Justice Department Seeks Relief for Maryland Military Families from Illegal Fees

 

The Justice Department has issued a letter urging the Maryland Department of Transportation to stop efforts to collect nonresident vehicle permit fees from servicemembers and their spouses that violate the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). 

Under Maryland’s current policy, military families across the state are effectively taxed twice when they register a vehicle in their home state and then relocate to Maryland for military service.

“Relocation for military service is already a costly endeavor,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “If a vehicle belonging to a servicemember or their spouse is registered in their home state, then that family has already paid their fair share. They should not also be required to pay additional taxes or fees in each state that they move to in compliance with military orders.”

The Department is asking Maryland, consistent with the SCRA, to exempt servicemembers and their spouses from the Motor Vehicle Administration’s nonresident vehicle permit fees, refund amounts they have already collected, and update their policies and trainings to ensure that military families are not subject to such fees going forward.

For more information about the Department’s enforcement efforts under the SCRA and other laws that protect the rights of servicemembers and their families, please visit www.servicemembers.gov.

Servicemembers and their dependents who believe that their rights under the SCRA have been violated should contact the nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program Office. Office locations may be found at legalassistance.law.af.mil.

Speaker Julie Menin and Council Members Honor 25th Anniversary of 9/11 with Funding Announcement and Wreath-Laying Ceremony

 

Council’s $1 million investment in the 9/11 Memorial & Museum will fund free field trips for New York City students, with a focus on eighth graders, and expand educational programming

Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council Members gathered at the 9/11 Memorial this morning to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost and announce $1 million in funding for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum to offer free field trips to New York City students and for other educational programming.

A livestream of the event can be found here. Photos of the event can be found here.

Twenty-five years after the attacks, nearly one-third of Americans were born after September 11, 2001, or are too young to remember the day firsthand. Educating younger generations about the attacks, the lives lost, and their lasting impact on New York City and the world has become increasingly important.

In the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget, Speaker Menin and the Council secured $1 million in funding for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum to expand education and outreach to a new generation of New Yorkers. This funding will go toward guided, self-guided, and virtual field trips to the Memorial & Museum for New York City students, with a focus on reaching eighth-grade classes, while also supporting additional student and teacher programming for these schools.

“As we approach the 25th anniversary of September 11, it is more important than ever that a new generation of New Yorkers understands what happened that day and carries forward the stories of those we lost,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “My own career in public service was born from the extraordinary resilience, bravery, and unity I witnessed from New Yorkers in the aftermath of 9/11. Through this funding, we honor the lives lost and celebrate the New Yorkers who made profound sacrifices in the face of terror. I’m grateful for our partnership with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum as we work together to ensure that ‘Never Forget’ remains a promise passed from one generation to the next.”

“The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is committed to our mission to commemorate the 2,977 individuals killed on 9/11, educate the next generation on what happened, and inspire visitors with stories of service and heroism,” said Beth Hillman, President & CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. “There are 100 million Americans alive today who are too young to remember 9/11, and that’s why our educational programming is so vital. We’re grateful to the City Council for their work on this critical initiative and appreciate Speaker Menin’s ongoing work to support the 9/11 community.”

Located at the World Trade Center, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum tells the story of 9/11 through media, narratives, and a collection of monumental and authentic artifacts, presenting visitors with personal stories of loss, recovery, and hope.

Council-secured funding for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum will go toward:

• Guided, self-guided, and virtual field trips for NYC public school students, with a focus on eighth graders;
• Free audio guides for NYC student groups;
• Access to the 9/11 Anniversary Digital Learning Experience; and
• Related training for NYC educators.

Speaker Menin was a founding trustee of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. She also previously served as chair of Community Board 1 representing Lower Manhattan, helped establish the World Trade Center Health Registry, and served as a board member of the 9/11 Memorial Jury and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.

Illegal Alien Who Operated Large Methamphetamine Trafficking Ring from State Prison Sentenced to Federal Prison with Four Others

 

Ismael Guerrero-Moya, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for his role in coordinating the distribution of hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine from his Waycross, Georgia prison cell. Four other members of the trafficking ring previously were sentenced to lengthy prison terms.

