Criminal Illegal Alien Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Raping Corpse on New York Subway

 

DHS calls on Governor Hochul and New York sanctuary politicians to not release this criminal from jail following his prison sentence and instead turn him over to ICE to be removed from the country

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after a criminal illegal alien was sentenced to 5 years in prison for raping a corpse on a New York City subway last year.

On June 17, 2026, Felix Jeronimo-Rojas, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced after pleading guilty to robbing and raping the corpse of a man who had died on the subway in April of 2025.

The defendant: Felix Jeronimo-Rojas

According to local reporting, the victim was 37-year-old Jorge Gonzalez, who boarded the R train near Whitehall Street station before losing consciousness and dying on a bench in the subway car. About three hours later, Jeronimo-Rojas boarded the car and, upon noticing that Gonzalez was unconscious, began sexually assaulting his corpse while rummaging through his pockets.

The victim: Jorge Gonzalez, 37

Jeronimo-Rojas turned himself in to the authorities three weeks after the crime, after surveillance footage of the incident was circulated. He was initially charged with rape and grand larceny. ICE lodged a detainer for Jeronimo-Rojas on April 30, 2025.

Jeronimo-Rojas had previously illegally entered the country FOUR times in 1998 and 1999, voluntarily returning to Mexico each time after he was encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol. He then illegally entered the country for a FIFTH time at an unknown date and location.

“This sicko robbed and raped the corpse of a dead man on a New York City subway," said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “ICE lodged a detainer asking Governor Kathy Hochul and New York sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this criminal illegal alien after his prison sentence. We need cooperation from sanctuary politicians to ensure depraved criminals like this are not released into our communities.”

As of December 1, 2025, New York’s failure to honor ICE detainers has resulted in the release of 6,947 criminal illegal aliens since January 20. The crimes of these aliens include 29 homicides, 2,509 assaults, 199 burglaries, 305 robberies, 392 dangerous drugs offenses, 300 weapons offenses, and 207 sexual predatory offenses.

As of December 1, 2025, 7,113 aliens in the custody of a New York jurisdiction have an active detainer. The crimes of these aliens include 148 homicides, 717 assaults, 134 burglaries, 106 robberies, 235 dangerous drugs offenses, 152 weapons offenses, and 260 sexual predatory offenses.

Justice Department Files Complaint Challenging New York Mask Ban and Identification Requirements for Federal Officers

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the State of New York, Governor of New York Kathy Hochul, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Assistant Attorney General in Charge, Buffalo Regional Office, challenging their unconstitutional attempt to regulate federal law enforcement officers by criminally prohibiting federal officers from wearing masks, requiring individual identifiers, and banning cooperative 287(g) agreements with numerous local law enforcement agencies dedicated to helping enforce this nation’s laws.  

Not only is the law an illegal attempt to regulate the federal government, but, as alleged in the complaint, the law threatens the safety of federal officers who have faced an unprecedented wave of harassment, doxing, and even violence. Threatening officers with prosecution for simply protecting their identities and their families also chills the enforcement of federal law and compromises sensitive law enforcement operations.

"Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe, and they do not deserve to be doxed or harassed simply for carrying out their duties," said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. "New York’s anti-law enforcement policies regulate the federal government and are designed to create risk for our agents. These laws cannot stand."

"Governor Hochul cannot tell Federal officers how to do their job,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward. "And she certainly cannot prohibit them from ensuring their own safety in conducting Federal law enforcement operations. Our suit stops New York’s unconstitutional efforts."

"The Department of Justice will steadfastly protect the privacy and safety of law enforcement from unconstitutional state laws like New York’s," said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

Acting Attorney General Blanche has instructed  the Department’s Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies, and practices that facilitate violations of federal laws or impede lawful federal operations. This lawsuit is the latest in a series of lawsuits brought by the Civil Division targeting illegal policies designed to thwart federal law enforcement across the country, including in Virginia, New Jersey, and California. 

