Governor Hochul Announces Major Congestion Pricing-Funded Subway Improvement Projects Moving Forward

Contracts Awarded To Modernize Signals on the A and C Lines in Brooklyn and Queens, Advance Accessibility in the Subway System

Significant Investments Made Possible by Revenue Generated From Congestion Pricing

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the advancement of $1.75 billion in key transit projects for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) that will modernize the subway system, funded by revenue generated by congestion pricing. The MTA Board approved a design-build contract to modernize subway signals on the A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens, moving forward on one of the most significant upgrades to service quality and reliability in the system. The MTA Board also approved accessibility upgrades to five subway stations, including the major complex at 42 St-Bryant Park, which serves 111,000 daily riders on the 7, B, D, F and M lines.

“Nearly one year in, congestion pricing has already sped up traffic and cleaned our air, and now it is supporting generational upgrades to our subway system,” Governor Hochul said. “We've already shown what we can do when we support transit — ridership continues to climb and subway performance is at record highs. When these projects are completed, hundreds of thousands of riders will benefit from even more reliable and accessible service thanks to these significant investments.”

The project will bring Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) to the Fulton Street Line in Brooklyn and the Liberty Avenue Line in Queens between Jay Street-MetroTech and Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd stations, replacing century-old legacy signal systems that date back to the line’s opening in 1936. It will also repair and replace switches, install upgraded tunnel lighting and run cabling to support the deployment of cellular service through the tunnels.

When this project is completed, more than 600,000 daily riders across the A and C trains will see substantial upgrades to reliability, faster travel speeds, and better service. Previous CBTC installations on the 7, L and Queens Boulevard (E, F, M, R) lines have yielded significant improvements to on-time performance and train speed increases of up to 10 percent, all while upgrading operations and safety systems.

The Fulton and Liberty Line signal modernization project is further evidence of the effectiveness of the MTA’s new CBTC-centric approach, which streamlines project delivery while maintaining the highest technical standards. CBTC-centric projects are now more than 33 percent cheaper per mile than prior projects, a major breakthrough as the MTA continues its ambitious plans to modernize signals throughout the system. Further funding from congestion pricing will go towards upgrading the signals on the 6th Avenue Line carrying the B, D, F and M, while the 2025-29 MTA Capital Plan includes CBTC upgrades on eight lines and over 75 miles of track.

The project also reflects the MTA’s success in expanding competition in a highly specialized market. Three bidders competed for the contract, a result of targeted efforts to bring more firms into signal modernization work — helping control costs while ensuring quality.

The project is being delivered as a bundle of two different subway segments. The Fulton Street Line, running from Jay Street-MetroTech in Brooklyn Heights to Euclid Avenue in East New York, is funded as part of the MTA’s 2020-24 Capital Plan and is made possible by Congestion Relief Zone revenues. The Liberty Street Line, running from Euclid Avenue to Ozone Park-Lefferts Boulevard in Ozone Park, is funded as part of the 2025-29 Capital Plan.

This project advances as the MTA adds more R211 subway cars to the A and C lines. All R211 come equipped with technology that seamlessly integrates with CBTC signals, leading to a better overall commute for millions of daily riders — including more reliable service, fewer delays, more frequent trains and less waiting.

Upcoming Accessibility Upgrades at Subway Stations

Two contracts were also awarded today to deliver accessibility upgrades to five more subway stations, continuing the MTA’s rapid pace to make the system more accessible.

This includes ADA Package 9 at three stations in Queens and Brooklyn:

• Parsons Blvd F
• Briarwood EF
• Gates Avenue JZ 

The other package will make the Bryant Park-5 Av Complex in Manhattan fully accessible:

• Bryant Park-42 St BDFM 
• 5 Av 7

These five stations mark continued progress toward a more accessible transit system, bringing the total number of ADA-accessible stations awarded this year to seven. They are part of the 23 stations that will ultimately be made accessible thanks to Congestion Relief revenues.

Since 2020, the MTA has made significant progress toward system-wide accessibility by completing accessibility upgrades at 39 stations. With these new awards, another 39 stations are now under construction. The 2025-29 Capital Plan includes funding to make an additional 60 subway stations accessible in the coming years. Currently, there are 154 total accessible subway stations.

Man Charged With Possession Of Machine Gun On New York Street

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), Bryan DiGirolamo, and Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging DAVID MALDONADO in connection with a November 14, 2025, daytime shooting in which MALDONADO fired 12 rounds from a machine gun on a public street in the Bronx. MALDONADO was arrested and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Stein.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff. 

