Saturday, November 26, 2016

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj - Winter Health and Wellness Fair


Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj and Senator Jeffrey Klein 
in conjunction with 
Bronx House 
 present
WINTER HEALTH & WELLNESS FAIR
BRONX HOUSE
990 Pelham Parkway South
Bronx , NY 10461
Monday - December 12, 2016
5:30 - 8:30pm

Bronx Jewish Community Council - Breakfast This Wednesday.Nov 30th 8 AM


Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj and Senator Jeffrey Klein 
in conjunction with 
Bronx House 
 present
WINTER HEALTH & WELLNESS FAIR
BRONX HOUSE
990 Pelham Parkway South
Bronx , NY 10461
Monday - December 12, 2016
5:30 - 8:30pm

Holiday Lights in Riverdale Thanks to Senator Jeff Klein



Thursday, November 24, 2016

High School Teacher Arrested For Possessing And Receiving Child Pornography


Nicholas Pagliuca Downloaded Hundreds of Files Containing Images and Videos of Child Pornography

   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Angel M. Melendez, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and George P. Beach II, the Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), announced the arrest of NICHOLAS PAGLIUCA, a teacher at a high school in the town of Mamaroneck, stemming from his possession and receipt of child pornography.  PAGLIUCA was arrested and will be presented today before United States Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court. 
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “As alleged, Nicholas Pagliuca, a teacher at a local high school, tapped into a website full of illegal child pornography to download images and videos.  Investigation and prosecution of these crimes are critical in protecting our children.”     
HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel Melendez said:  “Individuals who take pleasure in downloading videos and photos of young children being sexually exploited need to be brought to justice, especially those whose jobs give them access to children, as in this case.  HSI is putting child predators on notice that we will not stop tracking and arresting these depraved individuals until the threat to children is no more.” 
Superintendent George P. Beach II said:  “Anyone involved in child pornography, promoting the acts of child predators, or who performs predatory acts against children must understand that such crimes will not be tolerated. We will continue to work with our partners to thoroughly investigate and prosecute these illicit activities. Children must be protected, not preyed upon.”
According to the Complaint[1] filed today in federal court:
In October 2012, an individual who was later identified as PAGLIUCA registered for a 30-day subscription to a website that is a popular means for individuals to trade child pornography images and videos.  PAGLIUCA downloaded hundreds of files containing images and videos of child pornography, many of which depicted prepubescent children engaged in sexual activity with adults or other children.  Using the email address PAGLIUCA used to register with the website, agents with HSI and officers of the NYSP confirmed PAGLIUCA’s identity and his occupation as a teacher at a public high school in Mamaroneck, New York.  PAGLIUCA was arrested at his residence in Somers, New York.

NICHOLAS PAGLIUCA, 65, of Somers, New York, is charged with one count of possession of child pornography (Count One), which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of receipt of child pornography (Count Two), which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Any individuals who believe they have information concerning NICHOLAS PAGLIUCA that may be relevant to the investigation should contact HSI at through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE; TTY for hearing impaired: (802) 872-6196. This hotline is staffed around-the-clock by investigators.
Mr. Bharara praised the efforts of HSI and the New York State Police in this investigation.  He added that the investigation is continuing.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Gillian Grossman is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint 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 Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Arrest Of New Jersey Man For Selling Designer Drug Over The Internet In Violation Of The Federal Analogue Act


   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Carl J. Kotowski, the Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, announced today the arrest of ANDREW COOK on a charge of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute methoxetamine hydrochloride (“MXE”), an illegal analogue of the hallucinogenic drug. 
The defendant had an initial appearance in the District of New Hampshire today before Magistrate Judge Andrea K. Johnstone.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “As alleged, Andrew Cook was the sole proprietor of an illegal online distributor of MXE, a dangerous hallucinogenic drug.  Thanks to the work of the DEA, Cook has been arrested and his illegal business taken offline.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski said:  “Today, the men and women of DEA have arrested a dangerous individual.  Mr. Cook was hiding behind the anonymity of his computer screen.  We will continue to pursue those peddling their drugs whether they are selling them on the street or via the internet.”
According to the Complaint[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:
MXE, a designer drug, is an analogue of a controlled substance and has been “designed” to circumvent drug laws.  MXE belongs to the same class of drugs as ketamine, phenycyclidine (“PCP”), and PCE.  Drugs in this class produce dissociative anesthetic and hallucinogenic effects.        
COOK was the sole owner and operator of an internet business, called Downlow Labs, which shipped various drugs, including MXE, to individuals across the country.  COOK operated a drug manufacturing facility at his home in Long Branch, New Jersey.  A search of COOK’s residence uncovered, among other things, numerous baggies labeled “methoxetamine,” a pill press, masks, beakers, rubber gloves, shipping supplies, invoices, approximately $14,500 in cash, and approximately 395 grams of MXE.
COOK, 23, of Long Branch, New Jersey, was charged with one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance analogue, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. 
U.S. Attorney Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA New Jersey Tactical Diversion Squad, the New Jersey State Police Hazardous Material Unit, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Long Branch Police Department, and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant United States Attorney Dina McLeod is in charge of the prosecution.
[1] As the introductory phase 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.