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

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney

by -
0 877
Blaise Marckesano

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Nov. 28 that Blaise Marckesano, 38, of Shirley, was sentenced to 1 ½ to 4 ½ years in prison for Robbery in the Third Degree and other charges, after committing a string of catalytic converter thefts, commercial burglaries, and a robbery, throughout Suffolk County.

“Serial recidivists such as this defendant are the reason my office teamed up with our Suffolk County Town Supervisors to create the Quality-of-Life Town Coalition,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Quality of life crimes such as catalytic converter thefts and commercial burglaries seriously impact the safety of Suffolk County residents and businesses alike. These crimes have damaging financial effects to our hard-working residents. I hope this sentence sends the message that my office will continue to vigorously prosecute these crimes.”

According to the investigation and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, between December 11 and December 13, 2021, Marckesano stole six catalytic converters from recreational vehicles that were parked at W.E.S. Trailer Services in Wading River.

Catalytic converters are a part of a vehicle’s exhaust device and use precious metals in their center to reduce pollutants from a vehicle’s engine. These precious metals, which include palladium, platinum, and rhodium can be valuable and make catalytic converters a target for theft.

Marckesano was also involved in a robbery and a string of commercial burglaries in April 2023.

On April 1, 2023, Marckesano pushed a store clerk and forcibly stole beer at a Deli in Shirley. Then, between April 13 and April 25, 2023, Marckesano broke into an American Legion Post in Mastic Beach on two separate occasions and stole approximately $6,000. On April 21, 2023, Marckesano broke into a Home Depot store in Shirley and stole assorted lawn supplies valued at approximately $2,800.

On October 23, 2023, Marckesano pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard I. Horowitz, to the following charges:

 One count of Robbery in the Third Degree; a Class D felony;

 Three counts of Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class D felony; and

 One count of Auto Stripping in the First Degree, a Class D felony.

On November 27, 2023, Justice Horowitz sentenced Marckesano to 1 ½ to 4 ½ years in prison.

Marckesano was represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society. These cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Blythe C. Miller of the Financial Crime Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Jacob Delauter of the Major Crime Bureau.

by -
0 1120
Kevin Galloway

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Kevin Galloway, 53, of Holtsville, pleaded guilty to felony 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 left Mr. Interiano in the street to die,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My Office remains committed to thoroughly investigating vehicular fatalities and prosecuting drivers who jeopardize the safety of our roadways and citizens in Suffolk County.”

According to the investigation, on August 27, 2023, at approximately 9:12 p.m., nearby video footage captured Galloway traveling eastbound in his black 2003 Chevrolet Suburban and strike 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 before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Timothy P. Mazzei, to Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, a Class D felony. Galloway is due back in court for sentencing on January 10, 2023, and he is being represented by Eric Besso, Esq.

This case is being 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.

by -
0 1196
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney and Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. announced on Nov. 16 that JYZIR HAMILTON, ALYSSA BRIENZA, JANIAH WILLIAMS, ERIC FREEMAN, and ARNOLD FOSTER, were indicted for conspiring to smuggle fentanyl-infused paperwork into the Suffolk County Correctional Facility.

“This group not only allegedly attempted to smuggle deadly fentanyl into the Suffolk County Correctional Facility, but they also attempted to use an unsuspecting defense attorney to deliver it. Had any of the fentanyl from the laced sheets of paper been ingested in any way, through touch or otherwise, the results could have been deadly,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Fortunately, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office thwarted this alleged conspiracy before anyone was hurt. Drug dealers will continue to come up with elaborate schemes like the one alleged here in order to peddle lethal drugs, all while the current New York State law remain non-bail eligible. Our state legislators must act now in order to keep fentanyl dealers off the street in order to save lives,”

“If these criminals were successful in their attempt to smuggle more than $20,000 of deadly fentanyl into the jail there is no doubt that tragedy would have followed,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Erroll D. Toulon Jr.

“This discovery of attempted drug trafficking could not have been made without the intelligence gleamed from our newly established Corrections Intelligence Center who were able to work with neighboring jurisdictions to get prudent information that aided the investigation and ultimately led to an arrest,” said Sheriff Toulon. “This case is another stellar example of collaborative law enforcement and the partnership between the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office has once again stopped drugs from getting into the wrong hands.”

HAMILTON, 35, of Hauppauge, was indicted for:

  •   One count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony;
  •   Two counts of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third, Class

    C felonies;

  •   One count of Attempted Promoting Prison Contraband in the First Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class

    A misdemeanor; and

  •   One count of Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

    BRIENZA, 30, of Calverton, was indicted for:

  •   One count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A

    felony;

  •   One count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a class B felony;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third, Class B felonies;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third, a Class B felony;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class

    C felony;

  •   One count of Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, a Class A

    misdemeanor; and

  •   One count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor.

    WILLIAMS, 24, of Central Islip, was indicted for:

  •   One count of Attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a

    Class A felony;

  •   One count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B

    felonies; and

  •   One count of Attempted Promoting Prison Contraband in the First Degree, a Class D felony.

    FREEMAN, 48, of Huntington Station, was indicted for:

 One count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony.

FOSTER, 33, of Centereach, was indicted for:

 One count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony.

The Suffolk County Correctional Facility monitors and records various types of communications initiated by inmates. The inmates at the Suffolk County correctional facilities are notified of the monitoring.

According to the investigation, on August 22, 2023, deputy sheriff investigators received information from Suffolk County Correctional Facility correction officers that HAMILTON, an inmate at the jail, was allegedly planning for WILLIAMS, his girlfriend, to deliver fentanyl-laced papers to him through his defense attorney, who allegedly had no knowledge of the plan. HAMILTON was incarcerated in Suffolk County for a number of pending criminal charges, including Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.

HAMILTON then allegedly placed a series of calls to ALYSSA BRIENZA where he asked BRIENZA about obtaining fentanyl. BRIENZA then allegedly spoke to FOSTER, who, at the time, was serving a prison sentence at the Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, New York, for a conviction of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. During his conversations with BRIENZA, FOSTER set the price for the fentanyl to be sold to HAMILTON. Once HAMILTON learned of the cost from BRIENZA, he then allegedly spoke to WILLIAMS who was to arrange for the delivery of the fentanyl to the Suffolk County Correctional Facility.

On August 19, 2023, BRIENZA allegedly delivered four blank pages to WILLIAMS that were sprayed with a liquid laced with fentanyl. HAMILTON then allegedly instructed WILLIAMS to contact an attorney representing FREEMAN. FREEMAN had informed his attorney that someone would be delivering legal documents to him. FREEMAN then asked his attorney to pass the documents, delivered by WILLIAMS, to him.

On August 23, 2023, after contacting the attorney and advising him that she was on her way, WILLIAMS was then arrested by deputy sheriffs as she entered the Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex building in Riverhead. Deputy sheriffs allegedly found a manilla envelope containing four pages with legal terms printed on them in WILLIAMS’ possession.

The four pages were submitted to the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory for testing. The laboratory analysis revealed the presence of fentanyl.

On October 3, 2023, BRIENZA was arrested, and law enforcement allegedly found one-eighth ounce of cocaine, $1,130 in cash, and a scale inside her vehicle. Also, inside BRIENZA’s vehicle at the time was her four-year-old child.

On November 15, 2023, at his arraignment on the indictment, Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard Ambro ordered HAMILTON to be remanded during the pendency of his case, which is awaiting sentencing on previous charges of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree and Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree. HAMILTON’s charges under this indictment are not bail eligible. He is being represented by Jon Manley, Esq. His next court date is on December 18, 2023.

FREEMAN is remanded without bail on charges pending before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz, including Attempted Rape in the First Degree. Freeman is a persistent eligible violent felony offender, which makes him eligible for bail on this indictment.

On November 15, 2023, at his arraignment on the indictment, Justice Ambro ordered FREEMAN held on $500,000 cash, $2 million bond or $5 million partially secured bond. FREEMAN is being represented by John Halverson, Esq. His next court date is December 18, 2023.

BRIENZA, FOSTER and WILLIAMS are scheduled to be arraigned on November 27, 2023, before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard I. Horowitz.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Dennis Wouters of the Narcotics Bureau, with investigative assistance from the Criminal Investigation Bureau, Corrections Intelligence Center, and Internal Security, all with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office in addition to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).

by -
0 811
Oscar Morocho-Morocho

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

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

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

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

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

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

by -
0 974
Michael Gilbert

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by -
0 680
Ramon Lyons

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

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

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

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

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Frank Schroeder and Sheetal Shetty of the Homicide Bureau with investigative assistance from Detective Michael Ronca of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

 

by -
0 994
Photo from Suffolk D.A.'s office

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 13 that Keith DiBartolomeo, 51, of Smithtown, was indicted for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance and other related charges, for selling cocaine which contributed to a man’s death, and the near fatal overdose of the woman, and for leaving the scene after one of the overdoses without contacting first responders or rendering aid to the victim who was overdosing.

“New York State’s 911 Good Samaritan law encourages people to report their own overdose or another person’s overdose without the fear that they will be arrested. This law was created to help save lives,” said District Attorney Tierney. “In this case, however, the defendant allegedly left two people without rendering them aid or even calling for help in a most cruel and callous display of disregard for human life.”

