CLOSE
Tags Posts tagged with "Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney"

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney

by -
0 760
Photo from TOB Dan Panico Facebook

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on May 24 that Fabio Monasterolo, 51, and his wife, Judith Monasterolo, 55, of Holbrook, are accused of unlawfully disposing of broken cinderblocks and concrete in the Town of Brookhaven near tidal wetlands.

“Using our precious wetlands as a personal junkyard is as selfish as it is destructive,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This flagrant abuse of our delicate ecosystem is a crime against our wildlife and every law-abiding taxpayer who supports these public lands.”

“Illegal dumping in our wetlands is a crime in the Town of Brookhaven that we take very seriously. Those who commit these crimes will be caught, charged and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Edward Romaine. “I commend the brave actions of the resident who took it upon themselves to photograph and report this activity to the Suffolk County Police. Together, we are committed to protecting our environment and we will not tolerate illegal dumping happening anywhere in the Town.”

“DEC does not tolerate illegal dumping of any kind particularly in Long Island’s ecologically important wetland areas,” said New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos. “This joint effort by DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Investigators, the town of Brookhaven, and detectives from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team is a prime example of how joint cooperation between state and local law enforcement agencies can hold polluters accountable.”

According to the investigation, on April 23, 2023, at approximately 2:03 p.m., the Monasterolos were observed allegedly illegally dumping 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. Defendant Judith Monasterolo, who was in the passenger seat of the Dodge Ram, allegedly then gave this witness two middle fingers as Fabio Monasterolo drove them away from the scene.

Pursuant to the District Attorney’s Quality-of-Life Town Coalition initiative, 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 on May 1, 2023. The Town of Brookhaven initiated the remediation of the protected site.

On May 23, 2023, both defendants were arraigned on the charges by the Honorable Mary Mullen for the crimes of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, a Class E felony, and multiple related Environmental Conservation violations. Under current New York State law, the offenses charged are not considered bail eligible, so the defendants were released on their own recognizance. The defendants are due back in court on June 13, 2023. Fabio Monasterolo and Judith Monasterolo are being represented by Jorge Macias, Esq.

This case is being 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 -
0 718
1 of 5
Asia Leaphart
Shamiqwa Dixon
Devonte Jennings
Tyjanea Weaver
Naikeya Terry

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has announced that Asia Leaphart, 26, of Deer Park; Shamiqwa Dixon, 28, of Coram; Devonte Jennings, 24, of Wyandanch; Tyjanea Weaver, 23, of Wyandanch; and Naikeya Terry, 41, of Wyandanch have all pleaded guilty and been sentenced for their roles in  a string of retail thefts at Ulta Beauty stores in East Farmingdale, Commack, and Patchogue in 2021 and 2022.  

“These individuals operated together in groups and wreaked havoc on businesses across Suffolk  County by taking things that did not belong to them,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We will  continue to investigate and prosecute those who commit these quality-of-life crimes that threaten  the livelihood of our residents and businesses. In Suffolk County there are consequences for  stealing other people’s property. You will go to jail.”

On November 19, 2021, DIXON, LEAPHART, JENNINGS, TERRY and WEAVER, were  observed exiting an Ulta Beauty store in East Farmingdale with over $4,000 worth of fragrances  that they did not pay for. The incident was captured on the store’s video surveillance system.  

On March 1, 2022, DIXON, JENNINGS, and TERRY entered an Ulta Beauty store in North  Patchogue, loaded approximately $2,700 worth of fragrances into bags, and left the store without  paying. The incident was caught on the store’s security camera. 

