to support all of Suffolk County’s law enforcement agencies and work together daily to make Suffolk County a safer place to live.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on May 8, 2023, Funderburke arranged to meet two women in the vicinity of his residence on Homestead Drive in Coram. After meeting them, an argument ensued and then escalated to Funderburke pointing a black firearm at them.

He then threatened to shoot one of the women and stole her money. The women reported the incident to police, and Funderburke was wanted in connection with the gunpoint robbery.

On May 11, 2023, at 12:45 p.m., Suffolk County Police Officer Michael Lafauci was conducting surveillance in Coram in relation to the May 8, 2023, armed robbery investigation when Funderburke was observed walking southbound on Homestead Drive. Officer Lafauci pulled behind Funderburke, exited his unmarked police vehicle and identified himself as a police officer, at which point the defendant began to flee. Officer Lafauci ran after the Funderburke on foot and ordered the defendant to show his hands. Funderburke refused to comply with the orders. As he continued to run, Funderburke turned back towards Officer Lafauci, extended a black firearm with his right hand, and fired twice.

Officer Lafauci was struck in his upper right thigh by one of the bullets and fell to the ground as Funderburke continued to run away towards his residence. Nearby members of the Suffolk County Police Department immediately administered emergency aid to Officer Lafauci. He was subsequently rushed to Stony Brook University Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

Following his arrest, a search warrant was executed against Funderburke’s residence where a loaded 9mm semiautomatic pistol with an extended magazine, a quantity of fentanyl, and a quantity of the controlled substance carisoprodol were recovered. A microscopic ballistic examination of the pistol recovered from Funderburke’s residence revealed the pistol was the same pistol used to shoot Officer Lafauci.

On June 3, 2024, Funderburke pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft, Jr. to Attempted Aggravated Murder, a Class A-1 felony and Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony.

On July 11, 2024, Justice Senft sentenced Funderburke to 25 years to life in prison. He was represented by Christopher Cassar, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Bureau Chief James Slattery and Assistant District Attorneys Donald Barclay and William Richards with assistance from discovery expeditor Isabella Sestak of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Pilar O’Rourke of the Appeals Bureau. The investigation was conducted by Brendan O’Hara of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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Photo courtesy of Suffolk D.A.’s office

On June 5, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the start of the Summer 2024 Internship Program in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, with 101 law school, graduate, and undergraduate students joining the Office as summer interns.

“I am excited to welcome this elite group of students to our team. Internships are vital to career development and boosting employability after graduation,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This internship class will get hands-on experience working alongside prosecutors, investigators, and other staff, assisting with active investigations, preparing misdemeanor and felony cases for hearings and trials, and participating in community outreach.”

This internship class currently studies at 16 different law schools and 36 different undergraduate universities and colleges across the country. While many of the students attend schools in New York, many are traveling to Suffolk County from elsewhere, including Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and the Philippines. The students come from varied ethnic backgrounds and speak 16 different languages, including American Sign Language, Ancient Greek, Farsi, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Latin, Mandarin, Punjabi, Sindhi, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

Throughout the program, the Office enhances the internship experience by providing interns the opportunity to observe arraignments in Suffolk County First District Court, tour portions of the Suffolk County Police Department, the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory, Suffolk County Correctional Facilities, and the Suffolk County Medical Examiner, and the United States Federal District Court.

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Janell Funderburke

Janell Funderburke Will Be Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on June 3 that Janell Funderburke, 21, of Coram, pleaded guilty to Attempted Aggravated Murder and Robbery in the First Degree, arising out of two separate incidents that included the shooting a Suffolk County Police Officer in May 2023.

“Today’s guilty plea is a stark reminder of the critical role that law enforcement plays in upholding justice and maintaining the rule of law. This defendant’s heinous actions in shooting an officer, who had clearly identified himself, and then fleeing demonstrate a blatant and egregious disregard for the very fabric of our legal system,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Such acts of violence against those who protect our communities cannot be tolerated and will be met with the full force of justice. I want to thank the Suffolk County Police Department and especially Officer Lafauci for their exemplary work on this case.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on May 8, 2023, Funderburke arranged to meet two women in the vicinity of his residence on Homestead Drive in Coram. After meeting them, an argument ensued and then escalated to Funderburke pointing a black firearm at them

He then threatened to shoot one of the women and stole her money. The women reported the incident to police, and Funderburke was wanted in connection with the gunpoint robbery.

On May 11, 2023, at 12:45 p.m., Suffolk County Police Officer Michael Lafauci was conducting surveillance in Coram in relation to the May 8, 2023, armed robbery investigation when Funderburke was observed walking southbound on Homestead Drive. Officer Lafauci pulled behind Funderburke, exited his unmarked police vehicle and identified himself as a police officer, at which point the defendant began to flee. Officer Lafauci ran after the Funderburke on foot and ordered the defendant to show his hands. Funderburke refused to comply with the orders. As he continued to run, Funderburke turned back towards Officer Lafauci, extended a black firearm with his right hand, and fired twice.

Officer Lafauci was struck in his upper right thigh by one of the bullets and fell to the ground as Funderburke continued to run off towards his residence. Nearby members of the Suffolk County Police Department immediately administered emergency aid to Officer Lafauci. He was subsequently rushed to Stony Brook University Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

Following his arrest, a search warrant was executed against Funderburke’s residence where a loaded 9 mm semiautomatic pistol with an extended magazine, a quantity of fentanyl, and a quantity of the controlled substance carisoprodol were recovered. A microscopic ballistic examination of the pistol recovered from Funderburke’s residence was the same pistol used to shoot Officer Lafauci.