“This illegal alien, who was serving a 30-year sentence for methamphetamine trafficking, orchestrated large-scale drug dealing using a contraband phone in state prison and a network of meth cooks and drug traffickers beyond prison walls,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “As a result of seamless coordination of federal, state, and local authorities in the Homeland Security Task Force, Guerrero-Moya’s operation has been dismantled, and he is now headed to federal prison for 30 years without the possibility of parole.” 

“This case is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when federal, state, and local partners come together through the Homeland Security Task Force. Despite being incarcerated, this defendant continued coordinating the distribution of hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine,” said Michael J. Connolly, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “HSTF partnerships allow us to connect investigative resources, disrupt sophisticated trafficking networks, and ensure that those who threaten our communities are brought to justice.”

“Guerrero-Moya’s continued criminal activity from inside a state prison shows the persistent threat posed by transnational drug traffickers who exploit every opportunity to keep poisoning our communities,” said Steven N. Schrank, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. “Using a contraband phone and outside criminal associates, he directed a methamphetamine trafficking network that moved hundreds of pounds of dangerous drugs. HSI and our federal, state, and local partners will continue to target and dismantle these organizations wherever they operate to protect public safety and hold offenders accountable.”

According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: In 2012, a Superior Court judge in Fayette County, Georgia sentenced Guerrero-Moya to 30 years in prison for trafficking methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during commission of a felony. While serving his sentence in state prison, Guerrero-Moya used a contraband cell phone to resume his drug trafficking operation, with the assistance of Michael Childers, who used an auto repair shop to conceal methamphetamine in vehicles. In addition, Salvador Bolanos Villalpando and Jose Jovani Toledo operated a methamphetamine conversion laboratory in Ellenwood, Georgia on behalf of Guerrero-Moya. The organization also included Kamal Hussein Espinosa, a multi-kilogram methamphetamine dealer, who purchased methamphetamine from Guerrero-Moya while on parole for a prior drug trafficking conviction.

In March 2020, federal investigators, working with state partners, dismantled Guerrero-Moya’s drug network through a series of seizures and arrests, taking over 500 pounds of methamphetamine off the street, including 150 pounds of methamphetamine seized from a residence in Ellenwood, Georgia, and 30 pounds of methamphetamine recovered from a vehicle in Atlanta, Georgia.  

Yesterday, Ismael Guerrero-Moya, 51, of Dieciocho de Marzo, Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced to 30 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. Guerrero-Moya was convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering on September 10, 2025, after he pleaded guilty.  

The following defendants were previously sentenced in this case:

• Salvador Bolanos Villalpando, 56, of Buenavista Tomatlán, Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced to ten years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
   
• Jose Jovani Toledo, 36, of Torrance, California, was sentenced to six years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
   
• Michael Childers, 51, of Marietta, Georgia, was sentenced to seven years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
   
• Kamal Hussein Espinosa, 44, of Dallas, Georgia, was sentenced to fourteen years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and money laundering.

This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, with valuable assistance provided by Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Corrections, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 

Assistant United States Attorneys John T. DeGenova and Matthew R. LaGrone, and former Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Lyons, prosecuted the case.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF is comprised of agents and officers from ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

Seven Charged in $57M Tax Refund Fraud Scheme

 

Defendants Filed Over 100 Fictitious Financial Instruments with the IRS to Obtain Refunds

A superseding indictment was unsealed yesterday charging an Idaho man and woman and five non-Idaho residents with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, making false claims and money laundering. The conspirators allegedly prepared and submitted false tax returns and fictitious financial instruments to the IRS.

“As alleged, this group of fraudsters participated in a $57 million tax fraud scheme, filing over 100 fictious returns and ultimately receiving more than $8 million in taxpayer dollars from the IRS,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. “The Fraud Division will continue working vigorously to investigate and prosecute tax fraud schemes like these across the country. Fraudsters should never be allowed to rip off the United States of America.”