According to the investigation, on January 21, 2023, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Suffolk County Police Department officers responded to a residence in Smithtown where they found an unresponsive female lying unconscious on the driveway of the residence. The woman was transported to St. Catherine’s Hospital where she was treated for a drug overdose and hypothermia.

Upon arrival to the emergency room, the victim’s body temperature was 82.8 degrees. Fortunately, this medical care saved the victim’s life.

A search of the residence led police to a back apartment, where the body of a deceased male was discovered. Two plastic baggies containing residue were allegedly recovered from the apartment. The Suffolk County Crime Laboratory tested the residue from both bags. The results of testing indicated that the residue from one bag was cocaine, and the residue from the second bag contained fentanyl.

A review of home surveillance footage from the residence allegedly showed that on January 21, 2023, at 5:27 a.m., DiBartolomeo pulled the unconscious female victim from her car and dragged her onto the driveway. After a brief attempt to wake the victim, DiBartolomeo is allegedly depicted leaving the female victim lying in the driveway despite frigid January temperatures while he went into the residence. Nearly four hours later, at 9:15 a.m., DiBartolomeo is allegedly depicted in surveillance footage walking past the victim, who was still lying on the driveway, getting into his car, and leaving the scene.

At 9:54 a.m., a tenant living in a separate area of the residence called 911 after discovering the woman lying on the driveway. That same 911 call led to the discovery of the deceased male victim found inside the apartment of the residence.

On February 16, 2023, members of the Suffolk County Police Department observed DiBartolomeo allegedly using a drug in the passenger seat of a vehicle. The officers placed DiBartolomeo under arrest and recovered two plastic bags containing a powdery substance from inside the vehicle. The Suffolk County Crime Laboratory tested the powdery substance and determined that it was cocaine.

On October 12, 2023, DiBartolomeo was arraigned on the indictment by Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Anthony S. Senft Jr., for the following charges:

  •   Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony – for the sale of cocaine to the two overdose victims;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies – one count for the cocaine sold to the two overdose victims in January and the other count for the cocaine possessed in February;
  •   Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, a Class D felony – for cocaine possessed in February and an additional intent to sell charge; and
  •   Two counts of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, Class A misdemeanors – for not rendering aid to the overdose victims.

Judge Senft placed DiBartolomeo on supervised released with a GPS monitor during the pendency of the case. DiBartolomeo is due back in court on October 31, 2023, and he is being represented by Richard Kaufman, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lauren Golombek of the Narcotics Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective John McGlynn from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Narcotics Section.

by -
0 879
1 of 3
Fabio Monasterolo
Judith Monasterolo
Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Fabio Monasterolo, 51, and his wife, Judith Monasterolo, 55, of Holbrook, pleaded guilty to Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree for unlawfully disposing broken cinderblocks and concrete near tidal wetlands in the Town of Brookhaven.

“These defendants would have escaped responsibility for dumping in our wetlands had it not been for a concerned citizen who reported them to the Town of Brookhaven after capturing them on camera during their illegal acts,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Thanks to our partnership with the Town through our Quality-of-Life Town Coalition initiative, this couple is now an example of what will happen to those who think they can turn Suffolk County’s vibrant ecosystem into their personal junkyard.”

“This couple decided to make our wetlands their personal dumping ground. As I said when they were caught on camera: we have no tolerance for illegal dumpers, and when we catch you, we will prosecute you. I want to thank District Attorney Tierney for pursuing this case and prosecuting the Monasterolos and for helping us protect our environment,” said Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine. “Environmental crimes are not victimless – they are crimes against our entire community, and future generations that are harmed by polluters and illegal dumpers. We are committed to protecting the environment and will not tolerate dumping anywhere.”

According to court documents and the defendants’ admission during their guilty plea allocutions, on April 23, 2023, at approximately 2:03 p.m., the Monasterolos illegally dumped solid waste, which included broken chunks of concrete and cinderblocks, from their black Dodge Ram pick-up truck into the wetlands adjacent to the intersection of Jefferson Drive and Grove Road in Mastic Beach. That intersection and the surrounding areas are owned by the Town of Brookhaven and abut a tidal wetland. When a witness saw what the defendants were doing, she began taking several photographs of the couple and the waste that they had dumped. Judith Monasterolo, who was in the passenger seat of the Dodge Ram, allegedly then gave the witness two middle fingers as Fabio Monasterolo drove them away from the scene.

Brookhaven Town Officials contacted the District Attorney’s Office and provided the photographic evidence and information regarding the dumping crime. Detectives from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST) immediately began an investigation. The defendants were subsequently arrested a week later, on May 1, 2023.

On October 16, 2023, Fabio and Judith Monasterolo each pleaded guilty to Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor, before Acting County Court Judge, the Honorable James McDonaugh.