"As alleged, David Maldonado used a machine gun conversion device to spray bullets on a Bronx street,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “New Yorkers want brazen, gun toting criminals off our streets and we hear them.  Thanks to the prompt response of our law enforcement partners, Maldonado will now have to answer for his alleged crimes.” 

“The ATF/NYPD Crime Gun Enforcement Team is committed to keeping illegal machine guns out of the hands of criminals and away from our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo.  “We thank the New York City Police Department and the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their continued partnership in keeping the public safe.”

“David Maldonado allegedly put New Yorkers at serious risk when he fired a fully automatic ghost gun in broad daylight on a public street, while NYPD detectives were nearby,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.  “Our detectives did exactly what they do best—they ran toward the danger, moved quickly to stop the threat, and our streets are safer because of their actions.  I thank the NYPD investigators, our partners at the ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their continued work to hold violent offenders accountable.”

As alleged in the Indictment, and in public statements made in public court proceedings:[1]

On or about November 14, 2025, at around 4:00 p.m., MALDONADO, who has been previously convicted of multiple felony offenses, discharged a machine gun in the vicinity of East 170th Street and Third Avenue in the Bronx, including two shots that struck a nearby vehicle. 

Detectives of the NYPD, who were in the vicinity of the gunshots, spotted and promptly apprehended MALDONADO, who was in possession of an unserialized Polymer 80, model PF940C, 9x19mm caliber firearm, also known as a “ghost gun.”  During the shooting, MALDONADO used a semi-automatic handgun with an illegal machine gun conversion device installed, which converted his firearm into a fully automatic machine gun capable of shooting more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger.  Photographs of the firearm and magazine seized from MALDONADO and the conversion device that was installed on the pistol slide are below:

MALDONADO, 53, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of possession of ammunition after felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison; and one count of possession of a machine gun, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. 

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and 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 and the ATF.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent Organizations & Crime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon D. Harper 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.

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

Comptroller Brad Lander Calls for Major School Bus System Overhaul

In a new audit and accompanying policy report, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander exposed the dire state of citywide school bus services and urged City Hall to address a failing system plagued by chronic lateness, missed routes, and a lack of accountability that underserves children experiencing homelessness, and disproportionately impacts students with disabilities. 

New York City Public Schools, the largest school system in the United States, transports over 145,000 public, charter, and private school students at an annual cost of nearly $2 billion. In an audit of the Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT), the Comptroller’s Office uncovered abysmal vendor performance and glaring oversight failures. In the 2023-24 school year alone, OPT received over 150,000 complaints—including more than 14,000 for no-show pickups—yet OPT lacks effective systems to investigate the root causes of these failures or hold the bus companies accountable. The audit further revealed that the DOE failed to collect $42.6 million in penalties for basic GPS violations in the 2024-25 school year and continues to rely on a routing system built in 1994 with software unsupported since 2015. 

“For decades, our City’s school bus system has failed our students and families,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. “Parents and guardians miss work, students miss class and breakfast, and kids with disabilities are stranded when our school bus system lacks the accountability and organization we need to fix systemic issues. With the shortened three-year contract extensions, City Hall has a unique opportunity to fix our schools’ dysfunctional bus system.”  

OPT’s service failures have been exacerbated by 46-year-old contracts. In November 2025, the Panel for Educational Policy broke a decades-long cycle by approving shorter, three-year contract extensions set to expire on June 30, 2028, which can empower the City to finally address these long-standing service issues.  

The Office’s audit found: 

• Over 150,000 service complaints received in the 2023-24 school year. 

• $42.6 million in uncollected penalties for GPS tracking log-in violations in 2024-25. 

• No evidence of systematic analysis of complaints to enforce contracts or improve service. 

• 99% of “problem runs” are for students with disabilities. 

• Required pre-school year “dry runs” are often not performed. Prior to the start of the 2023-24 school year, 19 bus vendors failed to comply with dry-run requirements. 

• DOE awarded Via Transportation contracts totaling $51.7 million to develop transportation technology — yet the vendor is up to five years late in implementing new routing and student badging technology. 