According to the superseding indictment, from 2023 through 2024, Andrea and Kent Shannon of Kuna, Idaho, Monika Skinger of Chicago, Illinois, Sherita Chandler of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Saule Moshkanova of Roseville, California, Tiffany Nichols of Suwanee, Georgia, and Stacey Rice of Manteca, California, along with unindicted conspirators, allegedly conspired to commit wire fraud by assisting one another in fraudulently claiming refunds in amounts totaling more than $57 million by preparing and submitting false individual and trust tax returns and fictitious financial instruments to the IRS. The conspirators allegedly received more than $8 million from the IRS. Moshkanova, Nichols, and Rice were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  

Andrea and Kent Shannon, Skinger and Chandler were previously charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Andrea and Kent Shannon were also charged with committing multiple acts of wire fraud, making false claims to the United States and engaging in money laundering by purchasing personal property such as luxury cars with their fraudulently obtained refunds.

If convicted, the conspirators face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the conspiracy charge. Andrea and Kent Shannon face an additional maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge and a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each false claim charge. Kent Shannon faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the money laundering charge.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney David F. Scollan of the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittney Campbell for the District of Idaho are prosecuting the case.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Attorney General James Secures Over $6 Million for Brooklyn Homebuyers Cheated by Condo Developer

 

Developer Took Millions in Down Payments Before He Was Legally Allowed to Sell Apartments, Then Illegally Spent Buyers’ Money Instead of Holding Funds in Escrow

New York Attorney General Letitia James today delivered more than $6 million in restitution and purchase credits to New Yorkers who provided down payments on apartments in a Brooklyn condominium building but were left without their homes or money for years. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that 425 Marcy, LLC and its principal, Ezra Unger, unlawfully sold units and collected down payments from purchasers at 427 Marcy Avenue in Williamsburg before OAG had accepted the building’s required offering plan for filing. The developer then illegally used buyers’ down payments to pay for various expenses instead of keeping the money in escrow, as required by law. As a result of Attorney General James’ investigation, Unger has agreed to repay buyers, who can either receive their full down payments back with added interest or apply that money toward purchasing their original units once construction is completed under a new offering plan and by a new developer. Unger will also pay $824,000 in penalties and is barred from selling securities in New York for six years.

“When New Yorkers hand over their hard-earned savings for a down payment on a home, that money is not a piggy bank for developers to raid,” said Attorney General James. “This developer broke the law by taking money from families before it was legally allowed to sell these homes, then left them waiting for years with nothing to show for it. My office will continue to hold developers accountable and fight to get New Yorkers their money back.”

Under New York's Martin Act, condominium developers must submit an offering plan to OAG and have it accepted for filing before they can market or sell units. The law also requires developers to place buyers’ down payments in a separate escrow account and keep the money there until the sale is completed. These protections help ensure that buyers can get their money back if a condominium project does not move forward.

The OAG launched its investigation after receiving a complaint that the developer had entered into contracts with buyers even though OAG had never accepted the building’s offering plan for filing. The investigation found that the developer had entered into contracts for 17 residential units, three commercial units, and three residential parking spaces, and collected a total of $6.715 million in down payments from the residential buyers. None of the down payments were placed in a required escrow account. Instead, the developer used the money for construction and other purposes.

The project was further complicated by a series of legal and financial problems. The developer was sued by other parties who alleged, among other things, that it did not own the building and had defrauded the building’s true owners. In January 2023, a bankruptcy case was filed against the developer. As part of the bankruptcy proceeding, Unger lost his ownership interest in the company, and the building was ultimately sold to 33 Walton Holdings, LLC, the new developer of the condominium. The bankruptcy case was completed in April 2025.

Under the settlement secured by Attorney General James, buyers of the residential units can choose to walk away from the purchase and receive a return of their original down payment plus interest, or apply that amount as a credit toward the purchase of the same unit once the new offering plan is accepted for filing. Buyers who remain interested in purchasing their unit will also receive additional protections if the new purchase price is higher than the price in their original contract. The new developer is required to either repay or provide the credit to buyers within seven business days after OAG accepts the new offering plan for filing.

In addition, Unger must pay up to $824,000 in penalties: $324,000 for selling units and parking spaces before the offering plan was accepted for filing and $500,000 for failing to place buyers’ down payments in escrow. Unger is also barred from marketing, offering for sale, or selling securities in or from New York for six years. Unger has also acknowledged that he violated the Martin Act and Executive Law 63(12).