On May 7, 2022, LEAPHART and CECIL MCHUGH, were allegedly observed by Suffolk County  Police Department plain clothes detectives stealing nearly $4,000 worth of perfume and cologne  at the Ulta Beauty store in East Farmingdale. While attempting to apprehend the pair, the detectives  used two vehicles to block LEAPHART’s 2013 black Nissan Altima so she could not leave the  parking lot and ordered her to stop. LEAPHART ignored their commands and reversed her vehicle  into an unmarked police car behind her, causing one of the detectives to sustain neck, back and leg  injuries. LEAPHART then accelerated at a high rate of speed toward the other unmarked police  car parked in front of her, plowed into the driver’s side of the car, and then recklessly drove out of  the parking lot. LEAPHART’s Nissan Altima was subsequently located parked and unoccupied in  Wyandanch. She was later arrested on May 15, 2022.  

In total, the group stole approximately $10,700 worth of fragrances. The incidents were all captured on the three store’s video surveillance system. Jennings, Terry and Leaphart were sentenced to one year in jail. Dixon was sentenced to 1.5 to 3 years in jail while Weaver was placed on probation with her case still pending.

by -
0 8
1 of 3
Photo from DA's Office
Photo from DA's Office
Photo from DA's Office

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has announced that the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, along with the Suffolk County  Police Department, and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, has partnered with the Fund for  Animal Cruelty Treatment of Suffolk, Inc. (“FACTS”), a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization, for the utilization of their animal cruelty crime victims fund.

“Prosecuting an animal cruelty case is unlike any other crime, in that the evidence of the crime  consists of a living, breathing animal that needs to be cared for while the case or investigation is  pending,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Abused or neglected animals require a significant  amount of resources including veterinary care, shelter, transportation, medication, and food. We  have partnered with FACTS so that the money needed for the care and recovery of abused and  neglected animals can be funded by donations, alleviating the burden on Suffolk County  taxpayers.”

“FACTS is proud to partner with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Suffolk County  Police Department and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office by providing costs of care that benefit  animal cruelty victims,” said Joyce Glass and Barbara Dennihy, co-founders of FACTS. “This  funding allows animal victims to receive necessary care while recovering and cases are pending.  FACTS meets an identified need during the investigation and prosecution of cases, focusing on  victims without a voice. Donations to FACTS allow us to speak for animal victims by providing  the care and treatment they deserve.”

“Animal cruelty cases are particularly disturbing as the victim is defenseless and voiceless,” said  Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison. “This new partnership ensures that  injured or neglected animals receive the necessary care they deserve while the case moves through  the court process. This is a win-win for animal rights as well as Suffolk County taxpayers.”

“Often times, when our Deputy Sheriffs are reporting to a domestic violence situation or similar  crime, they find animals that are also victims of cruelty or abandonment,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. “This partnership with FACTS will allow us to immediately get  these animals the proper treatment and housing they deserve without worrying about where the  funding for their care is coming from.”

Financial assistance from FACTS will help treat and care for animals that are victims of criminal  animal cruelty investigations that are being prosecuted by District Attorney Tierney’s Biological,  Environmental, and Animal Safety Team.

To kick off FACTS’ fundraising, Kristie Johnson, president of Foos Fire, Inc., a local Suffolk  County fire sprinkler business, and Kristie’s husband, Christopher Johnson, presented FACTS  with a $10,000 check.

If you would like to donate to FACTS, please visit www.FACTSSAVES.org, and click on the  “Donate Now” button.  You can also donate to FACTS on Venmo, to username @factssaves. Donations can be mailed to:  FACTS, 2168 Nesconset Highway, Suite # 310, Stony Brook, New York 11790.



by -
0 846
Jhonny Chavarria Argueta

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on April 20 that Jhonny Chavarria-Argueta, 21, of Bay Shore, pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in  the Second Degree and other related charges, for speeding 120 mph and driving while intoxicated,  which resulted in a crash that killed his passenger, Jessica Gonzalez, 19, of Commack. 

“This defendant’s selfish actions in driving drunk and speeding resulted in the death of this young  woman, who was a defenseless passenger in his vehicle,” said District Attorney Tierney. “The  defendant’s selfishness continued even after the crash, when he refused to stay and render her aid,  and, instead, cowardly ran away in an attempt to avoid being caught by law enforcement.  Thankfully he has been, and will now be off the roads for a substantial time while he sits in prison  for his crimes.”  

