Tags Posts tagged with "Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney"

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney

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Jesus Bonilla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kevin Galloway

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb. 6 that Kevin Galloway, 53, of Holtsville, was sentenced to two to six years in prison after pleading guilty in November 2023 to Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, following a crash in Huntington Station that killed 48-year-old Natividad Interiano, of Huntington, in August 2023.

“This defendant knew he struck a pedestrian with his car, but instead of stopping to help the victim, Galloway stopped at a gas station to check for damage to the front of his vehicle.” said District Attorney Tierney. “I want to thank the prosecutors for their commitment to securing this conviction, and I hope this sentence provides Interiano’s family and friends with some measure of comfort knowing the man who took their loved one is paying for the crime he committed.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s statements during his plea allocution, on August 27, 2023, at approximately 9:12 p.m., nearby video footage captured Galloway traveling eastbound in his black 2003 Chevrolet Suburban and striking Interiano as he was crossing the intersection on East Pulaski Road in Huntington Station. Interiano, who had been walking with a cane, was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the crash.

After the incident, Galloway fled the scene where another video surveillance camera captured him entering a BP Gas Station on Park Avenue in Huntington Station. The video footage depicted Galloway pulling into the gas station, inspecting the front end of his vehicle, and pushing the left headlight back into the vehicle before driving away.

On August 28, 2023, in an attempt to evade law enforcement, Galloway replaced the hood, front grill, and rims of his vehicle. The next day, Galloway took the damaged parts of the vehicle to a recycling center in Medford where they were scrapped for cash. Galloway was subsequently arrested on September 1, 2023, when he admitted to driving the vehicle at the time of the collision.

On November 6, 2023, Galloway pleaded guilty to Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, a Class D felony before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Timothy P. Mazzei.

On February 6, 2024, Justice Mazzei sentenced Galloway to two to six years in prison and his license was revoked. He was represented by Eric Besso, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys James McCormack and Raymond Varuolo of the Vehicular Crime Bureau with investigative assistance from Detective Joseph Bianco of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Major Case Unit.

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Terence Wolffe

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb. 2 that Terence Wolffe, 42, of Mastic, pleaded guilty to Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree and related charges for intentionally damaging parkland in the undeveloped wilderness of Walter S. Commerdinger Jr. County Park in Nesconset. He is now mandated to contribute socially, physically, and financially towards the county’s efforts to improve the environment.

“This is the perfect balance of what we believe is the future of combatting environmental crimes. Not only will this defendant have to pay for the damage he has done, but he is also mandated to be a part of the solution or face jail time,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Beyond simple remediation, this court-mandated comprehensive plan develops, cleans and adds stewards of environmental care in Suffolk County.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s statements during his plea allocution, Wolffe damaged county parkland within the confines of Walter S. Commerdinger Jr. County Park. Beginning in April 2023, Wolffe travelled to an off-trail area in the interior of the park to clear and excavate a personal “hang-out” spot in the woods. Using machetes, axes, and shovels, Wolffe chopped down native trees, removed native vegetation, and dug up ground-brush, thatch, soil, dirt and earth from an area approximately 1,150 square feet in dimension.

Wolffe then piled the displaced brush, soil, and tree limbs upon adjacent park land (smothering other native vegetation). While some trees around the periphery were left standing, Wolffe had allegedly hacked and sectioned their roots, causing severe and fatal damage that, in turn, jeopardized those on trails from falling timber. The depth of Wolffe’s excavation caused the adjacent wetland to flood into the pit.

Wolffe’s conduct was detected in November 2023 by Suffolk County Park Rangers. He was confronted at the scene and ultimately arrested on December 5, 2023, after a full site investigation was completed. He was also cited for having a machete on county parklands.

In December, District Attorney Tierney announced his “Evergreen Initiative,” a broad-based enforcement, awareness, and legislative plan to counter-act destruction of Suffolk’s natural environment. A component of this initiative is the DA’s commitment to incorporate environmental stewardship into plea agreements. As an illustration of this plan in action, the conditions of Wolffe’s plea require him to accumulate a total of 100 “Green Points.”

Wolffe is mandated, under terms of his plea, to accumulate his points through a combination of Green Point types, rather than focus purely on just one avenue.

Wolffe must achieve at least 50 Green Points within seven months of his entering a guilty plea. Wolffe then must acquire any outstanding points within six months of his sentencing. Any unearned points will convert to jail-time.

Additionally, Wolffe will also have to file monthly reports to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office on his progress and submit a personal statement describing, at a minimum, his experiences in undertaking the activities, a review of the organizations he came into contact with, ideas for future environmental endeavors and lessons learned from his experiences

On February 2, 2024, Wolffe pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard Ambro to Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor, and eight counts of Suffolk County Parks violations. He is being represented by Steven M. Politi, Esq. His next court date is September 3, 2024.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jed L. Painter of the District Attorney’s Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST) with investigative assistance from the Suffolk County Parks Department.

