Six Defendants Charged In White Plains Federal Court With Narcotics Trafficking In Westchester County

   Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Field Division (“DEA”), and Charles Gardner, the Commissioner of the City of Yonkers Police Department (“YPD”), announced today the unsealing of an indictment and a complaint charging six defendants with allegedly engaging in the distribution of heroin throughout the Southern District of New York. Five defendants were taken into federal custody today, and will be presented in White Plains federal court this afternoon before United States Magistrate Lisa M. Smith. JAMES ODELL WHITTED remains at large.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As alleged, these defendants contributed to the rising tide of heroin that is plaguing suburb and city alike. Thanks to the excellent work of the DEA and the Yonkers Police Department, we hope to stem that tide and protect our communities from this epidemic.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt said: “Gangs are actively capitalizing on opioid addiction by pushing potent heroin onto our streets. In this case, heroin was allegedly being trafficked throughout Yonkers, Westchester and Newburgh communities, increasing the risks of potential overdoses caused by opioids. I applaud the men and women of the Westchester Task Force and the US Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York for their diligence in this investigation and commitment to safeguarding public health.”

Yonkers Police Commissioner Charles Gardner said: “These arrests will reduce the availability of heroin in our community and help fight the opioid epidemic we are experiencing. I would like to specifically thank the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the US DEA Westchester Task Force for their support and tenacious efforts in this investigation.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in White Plains federal court[1]:

From at least in or about February 2017 up to and including in or about June 2017, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, CHRISTOPHER COLEMAN, a/k/a “Fox,” JONATHAN ACQUINO, a/k/a “Jonathan Aquino,” a/k/a “Jonathan Harvey-Acquino,” a/k/a “Gotti,” JAMES ODELL WHITTED, a/k/a “Odell,” a/k/a “O,” LEIBYS MERCEDES, a/k/a “Celly,” a/k/a “Sonny,” BRANDEN JONES, a/k/a “Branden Mima,” a/k/a “Marlo,” conspired to distribute 100 grams and more of heroin.

As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today in White Plains federal court[2]:

LISA HENDERSON and COLEMAN conspired to distribute heroin. Specifically, HENDERSON assisted COLEMAN in packaging the heroin for resale and allowed COLEMAN to store narcotics trafficking paraphernalia in HENDERSON’s apartment.

The defendants COLEMAN, ACQUINO, WHITTED, MERCEDES, and JONES each face a maximum term of 40 years in prison, and a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison.

The defendant LISA HENDERSON faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison.

A chart containing the names of the defendants who were arrested and charged today, and the charges and maximum penalties they face, is attached.

The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for information purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by the respective judges.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Westchester Resident Office and the Narcotics Unit of the City of Yonkers Police Department. The DEA’s Westchester Resident Office comprises agents and officers of the DEA, Westchester Police Department, New Rochelle Police Department, Yonkers Police Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, White Plains Police Department, and Port Chester Police Department. Mr. Kim also thanked the United States Marshals Service and the United States Probation Office for their assistance in taking the defendants into custody.

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

CHARGE(S)	DEFENDANTS	MAXIMUM PENALTIES
Narcotics conspiracy (Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams and more of heroin.)	CHRISTOPHER COLEMAN, a/k/a “Fox”   JONATHAN ACQUINO, a/k/a “Jonathan Aquino,” a/k/a “Jonathan Harvey-Acquino,” a/k/a “Gotti”   JAMES ODELL WHITTED, a/k/a “Odell,” a/k/a “O”   LEIBYS MERCEDES, a/k/a “Celly,” a/k/a “Sonny”   BRANDEN JONES, a/k/a “Branden Mima,” a/k/a “Marlo”	40 years in prison   Mandatory minimum: 5 years in prison
Narcotics conspiracy (Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin.)	LISA HENDERSON	20 years in prison

[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.

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

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE FOR FIRST-DEGREE MURDER OF HOMELESS SHELTER DIRECTOR

Defendant Shot At Victim As She Tried to Escape Following Sexual Abuse 

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree Murder of the director of a homeless shelter in which he formerly resided. 

