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Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney

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Jonathan Redar

Jonathan Redar Faces Up to 25 Years in Prison at Sentencing

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on May 8 that Jonathan Redar, 33, of Miller Place, was found guilty after a jury trial of Assault in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, for shooting a relative during an argument outside of a billiards bar.

“This defendant, a previously convicted felon, and who was prohibited from possessing a firearm, shot a member of his family outside a crowded establishment,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Despite the challenges posed in this case, the phenomenal work of SCPD detectives allowed my prosecutors to present a compelling case. I thank the jury for their work.”

The evidence at the trial established that on May 7, 2024, at approximately 2:03 a.m., Redar and the victim began to argue in the parking lot of a billiards bar in Mount Sinai. Redar then pulled out a firearm and fired a single shot at the victim while unsuspecting bystanders were nearby. The bullet penetrated the victim’s left forearm and abdominal area. Redar then fled the scene. The victim was transported to Mather Hospital and later transported to Stony Brook Hospital for emergency surgery in their trauma unit, where he was treated for numerous injuries including shattered bones and damage to his organs. A bullet fragment was also removed from the victim.

On May 15, 2024, while conducting surveillance, Suffolk County detectives located Redar and subsequently placed him under arrest at a Walmart in Yaphank.

Prior to this case, Redar had been convicted of multiple felonies including but not limited to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony, in 2016, Attempted Assault in the Second Degree, a Class E felony, in 2012.

On May 7, 2025, Redar was convicted of Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C felony, after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz.

Redar is due back in court for sentencing on June 10, 2025, and faces up to 25 years in prison. He is being represented by David Besso, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Sean E. Buckley and Jeremy Waite of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Gregory Marino of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Sixth Squad, and District Attorney Investigator Daniel Gallagher of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office as well as research analyst, Brooke Baade of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

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

Stacey Hirsch Allegedly Stole Approximately $80,000 from Selden Church to Use for Personal Expenses

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on May 2 that Stacey Hirsch, 48, of Saint Lucie, Florida, was indicted for Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, for allegedly embezzling funds from a Selden church.

“Financial crimes against community institutions not only damage their operations but undermine the trust that binds our community together,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We intend to pursue this case vigorously to send a clear message that those who exploit positions of trust for personal gain will face the appropriate consequences under the law.”

According to the investigation, between June 2022 to May 2023, Hirsch, formerly of Centereach and a former bookkeeper at the Selden church, allegedly stole about $80,000 from the church’s bank account. Hirsch allegedly did this by writing checks to herself and her husband without authority or for any legitimate church related reason or expense. She allegedly used the money to pay her credit card bills, which included charges for food, numerous restaurants, shopping, and other everyday expenses. She also allegedly used the money to pay for utilities and other household expenses.

The alleged theft was discovered after the church board learned that the church’s bills were not being paid.

page1image25687872The treasurer reviewed the finances for the previous years and discovered that, as a result of her alleged theft, there were insufficient funds to pay the church’s legitimate expenses. Hirsch was fired after the discovery and moved to Florida shortly afterwards.

On April 10 Hirsch was arrested in Florida and was thereafter extradited to Suffolk County.

On May 2 Hirsch was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei for Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony.

Justice Mazzei ordered Hirsch released from jail without bail because her charge is considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail.

Hirsch is due back in court on June 5 and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count. She is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Miller of the Financial Crimes Bureau and the investigation was conducted by Detective Thomas Speciale of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Section.

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

The Defendant Left the Toddler in Critical Condition that Required Emergency Surgery

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on May 1 that a Huntington Station man, 33, was sentenced to 23 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision after a jury found him guilty of Assault in the First Degree and related charges for beating his girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter, causing life-threatening injuries.

“Suffolk will not tolerate violence against children,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I thank the jury for holding the defendant accountable for this vicious beating of a toddler.”