 

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Jeffrey Edsall

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Jan. 30 that Jeffrey Edsall, 52, pleaded guilty to Aggravated Vehicular Assault and other related charges, for stealing a car, driving it while under the influence of alcohol, and causing a four-car collision in North Patchogue that left a 73-year-old woman with serious physical injuries.

“This defendant was not only operating a stolen car, but he was doing so while under the influence of alcohol,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Motorists and their passengers have the right to drive the streets of Suffolk County without having to fear that they are going to be struck by a reckless drunk driver. This defendant presented a clear danger to the citizens of Suffolk County and now will be held accountable for his dangerous actions.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on June 15, 2023, at approximately 7:04 p.m., Edsall was driving a stolen blue 2001 Ford Explorer northbound on North Ocean Avenue in North Patchogue. Video surveillance footage from a nearby business captured the stolen vehicle rear-end an SUV which was waiting to make a left turn into a parking lot.

The force of the crash caused the SUV to be pushed forward several feet and the stolen vehicle to spin into the oncoming southbound lane where it collided with two additional vehicles, one of which contained a 73-year-old woman. As a result of the crash, the victim suffered a broken nose, a fractured right wrist, a fractured right leg that required surgery, and other physical injuries.

During the crash, Edsall was ejected from the stolen vehicle and found lying unresponsive nearby. The Suffolk County Police Department transported Edsall to Stony Brook University Hospital, where a sample of his blood taken by hospital staff was subsequently seized pursuant to a search warrant. Edsall’s blood was tested, which revealed that his blood alcohol concentration was .13% at the time the blood was drawn.

On January 30, 2024, Edsall pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard Ambro, to the following charges:

  •   One count of Aggravated Vehicular Assault, a Class C felony;
  •   One count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, a Class Efelony; and
  •   One count of Driving While Intoxicated Per Se, a Class E felony.Edsall is due back in court on March 4, 2024, and is expected to be sentenced to 3 to 6 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision. The District Attorney’s Office is recommending that Edsall be sentenced to the maximum sentence allowed by law, which is 7.5 to 15 years in prison with 5 years post-release supervision. Edsall is being represented by Adam J. Markou, Esq. of the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James McCormack of the Vehicular Crime Bureau with investigative assistance from Detective Stephen Masciopinto of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fifth Squad.

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

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Jan. 26 that Christopher Loeb, 37, of Smithtown, was indicted for Assault in the Second Degree, and other related charges, for allegedly pushing an 89-year-old woman to the ground and throwing a metal plant stand at her, resulting in a fractured femur.

“Violence against anyone should never be tolerated, but it is especially reprehensible when that violence is directed against an elderly woman in their own home,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Thankfully, the alleged victim in this case called 911, and the law enforcement who responded to the scene was able to remove the defendant from the home and render aid to the victim.”

According to the investigation, on January 12, 2024, the victim entered her kitchen to find Loeb breaking glass plates, dinner chairs, and a butcher’s block stand. He then allegedly grabbed the victim and pushed her to the ground. While Loeb continued damaging other items around the house, including the front door, the victim was able to stand up and call 911. Loeb then allegedly threw a metal plant stand at the victim’s right leg, which resulted in a fractured femur, pain, and bruising.

The police arrived and observed the victim still lying on the floor of her living room where she fell after the alleged assault. Loeb was pacing around the second story of the house, allegedly holding a broken table leg, which the police recovered before placing him under arrest.

The victim was taken to St. Catherine of Siena Hospital in Smithtown to receive treatment for her various injuries and remains in rehabilitative care.

On January 25, 2024, Loeb was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Steven A. Pilewski, for two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies, and one count of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, a Class E felony. Justice Pilewski ordered Loeb held on $75,000 cash, $150,000 bond, or $750,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Loeb is due back in court on February 15, 2024, and is being represented by Christopher Cassar, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Melissa Grier of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau with investigative assistance from Detective Alexander Otero of the Suffolk County Police Department.

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Jennifer Nelson

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Jennifer Nelson, 35, of Shirley, was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison after a jury found her guilty in September for Leaving the Scene of an Incident after hitting a 15-year-old boy with her car several times and then fleeing the scene.

“This is a horrible turn of events that no child should ever have to endure by the hands of an adult,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Witnesses described how this defendant left a 15-year-old boy crawling away from her vehicle as she smirked and left the scene without remorse. Thoughtless and criminally dangerousness will not be tolerated in Suffolk County.”

The evidence at trial established that on October 7, 2022, Nelson mowed down a teenager with her 2020 Honda Passport after a verbal confrontation with him and others at a parking lot of a bagel store. Nelson’s vehicle struck the victim who then fell to the ground. She then drove over the victim, reversed her car, drove over the victim again and then fled the scene. In an attempt to evade police officers, Nelson traded in her vehicle for a newer model.

The victim suffered serious physical injuries including multiple fractures of the pelvis, six fractured ribs, a punctured lung, and numerous bruises and abrasions.

On September 26, 2023, Nelson was found guilty after a jury trial heard before Supreme Court Justice, Timothy P. Mazzei for the charge of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, a Class E felony.

On January 26, 2024, Justice Mazzei sentenced Nelson to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison. She was represented by Katherine Fernandez, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Veronica M. McMahon, Tara K. O’Donnell, and James J. O’Rourke, IV of the Major Crime Bureau with investigative assistance from Detective Adam Friedlander of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Seventh Squad and SCDAO Violent Felony Offense Squad Detective Investigators John Roberts and Reginald Sykes.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Laura Bee, 59, of Lake Grove, formerly the manager of Ever Love Jewelry in Huntington Village, pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree after stealing over $137,000 worth of jewelry from her customers.

“Over almost three years, this defendant used her position as the manager of a jewelry store to scam her friends and unsuspecting customers,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This defendant took advantage of her position for personal gain, and my office will continue to prosecute professionals who steal from their customers.”

According to the investigation and the defendant’s admissions during her guilty plea allocution, from September 27, 2019, to June 26, 2022, Bee agreed to take possession of various jewelry items, valued at approximately $31,000 for the purpose of selling on behalf of her friends. Bee kept these items despite numerous demands for the proceeds of the sale or the return of the items.

Between October 7, 2020, and August 19, 2022, Bee sold various diamond engagement rings to customers who thought they were buying rings with natural diamonds.

When customers later had their rings appraised, they discovered that the stones were lab grown diamonds, worth significantly less than the natural diamonds they paid for. Using this scheme, the investigation revealed that Bee stole approximately $47,000 from unsuspecting couples.

On December 10, 2021, Bee agreed to repair a broken diamond engagement ring for a friend. She was entrusted with the engagement ring valued at approximately $15,000. When Bee returned the ring to her friend, the natural diamond had been replaced with a lab grown diamond, worth approximately $2,000.

In addition, from June 22, 2022, to December 7, 2022, Bee stole almost $50,000 from other jewelers who sold her jewelry. Throughout this time, Bee issued six bad checks from the Ever Love Jewelry bank account, knowing the funds in the account would not cover the checks.

On January 16, 2024, Bee pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Karen Kerr, to one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony. As part of the plea agreement, Bee is expected to make full restitution.

Bee is due back in court on March 25, 2024, and she is being represented by Matthew Tuohy, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Lynch of the Major Crime Bureau with investigative assistance from Suffolk County Police Department Detective Christopher Anskat of the Second Precinct.

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Carlos Lauro

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Jan. 18 that Carlos Lauro, 76, of Riverhead, pleaded guilty to fatally shooting a German Shepherd with a rifle and was sentenced to one year in jail and a 20-year ban on owning or possessing animals.

“Our Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team, the Suffolk County Police Department, and the Riverhead Police Department put together a solid case, and the defendant’s only recourse was to plead guilty,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This kind of cruelty will not be tolerated by my office, nor the people of Suffolk County, and the swift sentence of one year in jail demonstrates that. Let this serve as a warning to anyone seeking to injure animals.”

“Thanks to the swift action of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and its Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team, animal abuser Carlos Lauro will spend the rest of 2024 in jail and won’t be allowed to own another companion animal until he is nearly 100 years old,” said John Di Leonardo, anthrozoologist and Executive Director of Humane Long Island. “Humane Long Island has removed nearly 100 animals, including three cows, 10 freezing piglets, a dozen waterfowl, and dozens of sick and injured chickens, sheep, goats, and a bunny from Carlos Lauro’s slaughterhouse and an adjacent property, but the public can save twice as many animals annually simply by going vegan. Learn more at HumaneLongIsland.org.”

The investigation was launched on January 10, 2024, when a one-year-old German Shepherd was taken to the VCA Veterinary Hospital in Westbury and found to be paralyzed from a gunshot wound to the head. According to a witness, the dog, named “Blitzkrieg,” was allegedly found shot at about 5:30 p.m., laying in a pen on Lauro’s property next to a dead goat. When detectives with the SCDA’s Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST) arrived at Lauro’s home, they learned that approximately one month prior, Lauro had shot and killed another German Shepherd, a six-month old puppy named “Cranky.” Lauro shot Cranky in the back, and when another resident of the house took the dog back inside the home in an attempt to console and treat his wounds, Lauro dragged the dog back outside and shot Cranky in the head, killing her.

At Lauro’s home, BEAST detectives found five surviving Belgian Malinois/Dutch Shepherd mix dogs, a Border Collie dog, two German Shepherd dogs, and numerous other animals including a multitude of goats, pigs, cows, chickens, and geese. Multiple other deceased farm animals, including a baby goat and pig, were observed at the scene.

On January 11, 2024, BEAST detectives with the assistance from the the Riverhead Police Department, executed a search warrant against the premises and arrested Lauro.

On January 18, 2024, Lauro pleaded guilty before Riverhead Town Justice, the Honorable Lori M. Hulse, to the unjustified killing of an animal, a Class “A” misdemeanor. Lauro also pleaded guilty to Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, an Unclassified misdemeanor, stemming from an unrelated case. As conditions of his plea, Lauro was sentenced to one year in jail, was issued a 20-year ban on owning or possessing animals, and all the surviving animals owned by Lauro were surrendered. Lauro was represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County for both cases.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brooke Salvatore of BEAST, with investigative assistance from Suffolk County Police Department BEAST Detective Joanna Westrack.

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

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the arrest of Carlos Lauro, 76, of Riverhead, who is accused of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and other related charges for allegedly fatally shooting two German Shepherds with a rifle.

“This is a particularly horrific example of cruelty,” said District Attorney Tierney. “While we unfortunately could not rescue all of the animal victims that our investigators found on this defendant’s property, we will seek justice for them.”

“Mr. Lauro is repeatedly the subject of various complaints to the Town regarding the condition of and activities at his Sound Avenue property. Responses to his property by Town Code Enforcement officials have revealed and led to prosecutions by the Riverhead Town Attorney’s Office for illegal animal sales, attempts to operate an illegal slaughterhouse, dilapidated and illegal structures, loose farm animals, and general property maintenance,” said Erik C. Howard, Town of Riverhead Attorney. “The Riverhead Town Attorney’s Office applauds the Suffolk County District Attorney’s prosecution of Mr. Lauro and is prepared to assist in any way necessary to secure a conviction for Mr. Lauro’s reprehensible conduct and wanton disregard for the life of a companion animal

“Animals, whether dogs or goats, sheep or chickens experience terror and fight for their lives just as we would when faced with the prospect of slaughter, yet for the animals at this illegal backyard slaughter operation, the experience was made even more horrific, with sick and injured animals living among the corpses of their friends,” said John Di Leonardo, anthrozoologist and Executive Director of Humane Long Island. “Humane Long Island thanks the Suffolk County and its Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team for prosecuting this heinous case of aggravated animal cruelty and reminds the public that they too can save hundreds of animals annually by simply leaving them off their plates.”

The current investigation was launched on January 10, 2024, when a one-year-old German Shepard was taken to the VCA Westbury Veterinarian Hospital in Westbury and found to be paralyzed from a gunshot wound to the head. According to a witness, the dog, named “Blitzkrieg,” was found shot at about 5:30 p.m. laying in a pen on Lauro’s property next to a dead goat. When detectives with the SCDA’s BEAST unit arrived to Lauro’s home, they learned Lauro had previously shot and killed another German Shepard, a six-month old puppy named “Cranky,” approximately a month prior because the dog was allegedly refusing to go back inside his house. The allegations of that event were that Lauro had shot Cranky once in the back and, then, when another resident took him back inside the house in an attempt to console and treat his wounds, Lauro dragged the dog back outside and shot him in the head.

At the home, BEAST detectives found five surviving Belgian Malinois/Dutch Shepard mix dogs, a Border Collie and two German Shepard dogs, and numerous other animals including a multitude of goats, pigs, cows, and chickens.

On January 11, 2024, the BEAST Detectives with the assistance of the Riverhead Police Department executed a search warrant against the premises and arrested Lauro on felony charges for allegedly shooting the dogs. Numerous other deceased farm animals, including a baby goat and pig, were observed at the scene. The circumstances of their deaths are still being investigated.

Further investigation revealed that the surviving eight dogs, goats, pigs, cows, and chickens had been subject to neglect, living in deplorable conditions without access to clean food and water. Humane Long Island has been assisting the field operation by triaging farm animal victims to appropriate foster care.

While the investigation is ongoing, Lauro has been initially charged with one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a Class E felony, and three counts of Neglect of an Impounded Animal, Unclassified Misdemeanors.

At his arraignment, Riverhead Town Justice Court Judge, the Honorable Sean Walter ordered Lauro to be held without bail. Lauro is being represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County. His next court date is January 17, 2024.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brooke Salvatore of the Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST), with investigative assistance from Suffolk County BEAST Detective Joanna Westrack.