Sunday, October 4, 2026

WORST OF THE WORST: ICE Arrests Pedophiles, Sexual Predators, and Other Dangerous Illegal Aliens Across the Country

 

ICE will continue removing illegal aliens so they can no longer threaten the lives, dreams, and futures of American citizens

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of more worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens, convicted for heinous crimes including statutory aggravated rape of a child, sexual battery of a minor, and sexual abuse.

“America’s brave ICE law enforcement put their lives on the line every day to enforce U.S. law and arrest illegal aliens. Just yesterday, ICE arrested pedophiles, sexual predators, and other disgusting criminals across the country,” said Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “Under President Trump, the safety of the American people always comes first. We will not stop until every illegal alien is off our streets and out of our communities, so they can no longer threaten the lives, dreams, and futures of American citizens.”

Arrests include:

WOW1

Diony Edith Ramirez-Patino, a criminal illegal alien from Colombia, convicted for statutory aggravated rape of a child and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old in Boston, Massachusetts.

WOW2

Magdilio Diaz-Vazquez, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted for rape of a child and statutory sexual assault in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

WOW3

Jose Mendoza, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for sexual battery of a minor in Red Bluff, California.

WOW4

Paul Brown, a criminal illegal alien from Jamaica, convicted for unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of a minor, and endangering welfare of children in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

WOW5

Sabas Hernandez-Gomez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for sexual abuse in Riverhead, New York.

Americans can see more public safety threats arrested in their communities on our webpage WOW.DHS.Gov.

Posted by at No comments:

Henryetta Resident Sentenced for Meth Distribution

Matthew Wayne Wasson, age 32, of Henryetta, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine.

The charge arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration McAlester Resident Office, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

On August 14, 2025, Wasson pleaded guilty to the charge.  According to investigators, on October 3, 2024, Wasson sold a baggie containing 107.8 grams of a crystalline substance which later tested positive for methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. 

The conviction and sentencing of Mr. Wasson is a great example of the commitment by DEA working hand-in-hand with our state and local partners to protect the safety and well-being of our communities,” said Joseph B. Tucker, Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Division.  DEA McAlester will continue to work closely with Oklahoma law enforcement to keep our communities safe.”

The Honorable John A. Woodcock, Jr., Senior Judge in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, sitting by designation, presided over the hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  Wasson will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.

Posted by at No comments:

Social Adult Day Care Owner Pleads Guilty to $65M Medicaid Fraud

 

A Brooklyn man pleaded guilty to defrauding New York State Medicaid of approximately $65 million through claims for social adult day care services and home health care services that were not provided.

According to court documents, Ahsan Ijaz, 29, of Brooklyn, New York, was an owner of Happy Family Social Adult Day Care Center, Inc. and Family Social Adult Day Care Center Inc., social adult day care centers located in Brooklyn, and Responsible Care Staffing Inc., a home health care fiscal intermediary in Brooklyn. Over approximately seven years, Ijaz’s businesses paid cash kickbacks and bribes to Medicaid recipients to induce them to enroll with the businesses and billed Medicaid for services that were not provided, including when certain Medicaid recipients were not in the United States at the time of service. Ijaz is the 10th defendant to plead guilty in connection with the scheme.

Ijaz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 10, 2027 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division); U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York; Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Miranda L. Bennett of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Acting Special Agent in Charge Pete Gizas of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York; and Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), made the announcement.

HHS-OIG, HSI New York, and NYPD investigated the case.

Deputy Chief Patrick J. Campbell and Trial Attorney Leonid Sandlar of the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Health Care Fraud Section are prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Claire Kedeshian for the Eastern District of New York, who is assisting with forfeiture matters.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the 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.

The Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion since 2007. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

Posted by at No comments:

Wave Hill Weekly Events (Oct 8 – Oct 15) | Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Weekend: Connect Culture & Community


In the threshold of the season, summer calls back to everyone with balmy breezes and trees that still cling to their leaves, reminding us that our environment is in constant flux. Our gardens act as a living history book, teaching us about this evolving scenery, and acting as a space to further connect with the land. During Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend, join in and learn about the people, the cultures, and the communities that have contributed to greenspaces like ours and other landscapes.  

Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend 
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend, as we honor Indigenous communities and recognize their cultures and contributions through nature programming and hands-on activities. 
  
Nature & Wellness 
 
Birding with an Indigenous Perspective 
Free with registration 
Advanced registration encouraged. 
Join Bronx-based BIPOC birder Haley Scott from the Feminist Bird Club on a birding walk with an indigenous perspective. Hear about the effects of colonialism on bird populations and how common bird names evolved from the Algonquin language to reflect the language of European settlers. 
 
Forest Bathing 
Advanced registration encouraged. 
Engage your senses as you move through the garden on a meditative stroll with certified nature therapy guide Cindy Olsen. Benefits of forest bathing may include cardiovascular strength-building, stress reduction, boosting the immune system, and more. Enjoy the healing benefits of the garden, then conclude with ceremonial tea. 
 
Garden Highlights Walk 
Free with admission to the grounds 
Registration not required. 
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide; each walk varies with the Guide leading it.  
 
Art 
 
Public Gallery Tour 
Free with admission to the grounds 
Registration not required. 
Solo and group exhibitions at Glyndor Gallery explore the dynamic relationships between nature, culture, and site. Visitors can expect an in-depth look at artworks on view in Glyndor Gallery and in the Sunroom Project Space, showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists in the unique context of a public garden. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.  
 
Family 
 
Family Art Project: Corn Husk Dolls 
Free with admission to the grounds 
Registration not required. 
Join us in celebrating Indigenous People’s Day. Explore corn's role in indigenous cultures and learn about its versatility as a food and art material. At 11:30am families can enjoy a storytime program in the Gund Theater in a celebration for Indigenous People’s Day!  
 
Special Events 
 
Afternoon Tea   
7-day Advanced Registration required  
Enjoy delicious tea sandwiches and delectable pastries with a specialty tea selection every Tuesday and Thursday with seatings at 11AM or 2PM. Served at historic Wave Hill House, Afternoon Teas are provided by our exclusive partner Great Performances whose menu uses local and seasonal ingredients, inspired from their own organic farm, Katchkie Farm. 
 
Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend 
Free with admission to the grounds 
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend, as we honor Indigenous communities and recognize their cultures and contributions through nature programming and hands-on activities. 
 
Saunksquas, Sassafras, and Moccasins: Walking Tour with Oleana Whispering Dove 
Free admission to the grounds 
Registration not required. 
Join Oleana Whispering Dove for a walking tour on the Wave Hill Grounds, highlighting the rich legacy of the region’s Indigenous Saunksquas and the profound impact of these women throughout history.  
 
HOURS STARTING MARCH 15: 10AM–4:30PM, Tuesday–Sunday  
Shuttle Service free from Subway and Metro-North, Saturday–Sunday 
Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at wavehill.org.   
Posted by at No comments:

Yonkers Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty After Causing Nearly $6 Million In Tax Loss

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, and Executive Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), Harry T. Chavis, Jr., announced that JOSEPH CLAY pled guilty to an Information charging him with one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false and fraudulent U.S. individual income tax return. The charge arises from CLAY’s orchestration of a nearly $6 million tax fraud scheme, from 2019 to 2024, involving the filing of thousands of individual income tax returns that included false information designed to fraudulently reduce taxpayers’ federal and state tax burdens. As part of the guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel, CLAY agreed to pay the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) more than $5 million in restitution.

“Tax preparers are entrusted with helping their clients follow the law—not systematically falsifying returns to manufacture deductions and refunds,” said U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald. “Joseph Clay turned tax preparation into a years-long fraud scheme, filing thousands of false returns that deprived federal and state governments of nearly $6 million in tax revenue. Even a guilty plea to state tax fraud did not stop him: as he admitted, Clay continued filing fraudulent returns for his customers.”

