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Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney

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Police car stock photo

Suffolk County Police arrested a Medford Fire Department volunteer firefighter on Nov. 13 for allegedly intentionally setting a brush fire in Medford.

Jonathan Quiles was observed by a witness allegedly intentionally set a fire in a wooded area on Mount Vernon Avenue at approximately 3:35 p.m. on November 12. The fire also damaged a 2004 Chevrolet parked nearby.

Following an investigation by Arson Section detectives, Quiles, 20, of Medford, was charged with Arson 4th Degree, Arson 5th Degree and Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree. He was scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on the same day.

Regarding the arrest, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney released a statement around 2 p.m.on Nov. 13 stating, “Unfortunately, under New York’s “Bail Reform,” intentionally setting fires in the midst of the dangerously dry conditions and a statewide burn ban are not bail eligible offenses, meaning my prosecutors cannot even ask for bail on these charges. Our New York lawmakers need to get their
act together and pass common sense fixes to a broken bail system.”

 

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Joseph Scalafani. Photo from SCPD

Two Co-Defendants Also Pleaded Guilty to Hindering Prosecution

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Joseph Scalafani, 34, of Mastic Beach, pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree for the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Alex Smith, also of Mastic Beach. His brother Daniel Scalafani, and friend, Jeffrey Mercury, also pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree for assisting the defendant flee New York after the murder.

“Today’s guilty plea closes a case where a life was senselessly taken and efforts to evade justice failed. Although it will not bring back Mr. Smith, the defendant and the two accomplices who aided his attempt to escape have all now been held accountable,” said District Attorney Tierney. “In Suffolk County, playing any role in attempts to flee from a homicide will be met with serious consequences.”

On May 20, 2023, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Joseph Scalafani ambushed Smith and his ex- girlfriend as they exited a bar in Mastic Beach. Joseph Scalafani fired numerous shots at Smith, striking him multiple times in the back and torso.

While Smith was collapsed on the ground, Joseph Scalafani shot him again, twice in the head at close range. He then got into his vehicle and fled the scene, only to crash a short distance away and then flee on foot. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the murder, Scalafani fled New York with the help of his brother, Daniel Scalafani, 31, of Shirley, and friend Jeffrey Mercury, 62, of Mastic Beach. Daniel Scalafani and Mercury each provided money to the defendant to assist him in fleeing New York and then lied to law enforcement when asked about his whereabouts. Additionally, Mercury drove Joseph Scalafani down to Virginia and dropped him off to assist him in evading apprehension.

On June 4, 2023, Joseph Scalafani was tracked down and arrested in Florida by members of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. He was then extradited back to Suffolk County on July 6, 2023.

On December 20, 2023, Daniel Scalafani pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, a Class D felony, before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins. Daniel Scalafani is due back in court on December 6, 2024, and he is being represented by Peter J. Creedon, Esq. and Jonathan Gill, Esq.

On February 1, 2024, Mercury pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, a Class D felony, before Justice Collins. Mercury is due back in court on November 21, 2024, and he is being represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

On November 12, 2024, Joseph Scalafani pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A violent felony before Justice Collins. Joseph Scalafani is expected to be sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.

Joseph Scalafani is due back in court on January 21, 2025, and he is being represented by Anthony LaPinta, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Guidarelli of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Thomas M. Palumbo and Detective Brendan O’Hara of the Suffolk County Police Department Homicide Squad.

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

Eleni Kalodis Allegedly Redirected Her Employer’s Vendor Credits to Her Personal Accounts in Order to Fund Lavish Lifestyle

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney on Oct. 31 announced the arrest of Eleni Kalodis, 54, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, for Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, for allegedly stealing vendor credits from a St. James-based HVAC company and then transferring the funds to her personal accounts during her six years employed there in order to subsidize various extravagant expenses.

“The alleged acts of this defendant illustrate an employee who exploited her position of trust to systematically steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from her employer,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Trust is the foundation of which business and our economy thrive. Our office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who betray their professional responsibilities for personal gain.”

