Narcotics Dealer Pleads Guilty To Sale Of Heroin And Fentanyl That Resulted In Manhattan Man’s Overdose Death

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the plea today by DASHAWN HAWKINS, a/k/a “Jhonny Cash,” of New York, New York, to the sale of heroin and fentanyl that resulted in the overdose death of Colin Cameron, 29, of Manhattan, on September 2, 2016.  HAWKINS pled guilty earlier today before U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods in Manhattan federal court.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim stated:  “As he admitted today, Dashawn Hawkins sold fentanyl-laced heroin that killed Colin Cameron, a young resident of New York City.  The opioid epidemic is devastating our communities, and this Office is committed to aggressively prosecuting dealers like Hawkins who fuel it.”

According to the charging documents filed in the case, as well as statements made during the plea proceedings and earlier court appearances:

On or about September 1, 2016, DASHAWN HAWKINS, a/k/a “Jhonny Cash,” sold a mixture of heroin and fentanyl to Colin Cameron.  The next morning, New York City Police Department officers responded to Cameron’s apartment on the Upper West Side, where they found Cameron dead from a drug overdose.  After identifying HAWKINS as the dealer who sold Cameron the fatal dose of drugs, the NYPD arrested HAWKINS on October 20, 2016, and searched his apartment.  During the search, officers found, among other things, additional bags of heroin and substances used to cut heroin, fentanyl packaging, and a short-barreled rifle with a high-capacity magazine loaded with 34 rounds of ammunition.

HAWKINS faces a maximum term of life in prison and a mandatory minimum term of 20 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as the defendant’s sentence will be determined by a judge.  HAWKINS is scheduled to be sentenced on December 7, 2017, by the Honorable Gregory H. Woods, U.S. District Judge.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD.

Long Island Man Sentenced To Over 9 Years In Prison For Defrauding South Korean Religious School Of More Than $5 Million

   Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that WILLIAM COSME, a/k/a WILLIAM COSMO, was sentenced in Manhattan federal court today to 111 months in prison for orchestrating a scheme to defraud a Christian missionary school in South Korea of $5.5 million.  On March 21, 2017, a jury convicted COSME of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft following a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska, who also imposed today’s sentence.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “William Cosme defrauded an international school in Korea of more than $5 million by telling a series of brazen lies, many that he continued to tell on the stand at trial. Instead of investing the school’s money meant for educating children as he had promised, Cosme spent it on himself, on a Lamborghini, Ferrari, gambling, and other personal expenses. Thanks to the hard work of the FBI, Cosme will now spend time in a federal prison.”

According to the Indictment and other filings in Manhattan federal court, statements made in connection with COSME’s sentencing proceedings, and evidence admitted at trial:

COSME purported to operate a “privately held, global, private equity family practice with a concentration on it’s [sic] own family’s private wealth management, commercial [real estate], physical gold trade and business consulting.”  COSME further claimed that the entity through which he did business “manage[d] family assets with a net asset value in excess of USD $11b on a global basis” and that his clientele included royalty and the families of royalty. 

In January 2011, COSME, acting through his company Cosmo Dabi International Trading Group Inc. (“Cosmo Dabi”), entered into an agreement with an international school located in South Korea (the “International School”) whereby Cosmo Dabi would lend the International School approximately $55 million and the International School would make a deposit of approximately $5.5 million (the “Equity Deposit”), which COSME would invest in order to generate funds to loan the International School.  The International School sought to use the proceeds of the loan to expand its operations in South Korea.

In January 2011, the International School sent by wire transfer approximately $5.5 million to an account maintained by COSME at a bank.

Thereafter, COSME transferred the funds that the International School had entrusted to him into other accounts, including accounts in his own name rather than that of his company.   From the other accounts, COSME began a run of unauthorized personal spending, including a Lamborghini costing nearly $314,000 (which itself was meant to secure COSME a preferred spot on a waiting list to purchase an even more expensive Lamborghini); a Ferrari costing nearly $287,000; a Cadillac Escalade; a sport utility vehicle for a family member of COSME’s; a 110-day gambling trip to Las Vegas; gaming losses while on that trip in excess of $200,000; paying for his girlfriend’s rent; and otherwise funding a lavish lifestyle.  All the while, COSME made a series of misrepresentations to the leadership of the International School as to why they had not been issued their promised loan payments, and devised and executed a sham audit process in order to convince the International School that they were in default of their agreement and that COSME could keep the school’s deposit for himself. 