The evidence at trial established that, between February 17, 2024, and February 19, 2024, the defendant was babysitting his girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter while she went to work and ran errands. Upon returning home on February 18, 2024, the child’s mother noticed significant bruises on the child’s body, and on February 19, 2024, she noticed that her child had a new, significant bruise on her face, that her child was vomiting profusely, and that her child was unable to stand or respond to her. The mother brought her child to the emergency room at Huntington Hospital, where it was determined that the child was in critical condition.

The District Attorney’s Office is not naming the defendant in order to avoid identifying the child victim.

page1image23330816The child was then transferred to Cohen Children’s Medical Center, where she received emergency surgery to repair a life-threatening injury to her small intestine, which was caused by significant blunt force trauma.

On February 28, 2025, the defendant was convicted after a jury trial heard before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei for Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony; two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies; and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor.

On May 1, the defendant was sentenced to 23 years in prison followed by 5 years of post- release supervision. He was represented by Matthew Tuohy, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Katherine Flinchum and Kirsten Reilly of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Christopher Albanese of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Special Victims Section.

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Steven Musgrove

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on May 1that Steven Musgrove, 29, of Selden, was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree for possessing a loaded and defaced firearm.

“We will not tolerate felons illegally carrying firearms in our community,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This repeat offender’s history of violent criminality mandates his removal from our streets. We commend the alert bartender and responding officers whose quick actions led to this conviction.”

The evidence at trial established that, on March 22, 2024, Musgrove entered Shakers Pub in Oakdale just before it closed for the night and began having a conversation with the bartender. When a Suffolk County Police Department Sergeant entered Shakers Pub to conduct a routine check of the bar’s liquor license, Musgrove went to the other end of the bar and placed a loaded handgun in the trash before exiting the building. After Musgrove left, the bartender looked into the garbage can, saw the firearm, and alerted the Sergeant.

Law enforcement recovered a loaded and defaced black handgun with an extended magazine from inside the trash can. Video surveillance from the bar showed Musgrove placing the handgun in the trash can. DNA testing also revealed the presence of Musgrove’s DNA on the firearm, the magazine, and an ammunition cartridge.

On March 26, 2025, Musgrove was found guilty of one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony, one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E felony, after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz.

Prior to his conviction in this case, Musgrove was previously convicted on Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony in 2014, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony, in 2017.

On April 29, 2025, Musgrove was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison. He was represented by Pierre Bazile, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kieran R. Rogers and Patrick J. Mullen of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective David Leath of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fifth Squad. Significant assistance in the investigation was provided by Jeannie Miller and James Valenti of the Suffolk County Crime Lab and Research Analyst Brooke Baade of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

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Photo courtesy of SCPD
Photo courtesy of SCPD
Photo courtesy of SCPD

Marvin Sandoval and Charles Weiss to Pay $15,000 in Combined Fines

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on April 29 that Marvin Sandoval, 29, of Ronkonkoma, and Charles Weiss, 33, of Coram, pleaded guilty to dumping a pile of construction waste and household debris in a remote wooded area within the protected Long Island Central Pine Barrens Region.

“Suffolk will not tolerate illegal dumping,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office will protect every square inch of natural space in this county and will respond with swift and aggressive prosecution whenever it is threatened.”

According to court documents and the defendants’ admissions during their guilty plea allocutions, on November 6, 2024, Weiss and Sandoval, as part of a hired job, loaded a U-Haul box truck with construction waste and household debris and then drove into a remote wooded area within the Long Island Central Pine Barrens Region where they dumped the contents of the truck onto the forest floor. The materials they dumped consisted of pieces of wood furniture, used paint cans, paint rollers, shower doors, chandeliers, large pieces of styrofoam, a sink, a granite countertop, tools, and multiple bags of household garbage.