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on  September 18, 2022 at approximately 4:20 a.m., Chavarria-Argueta was driving a rented 2022  Hyundai Santa Fe eastbound on the Southern State Parkway in the area of the Robert Moses  Causeway near exit 40 after having consumed alcohol. Witnesses observed the defendant drinking  alcohol prior to driving the car. 

Chavarria-Argueta, who was driving at an extremely high rate of speed, lost control of the vehicle  and struck the median guardrail causing the vehicle to flip multiple times and finally came to a rest  on its nose against the Robert Moses Causeway overpass. Gonzalez, who was sitting in the front  passenger seat, was ejected from the vehicle and died from injuries sustained in the crash.  Following the crash, Chavarria-Argueta climbed out of the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.  Prosecutors obtained a warrant to retrieve the black box from Chavarria-Argueta’s vehicle which  revealed that he was driving 120 mph within seconds of the time of the crash.  

On April 20, Chavarria-Argueta pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable  Judge Timothy P. Mazzei to:  

∙ Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C felony;  

∙ Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;  

∙ Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, a Class D felony;  ∙ Driving While Intoxicated, an Unclassified misdemeanor.  

Chavarria-Argueta is due back in court on June 1, 2023 for sentencing, and faces four to 12 years  in prison.

by -
0 9
Jose Romero

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on April 13 that Jose Romero, 34, of Centereach, pleaded guilty to Rape in the First Degree for having sexual intercourse with a 6-year-old child.

“This defendant preyed upon the innocence and vulnerability of a young child to satisfy his own heinous desires,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Thankfully, she had the courage to come forward and testify in the Grand Jury so that the defendant could be brought to justice. This plea ensures that the young victim will not be re-victimized by being forced to face her abuser again in court.”

According to the investigation and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, in October 2021, Romero had sexual intercourse with the 6-year-old victim, and then gave the victim pocket change and told her not to tell her parents about what he had done to her.

Despite Romero’s attempt to conceal his crime, the child victim immediately disclosed the abuse to her parents who contacted the police. The victim was brought to Stony Brook University Hospital where a sexual assault nurse examiner recovered DNA evidence linking Romero to the crime.

On April 12, 2023, Romero pleaded guilty before County Court Judge, the Honorable Judge Karen M. Wilutis, to Rape in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony. Judge Wilutis ordered Romero held without bail. Romero faces 12 years in prison plus 10 years of post-release supervision and be registered as a sex offender upon sentencing. He is due back in court for sentencing on May 12, 2023.

###

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.
Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

by -
0 419
Angela Pollina. Photo from SCPD
Co-Defendant Michael Valva previously Sentenced to 25 Years to Life

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on April 11 that Angela Pollina, 45, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after a jury found her guilty last month of Murder in the Second Degree and other related charges, for her role in the death of her stepson, 8-year-old Thomas Valva, who died of hypothermia in 2020 after Thomas and his 10-year-old brother were forced to sleep in an unheated car garage in below-freezing temperatures.

“This case and the trials that ensued were not only heartbreaking, but they were also infuriating,” said District Attorney Tierney. “As I’ve said before, while the story of these two defendants ends here, the pursuit of justice for Thomas and Anthony is not over.”

The evidence at trial established that Pollina consciously disregarded the wellbeing of her stepsons Thomas and Anthony, and that disregard led to Thomas’ death on the morning of January 17, 2020. For months leading up to Thomas’ death, text messages were exchanged between Pollina and her fiancé Michael Valva, 45, the boys’ father, which showed Pollina’s insistence that the boys sleep in the garage of their Center Moriches home and not be allowed to use the bathrooms inside.

At Pollina’s insistence, Thomas and Anthony were forced to sleep in the garage without blankets for months prior to the incident. The night before Thomas died, he and his brother had been in the garage for 16 hours since returning from school and spent the night there with no heat, no bathroom access, no mattress, and no blankets while in 19-degree weather. Because he was freezing to death, the next morning, Thomas had an accident and soiled his pants.