  District Attorney Clark said, “This was a heart-wrenching case that shocked our community. The victim, a mother of two children, had come to the Bronx from her native Spain in the hope of helping the neediest population. The defendant brutally murdered her and callously left her body on the street. He will now spend the rest of his life behind bars, never to walk our streets again. I hope this will bring a measure of justice to the victim’s family.” 

  District Attorney Clark said the defendant, West Spruill, 41, was sentenced today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy to life in prison without parole for first-degree Murder. He also received two sentences of 15 years followed by five years post-release supervision to run concurrently for two counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. He was convicted by a jury on May 24, 2017 after a four-and-a-half week trial.

  According to trial testimony, on April 27, 2015, Spruill sexually abused Ana Charle, 36, inside her vehicle, causing her to flee naked as her assailant chased after her with a gun. Spruill then fired at her multiple times, causing her death. Charle’s car was found two blocks from where she had originally parked it to go to work at the Bronx Boulevard Men’s Shelter, where Spruill had resided until early January, 2015. Spruill fled the scene on foot and was apprehended minutes later. DNA found on the victim was linked to the defendant.

The New Bronx Democrats

  They are getting involved, they are tired of listening to the politicians, they want to make a difference for their children, who are they? The New Bronx Democrats as their Facebook page says.

 They are led by Sheikh Musa Drammeh, and they are tired of seeing their families torn apart by gang violence. They have joined with law enforcement as Community officer from the 43rd Precinct were on hand at yesterday's come together. They know who the gang members are said member (Hip Hop star) K Born Rivers, 'We know who the gang members are, and we want to end gang violence on each other and the community. A representative of the Jewish Defence League was on hand to show support to this mainly Muslim organization which has realized that peace is the way to make things better for everyone.That is why they are known as 'Peace December' 

  As I sat through the hour long press conference watching and listening to some of the people I was covering, I could see the caring for the community. Their goal of harmony among all people has a long way to go , but they are taking one day at a time. Check out the New Bronx Democrats Facebook page to see some items that are listed. I hope to cover some of my new friends, and some of my old friends on an ongoing basis. Photos of the event are below.

Above - Sheikh Musa Drammeh opens the event by welcoming everyone in attendance, and saying a few words about the organization and their goals.

Below - Muhammad Abuhaikal a candidate in the 13th City Council Democratic primary speaks of his involvement in Peace December, and why he is running for public office.

Above- Hip Hop star K Boen Rivers tells of how gang violence is hurting everyone, but mostly the communities in the South Bronx where Muslim immigrants are trying to make a good life here in New York City. He added that he knows all the gang members, and he wants to help stop the violence.

Below - A representative of the Jewish Defence League speaks to the attendees. Seated at the table is Ms. Nathalia Fernandez who is the representative to the Bronx for Governor Andrew Cuomo..

VISION ZERO MILESTONE: MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2017 HAD FEWEST TRAFFIC FATALITIES ON RECORD

With national trends continuing to show fatality increases, New York City has seen declines this year in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities 

  Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that under the Vision Zero program, New York City ended the first six months of 2017 with the fewest traffic fatalities ever measured. As of June 30^th, the city had recorded 93 fatalities, the first time ever that fewer than 100 lives had been lost in such a period.  The full fiscal year ending June 30^th recorded 210 fatalities, 31 fewer than the prior fiscal year. The reductions come as the City is increasing traffic enforcement against dangerous violations like speeding and redesigning a record number of streets to make them safer.                                                                               

“No loss of life on our streets is acceptable, but under Vision Zero, we have seen continued and consistent progress, with traffic fatalities on the decline for three-and-a-half-years, strongly countering national trends,” said Mayor de Blasio. “I thank the NYPD, DOT and supporting agencies on all their hard and innovative work to have us deliver this strong mid-year report.”

The Vision Zero highlights from the first six months of 2017 include:

·         Traffic fatalities have seen year-over-year declines since 2016 in most modes, including among pedestrians (47 as of June 30, 2017 compared to 63 fatalities in first six months of 2016).

·         Declines by borough have been largest in Queens (23 fatalities in 2017 compared to 32 in 2016), in Manhattan (20 in 2017 from 26 in 2016), and on Staten Island (5 this year from 11 last year).

Fiscal Year 2017, which concluded on June 30^th, was also the City’s safest Fiscal Year since recordkeeping began, with 31 fewer traffic deaths than Fiscal Year 16, and over 70 fewer – a 24 percent decline -- from FY14, the year Vision Zero was launched.  In contrast, from 2014-2106, according to the National Safety Council, the country as a whole has seen a 14 percent increase in traffic fatalities.

“Nowhere else in America has seen our year-over-year declines in traffic fatalities,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.   “Under the Mayor’s leadership, we achieved the safest-ever fiscal year with the redesign of more streets than ever before.   We are especially proud of the past year’s innovative and collaborative Vision Zero work with our colleagues at sister agencies – including the Cross This Way curriculum and the Dusk & Darkness initiative – that we believe have made a real difference.  However, we know that even with under one hundred fatalities so far this year, that is still a hundred too many.  We have a lot more work to do, and in the months ahead, New Yorkers will be seeing DOT crews making safer streets around the City – from Queens Boulevard to Linden Boulevard in Brooklyn and Second Avenue in Manhattan. ”

“As we near our 500^th visit to the drivers and businesses we license across the city to share the lessons of Vision Zero and safer driving, this milestone reassures us that they are incorporating these lessons into their daily work,” said Taxi and Limousine Commission Chair and Chief Executive Officer Meera Joshi. “With the mayor’s guidance and leadership, we will continue to build on these successes as we move closer to our ultimate Vision Zero goals.”

Traffic fatalities have declined for three consecutive years under Vision Zero. Amongst its many strategies, New York City has: lowered the City’s default speed limit to 25 MPH; undertaken a historic number of street redesign projects targeting priority geographies in every borough; added thousands of new Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) that serve as pedestrian head-starts; begun a pilot for calming left-turn, which are significant more dangerous; added more protected bike lanes; operated a robust camera enforcement program for speeding, red lights and bus lanes; and increased enforcement by NYPD of the City’s traffic laws.

Traffic Fatalities by Fiscal Year 1988-2017

Rank	Full Fiscal Year	Fatalities
1	FY17	210
2	FY11	240
3	FY16	241
4	FY15	251
5	FY13	260
6	FY10	270
7	FY09	274
8	FY14	288
9	FY12	290
10	FY08	297
11	FY05	301
12	FY06	309
13	FY07	316
14	FY04	338
15	FY03	368
16	FY01	386
17	FY02	399
18	FY99	405
19	FY00	407
20	FY98	415
21	FY97	443
22	FY94	472
23	FY96	482
24	FY95	497
25	FY93	573
26	FY88	592
27	FY92	603
28	FY89	635
29	FY90	679
30	FY91	687

For more information about the de Blasio Administration’s Vision Zero initiative, please see www.nyc.gov/visionzero.

AFTER LATEST DERAILMENT, DINOWITZ RENEWS CALL FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP TO DECLARE FEDERAL STATE OF EMERGENCY AT PENN STATION

  New York State Assembly Chairman of the Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions Jeffrey Dinowitz today renewed calls for the President of the United States to declare a state of emergency at Penn Station, after another commuter train was derailed and caused massive delays on Thursday night. Assemblyman Dinowitz said that the aging signals and tracks at Penn Station pose a serious and significant threat to millions of commuters every day. On May 18 of this year, Dinowitz chaired a hearing with key officials from Amtrak and the Long Island Rail Road and emphasized the impact that a chronic state of disrepair at Penn Station has had on local commuters. Dinowitz said that incidents such as last night's derailment of a New Jersey Transit train will continue to occur as long as the repairs to Penn Station are not complete, which Amtrak indicated during that hearing may not be this year.

"Amtrak, and by extension the United States Department of Transportation and President Trump, are responsible for maintaining a safe and productive Penn Station. The President must consider the impact this type of event has on the confidence of millions of local commuters every day and release federal funding to complete the necessary repairs without further delay," said Dinowitz. "We need significant federal investment in the modernization of Penn Station, on top of a modern train tunnel to cross the Hudson River in order to avoid a devastating economic impact on tens of millions of workers throughout the Northeastern United States. This amounts to billions of dollars in modern transit infrastructure, but the States of New Jersey and New York are financially unable to do it alone."

The resignation of USDOT from the Gateway Development Corporation earlier this week appears to indicate that the much needed tunnel will not receive federal attention, despite servicing a half million passengers each week on routes throughout the Northeastern United States. Assemblyman Dinowitz sent letter to President Trump asking him to declare Penn Station a state of emergency to avert an impending disaster. 