To support the City’s transition to a modern, equitable school transportation system by 2028, the policy report outlines three paths forward — competitive reprocurement, municipalization, and non-profit management — ensuring that input from parents, educators, advocates, and students is considered in the decision-making process. Comptroller Lander also recommends City Hall appoint a School Bus Czar within the first month of 2026, who would be tasked with stabilizing daily operations, conducting a comprehensive assessment of family needs and system performance, and aligning the legal, fiscal, labor, and legislative strategy for reform. 

The Comptroller’s policy report charts three potential solutions to address the City’s school bus crisis: 

Scenario 1: Competitive Procurement

Rebidding all the City’s school bus contracts would require State legislation to preserve long-standing labor protections (EPPs) while allowing DOE to competitively procure new contracts. If two proposed bills (S1018/A8440) pass in 2026, DOE could begin an 18-month reprocurement process, but this approach carries risks—including legislative uncertainty, ongoing fragmentation across 48 vendors, and challenges in fixing OPT’s core routing and oversight failures.  

Scenario 2: Municipalization

Creating a municipally-run school transportation agency—modeled on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)—would consolidate all bus operations under City control, improve routing, technology, and working conditions, and treat drivers and attendants as City employees. Benefits include unified oversight and better service quality, but challenges include major upfront costs (fleet acquisition and pension obligations), operational risks typical of large public agencies, and concerns about efficiency and innovation.  

Scenario 3: Non-Profit Management

Expanding the existing nonprofit NYCSBUS (New York City School Bus Umbrella Services, Inc.) into a citywide operator (akin to the City’s library system) would remove the profit motive, achieve industry consolidation, and enable a governance structure focused on service quality and accountability. DOE could reprocure NYCSBUS’s contract after 2026 to absorb routes, routing, customer service, and GPS functions. Key hurdles include absorbing substantial pension and fleet purchase costs and restructuring governance to ensure independence and effectiveness. 

“I support the recommendations in the Comptroller’s audit of the DOE OPT and the effort to strengthen oversight of our city’s vast school bus system,” said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. “With New York City Public Schools being the largest school system in the country and transporting 145,000 students daily, it is crucial that students have safe, timely, and reliable transportation. The Comptroller’s recent audit report, Get off the Struggle Bus, presents three feasible ways that the incoming mayoral administration could improve school bus transportation.”  

RIKERS ISLAND INMATE SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TRANSGENDER INMATE AND TWO INCIDENTS AGAINST CORRECTION OFFICERS

 

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Rikers Island inmate has been sentenced to five years in prison for first-degree Sexual Abuse of a transgender inmate whom he threatened with a makeshift weapon. 

District Attorney Clark said, “Sexual violence against someone in custody is heinous and we prosecute it to the fullest extent. The defendant will now face years in prison for this assault, on top of a sentence he must serve for a Manhattan sex crime.”

New York City Department of Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie said, “Thank you to Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark and her team for working with us to ensure justice for the victim in this matter. The NYC Department of Correction has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse and harassment toward anyone who lives or works in our facilities. We will use any means at our disposal to protect the vulnerable populations in our care.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Kelvin Williams, 36, was sentenced on December 16, 2025, to five years in prison, 10 years post release supervision for first-degree Sexual Assault by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Eugene Bowen. He pleaded guilty to that charge on November 12, 2025. The defendant’s sentence also covers a guilty plea to Obstruction of Governmental Administration for injuring a Correction Officer during a tactical search of his cell on April 23, 2025, and a guilty plea to Forcible Touching of a Correction Officer on January 26, 2025. 

According to the investigation, on the evening of May 12, 2022, the defendant attacked a transgender person in the Anna M. Kross Center on Rikers Island. Video surveillance captured the defendant walking back and forth in front of the victim’s cell until he entered and brandished a makeshift ice pick. He told the victim to choose being stabbed or sexually assaulted and forced the victim to engage in oral and anal sex.

The five-year sentence will run consecutively to a Manhattan case in which Williams pleaded guilty and was sentenced to seven years in jail and three years post release supervision for second-degree Rape and second-degree Criminal Sexual Act against a 13-year-old girl. 

District Attorney Clark thanked Department of Correction Special Investigations Unit - Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Lead Investigator Clark Orellana, Deputy Director Ingris Martinez, Capt. Patricia Jachowdik and Supervising Investigator Alyson Lawson, under the supervision of Deputy Director Ingris Martinez, and Correction Intelligence Bureau Investigators Jeffrey Rios, and Walter Holmes for their diligent work in the investigation.  