The defendants’ conduct was uncovered by two civilian witnesses who had the good conscience and initiative to contact law enforcement. A joint investigation between the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk County Park Rangers, and the Town of Riverhead Police Department identified Weiss and Sandoval, who had solicited a job of cleaning up a house for a $1,000 fee and then, instead of properly disposing of the materials, selected the Pine Barrens as their dump site. The pair was quickly called back to the site by law enforcement and directed to remediate the dumping.

On February 19, 2025, Weiss pleaded guilty to the charge of violating section 433-6 of the Suffolk County Code (the Evergreen Law) before Riverhead Town Justice Court Judge Sean Walter and was ordered to pay $7,500 in fines. He was represented by Brandon Abbattiello, Esq.

On April 29, 2025, Sandoval pleaded guilty to the charge of violating section 433-6 of the Suffolk County Code (the Evergreen Law) before Riverhead Town Justice Court Judge Sean Walter and was ordered to pay $7,500 in fines. He was represented by Daniel Rodgers, Esq.

Per the Evergreen initiative, the Good Samaritans who reported the dumping will be receiving their monetary awards.

About the Evergreen Initiative

In December 2023, District Attorney Raymond Tierney, County Executive Ed Romaine, and Sheriff Errol Toulon, along with leadership of the New York State Police, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Suffolk County Park Rangers, Long Island Pine Barrens Law Enforcement Commission, and Crime Stoppers, announced the Suffolk County Evergreen Initiative – a collaborative plan to curb illegal dumping on county property and within the Central Pine Barrens Region by ramping up and coordinating enforcement, imposing harsher fines, and enhancing civilian incentive to report dumpers.

In early 2024, the Suffolk County Legislature amended Suffolk County Code § 433-7 to raise the maximum fines for dumping in the Pine Barrens Region to $15,000 for individuals and $25,000 for corporations. It additionally mandated that 33% of fines collected from convictions under the statute would be remitted to members of the public who provided information leading to the arrest and conviction of offenders. This award was designed to spur the interest and assistance of the public in identifying and preventing illegal dumping in this largely unsurveilled area.

The Evergreen Initiative thus relies heavily on deterrence and citizen stewardship as a means of protecting an otherwise vulnerable and voiceless victim. The amendments were thereafter signed into law by the County Executive and enacted in March 2024.

About the Pine Barrens

The Long Island Pine Barrens Region, also referred to as the Long Island Pine Barrens Preserve, Central Pine Barrens Area, Core Preservation Area or Compatible Growth Area, is Long Island’s largest natural area and its last remaining wilderness, covering more than 100,000 acres.
The Pine Barrens Region overlays and recharges a vast portion of Long Island’s sole-source aquifer. All of Long Island’s drinking water comes from underground wells fed by this aquifer. The majority of the Carmans River and Peconic River and their watersheds exist within the Pine Barrens. The Pine Barrens are a vital stopping point for various species of migratory birds and Long Island’s last undisturbed home to a vast array of local wildlife.

The health of all of Long Island is utterly dependent on the integrity of the Pine Barrens. In recognition of its extreme ecological significance – not just as a wildlife preserve but sole source of drinking water – New York State enacted the Long Island Pine Barrens Maritime Reserve Act in 1990 and, along with it, the Central Pine Barrens joint planning and policy commission.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Adriana Noyola and Jeremy Williams of the District Attorney’s Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Thomas Smith of the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney Squad, with investigative assistance provided by members of the Suffolk County Park Rangers.

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Russell Defreitas

Russell Defreitas was Convicted after a Jury Trial of 92 Counts

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on April 29 that Russell Defreitas, 55, of Holbrook, also known as “Merc,” was sentenced to 53 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of Operating as a Major Drug Trafficker, and 91 other charges, for his role in a large-scale cocaine and fentanyl trafficking operation in Suffolk County which caused two fentanyl overdose deaths.