"President Trump needs to recognize the Penn Station crisis for what it is - an emergency," said Dinowitz. Last week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a similar state of emergency for the New York City subways in response to the derailment of an A train earlier in the week.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz has been in the state Assembly for over 23 years, and now he realizes there is a problem with the aging signal system at Penn Station. 

Since he is a New York assembly member he has no control over a trans Hudson River rail tunnel going into the state of New Jersey.

I would have to also say, a New York assembly member has no control of a national, New Jersey, or even a bi-state railroad. 

If there is a true problem at Penn station in Manhattan, why is Dinowitz not asking the Mayor of New York City to work with the Governor of New York State to try to resolve this and other rail problems in the city and state?

So where is the mayor of New York City?

In Germany at the World Summit protesting the President of the United States from outside the conference.

Congressman Eliot L. Engel Response to Resignations on Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel, the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a top member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today led a group of House Democrats in responding to several alarming resignations from the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA).

Six HIV/AIDS experts left PACHA last month, citing their belief that the advisory group can no longer effectually fight HIV/AIDS under President Trump. The experts cited “the many signs that the Trump Administration does not take the on-going epidemic or the needs of people living with HIV seriously” – including the Administration’s plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act – among their reasons for stepping down. They also called upon Members of Congress to keep up the fight against HIV/AIDS and counter the Administration’s harmful policies.

In a letter to these six experts, Engel and more than a dozen House Democrats reaffirmed their commitment to ending HIV/AIDS and acknowledged the indispensable role the U.S. government must play in this fight.

“These resignations are the latest evidence of the Trump Administration’s inability to protect Americans’ health,” Engel said. “The American public, especially people living with HIV, need to know that they have willing and engaged partners in Congress who are committed to making an AIDS-free generation a reality. I’m proud to partner with my Democratic colleagues in sending that message.”

The full text of this letter, including a complete list of signers, is below:

July 7, 2017

Mr. Scott A. Schoettes

Counsel and HIV Project Director

Lambda Legal
105 W. Adams, Suite 2600

Chicago, IL 60603-6303

Dear Mr. Schoettes,

As Members of Congress committed to defeating HIV/AIDS, we are gravely concerned by your account of the Trump Administration’s inattention to this disease and those it affects, as well as the serious ramifications of such apathy.

As you know, the United States has made tremendous strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Between 2005 and 2014, the estimated number of new infections among Americans fell by nearly one-fifth. More than half of Americans diagnosed with HIV are virally suppressed, effectively reducing their risk of transmitting the virus to others to zero.

The engagement of the U.S. government has been instrumental in securing these gains. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, rates of insurance coverage among people living with HIV improved significantly. Federal funding provided through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program allows local governments to better care for people living with HIV/AIDS in our districts. Globally, U.S. leadership, especially through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, has allowed nearly 11.5 million people worldwide to begin life-saving treatment.

However, our work is far from finished. More than 1.2 million Americans live with HIV, and 13 percent do not know their status. In addition, a number of communities remain disproportionately affected by HIV, including minorities, transgender people, and gay and bisexual men.

It is imperative that our federal government remain devoted to ending HIV/AIDS and clear-eyed about the challenges we have yet to overcome. Without the commitment of the federal government, we cannot hope to end pervasive disparities, identify Americans who do not know their HIV status, or connect them with the treatment that will allow them to live long and healthy lives.

Given the considerable work ahead, we were disheartened by your account of the Administration’s inattention to HIV/AIDS. We share your concern that this Administration’s complacency and support for dangerous policies, such as the American Health Care Act, will impede the historic progress our nation has made.

We, as Members of Congress, remain fully committed to the goal of an AIDS-free generation and will oppose policies that would harm people living with HIV. In addition, we welcome your recommendations as to how we might better support the fight against HIV/AIDS. While Congress cannot supplant an Administration’s enthusiastic commitment, we will make every effort to carry on our nation’s important work to defeat HIV/AIDS once and for all.

We thank you for your public service on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, and look forward to continued engagement with the advocacy community to advance our shared goals.

Sincerely,

Eliot L. Engel

Barbara Lee

Frank Pallone, Jr.

James P. McGovern

Kathy Castor

Mark Pocan

Maxine Waters

Mark Takano

Jan Schakowsky

Bonnie Watson Coleman

Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Donald M. Payne, Jr.

Pramila Jayapal

Colleen Hanabusa

Dwight Evans

Nydia M. Velázquez

Mike Doyle

C.C.: Lucy Bradley-Springer; Gina Brown; Ulysses W. Burley III; Michelle Ogle; Grissel Granados.

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEW SMART CITY TECHNOLOGIES AND YOUNG INNOVATORS PROGRAM IN BROWNSVILLE

Brownsville Innovation Lab inaugurates new technologies and education programs aimed at modernizing public infrastructure, supporting neighborhood development, and bridging the digital divide

  Mayor Bill de Blasio, Chief Technology Officer Miguel Gamiño, and New York City Economic Development Corporation President James Patchett announced the roll-out of new smart city solutions and tech education programs for youth at Osborn Plaza in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The efforts will officially kick off on Saturday, July 8 and mark a key milestone for the Brownsville Neighborhood Innovation Lab.

In March 2017, Brownsville was announced as home to the City’s first Neighborhood Innovation Lab. The tech equity initiative brings together community members, government, educators, and tech companies to help address neighborhood concerns with cutting-edge smart city technologies. Over the last four months, the City has partnered with Brownsville community leaders to run a series of strategic planning sessions focused on defining neighborhood needs and exploring how smart city technologies can help improve quality of life and support local economic development. Top priorities emerging from this work include improving safety and cleanliness of public spaces, and strengthening access to healthy foods.

"As technology evolves and becomes even more essential to our everyday urban lives, New York City only grows stronger,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We are thrilled to see the launch of the Brownsville Innovation Labwhich will connect residents to resources, dynamic education opportunities, and deliver a significant boost to economic development in the neighborhood.”

Neighborhood Innovation Labs present a unique opportunity for tech companies and universities to respond to community-identified needs and partner with government to test their technology solutions in a real-world environment with community feedback. The initial technology demonstrations being installed at Osborn Plaza in Brownsville include the newest iteration of the Bigbelly solar-powered smart waste and recycling system, which can hold up to five-times the amount of a regular trash bin and uses sensors to notify maintenance crews when it is full, and two Soofa smart benches, which use solar power to offer free charging for mobile devices.

“Being a smart city means ensuring our communities have access to technologies and programs that improve quality of life, create new jobs and support our City’s youth having skillsets to build their future,” said Miguel Gamino, Chief Technology Officer for the City of New York. “This next phase of Neighborhood Innovations Labs is an important step in making sure all New Yorkers can participate in a modern world.”

"The de Blasio Administration is constantly working to bolster our innovation economy and make it more accessible to New Yorkers across the city,” said NYEDC President and CEO James Patchett. “The Neighborhood Innovation Lab will connect Brownsville residents with new smart cities technologies and programming to improve their quality of life and drive economic development in the neighborhood.”

New tech education programs for Brownsville youth will also kick off on Saturday, starting with a hands-on workshop where elementary and middle school students will learn about STEM concepts by building solar-powered toy cars. The workshops are part of a new “Young Innovators Program” supported by BNY Mellon to spur interest in technology careers and create pathways for young people to join and diversify New York City’s thriving digital economy. Over the course of a year, the program expects to reach roughly 1,000 Brownsville youth through interactive workshops and technology demonstrations. In addition, 36 high school-aged youth and high school graduates from Brownsville will be invited to participate in an intensive skill development and professional training program that uses project-based learning to teach the foundations of product design and application development. The new program will be managed by the Brownsville Community Justice Center and aims to serve as a bridge to connect young adults to industry partnerships like the NYC Tech Talent Pipeline.

“This dynamic programming will provide a critically needed service to the youth in Brownsville and an opportunity to expand education opportunities in the neighborhood as a whole,” said Maria Torres-Springer, Commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. “The Neighborhood Innovation Lab was launched as a part of the Brownsville Plan, a holistic community plan developed in close coordination with community residents.  I want to thank our partners in government and the residents of Brownsville for continuously working with us to build diverse and livable neighborhoods.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

This is great news, and let's hope this can reach all ends of all five boroughs.