According to the investigation, from March 2017 to December 2023, Kalodis allegedly stole funds in the form of purchase order credits from Islandaire, a nationwide specialty air conditioning and heating manufacturer, which were due and payable to the vendors who conducted business with the company.

Kalodis, in her capacity as the Credits Receivable Supervisor, was the only individual at Islandaire who had access to crediting the company’s vendor accounts, and she allegedly took this unfettered opportunity to steal over $400,000 from the company for over six years, by redirecting those credits into her own accounts to pay her expenses, including restaurants, hotels, vacations and crypto currency purchases.

On October 30,  District Court Judge Alonzo Jacobs ordered Kalodis placed on supervised release and ordered her to surrender her passport during the pendency of the case. Kalodis is due back in court on November 20,  and she is being represented by William Newman, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Milito of the Financial Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Special Investigator Robert Magrino from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Financial Crime Bureau.

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David Trent

David Trent Pleaded Guilty in September 2024

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 30 that David Trent, 19, of Mastic Beach, was sentenced to 28 years in prison after pleading guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, and other related charges, for shooting and killing Jorge Mauricio Sevilla Barrera and injuring two others outside of the Minx Nightclub in Farmingville, as well as the armed robbery of a Lyft driver that occurred in Wading River. Trent was one of 18 defendants indicted in December 2022 following a long-term investigation into violence committed by a criminal street organization, “No Fake Love,” also known as the “NFL.”

“We are satisfied that this lengthy sentence will keep this violent offender off the streets of Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This was a violent and brutal act and now this defendant will be held accountable for his indefensible actions.”

As established by the investigation and guilty plea allocution, on December 5, 2021, Trent, a member of the violent street gang No Fake Love, and his associates were gathered in the parking lot of the Minx nightclub in Farmingville. Jorge Mauricio Sevilla Barrera and his friends were walking through the parking lot after exiting the nightclub and an argument ensued. The argument turned physical, then Trent went to the vehicle that he arrived in, retrieved a firearm, and shot Barrera.

Trent and another individual then kicked Barrera while he was on the ground, before Trent stood over Barrera and shot him again, killing him. Trent and his associates then got into their vehicle and Trent leaned out of the window and fired multiple shots while the vehicle was fleeing the scene. Two additional victims suffered non-fatal injuries in the shooting.

Additionally, on April 13, 2022, Trent, along with co-conspirators Shati Roy, Jr. and Corey Foggy, ordered a Lyft rideshare car to an address in Wading River. When the driver arrived, Trent, Roy, and Foggy entered the rear of the vehicle. A short time into the trip, Roy reached over and repeatedly struck the driver about the head and body. Trent and Roy then both pointed guns at the driver’s head and stated to each other and the driver several times, “Shoot him! Get out of the car.” During this time, Foggy exited the vehicle and forcibly pulled the driver out of the vehicle, causing the driver to fall to the ground. Roy then jumped into the driver’s seat and drove off with Trent still in the rear. Roy then ripped out the dashboard camera and threw it onto the road (the camera was later recovered by investigators and captured the entire incident). Both Roy and Foggy have previously pleaded guilty for their roles in this robbery and carjacking.

On September 30, 2024, Trent pleaded guilty to the following charges before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft, Jr.:

  •   One count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
  •   Two counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Class B violent felonies;
  •   One count of Conspiracy to Commit Murder, a Class B felony;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent

    felonies;

  •   One count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony; and
  •   One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony.

    On October 30, 2024, Justice Senft sentenced Trent to 28 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. He was represented by Christopher Gioe, Esq.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Martha Duffy and Donald Barclay of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by District Attorney Investigator Jean Graf of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Gang Task Force.

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

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 18 that Jose Deleon, 37, of Brooklyn, Oliver Morocho, 21, of Queens, and Albert Espinal, 23, of Queens, were arrested and arraigned for Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, and other related charges, for allegedly stealing catalytic converters from personal vehicles in front of their owners’ homes in Centereach, Wyandanch, Central Islip, Brentwood, Bayshore, and West Babylon. These men allegedly traveled by car from Brooklyn into Suffolk County to commit the crimes.