“Today’s sentencing of this major trafficker, while significant, highlights the urgent need for stronger legislation. The passage of Chelsey’s Law in New York State would give prosecutors additional tools to hold dealers accountable when their products cause death,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This defendant’s actions directly led to two overdose fatalities, yet our current laws don’t allow us to charge these preventable deaths as the homicides that they are. Chelsey’s Law would ensure that those who profit from dealing deadly substances face consequences proportionate to the devastation they cause in our communities.”

The evidence at trial established that, in September 2022, law enforcement responded to a fatal overdose in Holbrook. Members of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office East End Drug Task Force endeavored to investigate the circumstances surrounding the overdose.

Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement learned that Defreitas was a member of a large-scale organization in Suffolk County that was conspiring to sell substantial amounts of crack cocaine and fentanyl, using loaded firearms to protect their narcotics empire.

On March 9, 2023, a male and female were in a hotel room rented by Defreitas. When the female overdosed in the hotel room, Defreitas directed his associates not to call 911. Defreitas removed drugs and other evidence from the hotel room and then went to eat at a nearby Wendy’s. Hours later, Defreitas allowed one of his associates to call 911. By that time, both the female and male had fatally overdosed in the hotel room.

Defreitas was arrested on March 11, 2023, while staying in another hotel. That same day, members of law enforcement executed search warrants at Defreitas’ hotel room, his trailer in Holbrook, and his vehicle that was used for drug trafficking. During those searches, law enforcement recovered cocaine, fentanyl, two loaded firearms, cutting agents, drug packaging materials, scales used to weigh narcotics, and numerous hotel room key cards. Additionally, at the time of his arrest, Defreitas was found to be in possession of bank cards in the names of two of his overdose victims.

On May 18, 2023, Defreitas testified at a court proceeding on his own behalf. The evidence at trial showed that during that proceeding, he repeatedly lied under oath about his drug dealing activity.

On March 11, 2025, exactly two years after Defreitas was arrested, he was convicted of the following 92 counts, after a jury trial that was conducted before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony Senft:

  •   One count of Operating as a Major Drug Trafficker, a Class A-I felony;
  •   Eight counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, Class A-Ifelonies;
  •   10 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, Class A-IIfelonies;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a ClassA-II felony;
  •   One count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony;
  •   Six counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class Bfelonies;
  •   45 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class Bfelonies;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D violent felonies;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   Three counts of Perjury in the First Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   One count of Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class E felony;
  •   Five counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, ClassA misdemeanors; and
  •   Six counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, Class Amisdemeanors.
    On April 29, 2025, Defrietas was sentenced to 53 years in prison. He represented himself.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jacob T. Kubetz and Raquel G. Tisi of the Narcotics Bureau, with assistance from Paralegal Lisa Zimmerman, Research Analyst Brooke Baade, and Investigative Auditor Carlos Gutama, of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation was conducted by Detective Investigator William Warren of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office’s East End Task Force.

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

George Hackett Pleaded Guilty in March to Speeding While Impaired by Drugs When He Caused a Fatal Two-Car Crash and Then Fled the Scene

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on April 29 that George Hackett, 54, of Wading River, was sentenced to eight to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty in March to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, and other related charges, for his involvement in the June 2023 high-speed crash on Sunrise Highway in East Quogue that caused the death of Franklin Blake, 82, of Queens.

Franklin Blake

“Today’s sentencing is just, but it can never heal the tragic loss of the Blake family,” said District Attorney Tierney. “The defendant’s reckless decision to drive at excessive speed showed a complete disregard for human life and safety. Our office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who endanger public safety on our roadways.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on June 8, 2023, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Hackett was under the influence of a combination of THC, a compound that is the main active ingredient of cannabis, and Xanax while driving a black 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe eastbound on Sunrise Highway in East Quogue.

Hackett was driving between Exits 64 and 65 at speeds up to 113 miles per hour when he struck the rear end of a 2010 Nissan Armada operated by the victim, Franklin Blake. Blake’s car was thrown into the woods, and Blake died as a result of the injuries that he sustained in the crash.

