Items From Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark

FORMER KARATE INSTRUCTOR SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING YOUNG GIRLS 

Defendant Assaulted Victims When They Attended Karate Lessons In The Bronx

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a former karate instructor has been sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually abusing two young girls. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant took advantage of his position as an instructor and adult, and sexually assaulted two girls when they attended karate lessons at a center in the Bronx. These events have been very painful and traumatic to the victims and their families. Hopefully this sentence brings some justice to the innocent children and their loved ones who still struggle emotionally.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Anthony Gonzalez, 38, of 990 Leggett Avenue, was sentenced on October 15, 2018 by Administrative Judge Robert E. Torres to eight years in prison and 10 years post-release supervision. The defendant will also have to register as a sex offender. Gonzalez pleaded guilty to first-degree Sexual Abuse and second-degree Course of Sexual Conduct against a Child on September 25, 2018 before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Ralph Fabrizio. 

 According to the investigation, on January 17, 2018 at the USA Martial Arts Fitness Academy at 914 Prospect Avenue, the defendant, who was volunteering as an instructor at the time, sexually abused a six-year-old girl who was taking classes at the center. Gonzalez took the young girl to the bathroom, closed the door and touched her genitals. He then told the victim not to tell anyone. The young girl eventually told her mother what Gonzalez had done to her and the mother called the police.

 During the course of the investigation it was revealed that the defendant also sexually abused a five-year-old girl multiple times between November 15, 2016 and June 26, 2017 at the school. That child had not come forward because she was afraid to tell anyone.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Detective Julia Watson and Police Officer Gabriel Baaith of the Bronx Child Abuse Squad as well as the Bronx Child Advocacy Center for their assistance with the case.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR FATALLY STABBING HIS WIFE

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the murder of his wife, which he initially blamed on intruders. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “This was a brutal attack in which the defendant stabbed his wife 13 times. He told police who responded that two men broke in and attacked his wife and himself, then admitted he stabbed his wife, in self-defense. The jury rejected his claim and convicted him of second degree Murder, and now he will spend many years in prison.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Roy Savage, 46, of 215 East 164th Street, was sentenced today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy to 25 years to life in prison. A jury found the defendant guilty of second-degree Murder on September 21, 2018.

 According to the investigation, on May 26, 2016, at 10 p.m. in 215 East 164th Street, the defendant stabbed his wife, Shellette Walace Savage, 37, 13 times, including four times in the back. Defendant told responding police officers that took men broke into his apartment and attacked him and his wife. Savage showed responding officers his injuries, including cuts on his hand and scratches to his neck. Defendant was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries to his hands. Shellette Savage was pronounced dead on arrival to the hospital. Detectives immediately investigated his home invasion story; after reviewing surveillance video and examining the crime scene his story was proven false.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Police Officer James Fleming, formerly of the 44th Precinct and now assigned to the 104th Precinct in Queens, for his assistance.