Engineer Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Bombings of PG&E Transformers, Causing Property Damage and Widespread Power Outages

 

Peter Karasev, 39, of San Jose, California, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for two counts of willful destruction of an energy facility related to two separate bombings of PG&E electrical transformers in late 2022 and early 2023. U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman handed down the sentence. 

“Karasev’s specialized knowledge in explosives, the vast quantity of bombmaking materials discovered in his home, and his readiness to deploy both against our Nation’s energy infrastructure made him a very dangerous individual who posed a significant risk to public safety,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The National Security Division is committed to prosecuting attacks on critical infrastructure to the fullest extent of the law.” 

“Karasev’s attacks on critical infrastructure were direct threats to public safety and national security,” said U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian for the Northern District of California. “He aimed to inflict widespread disruption and harm, but we remain steadfast in our commitment to holding accountable those who threaten the safety and well-being of the residents of San Jose. We and our law enforcement partners will leverage every available resource to ensure that violent extremists like the defendant face the full force of justice.”

“This defendant admitted to attacking critical infrastructure which could have harmed people in the San Jose, California community and he will now face the consequences of his actions,” said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “This individual conducted research and prepared homemade explosives which knocked out power to multiple homes and caused more than $200,000 in property damage to local businesses. The FBI will work with our partners to identify and hold accountable those who engage in such dangerous and illegal acts.”

Karasev pleaded guilty on April 29 to two counts of willful destruction of an energy facility. Karasev admitted that on Dec. 8, 2022, and Jan. 5, 2023, he willfully damaged energy facilities involved in the production, storage, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The Jan. 5, 2023, explosion was captured on nearby surveillance footage:

Explosion of transformer located near Plaza Del Ray shopping center on Snell Avenue captured by nearby surveillance footage.

In both attacks, Karasev used homemade explosive devices to cause significant destruction and widespread power outages in the San Jose area. According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, the bombings caused over $200,000 in damages to affected businesses and disrupted service to over 1,500 households in the San Jose area. Of those affected included 15 households enrolled in PG&E’s Medical Baseline Program that required continued electrical service for life-sustaining medical needs.

Karasev admitted that the attacks were premeditated and deliberate, and that he had conducted extensive internet searches regarding explosive materials, infrastructure attacks, and geopolitical conflicts.  

In addition to the prison term, Judge Freeman also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release and ordered $214,880.67 in restitution and $200 special assessment. The defendant was immediately remanded into custody to begin serving his sentence.

Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr.'s Annual Mosholu Library Holiday Toy Giveaway is BACK!

 

Friends,

The holiday season is here, and I am once again proud to bring holiday cheer to our community.

Please join me for our annual Holiday Toy Giveaway on Saturday, December 20th at 11:00AM at the Mosholu Public Library located at 285 E. 205^th St Bronx, NY 10467. 

This event is FREE for the community and open to children 16 years old and under.

Please note: All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Event Details:

• When: Saturday, December 20th
• Time: 11:00AM – 1:00PM  
• Where: Mosholu Library – 285 E. 205^th St. Bronx, NY 10467 

For more details, please see the flyer below.

Happy Holidays,

John Zaccaro, Jr.

New York State Assemblymember

DEC Announces 2025-26 Holiday Deer Hunt

 

New Yorkers are Encouraged to Share the Snow During Late Deer Hunting Seasons

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced that late bow and muzzleloader deer hunting seasons will reopen throughout most of New York’s Southern Zone from December 26 through January 1 for the Holiday Deer Hunt. DEC encourages deer hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts to respectfully share the snow.   

  

“The Holiday Deer Hunt gives young hunters the opportunity to hunt while they are off from school and gathered with their families and friends for the holidays,” Commissioner Lefton said. “Time outside during winter is valued by many. Whatever brings you afield, be safe and respect others also enjoying the outdoors.”  

  

To participate in the Holiday Deer Hunt, hunters must possess a hunting license and bow or muzzleloader privileges. Unfilled Regular Season deer tags may be used for a deer of either-sex (antlered or antlerless).  

 

There is no Holiday Deer Hunt in the Northern Zone, or in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 9C, 1A, or 2A within the Southern Zone. In WMUs 8C and 4J, deer hunters can only use archery equipment (crossbows or vertical bows). Additional deer tag and season descriptions can be found in DEC’s hunting and trapping regulations guide. 

  

There are many great outdoor activities to participate in during this time of year and DEC reminds the public to “share the snow.” DEC encourages all recreationists to take time to plan their trips with safety top of mind and with awareness and respect for their fellow outdoor enthusiasts.  

 

Hunting has an exceptional safety record, and the requirement to wear blaze orange when muzzleloader hunting helps maintain this record. Other recreationists are also encouraged to wear bright colors so they can easily be seen. Hunting, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, and other activities can all safely co-occur, and DEC appreciates the generosity of landowners who allow the public to access their land for these purposes. Please be aware that others may have permission to ski, hike, or ride on property where hunting is permitted – there are no prohibitions in place during the Holiday Hunt. DEC encourages all outdoor enthusiasts to be alert to other users. Hunters must practice safe firearm use.

 

Properly preparing for winter conditions is essential for a more enjoyable and safer experience. Visit DEC’s website for safety and preparedness tips for winter’s shorter, colder days.  

 

Hunters are also encouraged to harvest and donate deer for those in need this holiday season. 

 

Learn more about hunting on DEC’s website: https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/deer-bear.  

Illegal Alien Who Couldn’t Speak English Causes Deadly Multi-Vehicle Pile Up in Tennessee under Biden-Era Work Authorization

 

Yet another avoidable tragedy caused by the Biden Administration and sanctuary policies

Today the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced that an American was tragically killed due to a Chinese national with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) who failed the English proficiency test after the crash. DHS has now confirmed the driver investigators say caused the crash, 54-year-old, illegally entered the United States from Mexico in 2023.

On Tuesday, December 9, Huang rear-ended a tractor-trailer on I-40 going westbound, causing a chain reaction that led to the death of one American, Kerry Smith, injuring 2 others. According to investigators, Huang was distracted by a video on his phone at the time of the crash. Fortunately, there were no passengers on Huang’s bus at the time of the crash. The USDOT/Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been working closely with the State of Tennessee since this tragic incident occurred.

In 2023, Huang admitted to Border Patrol agents that he had entered the country unlawfully and was a citizen of China. Despite his admission of breaking the law, the Biden Administration released him into the country and provided him with both work authorization papers and a social security card. Because the Biden Administration provided him with work papers, Huang was able to get a Class B CDL, leading to the deadly multi-vehicle pile-up in Tennessee last week.

"Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semi-trucks and big rigs. And yet, sanctuary states around the country have been issuing illegal aliens commercial driver’s licenses. The Trump Administration is ending the chaos,” U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. “The brave men and women of ICE are working nonstop to get criminal illegal aliens out of our communities and off our roads."

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said in a statement, “It’s not just that Joe Biden let millions of migrants flood into our country illegally. His administration doled out the documentation these unqualified foreigner drivers needed to obtain trucking licenses and operate 40-ton missiles on the highway. The fact that this individual failed a basic English test also calls into question how he even got the license in the first place. Working with Secretary Noem, we will continue to fight to keep you and your family safe on America’s roadways.”

DHS and USDOT are protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423.

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Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into Death of Jumaane Wright

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today released body-worn camera footage that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Jumaane Wright, who died on April 29, 2025 following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Brooklyn.

At approximately 8:10 p.m. on April 29, NYPD officers were engaged in an encounter with Mr. Wright on the Belt Parkway near Rockaway Parkway. During the encounter, Mr. Wright was shot by an officer. Mr. Wright was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General’s Office released footage from two body-worn cameras that officers were equipped with during the incident. The release of this footage follows Attorney General James’ directive that camera footage obtained by her office during an OSI investigation be released to the public to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime. 

Warning: This video contains content that viewers may find disturbing. 

12 Members Of East Harlem Narcotics Crew Charged With Narcotics And Firearms Offenses

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Christopher G. Raia, announced the unsealing of an Indictment today charging 12 members of an East Harlem-based narcotics trafficking organization with conspiring to distribute narcotics and with possessing firearms in furtherance of the narcotics trafficking conspiracy stemming from their conduct in and around the “Johnson  Houses”—a  colloquial name  for  the James  Weldon  Johnson Residential Community, a public housing development under the control of the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”).  BRIAN GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Bmakk,” BRIAN NIN, a/k/a “BDot,” IRA BOYCE, a/k/a “Zaza,” JOSE HERNANDEZ, JAHDEEN WILLIAMS, PERCY CARRION, CAESAR HERNANDEZ, and QUADIR DAVONISH, a/k/a “Skii Dotty” were arrested today and will be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Stein.  BRYAN COWAN, a/k/a “Chapo,” was previously in custody.  JAFFARI HOPWAH, a/k/a “Baby Wuu,” DANIEL JONES, a/k/a “D Cash,” and RICHARD FARQUHARSON, a/k/a “Smooth” remain at large. This case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Sideny H. Stein. 