“Catalytic converter thefts continue to be a nationwide issue, and we remain committed in Suffolk County to working with law enforcement to crack down on these crimes and to prosecuting those responsible to the fullest extent of the law,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I remind those that would seek to steal catalytic converters in Suffolk County, we are vigilant and persistent and will hold you accountable for your actions. I want to thank all our partners in the Suffolk County Police Department, the US Marshals Service, the Nassau County Police Department and the New York City Police Department who collaborated in this investigation.”

“These arrests highlight the importance of law enforcement partnerships, which lead to the apprehension of criminals like these,” said Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Robert Waring. “Any one of us can become a victim of crimes of this nature and we will continue to target individuals who steal for financial gain. I commend all the agencies involved and I want to thank the department’s Property/Auto Crime Unit for their work on this case.”

“I commend District Attorney Tierney, and the investigators from Suffolk, Nassau and NYC Police Departments on dismantling this theft ring,” said Vincent F. DeMarco,United States Marshal, Eastern District of NY. “The United States Marshals Service is committed to assisting our state and local partners in apprehending individuals who are accused of committing crimes.”

“This is a clear example of when law enforcement personnel from federal and local agencies combine their efforts and resources to effectively apprehend those criminals who commit crimes in our communities. This combined investigation demonstrates the diligence of the well trained and determined detectives which yielded the arrest of these individuals,” said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder. “The Nassau County Police Department will remain committed in working with our law enforcement partners keeping these individuals off our streets and both our counties and residents safe. I would like to thank all of the assisting agencies and their investigators on a job well done.”

According to the investigation, during the early morning hours of September 3, 2024, September 25, 2024, and October 2, 2024, Deleon, Morocho and Espinal drove across county lines to allegedly steal catalytic converters from vehicles parked in the driveways of 13 separate homes in Suffolk County. Their alleged actions were captured on the homeowners’ surveillance cameras, which aided law enforcement officers in their identification.

The tasks were allegedly divided amongst them so that Morocho remained in the car as the driver of the getaway vehicle, while Espinal worked to jack up the victim’s cars so that Deleon could crawl underneath with a portable reciprocating saw to cut out the catalytic converters from their undercarriages.

A search warrant was executed at Deleon and Morocho’s residences, which resulted in the seizure of tools, cash, and other evidence of the alleged crimes.

On October 17, 2024, Deleon, was arraigned following his arrest before District Court Judge Evan Zuckerman for:

  •   Two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   Three counts of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, a Class E felony;
  •   Three counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony; and
  •   Three counts of Auto Stripping in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

    Judge Zuckerman ordered Deleon held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2,500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Deleon is due back in court on October 21, 2024, and he is being represented by Chase Brown, Esq.

    On October 17, 2024, Morocho was arraigned following his arrest before Judge Zuckerman for:

  •   Two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   Eleven counts of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, a Class E felony;
  •   Six counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony;
  •   Twelve counts of Auto Stripping in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and
  •   One count of Petit Larceny, a Class A misdemeanor.

    Judge Zuckerman ordered Morocho held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2,500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Morocho is due back in court on October 21, 2024 and he is being represented by Joseph Hanshe, Esq.

    On October 17, 2024, Espinal, was arraigned following his arrest before Judge Zuckerman for:

  •   One count of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   Eleven counts of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree; a Class E felony;
  •   Five counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree; a Class E felony;
  •   Twelve counts of Auto Stripping in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and
  •   One count of Petit Larceny, a Class A misdemeanor.

    Judge Zuckerman ordered Espinal be placed on supervised release with a GPS monitor during the pendency of the case. Espinal is due back in court on October 21, 2024, and he is being represented by Eric Besso, Esq.

