Monday, November 26, 2018

News From Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark


BRONX MAN SENTENCED FOR ENGAGING IN SEXUAL ACTS WITH 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL 
Defendant Met Victim In School Where He Worked As After-School Teacher

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to two years in prison for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in his residence. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant, who was 24 years old at the time, met the young girl at the middle school where he worked. He took advantage of the girl’s age and took her to his apartment and sexually abused her. Thankfully, the victim told another school employee, who then called the police.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Michael Jenkins, 25, of 901 Anderson Avenue, Bronx, New York, was sentenced today to two years in prison and 10 years post-release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Robert Neary. A full order of protection was also issued, and the defendant will also register as a sex offender. Jenkins, who had no prior criminal record, pleaded guilty to second-degree Criminal Sexual Act on October 30, 2018. 

 According to the investigation, on December 4, 2017, in his apartment, the defendant engaged in sexual acts with the minor. In a subsequent conversation between the victim and Jenkins, the defendant admitted to the sexual acts and told her she could not get pregnant through oral sex. Jenkins worked at Intermediate School 391 as an after-school teacher and taught a program called Mad Science. The victim had been attending the defendant’s class since the beginning of the school year.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Detective Carolyn Tully of the Bronx Special Victims Squad for her assistance in the case.

BRONX MAN INDICTED IN 2009 MURDER OF WOMAN HE WAS DATING 
Defendant Allegedly Bashed Victim’s Head, Causing Her Death; DNA Evidence Hit Last Year Led to Solving of Case

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been indicted for the 2009 murder of a 39-year-old woman after new DNA evidence emerged. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly killed the victim, whom he knew, by bludgeoning her in the head. DNA evidence led to the defendant and we renewed our investigation in 2017. This indictment shows that victims are never forgotten, and we will use every available technology and science to pursue justice for them.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Robert Hopkins, 37, who is currently incarcerated for separate cases in Brooklyn and Manhattan, was arraigned on second-degree Murder before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Georg.

 According to the investigation, on or about and between December 22, 2009 and December 23, 2009, at 1409 Fulton Avenue, the Bronx, the defendant bludgeoned Cynthia Souser, 39, of the Bronx. Authorities got a lead in the case in November 2017 through DNA testing of evidence that was found at the scene of the crime.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Barry Sullivan and Dionisio Solis of Bronx Homicide and Detective Ronnie Wilkerson of Bronx Cold Case for their assistance.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. - Annual Bronx Christmas Tree Lighting


Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr
Invites you to the Annual Bronx Christmas Tree Lighting
Sing Christmas carols with
Santa & Mrs. Claus
Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and a special treat from Santa !!!
WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
 
Thursday
Dec 6,2018
5:30 PM 
Bronx County Building
851 Grand Concourse
East 161st Street
xmas-stockings-header.jpg
Join us by calling 718-590-3522 or email lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov

Congressman Engel on the Trump Admin's Actions at U.S.-Mexico Border


“It is impossible not to be outraged by the Trump Administration’s cruel actions yesterday at the U.S.-Mexico border. The deployment of tear gas on unarmed asylum seekers is the latest in a long line of human rights abuses from this Administration, which continues to erode America’s moral standing in the world.

“The children and families seeking asylum in the United States from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala have fled unimaginable circumstances. Daily violence, extreme poverty and malnutrition are sadly the norm in these countries.

“U.S. immigration law and international law guarantee these migrants the right to seek asylum. The U.S. must uphold the rule of law and treat asylum-seekers with dignity and compassion.”

Bronx Dems Annual Holiday Party & Toy Drive


Sunday, November 25, 2018

2nd Annual FOLIAGE AND FUN “A Tribute To Our Veterans”



The honorees and Ms. Bharati Kemraj of the Bharati Foundation. L - R (front row) Colleen McCarthy U.S. Marines, Tony Salimbene U.S. Coast Guard, Nicholas Himidian Jr. U.S. Air Force, A stand in for Bruce Rivera U.S. Army, (middle row) Gene DeFrancis U.S. Navy, Ms. Bharati Kemraj, LaTanga’ Blair U.S. Army, (back row) Shawn Kingston Service Award, Sidney T. Clark U.S. Marines, and Raymond Tirado U.S. Army received a posthumous award. The event was held at the Coffee Break Company located at 3217 Philip Avenue in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx.
  