Evidence submitted from a home surveillance camera captured Pollina sitting in the kitchen doing her bills, well aware of Thomas’s condition and doing nothing to help care for him. When one of the other children asked why Thomas couldn’t walk, Pollina replied, “Cause he’s hypothermic, hypothermic means you’re freezing, washing yourself in cold water when it’s freezing outside, you get hypothermic.” The surveillance video also showed she watched Thomas being hosed down in the backyard with cold water, and took the time to reprimand his father for yelling because the neighbors might hear. Two hours later, Thomas was pronounced dead due to hypothermia.

According to his testimony at the trial, Homicide Detective Norberto Flores of the Suffolk County Police Department responded to the hospital and when he asked, “What happened?” Pollina fabricated a story that Thomas was running for the bus when he fell and hit his head.

Thomas and Anthony were living at the home with Pollina, Valva, a third brother, and Pollina’s three daughters since 2017. School employees of the East Moriches School District where Thomas and Anthony were enrolled, testified at trial that Thomas and Anthony appeared thin, ate food off the floor, took food from other children, and pulled half eaten food from the garbage. In addition, witnesses testified they would arrive at the school so soiled, that school employees could smell urine and feces on them.

During the defense case, Pollina took the stand and admitted she deleted footage taken from the home’s surveillance camera and that she did not realize that exiling the brothers to the freezing garage for months was wrong until after Thomas was pronounced dead at the hospital. She admitted that the way she disciplined the boys was “evil,” but claimed it was the boys’ father who caused Thomas’ death.

On March 10, 2023, Pollina was convicted after a jury trial heard before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Timothy P. Mazzei, for the crimes of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony, and four counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor. On April 11, 2023, Pollina was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. She was represented by Matthew Touhy, Esq.

On November 4, 2022, Pollina’s co-defendant and former fiancé Michael Valva, was found guilty of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony, and four counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor. He is now serving 25 years to life in prison.

 

 

by -
0 650
Stock photo

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on March 27 that Glenn Seejattan, 30, of Rocky Point, was found guilty after a jury trial of Murder in the Second Degree for the fatal shooting of a Centereach man who was reported missing in January 2022.

Glenn Seejattan

“This was a senseless killing of a human being whose loved ones reported him missing with the expectation of seeing him again one day,” said District Attorney Tierney. “While there is nothing that will bring back the victim to his family, we are satisfied that we were able to find his killer, hold him accountable, especially now that a jury has found him guilty of his crimes.”

As established at trial, the family of Justin Lee, 34, of Centereach, reported that he had been missing since January 18, 2022. Lee was last seen alive at Seejattan’s mother’s home on Mahogany Road in Rocky Point, where Seejattan also lived. On January 28, 2022, ten days after he went missing, the half-naked, frozen body of Lee was discovered about a half mile away from Seejattan’s home. An autopsy revealed that Lee had sustained a gunshot wound to his head and a gunshot wound to his thigh.

Witness testimony, electronic surveillance, and DNA evidence inculpated Seejattan in Lee’s murder. Within 20 feet of the Lee’s body were wood moldings that were damaged, and physically matched damage found within Seejattan’s home on Mahogany Road. Additionally, items were forensically tested revealing the presence of blood and matched the DNA profile of Lee. Lee’s DNA was also found on a wall within Seejattan’s home. In addition, a trial witness testified that Seejattan admitted that he had shot and killed somebody in a house on Mahogany Road, which he described as a drug deal gone bad. Seejattan further admitted that he shot the victim in the head, took his clothes off, wrapped him up in a blanket, and took him to the woods. He also stated that he did not regret committing the murder but regretted doing it in the house.

Seejattan was convicted for the alleged crimes of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C felony. Seejattan committed the killing while released on bail for a separate indictment in which he was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C felony, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D violent felony, and Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E felony. That case is still pending.

Seejattan is due back in court for sentencing on April 26 and faces 25 years to life in prison.