On June 3, 2024, Funderburke pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft, Jr. to Attempted Aggravated Murder, a Class A-1 felony and Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony. Funderburke is expected to be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Funderburke is due back in court on July 11, 2024, and he is being represented by Christopher Cassar, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Bureau Chief James Slattery and Assistant District Attorneys Donald Barclay and William Richards with assistance from discovery expeditor Isabella Sestak of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Pilar O’Rourke of the Appeals Bureau. The investigation was conducted by Brendan O’Hara of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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Nathaniel Howell

Nathaniel Howell Pleaded Guilty in April and Has 7 Prior Felony Convictions

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on May 9 that Nathaniel Howell, 40, of Medford, was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree for possessing cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl with intent to distribute out of his Medford home.

“This defendant was brazen enough to continue peddling these poisons while on parole for a prior cocaine and illegal weapon offenses,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Our parole system is clearly broken as it no longer allows parole officers to effectively monitor parolees, however, with this guilty plea and sentence, my office has removed a significant threat from our community, which makes us all safer.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, in November 2023, the District Attorney’s Fentanyl Task Force launched an investigation and found that Howell was selling cocaine and fentanyl out of his home on Wilson Avenue in Medford.

A search warrant was executed against the home where police subsequently recovered a bag containing 1.57 ounces of fentanyl, a bag containing 2.10 ounces of heroin mixed with fentanyl and a bag containing 3.54 ounces of heroin, and over $305,000 dollars from his bedroom.

At the time of this offense, Howell was already on parole for a conviction stemming from a 2020 search warrant executed under similar circumstances against Howell’s Medford home. That investigation had resulted in the seizure of cocaine, a loaded firearm, and over $50,000 dollars.

Howell has seven prior felony convictions, including:

  • 2004 conviction for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree and a Felony charge of Driving While Intoxicated. Howell was sentenced to six months in jail.
  • A 2007 conviction for Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. Howell was sentenced to three years in prison.
  • A 2009 conviction for Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. Howell was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.
  • A 2015 conviction for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. Howell was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
  • A 2020 conviction for Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. Howell was sentenced to two years in prison.

Howell also has numerous misdemeanor convictions where he served periods of incarceration.

On April 4, 2024, Howell pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro to two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, Class A felonies. On May 9, 2024, Howell was sentenced to 10 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision. Howell was represented by Ira Weissman, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robert Kerr of the Narcotics Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Suffolk County District Attorney’s Fentanyl Task Force which is comprised of District Attorney Investigators, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, and the Suffolk County Police Department.

 

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Chelsey Murray

Jaquan Casserly Pleaded Guilty in April to Selling Chelsea Murray Illicit Drugs Which Resulted in Her Death

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Jaquan Casserly, 34, of Holbrook, was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty in April to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, for selling fentanyl to Chelsey Murray, 31, of Lake Grove, that resulted in her fatal overdose in 2022.

“This defendant is responsible for cutting a 31-year-old woman’s life short by selling her a deadly mix of fentanyl and heroin,” said District Attorney Tierney. “His conviction and sentence remove a dangerous individual from the streets of Suffolk County, but there is more work to be done. I will continue to stand by Chelsey Murray’s heartbroken parents as I urge lawmakers to pass Chelsey’s Law, which provides additional penalties for causing overdose deaths.”

Chelsey’s parents, Gene and Sue Murray recently joined District Attorney Tierney in Albany in January 2024 to call for New York State lawmakers to pass Chelsey’s Law, which if passed, would allow prosecutors to charge a drug dealer with manslaughter or aggravated manslaughter, for knowingly selling a drug that causes a victim to fatally overdose. Click here to view the press release from the January 2024 Albany rally.

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According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on August 18, 2022, Chelsey was found unresponsive in the bathroom by her mother, and police responded to the Murray’s residence. Chelsey was administered Narcan, which works to reverse the effects of fentanyl, and she regained a pulse. Chelsey was then transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where she ultimately passed away several days later as a result of a drug overdose.

Following Chelsey’s hospitalization, an undercover detective from the Suffolk County Police Department contacted Casserly and arranged for a sale of narcotics. Casserly then sold the undercover detective a combination of heroin and fentanyl contained in a red glassine envelope, which police were able to establish was similar to the one that Chelsey’s father Gene found in the bathroom where Chelsey overdosed.

On August 27, 2022, police executed a search warrant at Casserly’s Holbrook residence and recovered a combination of heroin and fentanyl, a digital scale used to weigh narcotics, red and black glassine/wax envelopes used to package narcotics, a pair of metal knuckles, and Casserly’s cell phone. The red envelopes were similar in appearance to the ones sold to the undercover detective. A search of Casserly’s phone showed that he arranged to meet Chelsey on August 17, 2022, offering to sell her “fetty mix,” a street term used to describe a mix of fentanyl and heroin.

Prior to this case, Casserly was previously convicted of Attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree in 2018, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree in 2011.

On April 5, 2024, Casserly pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski. On May 8, 2024, Casserly was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by three years of post-release supervision. He was represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Danielle Davis of the Narcotics Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Michael DeMauro of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Narcotics Section.

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