NYPD ANNOUNCES SAFEST SUMMER FOR SHOOTING INCIDENTS, SHOOTING VICTIMS, AND MURDERS IN RECORDED HISTORY

Historic Summer Part of Eight-Month Stretch of Fewest Shooting Incidents, Shooting Victims, and Murders in Recorded History

Major Crime Fell 6.6% Citywide in August, Down More than 5,000 Reported Crimes Year to Date

Historic Lows in Shooting Incidents, Shooting Victims, Murders, Rapes, and Robberies in the Subway and Public Housing for August 

Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch today announced that the NYPD delivered the safest summer for shooting incidents, shooting victims, and murders in recorded history.

From June 1 through August 31, there were 195 shooting incidents, 32 fewer than the previous record low of 227 set in 2025. There were 249 shooting victims, 44 fewer than the previous record low of 293 set in 2018, and there were 66 murders, 12 fewer than the previous record low of 78 set in 2017.

This historic summer is part of an eight-month stretch of record low shooting incidents, shooting victims, and murders. Year to date, there were 442 shooting incidents, 47 fewer than the previous record low of 489 set in 2025. There were 538 shooting victims, 73 fewer than the previous record low of 611 set in 2025, and there were 173 murders, 18 fewer than the previous record low of 191 set in 2017. For the month of August, there were 61 shooting incidents, 13 fewer than the previous record low of 74 set in 2024, and there were 76 shooting victims, 14 fewer than the previous low of 90 set in 2018. Compared to August 2025, shooting incidents in August 2026 declined 20.8% (61 vs. 77) and shooting victims declined 37.7% (76 vs. 122).

Major crime declined 6.6% (10,276 vs. 11,000) citywide in August with 724 fewer crimes compared to August 2025. The Bronx continues to lead the city in major crime declines, with an 11.9% (18,369 vs. 20,846) reduction year to date.

The NYPD also delivered record low violent crime in the subway system with zero shooting incidents, shooting victims, murders, or rapes for the entire month of August. Robberies in transit also fell to their lowest level on record for the month, with 27 incidents compared to the previous record low of 35 in 2016.

Over the first eight months of 2026 and in the month of August, the department continued to drive violent crime to historic lows in our city’s public housing developments. In August, there were zero murders in public housing. There were seven shooting incidents recorded, surpassing the previous record low of 10 set in 2018. Shooting victims declined to a new record low of seven, surpassing the previous low of 13 set in 2018. There were eight incidents of rape reported, surpassing the previous low of nine incidents reported set in 2017. Robberies declined to a record low of 50 incidents, down from the previous record low of 67 in 2024.

“The NYPD delivered both the safest summer and first eight months of the year for shooting incidents, shooting victims, and murders in recorded history,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “These historic lows all happened while managing an unprecedented series of high-profile events, including the NBA Finals, the World Cup, Sail 250, and the largest Fourth of July celebration in the nation. The city’s public safety milestones extended to our subway system and public housing, reaching record lows in gun violence, murders, rapes, and robberies in August. This progress is only possible because of the extraordinary work of the men and women of the NYPD, and I am deeply grateful for their commitment to keeping New York City safe.”

Historic Lows in Shooting Incidents

Citywide shooting incidents and shooting victims fell to their lowest levels in recorded history for the first eight months of the year and in August.

Year to date, shooting incidents decreased by 9.6% (442 vs. 489) and shooting victims decreased by 11.9% (538 vs. 611). For the month of August, shooting incidents declined 20.8% (61 vs. 77) and shooting victims declined 37.7% (76 vs. 122).

In 2026, NYPD detectives have carried out 25 gang-related takedowns and seized more than 3,630 illegal guns.

Major Crime Reductions

In August, major crime decreased 6.6% (10,276 vs. 11,000) citywide compared to August 2025. Year to date, major crime decreased by 6.2% (75,945 vs. 80,953).