In addition to his prison sentence, COSME, 51, of Jericho, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit, among other things, the contents of two financial services accounts containing more than $2 million, as well as the luxury automobiles he purchased with the stolen funds.  Restitution was also ordered in the amount of $5.5 million.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding efforts of Federal Bureau of Investigation in the investigation. 

RICHARD ROJAS INDICTED FOR MURDERING 18-YEAR-OLD PEDESTRIAN, INJURING 18 OTHERS IN TIMES SQUARE

  Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., has announced the indictment of RICHARD ROJAS, 26, for intentionally driving his car into a crowd of pedestrians in Times Square, fatally striking an 18-year-old woman and injuring 18 others. The defendant is charged in New York State Supreme Court with Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, and Assault in the First and Second Degrees.[1]  

“The site of this rampage is one of the busiest in New York City: more than 300,000 pedestrians visit Times Square every day,” said District Attorney Vance. “As is alleged in the indictment, this defendant put the lives of each person who had the misfortune to cross his path in danger when he intentionally drove his car onto the sidewalk, striking and killing a young woman visiting our city and injuring 18 others. My heart goes out to the victims, many of whom are in various states of recovery, and their families.”

According to documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court, at approximately 11:55 a.m. on May 18, 2017, ROJAS drove his Honda Accord south along 7th Avenue in Times Square. Then, at a high rate of speed, he made a U-turn, driving his car onto the sidewalk from 42nd Street to 45th Street, hitting many pedestrians along the way. Among those struck was Alyssa Elsman, an 18-year-old young woman from Michigan. The crash killed her and severely injured her 13-year-old sister. Additionally, ROJAS struck and injured 17 other pedestrians, and only stopped when he crashed into a metal pillar. 

Following the crash, the majority of the victims had to be hospitalized – five in critical condition – and one remains hospitalized. 

District Attorney Vance also thanked Detective James Meehan of the Midtown South Detective Squad. 

^[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

Defendant Information:

RICHARD ROJAS, D.O.B. 7/31/1990

Bronx, NY

Charged:

Murder in the Second Degree, a class A felony, 2 counts
Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a class B felony, 18 counts
Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, 20 counts
Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 18 counts

Opening of State Senator Jamaal Bailey's Office

  If it seemed like former State Senator's Ruth Hassel=Thompson's old state senate office, that is because it is. On hand was an almost who's who of Bronx Politics from Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to City Councilman Andy King. Even former State Senator Hassel-Thompson was all smiles telling me that she not only enjoys her new job with the governor's office, but that she loves it. The former senator had no regrets about leaving the state senate also saying "sometimes you have to know when it is time to let others take over".

  Having been in the South Bronx with State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. and Assemblyman Sepulveda, I missed the beginning, but I was able to see State Senator Keith Parker, Councilman Ritchie Torres, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, and former State Senator Ruth Hassel-Thompson. Below are some photos I was able to get of the event.

Above - This is what you saw, a block long celebration in front of State Senator Jamaal Bailey's office.

Below _ State Senator Keith Parker talks about the state senate and what Senator BAiley will face. Former State Senator Ruth Hassel-Thompson os also in the photo.

Above - Councilman Ritchie Torres who is the youngest member of the city council, is glad to be on hand to help the youngest state senator officially open his district office.

Below - State Senator Bailey is with Ms. Sandra Pabon who received a citation from the senator for her community involvement.

Family Day at Edgewater Park

  It was a day of fun, sun, canoe rides, lots of food and drink, and a chance to meet the next City Councilman. Yes It seems that I am calling the 18th City Council race two months before the primary, and weeks before all the challenges to petitions are finished. However it looks like current State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. one of seven candidates for this soon to be open council seat has a wide lead over not only his nearest competitor, but most likely he will get more votes than all of his opponents. 

  As for the event held by the Castle Hill YMCA in cooperation with the Waterfront Alliance, and the Castle Hill Homeowners Association, the canoe rides began once the tide came in. Lifeguards from the Y were in each boat, and life jackets were provided to each person who braved the water ride. Current State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. the leading candidate for the 18th city council seat, arrived with Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda to meet and greet the people. Mayoral candidate Sal Albanese stopped by before Senator Diaz and Assemblyman Sepulveda arrived. 

Above - The tide is coming in so the canoes can go out on the water.

Below - People are signing up for the canoe ride.

Above - The tide has come in, and the canoes are in the water.

Below - City Council candidate State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr, and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.are on either side of Castle Hill Homeowners President Izzy Morales. 

Above and Below - City Council candidate State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. talks with some of the people who came to the waterfront.

BRONX COMMUNITY BOARD 8

5676 Riverdale Avenue, Suite 100 

Bronx, New York 10471-2194 

Telephone: 718-884-3959  - Fax: 718-796-2763 

E-Mail: bx08@cb.nyc.gov 

 **AMENDED

MEETING NOTICE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

DATE: Thursday, July 20, 2017 

TIME: 7:00 PM 

PLACE: 50th Police Precinct 3450 Kingsbridge Avenue

AGENDA

1. Introduction of Committee Members and Guests

2. Approval of Public Safety Committee minute

3. Police Report

4. Fire Report 

5. NEW Applications Liquor License or Beer/Wine License: 

 Skyclub Café, LLC, 5701 Arlington Avenue 

 **Tin Brothers, LLC., 5790 Mosholu Avenue (formerly Kelly Ryan’s) 

6. RENEWAL Applications Liquor License or Beer/Wine License: 

 Metate, 3515 Johnson Avenue 

 Beccofino, 5704 Mosholu Avenue 

 Bronx Burger House, 5816 Mosholu Avenue

7. Miscellaneous Business  

Novelty Nachos, 318 West 231 Street  

Khalle Bar & Grill, 3638 Bailey Avenue 

New York Comic Con 2017 - October 5 - 8

Bronx “YGz” Gang Member Pleads Guilty To Stomping Murder Of 16-Year-Old

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ANTHONY REDDICK, a/k/a “Ant Flocka,” pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court to his involvement in the “Young Gunnaz” or “YGz” gang by participating in the murder of Moises Lora, 16, during which REDDICK and several other YGz gang members stomped Lora to death in a courtyard in the Melrose housing projects in the Bronx on April 16, 2012.  REDDICK is scheduled to be sentenced later this year by United States District Judge Valerie E. Caproni, before whom REDDICK pled guilty.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Moises Lora was only 16 years old when Anthony Reddick and his fellow gang members brutally stomped Lora to death in a vicious attack.  Thanks to the tireless work of law enforcement, Reddick has now admitted his role in this brutal murder. Although we cannot bring Lora back, we hope that his family will find some small measure of solace in today’s guilty plea.”

According to the Indictment and other documents filed in the case, as well as statements made during REDDICK’s guilty plea and other court proceedings in this case:

REDDICK was a member of the Bronx-based street gang known as the YGz.  From 2005 to 2016, members and associates of the YGz enriched themselves by committing robberies and by selling drugs, such as crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, and committing acts of violence, including the murder of rival gang members, rival drug traffickers, and innocent bystanders. 

As part of his involvement in the YGz gang, REDDICK and several other YGz gang members murdered Lora, a member of a rival gang, on April 16, 2012, in the South Bronx.  Specifically, on the date of the murder, a group of YGz members, including REDDICK, got drunk, and began arguing among themselves about who had done the most for the YGz.  This group of YGz members went to the territory of a rival gang in the Melrose housing projects to settle their dispute.  Upon arriving at the Melrose projects, REDDICK and other members of the YGz saw Lora and attacked him.  During the attack, Lora’s skull was fractured in several places.  REDDICK and the group left Lora to die.  Following the stomping, REDDICK and several of his confederates bragged to fellow YGz members about what they had done.

REDDICK, 22, of the Bronx, pled guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.  REDDICK is the third defendant in United States v. Kareem Lanier, et al., 15 Cr. 537 (VEC), to plead guilty to participating in the stomping murder of Lora. 

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New York City Police Department in the investigation of this case.  He also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their support in this case.