Registered Sex Offender Charged With Drugging And Sexually Abusing Minors

 

Andrew Wilkinson Used the Instagram Account “@tattzbysteppa,” Among Others, to Allegedly Lure in Minor Victims and Then Film His Sexual Abuse

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, announced the return of a 10-count Indictment charging ANDREW WILKINSON, a/k/a “Steppa,” with convincing and enticing three minor female victims to engage in unlawful sexual activity with him, filming a sexually explicit video of a 15-year-old girl (“Minor Victim-1”), and drugging and sexually assaulting 17-year-old and 16-year-old girls (“Minor Victim-2” and “Minor Victim-3,” respectively).  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon.  WILKINSON was arraigned on the Indictment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang.

“As alleged, Andrew Wilkinson, a registered sex offender and serial predator, used social media to target vulnerable girls so he could drug them, sexually assault them, and film his abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “Thankfully, Wilkinson’s illicit conduct was brought to light, and he will now have to answer to these serious charges.  Our Office, along with our federal partners and the NYPD, are making a whole-of-government effort to rid our streets of sexual predators.  That is what New Yorkers want.  That is what we are delivering.  The sexual assault of minors and the production and distribution of child pornography are too prevalent.  I urge all New Yorkers to assist us in ridding our streets of predators.  If you have been a victim of the alleged sexual abuse perpetrated by Wilkinson—or if you know anything about his alleged crimes or think you’ve experienced something similar—we encourage you to contact usanys.wilkinson-case@usdoj.gov or 212-637-0076.”

“This defendant, who is already a registered sex offender, allegedly used social media to lure underage girls to an unlicensed business for free tattoos and then drugged, raped, and recorded sexually explicit videos of them,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.  “This horrific behavior—especially the abuse of minors—has no place in our city, and thanks to the relentless work of our NYPD investigators and law enforcement partners, this predator is being held accountable.  We will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York to protect survivors of sexual assault and ensure justice is served in this case.” 

As alleged in the Indictment and statements made in Court:(1)

WILKINSON drugged, sexually assaulted, and recorded sexual encounters with minor female victims. WILKINSON, who was 34 years old and a registered sex offender, operated and advertised an unlicensed tattoo service and used his tattoo service as a means by which to gain access to minor victims to sexually abuse.  WILKINSON met and communicated with his victims primarily on social media platforms and utilized those platforms to convince his victims to travel to an apartment in the Bronx where he drugged, sexually assaulted, and filmed sexually explicit videos of them.  WILKINSON drugged a 16-year-old girl and sexually abused her while she was physically incapacitated.

Between at least in or about December 2024 and May 2025, WILKINSON repeatedly sent promotional messages offering free tattoos to Minor Victim-1, who was 14, and tried to convince Minor Victim-1 to meet him in person.  On or about January 27, 2025, after Minor Victim-1 turned 15, WILKINSON convinced Minor Victim-1 to visit him, where he used a cellphone to record a sexually explicit video depicting Minor Victim-1. 

In or around May 2025, WILKINSON met a second victim, who was 17 years old, and convinced Minor Victim-2 to travel from Long Island to the Bronx to obtain a tattoo.  While in the Bronx, WILKINSON drugged and sexually assaulted Minor Victim-2.

On or about July 23, 2025, WILKINSON persuaded a third victim, who was 16 years old, to travel to the Bronx where WILKINSON told Minor Victim-3 that he would provide a free tattoo if she played and won three card games.  WILKINSON provided psilocin psychedelic mushrooms, methamphetamine, and an unidentified beverage to Minor Victim-3, causing her to lose consciousness.  While Minor Victim-3 was impaired and unconscious, WILKINSON raped and sexually assaulted Minor Victim-3.

If you have been victimized by WILKINSON, who utilized the Instagram account “@tattzbysteppa,” among others,  or have any additional information about his alleged illegal behavior, or if you’ve seen something similar, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York at 212-637-0076 or reach out to us at usanys.wilkinson-case@usdoj.gov and reference this case.

WILKINSON, 36, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison; three counts of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison; three counts of committing a felony offense involving a minor as a registered sex offender, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison which must run consecutively to the other sex offenses; one count of distribution of a controlled substance, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of distribution of a controlled substance with intent to commit rape, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of distribution of a controlled substance to a minor, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. 