Hackett’s vehicle rolled over but landed upright, and he continued driving eastbound on Sunrise Highway until his car broke down less than a mile east of the crash site. Hackett was found more than a mile away from his vehicle, walking on Route 24 in Flanders away from the crash scene. At the time of the crash, Hackett was on parole for Assault in the First Degree. He had three prior Driving While Intoxicated convictions, once in 1995 and twice in 2016.

On March 28, 2025, Hackett pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski to the following charges:

  •   Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a Class B felony;
  •   Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C felony;
  •   Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, a Class D felony;
  •   Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony;
  •   Driving While Impaired by the Combined Influence of Drugs, a Class D felony;
  •   Two counts of Driving While Impaired by Drugs, a Class D felonies; and
  •   Reckless Driving, an unclassified misdemeanor.

    On April 29, 2025, Justice Pilewski sentenced Hackett to eight to 16 years in prison. The District Attorney’s Office recommended that the defendant be sentenced 12 1⁄2 to 25 years in prison, the maximum sentence on the top count of the indictment. He was represented by Ian Fitzgerald, Esq.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Raymond Varuolo and James McCormack of the Vehicular Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Investigator Michael Milbauer of the New York State Police.

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

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on April 17 that a 15-year-old defendant was indicted for Murder in the Second Degree and Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, for his killing his grandmother by stabbing her over 35 times and also stabbing his mother causing her serious physical injuries.

According to the investigation, on April 7, 2025, at approximately 9:40 p.m., the defendant was arguing with his mother when she confronted him about missing classes at school. The defendant’s grandmother told her daughter, the defendant’s mother, to take the 15-year-old’s computer away as a punishment. At that point, the 15-year-old grabbed a knife and stabbed his grandmother and then turned the knife on his mother. After being stabbed, the mother fell to the ground and played dead. At that point, the 15-year-old turned back to his grandmother and continued to stab her. The defendant’s grandmother died at the scene, and the defendant’s mother was taken to a hospital, where she is still recovering from her injuries.

On April 16, 2025, the defendant was arraigned on the indictment before Judge Karen Kerr, for Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony, and Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony.

Judge Karen Kerr ordered the defendant be remanded during the pendency of the case. The defendant is due back in court on May 21, 2025, and faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count. He is being represented by Peter Mayer, Esq.

“This is an exceptionally tragic case that has devastated a family,” said District Attorney Tierney. “When a child allegedly turns violent against their own family members, it creates layers of trauma that extend far beyond physical injuries. Our office will pursue justice for the victims of these horrific acts.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Dena Rizopoulos of the Homicide Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Michael Ronca of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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Peter A. Saad, Jr.

Suffolk District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on April 17 that Peter A. Saad, Jr., 48, of Calverton, pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, for stealing $25,000 from an escrow account that was intended for two parties to a real estate transaction.

“When an attorney violates the sacred trust placed in them by their clients, they undermine the very foundation of our legal system,” said District Attorney Tierney. “The disbarment and guilty plea here demonstrate that no one is above the law, especially those who are entrusted to uphold it.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, in 2020, Saad was hired to represent a client in the sale of his home. At that time, Saad was the principal attorney at the Law Offices of Peter A. Saad, Jr., P.C., based in Riverhead. During the real estate transaction, it was discovered that the home had permit issues that needed to be resolved, and which required money be left in escrow after the closing held on September 3, 2020. All parties to the sale agreed to keep $25,000 in Saad’s escrow account until the outstanding permit issues were resolved.1

After the closing, Saad stopped responding to the parties, failed to return the $25,000 in escrow funds, and instead spent the money on his own personal expenses. Subsequently, it was determined that $5,000 was due to the purchasers of the home and the remaining $20,000 was due to the seller of the home, who was Saad’s client.

Saad was disbarred from practicing law in New York, effective January 31, 2024.

