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Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney

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Messiah Booker

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb. 27  that Messiah Booker, also known as Matthew Booker, 38, of Riverhead, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of his involvement in a May 2022 shooting that occurred while he was on parole release from prison for a separate felony.

“With this sentence, we want the public to know that we are holding perpetrators of violence accountable,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This happened in broad daylight in the parking lot of an apartment complex full of people. Violence will not be tolerated in Suffolk County.”

The evidence at trial established that on May 20, 2022, Booker got into a verbal dispute with a teenager in the parking lot area of an apartment complex in downtown Riverhead. As the argument escalated, Booker threatened to shoot the juvenile, and then briefly entered his black Jeep Compass before returning with a loaded gun in a fanny pack. Booker then began to pull the gun from the fanny pack, causing him to flee for his life.

The victim’s family arrived at the apartment complex shortly thereafter, at approximately 3:50 p.m.,
and Booker began to argue with them. During the argument, a large crowd gathered in front of the building. Booker went back to his Jeep, retrieved the same loaded firearm from earlier, and shot at one of the people in the crowd. The bullet ricocheted off the ground and struck another victim in the forearm. Booker then fled the scene on foot.

Riverhead Town Police Department officers responded to the scene and located a 9 mm shell casing
from the shooting. Booker’s Jeep Compass, which was still at the scene, was impounded and a search
of its contents was conducted pursuant to a search warrant. During the search, law enforcement
recovered drugs including cocaine and morphine, over $1,000 in small denomination bills, four
cellular phones, walkie-talkies, a tactical vest, 9 mm ammunition, a digital scale typically used to
weigh narcotics, and drug packaging material including glassine envelopes.

Law enforcement tracked Booker’s movements with assistance from the United States Marshals
Service, and he was apprehended days later and placed under arrest.

On February 27, Booker was convicted after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court
Justice, the Honorable Anthony S. Senft, Jr. of the following charges:
 Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent
felonies;
 Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree: with the
Intent to Sell, Class D felonies;
 Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, Class
A misdemeanors;
 One count of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, a Class A
misdemeanor; and
 One count of Menacing in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

Prior to this incident, Booker had five felony convictions, two of which were violent felonies. In
particular, Booker was convicted in 2017 of Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree, a Class D
violent felony, for his role in a home-invasion burglary. Booker was released to parole supervision
in 2019 and was still on parole for that conviction at the time of this incident.

On February 27, 2024, Justice Senft sentenced Booker to 25 years to life in prison. He was represented by Ian Fitzgerald, Esq.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys William Richards and Raymond Coscia of the Violent Criminal Enterprise Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Richard Freeborn of the Riverhead Town Police Department.

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Arthur Oneal

Arthur Oneal Allegedly Recorded Himself Raping a Woman While She Was Unconscious

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb. 24 that Arthur Oneal, 36, of Centereach, was indicted for Rape in the First Degree and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, for allegedly drugging and then raping a woman while he recorded the incident.

“Accountability for perpetrators of sexual abuse is not just a legal obligation, but also a moral one,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office will do everything in its power to ensure that those who commit such heinous acts are held accountable, not just for the sake of justice, but to protect and empower survivors and to send a clear message that these crimes will not be tolerated in Suffolk County.”

According to the investigation, on December 9, 2023, Oneal allegedly brought the victim to his home in Centereach after drugging her with a sleep-aid while they were having drinks in Huntington. The defendant then allegedly sexually assaulted the victim until she lost consciousness. The victim later woke up in a bed next to Oneal and saw blood on the sheets. The victim went to a local hospital where a SANE examination was performed, which concluded that the victim had suffered recent sexual abuse. The Suffolk County Office of the Medical Examiner tested a sample of the victim’s urine, which revealed that Zolpidiem, commonly known as Ambien, was present. The victim did not voluntarily ingest Ambien at any time prior to the urinalysis.

During law enforcement’s investigation, detectives recovered videos and images from Oneal’s cell phone which allegedly depict the victim being sexually assaulted by the defendant while she was unconscious. Detectives also allegedly recovered bloody sheets and multiple pairs of women’s underwear from Oneal’s home.

On February 23, 2024, Oneal was arraigned on the indictment before County Court Judge, the Honorable Karen M. Wilutis, charging him with one count of Rape in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony, and one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D violent felony. Judge Wilutis ordered Oneal held on $500,000 cash, $1,000,000 bond, or $5,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Oneal is due back in court on March 11, 2024, and he is being represented by Michael Elbert, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Aileen E. Iorio of the Major Crime Bureau with the investigation conducted by Detective Anthony Parenti of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Sixth Squad.

If you or someone you know believe you have been victimized by Arthur Oneal, please contact the Suffolk County Police Department, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

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Ronald Oscal Cruz

Ronald Oscal Cruz Pleaded Guilty Last Month to Stabbing a Riverhead Man

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb. 14 that Ronald Oscal Cruz, 31, of Calverton, was sentenced to eight and one-half years in prison after pleading guilty to Assault in the First Degree, for stabbing a 37-year-old Riverhead man with a kitchen knife causing severe physical injuries including the removal of a portion of the victim’s pancreas.