Additionally, across major crime categories:

• Murder declined 34.3% (23 vs. 35) in August and 24.1% (173 vs. 228) year to date. Manhattan recorded only two murders for August and continues to have the fewest murders year to date in recorded history.
• Auto theft declined 16.2% (1,136 vs. 1,356) in August and 12.8% (8,049 vs. 9,227) year to date.
• Robbery declined 13.3% (1,224 vs. 1,411) in August and 11.9% (8,903 vs. 10,110) year to date.
• Burglary declined 9.1% (951 vs. 1,046) in August, the lowest on record, and 13.9% (7,316 vs. 8,494) year to date.
• Grand larceny declined 6.5% (4,103 vs. 4,389) in August and 5% (29,881 vs. 31,450) year to date.
• Rape declined 1.7% (170 vs. 173), the second consecutive month with a decrease. Year to date, rapes increased 3.2% (1,423 vs. 1,379), driven in large part by reports of crimes that occurred in prior years — 26% (364) of all rapes reported this year occurred in prior years. In September 2024, legislative changes enacted through the Rape is Rape Act rightfully broadened the legal definition of rape in New York State to include additional forms of sexual assault. Of the crimes reported this year, 20% (284) fall under the expanded definition of rape created by the Rape is Rape Act. Through the creation of the first-in-the-nation Gender-Based Violence Policy and Training Unit, the NYPD has enhanced its work with advocates to encourage all survivors of sexual assault to come forward and report these incidents.
• Felony assault increased 3.1% (2,669 vs. 2,590) in August and 0.7% (20,200 vs. 20,065) year to date. The NYPD has made arrests on 77.8% of all felony assault cases in 2026, and so far this year, 263 unique individuals have been arrested three or more times for felony assaults — a 205.6% increase compared to the same period in 2018 (263 vs. 86).

The Bronx Leads the City in Major Crime Declines

The Bronx continues to lead all five boroughs in year-to-date major crime reductions with an 11.9% (18,369 vs. 20,846) decrease. Year to date, auto theft in the Bronx was down 29.2% (2,161 vs. 3,051) and grand larceny was down 14.6% (5,265 vs. 6,167).

In August, major crime in the Bronx fell 10.5% (2,409 vs. 2,693) with double-digit declines across multiple index crime categories. Auto theft dropped 36.2% (268 vs. 420), murder dropped 35.7% (9 vs. 14), shooting victims dropped 31.8% (30 vs. 44), shooting incidents dropped 22.2% (21 vs. 27), rape dropped 18% (41 vs. 50), and grand larceny dropped 14.9% (710 vs. 834).

Safest Year So Far in Public Housing

In August, major crime decreased by 5.7% (482 vs. 511) in public housing developments across the city. Shooting incidents, shooting victims, murders, rapes, and robberies were at their lowest levels in recorded history for August. There were zero murders in public housing in the entire month of August, and shooting incidents dropped 65% (7 vs. 20), shooting victims dropped 73.1% (7 vs. 26), rape dropped 53.3% (7 vs. 15), and robbery dropped 27.5% (50 vs. 69).

Major crime declined 6% (3,664 vs. 3,899) year to date compared to the same period last year. Year to date, shooting incidents, shooting victims, murders, and robberies all declined double-digits and fell to their lowest levels in recorded history. Shooting incidents dropped 40.6% (60 vs. 101), shooting victims dropped 44.4% (65 vs. 117), murder dropped 52% (11 vs. 23), and robbery dropped 20.2% (469 vs. 588).

Keeping the Subways Safe

Major crime in the city’s vast subway system decreased by 8.4% (163 vs. 178) in August and 0.3% (1,439 vs. 1,443) year to date. During the month of August, there were zero murders, shooting incidents, shooting victims, and rapes, while robberies fell to their lowest levels in recorded history for the month.

The decrease in transit crime was largely driven by a 30.8% (27 vs. 39) decrease in robberies, which made up 16.6% of all transit crimes, and a 10.2% (88 vs. 98) decrease in grand larcenies, which made up 53.3% of all transit crimes in August.

Violence Reduction Zones

To further reduce violent crime and shootings across the city, the department launched its Summer Violence Reduction Plan on May 4 — deploying officers in the times and locations where violence and disorder are most concentrated and likely to occur. Since the initiative began, major crime was down 23.2% (1,659 vs. 2,160), shooting incidents were down 33.3% (46 vs. 69), robberies were down 30% (409 vs. 584), and shooting victims were down 27.8% (65 vs. 90), while major crime in public housing was down 22.1% (162 vs. 208) in the zones during deployment hours.