On April 16, 2025, Saad pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski. He was placed on probation and ordered to pay restitution and to complete 210 hours of community service. Saad is being represented by Christopher Gioe, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patrick Rooney of the Public Corruption Bureau.

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James Carr

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that James Carr, 36, of Lake Grove, was sentenced to 5 1⁄2 years in prison, followed by 1 year of post release supervision, after a jury found him guilty in February of assault and drug possession charges in connection with the January 2024 near-fatal overdose of his infant child.

“It is nothing short of miraculous that first responders were able to revive this infant with Narcan,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I continue to urge our legislators to pass the Death by Dealer statute, which would give us the tools needed to seek justice proportionate to the harm caused with enhanced penalties. No child should have to fight for her life because of exposure to these deadly substances, and no community should have to bury victims of this poison without proper justice being served.”

James Carr Prosecution

The evidence at trial established that on January 13, 2024, members of the Suffolk County Police Department and the Ronkonkoma Fire Department responded to a 911 call reporting a non- responsive infant on Colmar Avenue in Lake Grove.

When they arrived, “John Doe,” an 11-month-old infant, had turned blue, his eyes were rolled toward the back of his head, and he was having extreme difficulty breathing.

Due to his serious condition, the ambulance that was transporting the boy to the hospital had to pull over during the transit so a MedCat Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) could board the ambulance to provide additional lifesaving care to the infant. The child had stopped breathing for an extended period of time on the way to Stony Brook University Hospital and had been unresponsive for approximately 40 minutes. The medics inside the ambulance determined that the symptoms the child was exhibiting were from opiate poisoning. They quickly acted and provided the baby with a quantity of Narcan in each nostril. Five minutes after the administration of Narcan, he took a full breath on his own and began to cry.

Once at the hospital, the 11-month-old child was diagnosed with acute fentanyl poisoning, hypoxia, and respiratory failure and required additional doses of Narcan in the Pediatric Emergency Room. After his admission to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the infant was placed on a Narcan drip in order to prevent recurrent respiratory failure due to the opioid poisoning. Carr was arrested on the same day.

A search of the Lake Grove residence was conducted by the Suffolk County Police Department, and investigators recovered a straw containing cocaine, 4-ANPP (a precursor to fentanyl), heroin, and fentanyl residue, a digital scale containing cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl residue, and a plastic bag containing cocaine residue.

On February 27, 2025, Carr was convicted after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Philip Golgas, for Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

On April 7, 2025, Carr was sentenced to 5 1⁄2 in prison. He was represented by John Campo Esq.

Robert Mauro Prosecution

A review of phone data recovered from Carr’s phone revealed that on January 4, 2024, and January 5, 2024, he was in contact with the separately-convicted defendant Robert Mauro, 40, of Miller Place, where Mauro offered to sell narcotics to Carr. Mauro advertised the drugs to Carr as an “oz of fire that some kid od’d off of.” Over the next few days, Carr actively sought out the drugs from Mauro. On January 9, 2024, Mauro sold the drug to Carr, just four days before the infant ingested a near-fatal dose of fentanyl.

On January 29, 2024, while Suffolk County Police Department Fourth Squad detectives were conducting their investigation into Carr and Mauro, Homicide Squad detectives responded to a fatal overdose that occurred at a home in Patchogue. At that location, law enforcement recovered from the scene the 31-year-old overdose victim’s1 cell phone, and a quantity of fentanyl/4-ANPP.

A review of that victim’s phone data showed that she too had purchased narcotics from Mauro. This sale occurred on January 28, 2024. A further review of the data showed that on January 26, 2024, the victim texted Mauro that she had not used heroin in over a year and was concerned about the substance she was going to buy.

An autopsy conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that the female victim’s cause of death was acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, fluro fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, methoxyacytal fentanyl, xylazine, and buprenorphine. Mauro pleaded to Manslaughter in the Second Degree in October 2024. He was sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison, which is the maximum sentence allowable under the law, and which will be followed by a period of two years post-release supervision once he is released.

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