As a condition of their plea agreements, prosecutors mandated that the Monasterolos pay the Town of Brookhaven $2,602.75 in restitution for the initial cost of clean-up for their illegal actions, fully finance a day-long clean-up of other pollution in the tidal wetlands by a Town of Brookhaven work crew, participate in a Pine Barrens reforesting initiative by personally planting over 50 trees, and issue a written apology to the citizen who captured them on camera during the commission of their crime. The Monasterolos were represented by Jorge Macias, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John Sciandra of the Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST), with investigative assistance from Suffolk County BEAST Detective Walter Justinic, DEC Environmental Conservation Officer Timothy Day, and DEC Environmental Conservation Investigator Jeremy Eastwood.

by -
0 1069
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney on Oct. 13 announced the arrests of two Internal Revenue Service employees, Tina White, 36, of Bellport, and Shawana Williams, 45, of Centereach, for allegedly unlawfully receiving thousands of dollars for allegedly filing separate, fraudulent Small Business Administration loan applications.

“These individuals are alleged to have stolen government funds by abusing a program intended to help legitimate small business owners pay their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I want to thank the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration for working with my office to investigate and prosecute those who would steal taxpayer funds.”

According to the investigation, on May 7, 2020, and July 6, 2020, respectively, White and Williams allegedly filed COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications with the Small Business Administration in which they each claimed to be the owners of businesses in need of financial assistance due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

White allegedly claimed to be the Chief Operating Officer of an agricultural business, and Williams allegedly claimed to be the Chief Operating Officer of a medical services business.

However, neither business existed. White allegedly received $6,000 and Williams received $4,000 as initial cash advancements while their respective loan applications were being processed. Both loan applications were ultimately denied, but White and Williams never returned the illicit money they received.

White and Williams are each charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony. Additionally, Williams is charged with Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E felony, and Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a Class E felony.

On October 12, 2023, White and Williams were arrested by investigators of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and arraigned before Suffolk County District Court Judge, the Honorable Anna Acqafredda. Judge Acqafredda released both defendants on their own recognizance during the pendency of their cases. White is due back in court on October 23, 2023, and is being represented by Michael Brown, Esq. Williams is due back in court on October 26, 2023, and is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Katharine D’Aquila of the Public Corruption Bureau, with investigative assistance by District Attorney Investigator Brian Wood of the Public Corruption Squad, as well as Special Agents Ellen Quackenbush and Kimberly Goldstein of the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

by -
0 769
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Sept. 22 that Rupert Cruz, 63, of Coram, was indicted for Predatory Sexual Assault, Rape, Sexual Abuse, and Strangulation, after he allegedly raped a woman to whom he had offered a ride home after being discharged from a hospital.

“This defendant allegedly preyed on the victim in order to violate her,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We will pursue justice for the victim by making sure her alleged attacker is held responsible and taken off the streets so he can no longer harm others.”

According to the investigation, Cruz allegedly met the 32-year-old victim in June 2023 while they were both patients at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson. When both Cruz and the victim were being discharged, Cruz offered the victim a ride home and she accepted. While the victim was in Cruz’s vehicle, he allegedly gave her a drink from an opened soda can.

Shortly after they left the hospital and while Cruz was still driving, Cruz allegedly began making sexual advances towards the victim, which she rejected. The victim’s friend called her during the time she was struggling with the defendant, and she could allegedly hear the victim screaming for help before the victim’s cell phone fell in between the seats of the vehicle.

Cruz allegedly picked the victim up from the passenger seat and forced her on top of him while he was still seated in the driver’s seat. The victim did not remember anything after that and woke up naked the following morning in a wooded area at Bartlett Pond Park in Middle Island. The victim was in pain, with scratches and bruises on her body, red marks on her neck, and broken blood vessels in her eye. The victim then located a few items of her clothing and left the park. The victim’s phone allegedly remained in Cruz’s vehicle until its battery died.

On June 15, 2023, the victim used a device finder through the Internet to locate her phone and allegedly traced it to Cruz’s residence in Coram. The victim reported the incident to the police, and Cruz was subsequently arrested on September 8, 2023.

On September 21, 2023, Cruz was arraigned on the indictment before County Court Judge, the Honorable Karen M. Wilutis, for the following charges:

  •   Predatory Sexual Assault in the First Degree, a Class A-II violent felony;
  •   Rape in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
  •   Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D violent felony; and
  •   Strangulation in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony. 

    Judge Wilutis ordered that Cruz be remanded without bail during the pendency of the case. Cruz is due back in court on October 4, 2023, and he is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Danielle Carter of the Major Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Travis Pfeffer of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Sixth Squad.

Prev1...678...11Next Page 7 of 11
TBR News Media is your local news and entertainment website.
We provide you with the latest breaking news and information for your community.
Contact us: [email protected]

Most Viewed

©