“As alleged in the Indictment, these defendants distributed substantial quantities of narcotics into the community, putting lives in danger,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “These defendants degraded the quality of life for Johnson Houses residents and the surrounding community by selling drugs in common areas including lobbies, courtyards, and a children’s playground.  New York City residents should be able to live in NYCHA complexes, free from the dangers of drugs and guns.  Thanks to the extraordinary work of our partners at the FBI and NYPD, the defendants now face federal charges for their crimes and the Johnson Houses are safer.” 

“For years, these 12 defendants allegedly utilized the Johnson Houses to facilitate their open-air drug market and generate an illicit revenue stream,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia.  “This joint investigation with NYPD Manhattan North Narcotics dismantled an alleged trafficking conspiracy disrupting the safety of a public housing development with a continual revolving door of drugs and firearms.  During the nationwide initiative, Coast to Coast, our local Operation Empire Heat takedown reflects the FBI’s steadfast commitment to coordinating with our local law enforcement partners to protect innocent New Yorkers from the unlawful activities of any criminal organization.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court and other court papers and proceedings:[1]

From at least in or about 2022 up to and including December 2025 in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, GONZALEZ, NIN, COWAN, HOPWAH, BOYCE, JOSE HERNANDEZ, JONES, WILLIAMS, FARQUHARSON, CARRION, CAESAR HERNANDEZ, and DAVONISH, used a building within the Johnson Houses—and that building’s adjoining courtyard—as an open drug market in which they sold a variety of controlled substances, including crack cocaine and fentanyl, to customers who streamed into the building to buy the drugs.  They did this by occupying the building’s lobby at all hours of the day and night, often holding cross-body bags or fanny packs where drug products would be stored. At times, the drug products were also kept in a building mailbox.  Members of the conspiracy also exploited other parts of the building to facilitate their business.  They used specific apartments to package and store drugs, and they used utility boxes throughout the building stairwells to stash their drug products, drug paraphernalia (such as syringes), and firearms.

In addition to possessing and storing firearms in communal locations, such as building utility boxes, some members of the conspiracy also carried firearms at and around the building, and on several occasions, a member of the conspiracy brandished and discharged a firearm within, or in the vicinity of, the Johnson Houses. 

Several members of the conspiracy have been arrested at least once in recent years on state charges based on their possession of narcotics that were packaged for sale and/or possession of a firearm.  The drug business in and around the building nevertheless continued unabated. 

During simultaneous arrests and searches conducted today law enforcement agents seized the following items, among other things:

• a Building “stash” apartment: five firearms, two of which were “long” guns, capsules, bags, and baggies of suspected narcotics, and various drug paraphernalia and mixing material.
• NIN’s apartment: one firearm, one magazine, and two boxes of ammunition.
• CAESAR HERNANDEZ’s apartment: a large bag of suspected cocaine, a gun-cleaning kit, and a .40-caliber shell casing. 

Below is a picture of the “long” guns that were seized.

All defendants are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and quantities of heroin and cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.  The defendants are also charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of the narcotics trafficking offense, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed, and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

A chart containing the names of the defendants, their ages, and places of residence is set forth below.

The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Violent Organizations and Crime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank J. Balsamello and Diarra Guthrie are in charge of the prosecution.

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

Name	Age	Place of Residence
BRIAN GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Bmakk”	33 years old	New York, NY
BRIAN NIN, a/k/a “BDot”	33 years old	Bronx, NY
JAFFARI HOPWAH, a/k/a “Baby Wuu”	19 years old	New York, NY
IRA BOYCE, a/k/a “Zaza”	20 years old	New York, NY
JOSE HERNANDEZ	31 years old	New York, NY
DANIEL JONES, a/k/a “D Cash”	31 years old	New York, NY
JAHDEEN WILLIAMS	34 years old	New York, NY
RICHARD FARQUHARSON, a/k/a “Smooth”	35 years old	New York, NY
PERCY CARRION	26 years old	New York, NY
CAESAR HERNANDEZ	34 years old	New York, NY
QUADIR DAVONISH, a/k/a “Skii Dotty”	23 years old	New York, NY
BRYAN COWAN, a/k/a “Chapo”	31 years old	New York, NY