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law

by -
0 450
John Mann IV

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced on March 17 that John Mann IV, age 20, of Centereach, pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree for the premeditated fatal beating of Henry Hernandez, age 16, of Hempstead, whose skeletal remains were found in Centereach in March 2020.

“The violent end of this young victim’s life and the way his body was disposed of shows the coldhearted and brutal nature of the defendant,” said District Attorney Tierney. “What makes this murder even more sad is that the victim Henry was only 16 years old and had his whole life ahead of him.”

According to court documents and Mann’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on March 15, 2020, skeletal remains were discovered in a plastic tub on the property of Mann IV’s neighbor. The remains were wrapped in two separate plastic bags. When the skeletal remains were further examined, it was discovered that the hands and feet were bound with duct tape, and the head and mouth were wrapped in duct tape. DNA tests determined that the skeletal remains were that of 16- year-old Henry Hernandez.

A subsequent police investigation established that Mann and Hernandez became acquaintances in March 2019. A short time later, Hernandez went to Mann’s home located on Jay Road in Centereach and stole his father’s truck. On or around June 2, 2019, Mann lured Hernandez to a location known as the “Sand Pit,” where he duct-taped the victim and struck him multiple times with a blunt object. Mann placed Hernandez’s body in a hole on his property and covered it with debris. The defendant later moved Hernandez’ skeletal remains into a plastic tub and placed it on his next-door neighbor’s property, where it was ultimately recovered on March 15, 2020.

On March 17, 2023, Mann pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Anthony S. Senft, Jr., to Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony and Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class E felony. He is due back in court on April 19, 2023 for sentencing, and is expected to be sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by five years’ of post-release supervision.

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

by -
0 669
Jonathan Nunez

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on March 13 that Jonathan Nunez, 27, was sentenced to 16 years in prison followed by five years of postrelease supervision for stabbing and seriously injuring a Suffolk County Police Officer in 2021 after an attempted traffic stop.

“Police officers are subjected to threats and danger on the job every time they show up for work. When an honest hardworking police officer is attacked, it’s an attack on our community and order,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This defendant showed no respect for the law, the victim he crashed into nor the officer who attempted to stop him from doing even more damage, and now he will be serving a lengthy prison sentence for his actions.”

On February 6, 2023, Nunez pleaded guilty before County Court Judge, the Honorable Stephen L. Braslow, to each of the charges in the indictment: One count of Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer, a Class B violent felony; One count of Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony; One count of Assault on a Police Officer, a Class C violent felony; Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony; One count of Assault in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; One count of Resisting Arrest, a Class A misdemeanor; 2 One count of Reckless Driving, an Unclassified misdemeanor; One count of Leaving the Scene of an MVA with Injury, a misdemeanor; and One count of Driving While Impaired by Drugs, an unclassified misdemeanor.

According to court documents and the defendant’s statements at his guilty plea allocution, Suffolk County Police Officer Christopher Racioppo observed a vehicle being driven in an erratic manner and with its lights off on South Ocean Avenue in Patchogue on April 10, 2021, at approximately 10:30 p.m. When Officer Racioppo activated his emergency lights in an attempt to pull the vehicle over, Nunez, the driver, sped away and the officer pursued him. Nunez subsequently crashed into another vehicle at a high rate of speed, totaling both vehicles and causing minor injury to the other driver. Nunez then exited his vehicle and, despite directives from Officer Racioppo to stop, he fled on foot. Officer Racioppo chased Nunez into a backyard where Nunez stabbed Officer Racioppo in his upper left leg, severing his femoral artery. Witnesses and other responding officers at the scene were able to restrain Nunez and render lifesaving aid to Officer Racioppo.

Officer Racioppo was in extremely critical condition after losing nearly his entire blood supply. He was first transported to Long Island Community Hospital and then brought to Stony Brook University Hospital. After being intubated, Officer Racioppo underwent life-saving blood transfusions and surgery. On March 13, 2023, Judge Braslow sentenced Nunez to 16 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.