The statutory minimum and maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD, the Special Agents, Task Force Officers, the Digital Forensics Unit, and the Complex Analytics and Social Media Enhancement Team at the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Clayton also thanked the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, the Connecticut State’s Attorney Office for the Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford, the Derby Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service for the Southern District of New York, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their assistance.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Dana R. McCann is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitutes only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

MANHATTAN MAN SENTENCED TO 23 YEARS IN PRISON FOR FATALLY SHOOTING BRONX MAN IN DICE GAME DISPUTE

 

Victim Had Accused Defendant of Cheating

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Manhattan man was sentenced to 23 years in prison for first-degree Manslaughter for fatally shooting a Bronx father of four in a dispute over a dice game. 

District Attorney Clark said, “This defendant cold-bloodedly shot and killed a husband and father of four children. With this lengthy prison sentence justice has been served. I express my sympathy to the family of the victim and hope this sentence will give them peace of mind.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Kareem Reid, 32, of St. Nicholas Avenue, Manhattan, was sentenced on June 18, 2026, to 23 years in prison plus five years post release supervision for first-degree Manslaughter, and 10 years plus five years post release supervision for second-degree Criminal Possession, both sentences to run concurrently, by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Guy H. Mitchell. Reid was convicted by a jury on January 9, 2026.

According to the facts brought out at trial, shortly after midnight on August 29, 2020, the defendant joined in a dice game with a group of people in front of 1133 Boston Road. At around 3 a.m. Tyrone Tabanah, 34, accused Reid of cheating. After the game ended, Reid pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots, hitting one man in the ankle and Tabanah in the thigh. The bullet severed Tabanah’s femoral artery. He ran for a few blocks, then collapsed and died.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Brianna Constantino and Faton Alickaj of Bronx Homicide Squad for their work in the investigation. 

FOREST HILLS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ATTEMPTED MURDER FOR BEATING OF WOODSIDE DELI WORKER

 

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Osvel Diaz pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other crimes for the beating of a 62-year-old worker at the Sunnyside Mini Market in Woodside in June 2024. The defendant pummeled the victim until he was unconscious and then continued to assault him as he lay on the deli floor.

District Attorney Katz said: “This was a senseless and violent assault of a deli worker that nearly left the 62-year-old man dead. Osvel Diaz repeatedly punched and kicked Abdul Alshawish until he left the man with a brain hemorrhage, facial fractures, a broken eye socket and litany of other injuries. Tragically, Alshawish must live with a traumatic brain injury and cognitive impairments for the rest of his life because of this defendant. Our thoughts are with the victim as he continues to recover from his extensive injuries.”

Diaz, 31, of Forest Hills, pleaded guilty yesterday to attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of assault in the first degree, petit larceny and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree before Queens Supreme Court Justice John Zoll. Justice Zoll indicated that he will sentence the defendant to 19 years in prison on June 29.

District Attorney Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation on June 17, 2024, at approximately 11:17 p.m., Diaz entered the Sunnyside Mini Mart at 63-20 Broadway. He and deli worker Abdul Alshawish, who was standing in front of the counter, bumped into one another.

Seconds later, Diaz began punching Alshawish repeatedly in the head. Diaz threw Alshawish to the ground and continued to punch and kick him repeatedly in the head, face and body. While the worker was still on the floor, Diaz kicked him in the head and knocked Alshawish unconscious. Diaz continued the assault with multiple kicks to Alshawish’s head and face.

The victim was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for a brain hemorrhage, facial fractures, a mid-face separation, broken teeth and a fractured eye socket, nose and sinuses. He later underwent multiple surgeries and was diagnosed with a moderate traumatic brain injury and cognitive impairments.

Diaz was apprehended on June 26, 2024, in Forest Hills.

FORMER CEO AT CITY-FUNDED NONPROFIT HOMELESS SERVICES PROVIDER SENTENCED TO SIX MONTHS IN PRISON

 

Nadia I. Shihata, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), issued the following statement on the sentencing of THOMAS BRANSKY, 50, the former Chief Executive Officer of Childrens Community Services, Inc. (“CCS”), on charges relating to a scheme to defraud New York City in connection with the provision of temporary housing and homeless services. BRANSKY’s co-defendant and business partner, PETER WEISER, 83, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29, 2026. The two conspired to defraud the City of New York of millions of dollars through a multifaceted scheme to corruptly profit from the nonprofit, which no longer has contracts with the City. U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick sentenced BRANSKY today to six months in prison, followed by three years supervised release. BRANSKY was also ordered to pay approximately $7.69 million in restitution and $1.2 million in forfeiture. He is scheduled to surrender on September 29, 2026. In October 2025, BRANSKY pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371 and WEISER pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. DOI investigated this matter in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, which is prosecuting the case.

DOI Commissioner Nadia I. Shihata said, “These defendants used false statements to defraud the City of New York of more than $50 million, money that went toward paying inflated prices and unreasonable mark-ups for goods and services that should have been used to support New Yorkers in need of housing. There is no excuse or tolerance for these crimes, which exploited public funds and the City’s critical assistance to an extremely vulnerable population. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for its ongoing partnership to hold accountable anyone who uses the City to illegally enrich themselves.” 

According to the indictment and superseding information, BRANSKY was the Chief Executive Officer of CCS, a not-for-profit homeless services provider that had over $900 million in contracts with the City. As CEO, BRANSKY and others engaged in a scheme to defraud the City through CCS and a group of affiliated entities owned and controlled by WEISER, including by making and causing to be made false statements to the City of New York in order to obtain money. The scheme was furthered by electronic communications and bank wires and included submitting false statements and documents to the City to conceal WEISER’s role and ownership of the affiliated companies. CCS, and ultimately the City, paid over $50 million to WEISER’s companies for various goods and services—many of which were provided by other, legitimate companies and then simply marked up as much as three times their actual cost. Through this scheme, WEISER collected more than $7 million in illicit profits, while BRANSKY earned more than $1.2 million in salary.

Commissioner Shihata thanked Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, for his office’s partnership on this case, which is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas Chiuchiolo, Ni Qian, and Matthew Weinberg are in charge of the prosecution. Commissioner Shihata also thanked the City Department of Social Services for its cooperation with the investigation. 

NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES COMMISSIONER JEANETTE MOY LAUNCHES INTERACTIVE CAPITAL PROJECTS DASHBOARD

 

New Digital Tool Provides Unprecedented Visibility into Multi-Billion-Dollar Construction Portfolio

Empowers New Yorkers to Track Local Investments, From Neighborhood Infrastructure to Major Revitalization Efforts

New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner Jeanette Moy launched the Capital Projects Dashboard, a new digital tool that offers the public unprecedented insight into the multi-billion-dollar construction and rehabilitation portfolio managed by the OGS. Fulfilling Governor Kathy Hochul’s commitment to enhancing transparency and customer service, the dashboard enables New Yorkers to see how and where state investments are improving communities across the state.

“OGS oversees the critical infrastructure that keeps New York running, supporting dozens of state agencies and authorities,” Commissioner Moy said. “As part of Governor Hochul’s unwavering commitment to increase transparency across state government, this new dashboard provides a clear, accessible view of our active design and construction portfolio. We are proud to provide New Yorkers with a tool to stay informed about the vital investments happening right in their communities.”

The dashboard serves as a central reference for anyone looking to explore the vast project portfolio managed by OGS. Featuring user-friendly search capabilities, the dashboard offers:

• Community-Level Views: An interactive map allowing users to filter and locate investments happening in their specific county or region.
• Visibility on Project Progress: Provides clear, accessible data on budgets, costs, and project phases for multi-million-dollar investments, helping New Yorkers identify where public funds are being deployed.
• Project Variety & Scope: Project tracking for a vast array of activities, ranging from structural repairs at facilities to visible public enhancements across the state.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Under Governor Kathy Hochul‘s leadership, New York is renewing and building transportation infrastructure at record levels — engaging communities across the state and providing mobility options that serve all New Yorkers. As we do so, we value innovation and our collaboration with all of our state agency partners like OGS, to deliver meaningful results for all New Yorkers.”

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Real government leadership means ensuring people know where critical investments are happening to improve people’s daily lives, our shared communities, and our environment. DEC applauds our state agency partners at OGS for furthering Governor Hochul’s commitment to customer service for all New Yorkers.”

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “New York State delivers its best results when agencies work together on behalf of the people we serve. Our partnership with OGS reflects that commitment and demonstrates how collaboration can turn Governor Hochul’s vision into meaningful results. This new dashboard will give New Yorkers an easy and transparent way to see how state investments are improving parks, infrastructure, and public spaces in their own backyards.”

Updated quarterly, the Capital Projects Dashboard joins a growing suite of publicly accessible digital tools developed and maintained by OGS. The New York State Language Dashboard, created using American Community Survey data, provides county-level insights into the languages spoken by New Yorkers to support tailored communication and outreach strategies. In addition, the Zero-Emission Vehicles and Infrastructure Dashboard offers an in-depth overview of progress toward the complete transition of the state’s non-emergency, light-duty fleet to zero-emission vehicles and the charging infrastructure needed to support this growing network of cleaner transportation.

About the New York State Office of General Services

For 65 years, the New York State Office of General Services (OGS) has proudly served as the operational engine of New York State. The agency provides the essential foundation for government to function seamlessly — managing and leasing real property, designing modern facilities, streamlining procurement, and stewarding world-class cultural assets. Through its commitment to efficiency, innovation, and environmental sustainability, OGS handles the complex logistics of government so that its partners can dedicate their full focus to what matters most: advancing their missions to serve the people of New York.  

Discover how OGS continues to support New York at ogs.ny.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

Third Defendant Sentenced To Prison For Hacking Fantasy Sports And Betting Website

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that NATHAN AUSTAD, a/k/a “Snoopy,” was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in a scheme to hack user accounts on a fantasy sports and betting website (the “Betting Website”) and sell access to those accounts, resulting in losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars to the users.  On December 12, 2025, AUSTAD pled guilty to one count of conspiring to commit computer intrusion before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams, who imposed this sentence.

"Nathan Austad and his co-defendants hacked an online betting website to compromise the accounts of over 60,000 users by purchasing their already stolen credentials on the darkweb and utilizing their previous passwords from other websites,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “The defendants acknowledged the federal investigation into their conduct while they were committing their crimes, even having the hubris to say the FBI could not do anything about it.  They were wrong.  Austad’s prison sentence today demonstrates the commitment of the DOJ, the FBI, and all our federal partners to protecting our on-line markets.”

According to the charging documents and other filings and statements made in court:

On or about November 18, 2022, AUSTAD and others launched a “credential stuffing attack” on the Betting Website.  During a credential stuffing attack, a cyber threat actor collects stolen credentials, or username and password pairs, obtained from other large-scale data breaches of other companies, which can often be purchased on the darkweb.  The threat actor then systematically attempts to use those stolen credentials to obtain unauthorized access to accounts held by the same user with other companies and providers, in order to compromise accounts where the user has maintained the same password.  Here, in connection with the attack on the Betting Website, AUSTAD and his coconspirators made a series of attempts to log into the Betting Website user accounts using a large list of stolen credentials.

AUSTAD and his coconspirators successfully compromised approximately 60,000 user accounts at the Betting Website (the “Victim Accounts”) through the credential stuffing attack.  In some instances, AUSTAD and his coconspirators were able to add a new payment method of their own on the account (i.e., to a newly added financial account belonging to the hacker) and then use it to withdraw all the existing funds in the Victim Account to themselves, thus stealing the funds in each affected Victim Account.  Using this method, AUSTAD and others stole approximately $600,000 from approximately 1,600 Victim Accounts on the Betting Website for themselves.

Access to the Victim Accounts were also sold on various websites that traffic in stolen accounts, which are frequently referred to as “Shops.”  AUSTAD directly controlled and profited from his own shop, which was named after the character Snoopy from the Peanuts comic strip.  A photo of AUSTAD’s Shop website with victim companies redacted is below:

On or about December 2, 2022, AUSTAD messaged about the existence of this investigation, “everyone shouldve been prepared for this before cashing out lol,” and a coconspirator replied, “lol fbi can’t do shit.”  On or about May 19, 2023, AUSTAD messaged about the existence of this investigation, “like we didnt know the risk when we started lol . . . everyone knows their committing fraud.”

AUSTAD also controlled cryptocurrency accounts that received cryptocurrency worth approximately $465,000, including proceeds of his crimes.

AUSTAD is the third defendant to be sentenced in this investigation.  On January 31, 2024, U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan sentenced Joseph Garrison to 18 months in prison.  On April 16, 2026, U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald sentenced Kamerin Stokes, a/k/a “TheMFNPlug,” to 30 months in prison.

In addition to the prison term, AUSTAD, 21, of Farmington, Minnesota, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $463,684.48 in forfeiture and $1,327,061 in restitution.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.