“This case is a stark reminder that tax fraud is not a victimless crime,” said IRS-CI Executive Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr. “By orchestrating a scheme that manipulated thousands of tax returns and deprived both the IRS and New York state of millions in revenue, Joseph Clay abused the trust placed in tax professionals and harmed honest taxpayers across our community. Today’s guilty plea sends a clear message: we will aggressively pursue those who exploit the tax system for personal gain. Our commitment to protecting taxpayers and upholding the integrity of our nation’s tax laws remains unwavering.”

According to the Information and statements made in public filings and court proceedings:

From 2019 through 2024, covering tax years 2018 through 2023, CLAY—who operated tax preparation businesses in Yonkers going by the names Premier Tax and Professional Services LLC and Prime Tax & Professional Services LLC—filed over 3,500 tax returns with the IRS and New York state authorities. During this period, CLAY repeatedly and routinely submitted false information in customers’ tax returns, including, among other things, inflated and fictitious itemized tax deductions and fraudulent claims for residential energy credits, to reduce his customers’ tax liability and increase his customers’ tax refunds. In total, CLAY’s conduct deprived the IRS of more than $5 million in tax revenue, and deprived New York state tax authorities of close to $900,000.

CLAY, 52, of Lodi, New Jersey, pled guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false and fraudulent U.S. individual income tax return, which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison. 

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. McDonald thanked IRS-CI for their outstanding work in this case.

Posted by at No comments:

Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into Death of Prasanna Atluri

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James released footage from security cameras that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Prasanna Atluri, who died on July 5, 2026 following a motor vehicle collision involving a New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) officer in Cayuta, Schuyler County.

Shortly before 5 a.m. on July 5, a DOCCS parole officer was driving in Cayuta on the way to work. As the officer approached the intersection of State Route 224 and State Route 13, the officer’s car collided with another vehicle, in which Ms. Atluri was a passenger. Ms. Atluri was transported to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.   

The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General’s Office released footage from two security cameras that captured 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: These videos contain content that viewers may find disturbing. 

Posted by at No comments:

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - Show Your Favorite Park Some Love

 

Tune Up Tuesdays
Tuesdays, October 13, 27 - 10am to 1pm
Turnip to volunteer! Volunteers will help care for our garden, maintain compost bins, weed, water, and harvest produce. No gardening experience needed – just show up in clothing that can get dirty!
VCPA Learning Garden 

Wetland Wednesdays
Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21, 28 - Meet at 9am
Hands on restoration work to remove phragmites and plant native willows and shrubs. Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting muddy and wet and an extra pair of socks just in case!
Meet at southern end of Van Cortlandt Lake House

Trail Work Thursdays

Thursdays, October 1, 8, 15,22,29- Meet at 9am
Blaze trails with us! Whether you’re an experienced trailblazer or new to trail maintenance, your help will make a significant impact to ensure trail safety for runners and hikers.
Meet at VCPA Learning Garden 

Forest Fridays
Fridays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 - Meet at 9am
Help restore Van Cortlandt Park’s vital forest by removing invasive plants like Norway maples, multiflora rose, bittersweet, and porcelain berry. Your efforts will create space for native plants to thrive and support long-term forest health.
Meet at Classic Playground (across the street from 80 Van Cortlandt Park South)

26.2 in 26
Join the Challenge — hike, run, stroll, or skip your way to 26.2 miles in Van Cortlandt Park anytime in 2026.
You choose the trails. You choose the pace. You choose the timeline.

Make a Donation
The park is really big. Our staff is really small. Only with your help can we grow our capacity, hire more staff, and take on projects to improve Van Cortlandt Park… for YOU!  Please consider a gift to Van Cortlandt Park Alliance today.

VCPA Merch Shop!
Show your love for Van Cortlandt Park while supporting the Alliance!

Become a Member
Members get VCPA merch and invitations to member only hikes while supporting their favorite park!

Posted by at No comments: