Attorney General James and NYSED Commissioner Rosa Issue Guidance to Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in New York Public Schools

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Education Department (NYSED) Commissioner Betty A. Rosa issued guidance reminding New York public schools and local education agencies of their obligation to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in educational planning and decision-making. As states and school districts across the country adopt exclusionary educational policies that deny students from diverse backgrounds and identities access to a safe and affirming learning environment, Attorney General James and Commissioner Rosa are providing resources to school leaders that assist in fulfilling their commitment to ensuring every student in New York has the opportunity to learn free from the fear of discrimination, harassment, or intimidation.

The joint guidance issued today offers recommendations for upholding the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in three key areas of the school experience: 1) learning and teaching; 2) student discipline; and 3) addressing bullying and harassment. The guidance also warns against actions that may contribute to a hostile environment for students of diverse backgrounds and identities, such as banning books, and provides schools with resources to help create and foster environments that protect every student’s right to access equal education.

“Every student in New York is entitled to learn, grow, and discover in an environment free from discrimination or harassment,” said Attorney General James. “As states such as Texas, Florida, and Missouri are banning books and canceling classes, New York is making clear that diversity, equity, and inclusion will always be protected and central to our children’s education. We know that our kids and teachers thrive when they feel seen and heard, and I thank Commissioner Rosa and Chancellor Young for their partnership in supporting our communities. If any student, parent, or teacher has concerns, I encourage them to contact my office.”

“We are urging every school district to reflect on local policies, strategies, and tactics and advance the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure all students have the supports necessary to be fully engaged,” said Commissioner Rosa. “Students cannot learn and develop socially and emotionally when they feel disconnected, intimidated, harassed, or discriminated against. We have a responsibility to remove the barriers that stand in the way of success for many students. In partnership with Attorney General James and our school and district leaders, the Department and Board of Regents can foster a safe, supportive environment where all New York State students feel included and welcome.” 

“As citizens of this great state, we are responsible for prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our education system. It is crucial that all school districts develop and implement policies that promote these values with urgency and fidelity,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. “By incorporating diverse perspectives into the curriculum, our students can learn to respect and value others, ultimately fostering a culture of tolerance and dignity. As future leaders of New York State, it is essential that our students are equipped with critical thinking skills and a deep understanding of civic engagement. These are the building blocks for a better future, and we must ensure that they are given the tools they need to succeed.”

State and federal human rights laws prohibit discrimination in educational institutions on the basis of race, national origin, disability, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and age, among other protected classes. In addition, New York’s Dignity for All Students Act, which took effect in 2012 and was updated in 2021, requires that public schools create an educational environment where students are free to learn without fear of discrimination, harassment, or intimidation. In 2021, the Board of Regents adopted a policy urging districts to develop and implement policies and practices advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In the guidance, Attorney General James and Commissioner Rosa identify three core principles that public schools and local education agencies can implement to honor their obligations to their students under the law:

1) Ensure teaching and learning reflect the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

All students should be provided with the opportunity to learn from multiple perspectives, and curricula should be up-to-date, accurate, and reflect the truth of the struggles diverse groups in this country have endured. Schools cannot ban curricular materials such as textbooks that accurately portray and critically analyze topics related to protected classes such as race, national origin, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation.

2) Address disproportionately punitive student disciplinary policies and practices.

Discipline policies and practices should be designed and implemented in a non-discriminatory way to ensure all students have equal educational opportunity. According to the U.S. Department of Education, student discipline disproportionately involves students of color, particularly Black students, and students with disabilities, likely attributable to implicit systemic biases. Schools should expand efforts to train personnel on developmentally appropriate, restorative alternatives to punitive punishment to foster a safe and positive school environment so every student can learn.

3) Establish effective policies and procedures to prevent and respond to bullying and harassment.

The law requires schools and local education agencies to take a proactive approach to protect students from bullying and harassment. Schools should enact policies and procedures to create a school environment free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination and implement training and counseling that discourage the development of hostile environments.  

The guidance also warns schools and local education agencies against actions that may violate the law, including but not limited to: banning books; prohibiting discussions of slavery, disability, or the LGBTQ+ community; preventing students from joining extracurricular activities or using specific facilities because they may not conform to gender stereotypes; barring a non-binary student from a single-gender extracurricular program; and forbidding natural hair or hairstyles most closely associated with Black people.

A school’s climate is one of the most critical predictive factors of its capacity to provide every student with an equal opportunity to learn and succeed, and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and NYSED are committed to ensuring that students’ rights are protected at school. New Yorkers with information regarding misconduct such as discrimination or harassment in and out of the classroom are encouraged to contact OAG’s Civil Rights Bureau.

Governor Hochul Announces Nation-Leading Cybersecurity Strategy

 

Backed by $600 Million Commitment to Bolster Cybersecurity for All New Yorkers

Representatives from the White House, Critical Infrastructure, and the Private Sector Joined Governor Hochul for Announcement

Advances Governor’s State of the State Priority to Improve New York’s Cybersecurity Posture

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York’s first-ever statewide cybersecurity strategy aimed at protecting the State’s digital infrastructure from today’s cyber threats. The Strategy articulates, for the first-time, a set of high-level objectives for cybersecurity and resilience across New York. It clarifies agency roles and responsibilities, outlines how existing and planned initiatives and investments knit together into a unified approach, and reiterates the State's commitment to providing services, advice, and assistance to county and local governments. New York State’s cybersecurity strategy provides public and private stakeholders with a roadmap for cyber risk mitigation and outlines a plan to protect critical infrastructure, networks, data, and technology systems.   

"Our interconnected world demands an interconnected defense leveraging every resource available," said Governor Hochul. "This strategy sets forth a nation-leading blueprint to ensure New York State stands ready and resilient in the face of cyber threats."  

The strategy unifies New York’s cybersecurity services in order to safeguard critical infrastructure, personal information and digital assets from malicious actors. It also provides a framework to align the actions and resources of both private and public stakeholders, including county and other local governments.  

New York's cybersecurity strategy is not just about protecting our digital assets. It is about ensuring the safety and security of all New Yorkers and maintaining our ability to function and thrive in the digital age. From the State employees who deliver digital services to the residents who access and rely on them, the strength of the State’s cyber defense impacts all New Yorkers. This strategy highlights the Governor's commitment to cybersecurity, not just for State Government systems but for New Yorkers everywhere, as a core responsibility of the State.

Governor Hochul announced her commitment to bolster New York State’s centralized cybersecurity during this year’s State of the State address. The historic $90 million investment for cybersecurity included in the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget made $30 million in shared services funding available to assist local governments in strengthening their own defenses against cyber threats. This initiative signaled a new and stronger collaboration between the state and its local governments on this critical and evolving issue. A part of this strategy includes providing $500 million to enhance New York State’s healthcare information technology, primarily cybersecurity infrastructure, as well as $7.4 million to expand the New York State Police’s Cyber Analysis Unit, Computer Crimes Unit and Internet Crimes Against Children Center.

The state’s comprehensive cybersecurity strategy is defined by three central principles: Unification, Resilience and Preparedness.  When taken together, New York State can lean on these tenets to present a unified and more resilient defense against new and more sophisticated cyber threats; preventing the vast majority of attacks but also isolating, controlling and mitigating potential threats; and preparing, adapting and always being ready for the cyber challenges of the future. This strategy offers a blueprint for cybersecurity stakeholders across New York, from State agencies to local governments, to understand how they fit into a larger plan. The blueprint provides objectives, lines of effort, and a commitment from the Governor that they can use when doing future planning and program design.

Governor Hochul also signed legislation to expand New York's technology talent pool and provide funding to help ensure that New York-based employers are able to hire and retain necessary cybersecurity personnel. Governor Hochul acknowledged the importance of strengthening this sector during today’s announcement, which was attended by recent graduates of the MTA’s Operational Technology Cybersecurity Program. 

Statement from NYGOP Chair Ed Cox on Democrats' Ongoing Migrant Crisis

 

NYGOP Chair Ed Cox today released the following statement:

 

"New York's Democratic leaders, including Kathy Hochul and Chuck Schumer, still have yet to meaningfully address our migrant crisis, which continues to spiral out of control. The willful policy of de facto open borders by the Biden Administration has come home to our state.

 

"New York City shelter policies, which never anticipated hundreds of thousands of migrants from around the world, should be reversed. These policies are attracting migrants and nothing Hochul and Schumer propose addresses that. Their continued inaction is impacting taxpayers and communities across the state."

Florida Woman Charged With Defrauding SNAP Recipients

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Jocelyn E. Strauber, the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment today charging GUYATREE SINGH with engaging in a years-long scheme to defraud at least approximately 120 low-income residents of New York City out of tens of thousands of dollars of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) benefits.  SINGH was arrested yesterday and will be presented today in the Southern District of Florida.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Jed S. Rakoff.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Over the course of years, Guyatree Singh is alleged to have cheated at least approximately 120 low-income, primarily elderly residents of New York City.  Singh allegedly preyed on some of the most vulnerable people in our community, leaving the victims with no money to buy food.  Today’s arrest demonstrates this Office’s commitment to ensuring that our justice system protects everyone from fraud.”

DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said: “The SNAP program provides food support to low-income New Yorkers.  This defendant posed as a New York State employee to deceive more than a hundred SNAP recipients and gain access to their accounts, defrauding the recipients of about $50,000 in benefits, as charged in the Indictment.  I thank HRA for referring the matter to DOI, and the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York for their partnership in thwarting such predatory schemes.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment:[1]

From at least in or about April 2019 through at least May 2023, SINGH engaged in a scheme to defraud at least approximately 120 SNAP recipients living in the Southern District of New York — a majority of whom appear to be elderly — of their SNAP benefits.  In total, SINGH defrauded the victims out of at least approximately $49,754.52 in benefits. 

SNAP provides low-income individuals with electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food.  People eligible for SNAP benefits are given an electronic benefits transfer (“EBT”) card, which looks like a debit card and gives a person access to his or her SNAP benefits, allowing the SNAP recipient to buy groceries and other items at participating stores. 

SINGH called SNAP recipients and pretended to be a New York State employee working for SNAP.  SINGH then asked the victims for their personally identifiable information, including their dates of birth and social security numbers.  Unbeknownst to the victims, SINGH then used this information to reset the personal identification numbers (“PIN”) on their EBT cards.  Once the PINs were reset, SINGH used the victims’ EBT account numbers and new PINs to make purchases for herself at grocery stores in Florida using the victims’ SNAP funds. 

SINGH, 51, of West Palm Beach, Florida, is charged with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison.

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

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the DOI and the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Sowlati 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.

MAYOR ADAMS DELIVERS ADDRESS ON ASYLUM SEEKER HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

 

Mayor Eric Adams: My fellow New Yorkers, immigration is the New York City story. It is the American story. It is a story of those who board its ships to reach these shores, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free.

 

For centuries, immigrants have made that remarkable journey, that leap of faith, searching for freedom, safety, a shot at the American Dream. And the asylum seekers who have arrived in our city since last spring are writing a new chapter in this timeless story.

 

But as I declared nearly a year ago, we are facing an unprecedented state of emergency. The immigration system in this nation is broken. It has been broken for decades. Today, New York City has been left to pick up the pieces. Since last year, nearly 100,000 asylum seekers have arrived in our city asking for shelter. Let me repeat. Almost 100,000 men, women, and children have asked for a place to stay. That's almost the population of Albany, New York. And for more than a year, thousands of people across this administration, and more than 100 community-based organizations, have worked tirelessly to ensure that every person who has arrived here gets the opportunity to build their New York City dream.

 

They do not have the authorization to work, so we have to provide shelter. We have supplied food and access to healthcare. We have enrolled children in schools. We have opened almost 200 emergency sites, including more than a dozen large scale humanitarian relief centers. And we have assisted migrants with asylum applications.

 

But we are past our breaking point. New Yorkers' compassion may be limitless, but our resources are not. And our partners at the state and federal levels know this. We continue to face impossible decisions about allocating our resources, and that means a lose-lose for our most vulnerable New Yorkers as well as those seeking asylum.

 

We saw the effects clearly last week outside the Roosevelt Hotel. Adult asylum seekers were sleeping on the pavement because our shelter system was full. I went again and again to speak with the men there. It broke my heart. It breaks this city's heart. Asylum seekers come here in search of a dream, not a nightmare. They come to work, to contribute to our city and our nation's success. But the scenes outside the Roosevelt may sadly become more common if we don't get the support we need.

 

Our city is already facing a severe housing shortage, on top of trying to find space for our new arrivals. We have repeatedly asked state lawmakers to assist in building more affordable homes, but they have been unable to pass any meaningful legislation. And the costs have grown from our earlier estimates as more people continue to arrive. This is not sustainable.

 

Let me put it in perspective for New Yorkers. For each family seeking asylum through the city's care, we spend an average of $383 per night to provide shelter, food, medical care, and social services. With more than 57,300 individuals currently in our care, on an average night, it amounts to $9.8 million a day, almost $300 million a month, and nearly $3.6 billion a year.

 

But this is the floor, not the ceiling. This is only an estimate if the number of migrants in our care stays the same over time. It is clear to us, however, that without policy changes, the number of migrants arriving will continue to grow. This will increase our cost. If we continue down this unsustainable track, with an average of almost 34,000 households a night over the course of just this fiscal year, that will increase cost to $4.7 billion.

 

Hear me, if things do not change, our new estimates have us spending nearly $5 billion on this crisis in the current fiscal year. That's up from the $1.4 billion we spent last fiscal year. And it nearly equals the budgets of the Sanitation Department, our Parks Department, and the FDNY combined.

 

And if things do not change, we expect to have more than 100,000 asylum seekers in our care by the end of June, 2025, driving projected spending to $6.1 billion in that fiscal year if we do not change course. That means over the course of three fiscal years, our city is projected to have spent more than $12 billion.

To meet this need, we'll have to add $7 billion to our financial plan. And this is on top of what we previously allocated for the crisis. This is the budgetary reality we are facing if we don't get the additional support we need from the federal and state governments.

 

This is not just about numbers. This is about people fleeing despair and trauma. I have greeted asylum seekers at the Port Authority. I have slept by their side on the coldest day of the year, and I have sat with a mother whose husband was lost to this crisis. She now faces raising her three children alone.

 

The city is running out of money, appropriate space, and personnel to care for families like hers. We're grateful to Governor Hochul for all she has done to help our city, but the number of asylum seekers increasing, we need more from our state partners. And I want to thank US Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Democratic Leader Jeffries, and members of the New York City Congressional Delegation for all the efforts at the federal level to get us the support we need.

 

New Yorkers did not create an international humanitarian crisis, but New Yorkers have been left to deal with this crisis almost entirely on our own. It has been fueled by those in Congress who stand in the way of real immigration reform, by governors who have used vulnerable asylum seekers as political pawns, by the indifference of leaders across the nation.

 

Now let me be clear, New York City will not abandon our brothers and sisters seeking the American dream. Thanks to the teamwork of so many, both in and outside of government, including our faith based and nonprofit partners, we have done more than any city to provide for so many migrants in such a short period of time. We have met a historic crisis with historic compassion.

 

And while we are past our breaking point, we will never just slam the door of opportunity. We have had productive conversations with our state and federal partners, and they show real commitment to supporting our efforts, but we need additional resources.