“Thankfully for the quick action of the police officer here, the defendant was arrested before anyone was killed and the victim received vital emergency care,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We will not tolerate such violence in Suffolk County.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on July 18, 2022, at approximately 10:45 p.m., Oscal Cruz stabbed the victim multiple times in the back with a large kitchen knife. A plainclothes police officer observed Oscal Cruz chasing the victim down Main Street in Riverhead. When the officer stopped Oscal Cruz, he was in possession of the kitchen knife covered in blood.

The victim was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center and underwent three surgeries to control the bleeding from the lacerations to his stomach, spleen, pancreas, and colon.

The following day, the victim nearly died while being airlifted to South Shore University Hospital for additional treatment. The victim survived after multiple hours of surgery, but part of his pancreas was removed.

On January 12, 2024, Oscal Cruz, pleaded guilty to Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony, before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Anthony S. Senft Jr. On February 14, 2024, Justice Senft sentenced Oscal Cruz to eight and one-half years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. He was represented by John Halverson, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Keri Wasson and Tara O’Donnell of the Major Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Richard Freeborn of the Suffolk County Police Department.

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Matthew Leshinsky

Matthew Leshinsky’s Clandestine Drug Lab was Uncovered When He Called Police to Report a Burglary

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb. 15 that Matthew Leshinsky, 23, of Farmingville, pleaded guilty to Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine in the Third Degree and other related charges, for manufacturing methamphetamine and other illicit drugs at his business, Quantitative Laboratories, LLC, in Ronkonkoma.

“This defendant was operating a Breaking Bad-style drug lab and tried to conceal it under the guise of a legitimate business. He then inadvertently turned himself in when he reported that a burglary occurred at that same business,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I want to thank the Suffolk County Police Department officers who keenly identified evidence of a clandestine drug lab during their initial response to the scene, as well as our prosecutors and other members of law enforcement for their collaborative efforts to further investigate this defendant and hold him accountable for the deadly drugs he put out onto the streets of Suffolk County.”

According to the investigation and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on June 7, 2023, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Leshinsky called 911 to report a burglary in progress at his purported business establishment, Quantitative Laboratories, LLC, in Ronkonkoma.

When officers from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fifth Precinct responded to the scene, they observed broken glass at the entrance of the lab. While the officers continued investigating, they discovered what appeared to be a clandestine laboratory that was involved in the manufacture, production, and preparation of methamphetamine and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a hallucinogenic substance, amongst other controlled substances.

After obtaining a search warrant for the location, law enforcement found over 100 items of laboratory equipment, chemical reagents and solvents used in the manufacture, production, or preparation of methamphetamine, as well as substances that resulted from the production or preparation of methamphetamine. Police also recovered $40,000 in cash, a quantity of MDMA (ecstasy), over 3 ounces of methamphetamine, over 625,000 milligrams of pure ketamine, and over 20 plastic 55 gallon drums containing Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), which is chemically similar to Gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), often times referred to as the “date rape drug.”

On February 15, 2024, Leshinsky pleaded guilty to the following charges before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard Ambro:

  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A-II felony;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony;
  •   Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, Class D felonies;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class C felony;
  •   Two counts of Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine in the Third Degree, Class D felonies;
  •   One count of Unlawful Disposal of Methamphetamine Laboratory Material, a Class E felony;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacturing Material in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, Class A misdemeanors; and
  •   One count of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

    Leshinsky is due back in court for sentencing on March 20, 2024, and he is being represented by David Besso, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Saam Jalayer of the Narcotics Bureau with investigative assistance from members of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fifth Precinct, Arson Squad, and Narcotics Section, and members of the New York State Police’s Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team.

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

Matthew Dickson Allegedly Stole Money From Kids’ Soccer Club For Eight Months

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb.  14 that Matthew Dickson, 44, of Dix Hills, was indicted for Grand Larceny in the Second Degree for allegedly embezzling more than $70,000 from the Dix Hills Soccer Club while he held the positions of Vice President and President of the club.

“Hundreds of children and their families join the Dix Hills Soccer Club every year to be a part of the community, make friends, and learn how to play soccer,” said District Attorney Tierney. “It is a shame that anyone would want to jeopardize that rite of passage by exploiting their position of trust to steal from those same kids and their families.”

According to the investigation, between April and November 2022, Dickson was responsible for paying the bills associated with the Dix Hills Soccer Club. During that same period, Dickson held the position of Vice President, and then later, President, of the soccer club. Instead of paying the expenses, Dickson allegedly began writing checks to himself and to his corporation from the soccer club’s account without the board of directors’ permission. Further investigation revealed that the defendant allegedly collected payments from club members through his personal Venmo account for soccer-related events, which he did not then deposit into the club’s bank account. Additionally, he failed to reimburse the club for expenses that he allegedly charged on the Dix Hills Soccer Club’s credit card.

On February 14, 2024, Dickson was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable John B. Collins, charging him with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony. Justice Collins ordered Dickson to be released on his own recognizance. Under current New York State law, the offense for which the defendant was indicted is considered non-bail eligible. Dickson is due back in court on April 12, 2024. He is represented by James Misiano, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Adriana Noyola of the Financial Crimes Bureau with investigative assistance from Detective Investigator Daniel Ayrovainen of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office’s Financial Crimes Bureau.

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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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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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