Defendants Constructed Illegal Gas Delivery System, Causing Deadly Inferno
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the trial conviction of
MARIA HRYNENKO, 59, ATHANASIOS “JERRY” IOANNIDIS, 63, and DILBER
KUKIC, 44, for their roles in causing a fatal gas explosion at 121 Second Avenue on March
26, 2015, which resulted in the deaths of 23-year-old Nicholas Figueroa and 26-year-old
Moises Locon, and seriously injured 13 other victims. A New York State Supreme Court jury
found the defendants guilty of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Assault in the
Second and Third Degrees, among other charges.The defendants are expected to be
sentenced on January 10, 2020.
“This is a big win for public safety in New York,” said District Attorney Vance. “As
construction and development continues to boom, today’s guilty verdict puts property
owners, contractors, and managers on notice: my Office will pursue criminal charges against
those who place expediency and financial gain over life and limb. I thank the jury and the
tireless prosecutors in our storied Rackets Bureau for holding these defendants accountable
for the tragic and preventable losses of Moises Locon and Nicholas Figueroa. I also want to
thank the Figueroa and Locon families, who demonstrated remarkable strength and
resilience through the duration of this trial. While today’s result will not bring these young
New Yorkers back, I hope the Figueroa and Locon families take a measure of comfort in
knowing that this case will change the way that landlords and contractors do business in
New York.”
DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett said, “These convictions deliver a definitive message
that safety comes first and those individuals who intentionally compromise it, endangering
the lives of New Yorkers, will face arrest and criminal prosecution. In this case, a Manhattan
Supreme Court jury clearly saw the criminal misconduct of these defendants that led to the
tragic death of two people and injury of 13 others. DOI thanks the Manhattan District
Attorney’s Office, our law enforcement partners, and the City Department of Buildings for
their collaboration and dedication on this important investigation.”
District Attorney Vance thanked the NYPD, FDNY, DOI, and DOB for their assistance
with the investigation.
Defendant Information:
MARIA HRYNENKO, D.O.B. 11/26/1959
Rockland, NY
Convicted:
• Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 2 counts
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 9 counts
• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 4 counts
• Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count
ATHANASIOS “JERRY” IOANNIDIS, D.O.B. 6/15/1956
Queens, NY
Convicted:
• Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 2 counts
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 9 count
• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 4 counts
• Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count
• Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 2 counts
DILBER KUKIC, D.O.B. 6/9/1975
Bronx, NY
Convicted:
• Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 2 counts
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 9 count
• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 4 counts
• Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count