    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 more valuable than gold and thus make catalytic converters a target for theft. Specific makes and models of vehicles are targeted more than others due to the amount of precious metals contained in their catalytic converters. Catalytic converters can be stolen from underneath a vehicle in only a few minutes using a reciprocating saw and typically have no unique identification features, which make them difficult to trace to a lawful owner.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Blythe C. Miller of the Financial Crimes Bureau. The investigation was conducted by Detective Christopher Viar of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Property/Auto Crime Unit with assistance from the US Marshals Regional Fugitive Taskforce, the Nassau County Police Department and the New York City Police Department.

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Daquan Booker

Daquan Booker Held Without Bail on Prior Suffolk County Indictment

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 16 that Daquan Booker, 34, of Smithtown, was ordered remanded after a Suffolk County Court hearing following his re-arrest by Nassau County authorities. Booker had previously been placed into the Suffolk County Court’s Judicial Diversion Program, over the objection of prosecutors.

“The State Legislature has insulated narcotics traffickers like Daquan Booker from the consequences of their actions by prohibiting prosecutors from asking for bail and silencing us in decisions to divert cases away from impactful sentencing. The results have been deadly,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Distribution of fentanyl is never victimless. It is depraved indifference to the lives of our communities and children and prosecutors must be empowered to stop it. The diversion courts in Suffolk and New York are broken and must be fixed before more innocent lives are lost.”

“I am pleased that Daquan Booker was remanded after his court appearance today in Suffolk County. This defendant is being prosecuted in both Suffolk and Nassau Counties for possessing and selling deadly fentanyl. Just yesterday, he was arraigned for allegedly selling illegal opioids to 17-year-old Grace Wrightington that contained fentanyl and resulted in her fatal overdose. However, we could not charge Booker with Grace’s senseless death because of deficiencies in our state law,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly. Working together with District Attorney Tierney, we will continue to put pressure on our legislature to pass meaningful reforms that finally hold drug dealers accountable for the deaths their drugs cause and the pain they inflict upon the families of those who tragically overdose.”

On July 11, 2023, members of the Suffolk County Police Department arrested Booker following the culmination of an investigation that found Booker had sold pressed fentanyl pills to undercover officers. Though Booker was promptly indicted, he remained out of custody because his charges were considered non-bail eligible under New York State law, meaning that prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set, bail.

On February 27, 2024, Booker pleaded guilty to all four counts in the indictment – which contained two counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree – in exchange for the Court’s commitment to allow the defendant to participate in the Judicial Diversion Program, a state-created program reserved for those individuals whose crimes are found to have a nexus with a defendant’s personal substance abuse or addiction. The District Attorney’s Office had strongly opposed his entry into the program.

On June 15, 2024, members of the Suffolk County Police Department arrested Booker on a second occasion, following an alleged Reckless Driving offense that resulted in additional charges for Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree, Resisting Arrest, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, and Assault in the Second Degree. Although he was remanded following his arrest, the Court later decided to release Booker in August, and afford him an additional opportunity to resume participation in the Judicial Diversion Program. This decision, too, was over an objection by the District Attorney.

On October 11, 2024, Booker was arrested on an indictment warrant that had been issued out of neighboring Nassau County. In execution of that warrant, authorities apprehended Booker at the Riverhead Correctional Facility, where he had intended to visit an inmate.

Upon his return to Nassau County for processing, Booker was allegedly found to possess a quantity of cocaine, resulting in yet another criminal charge for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree. Booker was released following arraignment on all charges in Nassau County on October 15, 2024.

On October 16, 2024, subject to a renewed application by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Booker was remanded without bail on his original case pending in Suffolk County Court, and a pre-sentence investigation was ordered. His next scheduled court date has been set for November 1, 2024.

Supreme Court Justice Philip Goglas, who remanded Booker, had previously promised the defendant an upstate sentence of two years determinate; to be followed by two years of post-release supervision, should Booker fail to complete the terms of treatment set forth in his Judicial Diversion contract. He is being represented by Danielle Papa, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lauren Golombek of the Narcotics Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by members of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Narcotics Section.

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

Frank Saggio, Police Officer George Trimigliozzi, Islip Teacher Steven Arey, and Dana Ciardullo Allegedly Operated Two Brothels in Suffolk County Over a Period of Four Years

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 15 the indictment of FRANK SAGGIO, GEORGE TRIMIGLIOZZI, STEVEN AREY, and DANA CIARDULLO, accused of Enterprise Corruption and Promoting Prostitution, among other charges, for allegedly running multiple brothels in Suffolk County.

“It is a sad day in law enforcement when a public servant is arrested. However, I made a commitment to this County that no one is above the law, and that includes those who are supposed to embody the best of public service,” said District Attorney Tierney. “The allegations in this indictment describe a long-term pattern of organized criminal activity and a shocking betrayal of public trust.”

According to the years-long investigation, between October 2019 and June 2024, SAGGIO was allegedly the leader of a criminal enterprise that profited from the systematic promotion of prostitution at two locations in Suffolk County.

Members of the alleged Saggio Prostitution Enterprise include TRIMIGLIOZZI, an 18-year veteran of the Suffolk County Police Department; AREY, a 26-year employee of the Islip School District; and CIARDULLO, SAGGIO’s girlfriend.

Each of the criminal defendants are alleged to have unlawfully promoted prostitution by hiring sex workers, collecting proceeds of prostitution from sex workers known as “house fees,” and posting advertisements seeking patrons of prostitution. TRIMIGLIOZZI and AREY allegedly served as managers on SAGGIO’s behalf at a building located on Sunrise Highway in Holbrook known as the American Girls Spa “Suite 3.” The Sunrise Highway building also contained two additional brothels allegedly managed by SAGGIO: Spa “Suite 4” and Reiki for Healing “Suite 5.” CIARDULLO, the fourth member of the alleged criminal enterprise, served as a manager on SAGGIO’s behalf at a location in West Babylon known as the Tunnel of Love.

The investigation further uncovered that an alleged robbery occurred at the American Girls Spa on March 19, 2021. TRIMIGLIOZZI, in his capacity as a manager of the brothel, was called by a sex worker who reported a customer had been robbed while waiting for prostitution services at the American Girls Spa. The sex worker further notified TRIMIGLIOZZI that police officers would be dispatched to the location in response to the prostitution customer’s call to 911. TRIMIGLIOZZI, who was on duty as a police officer at the time, allegedly abandoned his assigned post in the Third Precinct without permission from the police department and drove at a speed nearing 90 miles per hour in his marked patrol car to the brothel in Holbrook, which was located in the confines of the Fifth Precinct. He then allegedly falsified paperwork with the police department in which he did not disclose his unauthorized response to the American Girls Spa in Holbrook. He also allegedly falsified the records of the police department by not disclosing to the department his outside employment as a manager in SAGGIO’s alleged criminal enterprise.

SAGGIO was also indicted on two counts of Sex Trafficking related to his alleged requirement that sex workers engage in prostitution in order to pay him a minimum amount of money each month. Specifically, he allegedly had sex workers who could not read or speak in English sign purported leases which required them to (1) pay $6,000 per month at Suite 4, and (2) $12,000 per month at Tunnel of Love.

On October 15, 2024, the defendants were each arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei.

SAGGIO, 60, of West Islip, is charged with:

  •   One count of Enterprise Corruption, a Class B felony;
  •   Two counts of Sex Trafficking, a Class B felony; and
  •   51 counts of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, a Class D felony.

    Justice Mazzei ordered SAGGIO held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $5,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. SAGGIO is due back in court on December 9, 2024, and faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is represented by Anthony LaPinta, Esq.

    TRIMIGLIOZZI, 55, of Islip, is charged with:

  •   One count of Enterprise Corruption, a Class B felony;
  •   13 counts of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, Class D felonies;
  •   Two counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, Class E felonies;
  •   One count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E felony;

    and

  •   One count of Official Misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor.

    Justice Mazzei ordered TRIMIGLIOZZI held on $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. TRIMIGLIOZZI is due back in court on December 9, 2024, and faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is represented by William Keahon, Esq.