Above - Sergeant Joe Ronda with his son Joe Ronda Jr. of the Star of The Sea - Sea Cadets lead in the Pledge of allegiance and the star Spangled Banner. Sergeant Ronda is playing the Star Spangled Banner in the photo.
Below - The honorees held lit sparkling candles for the soldiers who never returned from overseas. 





Above - Colleen McCarthy U.S. Marine veteran receives her award.
Below - Nicholas Himidian Jr. U.S. Air Force veteran receives his award.




Above - Gene DeFrancis U.S. Navy veteran receives his award.
Below - Sidney T. Clark U.S. Marine veteran receives his award.




Tony Salimbene U.S. Coast Guard receives his award. 

Saturday, November 24, 2018

REPRESENTATIVE ADRIANO ESPAILLAT URGES NEW YORK STATE DREAM ACT TO BE RENAMED IN HONOR OF SENATOR JOSE PERALTA


  Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement on the sudden passing of New York State Senator José R. Peralta.  In a letter to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, and New York State Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Rep. Espaillat has urged that the New York State DREAM Act be renamed in honor of Senator Peralta’s legacy and in recognition of his steadfast leadership and unyielding desire to see the DREAM Act passed and signed into law.

“It was my privilege as a fellow Dominican-American to serve with Senator José R. Peralta, who was an honorable steward of the public trust and tireless representative for communities in Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and Woodside,” said Rep. Espaillat (NY-13). “As a main sponsor of the New York state DREAM Act, Senator Peralta believed wholeheartedly that we each have an obligation to ensure equal opportunities for the advancement of all persons.  Renaming the New York State DREAM Act in his honor would be a fitting tribute to his legacy and the work that will continue for generations to come.

“Respectfully, I ask that when the New York State Legislative Session reconvenes on January 9, 2019, that both the Assembly and Senate come together to rename the New York State DREAM Act in honor of Senator Peralta and upon its passage, that Governor Cuomo sign the bill into law recognizing and codifying its most ardent champion, New York Senator José R. Peralta, into the official record.”

Click here to read Rep. Espaillat’s letter to Governor Cuomo and New York State Senate Leadership in its entirety.

News From Councilman Mark Gjonaj








Councilman Mark Gjonaj fought to secure $10,490,000 for Legal Services in the Fiscal 2019 Budget!

Legal Services for Low-Income New Yorkers: $5,300,000

Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT): $485,000

Legal Services for the Working Poor: $3,205,000 

Low Wage Worker Support: $500,000

Prisoners’ Rights Project: $1,000,000 


In 2019, the Administration and the City Council’s collaborative efforts to increase access to civil legal services has resulted in an investment of over $115 million for civil legal services. The City Council will provide approximately $10.5 million for civil legal services to low and middle income New Yorkers for services that include: direct legal representation and brief services on matters that may include civil justice; unemployment insurance; supplemental security income benefits; consumer finance, education; employment; class action cases; legal support for individuals, families and juveniles; housing; and employment. This represents an increase of $1.2 million over 2018.
  1. Tree Planting/Pruning
  2. Tree Sidewalk Prog
  3. Building Maintenance
  4. Con Edison
  5. Eviction
Thank You for Participating!
The fact that a city – which is accustom to blizzards and frequent storms – was brought to a halt due to 4” to 6” of snowfall is unacceptable. Instances of school children being stranded in school buses until 9:30pm with many parents left to only guess where their children were, finger pointing among City agencies as to which is to blame. New Yorkers deserve answers!
Do you think the City handled the situation effectively and in a timely fashion?
Yes
No
Do you agree it is time for an investigation following the unprecedented situation?
Yes
No

Small Business Saturday on Arthur Avenue



  NYC Small Business Commissioner Greg Bishop joined City Councilman Mark Gjonaj (Chair of the Small Business Committee) on Arthur Avenue to talk with store owners and shoppers on Small Business Saturday. #ShopLocalShopSmart. 


Above - Councilman Gjonaj is interviewed at the entrance to the Arthur Avenue Retail Market for the local television channel about Small Business Saturday.
Below - Councilman Gjonaj brings Greg Bishop the Commissioner of the NYC Small Business Administration to one of the few remaining fresh butcher shops in the Bronx, located on Arthur Avenue.  




Above - Commissioner Bishop buys a cigar cutter at one of the two cigar stores on Arthur Avenue.
Below - Commissioner Bishop shows off his new Bronx cap he purchased from the store behind him, with Councilman Gjonaj and members of the Arthur Avenue Merchants Association. Commissioner Bishop also learned of some of the problems plaguing the Arthur Avenue shopping area, including the lack of parking for customers who come by car