Combating Hate Crimes

The NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force (HCTF) investigates allegations of hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents. After an incident is flagged as a possible hate crime, the HCTF investigates and determines, in consultation with the NYPD Legal Bureau, whether it constitutes a hate crime under New York State law. If an incident is deemed a hate crime under the law, it will be categorized as a confirmed hate crime. The NYPD provides data on confirmed hate crimes along with all reported hate crimes regardless of whether they are ultimately confirmed as hate crimes by the HCTF. The disclosure of both sets of numbers enhances transparency and reflects best practices in hate crime reporting.

Year to date, the number of confirmed overall hate crimes increased 15.8% (425 vs. 367), with 58 more confirmed hate crime incidents compared to last year. For the month, there were 45 confirmed hate crimes and 62 incidents reported as hate crimes.

In August, confirmed anti-Jewish hate crimes decreased by 13.6% (19 vs. 22) compared to the same period last year. Year to date, anti-Jewish hate crimes increased by 8% (229 vs. 212) and accounted for more than half of the confirmed hate crimes for the first eight months of the year (53.9%) despite Jewish New Yorkers making up only 10% of the city’s population.

*All crime statistics are preliminary and subject to further analysis, revision, or change. *

Major Crime Statistics: August 2026

Crime	August 2026	August 2025	+/-	% Change
Murder	23	35	-12	-34.3%
Rape	170	173	-3	-1.7%
Robbery	1,224	1,411	-187	-13.3%
Felony Assault	2,669	2,590	79	3.1%
Burglary	951	1,046	-95	-9.1%
Grand Larceny	4,103	4,389	-286	-6.5%
Grand Larceny Auto	1,136	1,356	-220	-16.2%
Total	10,276	11,000	-724	-6.6%

Additional Statistics: August 2026

	August  2026	August  2025	+/-	% Change
Transit	163	178	-15	-8.4%
Housing	482	511	-29	-5.7%
Shooting Incidents	61	77	-16	-20.8%

Confirmed Hate Crimes: August 2026

Motivation	August 2026	August 2025	+/-	% Change
Asian	1	0	1	***
Black	4	2	2	100%
Gender	3	1	2	200%
Hispanic	1	0	1	***
Jewish	19	22	-3	-13.6%
Muslim	1	2	-1	-50%
Other Ethnicity	6	3	3	100%
Religion	3	2	1	50%
Sexual Orientation	6	5	1	20%
White	1	0	1	***
Total	45	37	8	10%

Reported Hate Crimes: August 2026

Motivation	Motivation
Asian	1
Black	7
Gender	5
Hispanic	1
Jewish	25
Muslim	2
Other Ethnicity	6
Religion	3
Sexual Orientation	10
White	2
Total	62

Confirmed Hate Crimes: YTD

Motivation	2026	2025	+/-	% Change
Age	1	0	1	***
Asian	13	13	0	0%
Black	29	30	-1	-3.3%
Other Ethnicity	12	15	-3	-20%
Gender	18	9	9	100%
Hispanic	10	5	5	100%
Jewish	229	212	17	8%
Muslim	27	18	9	50%
Religion	36	27	9	33.3%
Sexual Orientation	46	31	15	48.4%
White	4	7	-3	-42.9%
Total	425	367	58	15.8%

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It should be noted that  the Bronx has only 16% of the total NYC population, but by the NYPD figures the Bronx has 38% of the murders, shooting incidents, and shooting victims.

The Bronx has 30% of NYC robberies and Felony assualts, 28% of the NYC rapes, 26% of the NYC auto theft, 24% of the NYC burglary, and 16% of the NYC grand larcenies. 

Commissioner Tisch, you need to visit the Bronx North division and send more help, as murder, rape, felony assult, and every crime below the seven major crimes are up including shooting victims and shooting incidents, transit, housing,  and all the others including a 320% rise in hate crimes. The Bronx needs at least two more police precincts.