    AREY, 53, of Islip, is charged with:

  •   One count of Enterprise Corruption, a Class B felony; and
  •   27 counts of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, Class D felonies.

    Justice Mazzei ordered AREY held $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case.

AREY is due back in court on December 9, 2024, and faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is represented by William Wexler, Esq.

CIARDULLO, 32, of North Bellmore, is charged with:

  •   One count of Enterprise Corruption, a Class B felony; and
  •   17 counts of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, Class D felonies.

    Justice Mazzei ordered CIARDULLO held $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. CIARDULLO is due back in court on December 9, 2024, and faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count. She is represented by Jan Goldman, Esq.

    This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Laura de Oliveira and Bureau Chief Kevin Ward of the Public Corruption Bureau. The investigation was conducted by investigators assigned to the District Attorney’s Public Corruption Squad.

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Noah Green

Noah Green Was Arrested Three Weeks After the 2022 Shooting as a Result of a Joint Investigation by DA Tierney’s Gang Task Force and SCPD Detectives

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 15 that Noah Green, 20, of Shirley, was sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, and other related charges, for shooting at three people, striking two of them in the chest, in front of former United States Congressman Lee Zeldin’s home in October 2022. Green was one of 18 defendants indicted in December 2022 following a long-term investigation into violence committed by a criminal street organization, “No Fake Love.”

“This was a horrific act of gang-related violence that put innocent lives at risk. The defendant’s decision to open fire on a residential neighborhood, with two young girls inside the home he shot towards, demonstrates a complete disregard for human life,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Thanks to the diligent work of law enforcement, justice has been served with a lengthy 12-year prison sentence. We must continue to address the root causes of gang violence in our communities and provide young people with positive alternatives to curtail such senseless acts.”

As established by the investigation and the defendant’s plea allocution, on October 9, 2022, Green left his home with another individual and got into a stolen 2022 Honda CRV. While Green was driving the vehicle, they encountered three rival gang members walking down the street in front of the residence of then-United States Congressman Lee Zeldin. Green shot out of the vehicle multiple times, striking two of the individuals in the chest. Both men survived.

During the shooting, Congressman Zeldin’s daughters were inside the residence doing homework. Afterwards, Green boasted on social media and through other electronic communications about committing the shooting to alleged fellow gang members. During the course of the conspiracy, Green would frequently post his gang affiliation on social media accounts, post photos and videos of himself and other gang members with weapons and stolen vehicles and would utilize social media as a way to taunt and challenge rivals.

On October 31, 2022, at approximately 1:00 p.m., law enforcement was conducting surveillance when they observed Green leave his residence in Shirley and enter the driver’s seat of the stolen 2022 Honda CRV. Members of law enforcement then approached Green, who immediately exited the stolen vehicle and began running away in an attempt to evade apprehension. Green jumped onto the hood and roof of a law enforcement vehicle causing damage to both. During the course of their pursuit, Green continuously refused to comply with the officers’ commands and began reaching for his pants pocket, where law enforcement later recovered a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol with a high-capacity magazine. A microscopic examination of the firearm revealed that this was the same pistol Green had used to commit the October 9th shooting outside of Congressman Zeldin’s home. Additionally, a search of the 2022 Honda CRV revealed that shell casings from the October 9th shooting were still lodged between the windshield and the hood of the vehicle.

On September 12, 2024, Green pleaded guilty to the following charges before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft, Jr.:

  •   Three counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Class B violent felonies;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent

    felonies; and

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

On October 15, 2024, Justice Senft sentenced Green to 12 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. He was represented by Chad LaVeglia, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Martha Duffy and Donald Barclay of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau. The overall investigation into the No Fake Love gang was conducted by District Attorney Investigator Jean Graf of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Gang Task Force, and the investigation into the October 2022 shooting was conducted Detective Michael Yonelunas of the Suffolk County Police Department.

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Items including drugs and money seized from Remon Gibson's Bellport home. Photo from Suffolk County D.A.