 

Now, the best way to solve this problem is by all of us working together. The state can support us by taking reasonable actions to ease the burden of our city. We need a statewide decompression strategy to help free up space in our shelter system and reduce the pressure on our city's resources. The state recently announced humanitarian relief centers that they will reimburse us for, but we need more. The state can also allocate more funding to match our needs on the ground. And we are willing to work with every locality across New York State to provide support for asylum seekers because they need to play their part just like Buffalo, White Plains and others have.

 

If these actions are taken, they will ease the burden on our city's resources and will enable us to reevaluate the impact on our budget. And while many Republicans in Congress may be holding up critical reform, the White House can help us now. I agree with Massachusetts Governor Healey, the federal government must take action. We appreciate them sending a team from the US Department of Homeland Security to New York City to assess the situation this week. There's more they can do, including expediting pathways to work authorizations for asylum seekers. I have heard it directly from all the asylum seekers I've spoken with, they want to work. There's nothing more anti-American than not letting people work. Imagine the boost to our nation's economy if we were to fill the hundreds of thousands of jobs that need workers right now. It's the right thing to do, and it is smart economics.

 

We're also asking the federal government to declare a state of emergency. This will allow federal funds to be allocated quickly to help address the urgent challenges we face. Additionally, federal government needs to provide more funding to match the reality of the course on the ground.

 

Finally, we need the federal government to lead a decompression strategy at the border so cities and states across the nation can do their part to shelter asylum seekers. Because cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, and El Paso cannot be left to shoulder a national crisis without the proper aid.

 

Again, if we don't get the support we need, New Yorkers could be left with a $12 billion bill. So while New York City will continue to lead, it's time the state and federal government step up.

 

We will continue to do more than any other city or level of government in the nation to accommodate asylum seekers because that's who we are, a city of empathy, of compassion and care. And we know, in the long run, asylum seekers will contribute to our strength, like so many before them. They have already begun to make homes, to give back to their communities, to become New Yorkers.

 

As President Obama has said, we were once strangers too. 14% of all Americans can trace their heritage to Ellis Island right here in New York Harbor. This city and this nation have been shaped by those who we have welcomed. Immigrants are our friends, our families, our neighbors. They are the hardworking New Yorkers who make life here possible. This is the magic of this city, people of all backgrounds living together in one place. New York City remains a beacon for all who come to our shores. And we will continue to uphold these values and reach out a helping hand to those in need. This is the New York City way. It is time for that to be the American way again.

NYC HEALTH +HOSPITALS/GOTHAM HEALTH, MORRISANIA CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY

 

Morrisania has served countless families in the South Bronx since 1973

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Morrisania today celebrated its 50^th anniversary of providing high-quality health services in the Bronx. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Gotham Health, Morrisania, located at 1225 Gerard Ave in the South Bronx, invited the community to attend a celebration on Tuesday, August 8^th, from 11am to 3pm. In additional to a formal program, the event featured patient education and family-friendly activities such as face painting and games provided by MetroPlusHealth, the city’s health plan owned by NYC Health + Hospitals.

 

“I feel a tremendous sense of pride that Gotham Health, Morrisania has served the South Bronx community for 50 years, providing top-quality health care, regardless of ability to pay and immigration status,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “Thank you everyone here for being a part of this milestone in our history. I am looking forward to the next 50 years.”

 

“It's an incredible achievement that Gotham Health, Morrisania has been providing high quality, affordable care to the community for fifty years,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health CEO Michelle Lewis.  “This important milestone is a result of the hard work and dedication of our staff.”

 

“As we gather to celebrate this great milestone in Morrisania’s history, we express our gratitude to Gotham Health, Morrisania for having the foresight to engage the community for many years, and ensuring high-quality care for our patients and their families,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Gotham Health, Regional Medical Director, Bronx, Jeremy O’Connor, MD.

 

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Morrisania has same- and next-day primary care, specialty care appointments available for children and adults. The staff speaks multiple languages. Clinical services offered include:

 

• Pediatrics and adolescent care
• Immunizations
• Women’s Health/GYN
• Prenatal and postpartum care
• Family planning and reproductive health
• Asthma Care
• Diabetes Care
• Mental Health screening, counseling and referrals
• Foot care/podiatry
• Radiology including X-rays, ultrasound, and mammography
• Social services
• Vision/eye care

 

Gotham Health, Morrisania hours of operations are: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30am to 7:00pm; Tuesday and Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm; Saturday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Please visit NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Morrisania for additional information. To make an appointment, call 1-844-NYC-4NYC (1-844-692-4692).

About NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health is a Federally Qualified Healthcare Provider formed in 2012 to enable individuals and families to address their health care needs in their own neighborhoods. Serving more than 100,000 New Yorkers annually in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, and Queens, Gotham Health consists of 38 healthcare sites in all five boroughs of New York City.  Gotham Health provides easy-to-access, high-quality, affordable health care services with a focus on primary care. It is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and building healthy communities, with a focus upon providing patients and families convenient access to high-quality preventive care, such as annual check-ups and immunizations. Health care teams are trained to help patients manage ongoing conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease.

About NYC Health + Hospitals

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Business to Business Back to School Festival, 8/31/2023

 

Two Charged In Drug-Related Shooting On Bronx Street That Hit An 11-Month-Old Baby In The Face

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Christie M. Curtis, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of an Indictment charging AHMED ALTOREI, a/k/a “AK,” and SAMUEL BAUTISTA, a/k/a “Sammy,” with distributing narcotics and carrying firearms in connection with a drug trafficking operation based on the Grand Concourse and East 198th Street in the Bronx, New York.  In connection with those crimes, ALTOREI and BAUTISTA were involved in a street shooting on January 19, 2022, that targeted a rival drug dealer but resulted in an 11-month-old baby being shot in the face. 

ALTOREI was arrested yesterday evening and BAUTISTA was arrested earlier today in an operation conducted by the FBI and NYPD, and both are expected to be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein later this afternoon.  The case is assigned to Chief U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “On January 19, 2022, on a day like any other, gunshots rang out in the Bronx.  It was a targeted shooting.  But one of the bullets hit an innocent victim – a baby girl, who was just 11 months old – who was shot in the face as she sat in a car with her mother.  The baby survived, and that’s a miracle.  But the emotional and physical trauma will never go away.  Safety is a civil right.  And like all rights, in order to keep it, we have to enforce it.  That is why I am proud to announce that we have arrested and indicted the two men who we allege shot that baby girl.  As United States Attorney, I promise you this: we will never abandon our communities.  Not a single inch.  And our commitment to public safety will never waver.  Not for a single second.  The people of this great city deserve nothing less.”

FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Christie M. Curtis said: “As alleged, the defendants possessed firearms as part of a narcotics trafficking operation that directly led to the shooting of an 11-month-old infant.  This is yet another unfortunate example of an innocent bystander being harmed as a result of drugs and guns.  The FBI is committed to making our communities safer by removing violent drug traffickers from the streets.”

NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said: “Today’s indictment again proves that violence on our streets will not stand.  The men and women of the NYPD will remain relentless in holding accountable anyone who allegedly dares to carry and indiscriminately shoot an illegal gun in New York City.  I thank and commend all of our investigators and everyone at the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District whose dedication to justice and public safety is reflected in these charges.”

As alleged in the Indictment:[1]

ALTOREI and BAUTISTA are charged for their involvement in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute both cocaine and crack cocaine from at least in or about May 2018 through at least in or about August 2023 and for carrying firearms in connection with the same, some of which were brandished and discharged, including the firearm that shot the infant on January 19, 2022.

ALTOREI, 36, and BAUTISTA, 30, both of the Bronx, New York, are each charged with one count of narcotics conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of using or carrying firearms during and in relation to, or possessing firearms in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime, some of which were brandished and discharged, which carries a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison; and possessing ammunition after a felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

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

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and NYPD and thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance in this case.

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