News From the Bronx District Attorney

TWO BRONX WOMEN INDICTED ON ASSAULT CHARGES FOR BRUTALLY BEATING SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT WOMAN

Defendants Robbed Victim, Threatened To “Kill Your Baby” 

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that two Bronx women have been indicted on various Assault and Robbery charges for repeatedly attacking a pregnant woman, causing her to have a seizure. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The footage of this vicious attack against a pregnant woman is unbearable to watch. The defendants allegedly jeopardized two lives over a petty feud with a mutual friend.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendants, Serenity Dunham, 18, of East 181st Street, and Tiffany Nurse, 27, of Third Avenue, were indicted on two counts of Attempted Assault first-degree, Attempted Assault second-degree, two counts of second-degree Assault, third degree Assault, two counts each of first and second-degree Robbery, third-degree Robbery and two counts of fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Both defendants were arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. Bail was continued for Nurse and she is due back in court on June 1, 2018. If convicted of the top charge of first degree Robbery, she faces up to 25 years in prison. 

 Justice Villegas offered Serenity Dunham Youthful Offender Status, over the objections of the prosecutor. Dunham pleaded guilty to all charges at the arraignment and was entered into the CASES (Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services) program. If she completes the one-year program, she will receive a conditional discharge.

 According to the investigation, on February 1, 2018, in the stairwell of a building at 820 Saint Ann’s Avenue, the defendants allegedly struck Tylesha Mohammed, 18, in the face, causing her to fall to the ground. The defendants proceeded to repeatedly kick and punch the victim, striking her stomach and face. Nurse allegedly threatened “we’re going to kill your baby” before the defendants stole the teen’s phone. The victim, who was seven months pregnant at the time, suffered a seizure and sought medical treatment for various injuries, including swelling of the head and stomach and lacerations on her arms and lips.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Officer Jonathan Burke of the 40th Precinct Detective Squad for his hard work.

 An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

14 MEMBERS OF CRACK-DEALING GROUP THAT PLAGUED JOHN ADAMS HOUSES INDICTED ON CONSPIRACY AND NARCOTICS CHARGES

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that 14 people have been indicted on Conspiracy and other charges for dealing crack cocaine in the John Adams Houses in Mott Haven. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “Thanks to the efforts of a year-long joint investigation, we have eliminated a drug organization that affected the quality of life of residents of this city housing complex. The defendants not only peddled crack cocaine but they did so publicly as well as in stairwells and jeopardizing the safety of the entire building. We will continue to pursue and prosecute those who endanger our communities.” 

 New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said, “I commend the investigators and prosecutors whose efforts resulted in these arrests involving narcotics sales in and around the Adams Houses. The NYPD continues to work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold responsible those who distribute narcotics in our communities.” 

 DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt stated, “DEA applauds the law enforcement collaboration that led to today’s arrests. This unity was a force multiplier in our goal of removing drug dealing from the Adams Housing Projects and surrounding areas.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendants are variously charged in six indictments with Conspiracy, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, second-degree Attempted Burglary and Possession of Burglar’s Tools.

 Thirteen of the defendants were arrested on Thursday March 1, 2018 by NYPD Bronx Narcotics Violent Crime Squad, Bronx DA Investigators and agents from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. They were arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Robert A. Neary and are due back in court on May 30, 2018. They face up to nine years in prison on the top count.

 According to the investigation, which utilized court-authorized eavesdropping, between February 23, 2017 to February 26, 2018 the defendants sold and distributed cocaine in the John Adams Houses, with undercover officers making 32 buys of crack cocaine. Three defendants are also charged with Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree, and for possessing a crow bar, a wrench, a lock pick and a drill in relation to a planned break-in of a Bronx home

 The investigation also resulted in the arrest of Raymond Valdez, who has been indicted for the September 30, 2017 murder of Pedro Adrono.

 An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

DEFENDANTS EBONY LANIER 43, 835 EAST 152 STREET, BRONX 

ALLAN RIVERA, 31, 520 EAST 137 STREET, BRONX 

ALEXIS CASTRO, 40, 1028 EAST 212 STREET BRONX 

DAVON DILWORTH, 26, 1990 7TH AVENUE MANHATTAN 

BILLY DIAZ, 44, 644 WALES AVENUE BRONX 

JAMEL MCDONALD, 34 880 TINTON AVENUE BRONX 

JOSHUA TAYLOR, 28, 721 TINTON AVENUE BRONX 

KRISTOPHER MEADE, 39 107 EAST 105 STREET MANHATTAN 

LAMONT DAVIS, 27, 680 TINTON AVENUE BRONX 

ROBERT DIXON, 38, 664 UNION AVENUE BRONX 

THEODORE BROOKS, 34, 700 EAST 156 STREET BRONX 

SAUL COLON, 35, 345 EAST 145 STREET, BRONX 

RAYMOND VALDEZ, 29 790 EAST 152 STREET 

TABITHA HENRY, 25, 680 TINTON AVENUE APT BRONX (NOT YET APPREHENDED)