Below is the original press release:

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb. 6 the guilty plea of Jonathan Nunez, 27, of Centereach for stabbing and seriously injuring a Suffolk County Police Officer in 2021 after an attempted traffic stop.

“This is yet another stark reminder of the dangers that our police officers face every day. This defendant admitted that he nearly killed a police officer who was merely conducting a simple traffic stop,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Fortunately, this officer did not lose his life, but he was seriously injured and had to undergo surgery and blood transfusions in order to stay alive, and all because he was just doing his job.”

On February 6,  Nunez pleaded guilty to each of the charges in the indictment, namely: One count of Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer, a Class B violent felony; One count of Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony; One count of Assault on a Police Officer, a Class C violent felony; Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony; One count of Assault in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; One count of Resisting Arrest, a Class A misdemeanor; One count of Reckless Driving, an Unclassified misdemeanor; 2 One count of Leaving the Scene of an MVA with Injury, a misdemeanor; and One count of Driving While Impaired by Drugs, an Unclassified misdemeanor.

According to court documents and the defendant’s statements at his guilty plea allocution, Suffolk County Police Officer Christopher Racioppo observed a vehicle being driven in an erratic manner and with its lights off, on South Ocean Avenue in Patchogue on April 10, 2021, at approximately 10:30 p.m. When Officer Racioppo activated his emergency lights in an attempt to pull the vehicle over, Nunez, the driver, sped away and the officer pursued him. Nunez subsequently crashed into another vehicle at a high rate of speed, totaling both vehicles and causing minor injury to the other driver.

Nunez then exited his vehicle and, despite directives from Officer Racioppo to stop, he fled on foot. Officer Racioppo chased Nunez into a backyard where Nunez stabbed Officer Racioppo in his upper left leg, severing his femoral artery. Witnesses and other responding officers at the scene were able to restrain Nunez and render lifesaving aid to Officer Racioppo. Officer Racioppo was in extremely critical condition after losing nearly his entire blood supply.

He was first transported to Long Island Community Hospital and then brought to Stony Brook University Hospital. After being intubated, Officer Racioppo underwent life-saving blood transfusions and surgery. Nunez is due back in court on March 13, 2023, and is expected to be sentenced to 16 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

by -
0 669
Pixabay photo

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Jan. 26 the indictment of Jordan Dekie, 21, of Huntington, and Emily Tague, 19, of Northport, for their roles in a failed plot to allegedly rob and murder a Huntington Station man.

“These two individuals not only allegedly tried to steal the victim’s belongings, but they also tried to rob him of his life,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This cowardly and heinous act of violence will not be tolerated in Suffolk County, and as such, these individuals will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

As detailed in court filings, on the evening of December 12, 2022, the victim picked up both Dekie and Tague in his Dodge Charger, and headed to Dekie’s home in Huntington where he intended to drop them off. After arriving at Dekie’s home, the three sat idly in the victim’s car. A short time later, Dekie signaled to Tague, who then allegedly stabbed the victim in the chest with a knife. Dekie, who also had a knife, allegedly attempted to forcibly remove the victim’s lanyard containing his car keys from his neck, and then proceeded to stab the victim multiple times. The victim was able to wrestle the knife out of Dekie’s hand and escape from the vehicle. Both defendants then fled the scene.

The victim, while severely injured, drove home and called 911. Shortly thereafter, units from the Suffolk County Police Department and an ambulance arrived at the scene and rendered aid. The victim was transported to Huntington Hospital and received treatment for his injuries. Dekie and Tague were arrested at their homes a few days later.

Members of the Suffolk County Police Department obtained numerous text messages between Dekie and Tague allegedly outlining their plan to rob and murder the victim. Additionally, Tague’s hairbrush was recovered from the victim’s vehicle.

Dekie and Tague are both charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony; Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony; and Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, a Class C violent felony.

                                       Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.                                             Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

12Next Page 1 of 2
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

©