The Amount of Fentanyl Seized by the District Attorney’s Task Force Could Have Killed 3.5 Million People

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 11 that Remon Gibson, 43, of Bellport, was indicted for Operating as a Major Trafficker, and other related charges, after law enforcement allegedly uncovered 33 pounds of illegal narcotics, including approximately 7 kilograms of fentanyl and 8 kilograms of cocaine in his home.

“The amount of deadly narcotics seized in this operation is staggering. There was enough Fentanyl here to kill every man, woman, and child on Long Island,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This case underscores our unwavering commitment to dismantling drug operations that threaten our communities.”

According to the investigation, on September 25, 2024, members of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and Police Department, assigned to the District Attorney’s Fentanyl Task Force, executed a search warrant at 5 Sunburst Lane in Bellport. The search allegedly yielded approximately 7 kilograms of fentanyl, over 8 kilograms of cocaine in brick form, about half a kilogram of xylazine, and various types of drug paraphernalia. Additionally, authorities allegedly seized around $80,000 in cash, a drug ledger, and kilo presses, including one with plates used for bricks of fentanyl and cocaine, stamped “COVID 19.”

Notably, a large quantity of fentanyl was allegedly discovered on a nightstand in Gibson’s bedroom, adjacent to a room occupied by his two minor children. Cocaine was also allegedly found hidden in a trap behind a backyard shed.

  •   One count of Operating as a Major Trafficker, a Class A-I felony;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, Class

    A-I felonies;

  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class

    B felonies;

  •   Three counts of the Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, Class A misdemeanors; and
  •   Two counts of Endangering Welfare of a Child, Class A misdemeanors.

    Justice Ambro ordered Gibson held on $200,000 cash, $800,000 bond or $2,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Gibson is due back in court on November 8, 2024, and faces a minimum of 15 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by George Duncan, Esq.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Saam Jalayer of the Narcotics Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Damian Torres of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Fentanyl Task Force.

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Brian Cordovano

Brian Cordovano Expected to be Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 9 that Brian Cordovano, 50, of Ronkonkoma, pleaded guilty to two counts of Manslaughter in the First Degree, and other related charges, for killing two men – Ian Saalfield, 45, of Lake Grove, and Robert Julian, 59, of Selden, in April 2022.

“Today, Brian Cordovano pleaded guilty to killing Ian Saalfield and Robert Julian in a selfish and inexplicable act of violence,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I hope that this plea provides a measure of comfort to the victims’ families and friends as they continue to mourn these unnecessary and tragic losses. With this conviction, the victim’s families will be spared the further pain and anxiety of a trial, while ensuring that the community is protected from any further crimes by this defendant.”

On April 26, 2022, Saalfield was reported missing by his wife. She advised police that she last saw her husband the day before with Cordovano, his childhood friend. Saalfield’s wife saw her husband leave their home with Cordovano at approximately 8:00 p.m., when he drove off in Saalfield’s white 2015 Lexus. Saalfield never returned home.

A few days later, on May 2, 2022, law enforcement found Saalfield’s Lexus abandoned in a parking lot in Holtsville. On that same day, police responded to a call from a Ronkonkoma motel where Cordovano was suffering from an overdose.

While Cordovano was being transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, the Suffolk County Police Department was able to link a silver 2004 Toyota Corolla left in the motel parking lot to Cordovano. A registration check revealed that the car belonged to Robert Julian. Police responded to Julian’s home and found the bodies of Saalfield and Julian inside, each dead due to gunshot wounds to the head. Investigators later determined that Cordovano killed the two on April 25, 2022.

On October 9, 2024, Cordovano pleaded guilty before County Court Judge Stephen L. Braslow, to:

  •   Two counts of Manslaughter in the First Degree, Class B violent felonies;
  •   Three counts of Robbery in the First Degree, Class B violent felonies; and
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent

    felonies.

    Cordovano is due back in court for sentencing on November 20, 2024, and faces an agreed-upon sentence of 30 years in prison. He is being represented by Christopher Gioe, Esq.

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

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