Member Of International Movie Piracy Ring Pleads Guilty

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the guilty plea of GEORGE BRIDI, a citizen of the United Kingdom, for his role in the Sparks Group, an international piracy group that illegally distributed movies and television shows on the Internet.  BRIDI pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As he admitted in court today, George Bridi participated in an international video piracy ring that illegally distributed worldwide on the Internet nearly every movie released by major production studios, as well as television shows.  Bridi circumvented copyright protections on DVDs and Blu-Ray discs to illegally share movies online, but he and his crew could not evade law enforcement scrutiny, and Bridi now awaits sentencing for his crime.”

As alleged in the Indictment and statements made in open court:

Between 2011 and the present, GEORGE BRIDI and others known and unknown were members of the Sparks Group, a criminal organization that disseminated on the Internet movies and television shows prior to their retail release date, including nearly every movie released by major production studios, after compromising the content’s copyright protections.

In furtherance of its scheme, the Sparks Group fraudulently obtained copyrighted DVDs and Blu-Ray discs from wholesale distributors in advance of their retail release date by, among other things, making various misrepresentations to the wholesale distributors concerning the reasons that they were obtaining the discs prior to the retail release date.  

Sparks Group members then used computers with specialized software to compromise the copyright protections on the discs, a process referred to as “cracking” or “ripping,” and to reproduce and encode the content in a format that could be easily copied and disseminated over the Internet.  Sparks Group members then uploaded copies of the copyrighted content onto servers controlled by the Sparks Group, where other members further reproduced and disseminated the content on streaming websites, peer-to-peer networks, torrent networks, and other servers accessible to public.  The Sparks Group identified its reproductions by encoding the filenames of reproduced copyrighted content with distinctive tags, and also uploaded photographs of the discs in their original packaging to demonstrate that the reproduced content originated from authentic DVDs and Blu-Ray discs.

BRIDI arranged for discs to be picked up, mailed, or delivered from distributors located in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey to other members of the Sparks Group prior to their official release date.  BRIDI then reproduced, and aided and abetted the reproduction of, these discs by using computer software that circumvented copyright protections on the discs and reproducing the copyrighted content for further distribution on the Internet. 

The Sparks Group has caused tens of millions of dollars in losses to film production studios.                

BRIDI, 52, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit copyright infringement, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

BRIDI is scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2022, at 12:00 p.m.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  Mr. Williams also thanked Europol and Eurojust as well as law enforcement authorities in the following countries for their assistance in the investigation: Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Morris Park Community Association Meeting

 

Wednesday night was the bi-monthly Morris Park Community Association meeting. The Meeting opened up with the Pledge of Allegiance, and went into the chairman's report. This was not a positive report as it was mentioned that quality of life issues have gone down with the current mayor and elected officials who voted for the No Cash Bail Law, which allows most criminals back on the street in hours, giving little or no protection to victims. The chair said the use of the center by the Board of Elections went well, the community had a local place to vote early, and the Association made a few dollars on the rental of the building. 

The 49th Police report was next with a report of three shootings on blocks near or around Columbus High School. It was said that at the moment it does not look like there was gang involvement. Officer Nicewitz the Sector A NCO officer introduced Sergeant Hines who is the supervisor of all the sectors, and NCO officers. Officer Nicewitz then warned not to leave your car running as someone can just jump in and steal your car. He also warned to be on your guard when seeing two people riding on a moped, as one might jump off to rob you, then jump back on to get away. 

The Morris Park Community Association Executive Board, (L - R) Elio Morales, Al D'Angelo, Yahey Obeid, and Lefty Negron.

Sector A NCO officer Patrick Nicewicz talks about what is going on police wise in the sector, and introduces New NCO Sergeant Hines.

49th Precinct NCO Sergeant Hines introduces himself, and gives his experience as a police officer. 

BRONX PASTOR WHO RAN OVER ESTRANGED WIFE AND ATTACKED HER WITH MACHETE IN 2019 PLEADS GUILTY TO MANSLAUGHTER

 

Killing Happened in Front of Victim’s Two Young Grandchildren Defendant Will Be Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Yonkers man has pleaded guilty to first-degree Manslaughter for running over his estranged wife with a vehicle and stabbing her with a machete in front her two grandchildren in 2019. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant and the victim, his wife, had been estranged for approximately a month when he mercilessly killed her in front of her two young grandchildren and bystanders in broad daylight. The victim’s grandchildren not only had to deal with the loss of their grandmother, but also with immense trauma after witnessing such cruel events. He pleaded guilty and will be sentenced in January 2022 to 23 years prison.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Victor Mateo, 65, last of 4 Eastman Place, Yonkers, N.Y., a former pastor at the Christian Congregation The Redeemer Church in the Bronx, pleaded guilty to first-degree Manslaughter on November 17, 2021 before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy. He is due to be sentenced on January 5, 2022 to 23 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision, with final orders of protection for the victim’s two grandchildren who witnessed the killing.

 According to the investigation, on the morning of October 3, 2019, the defendant parked his vehicle near the home of Noelia Mateo, 58, on Ellsworth Avenue in Throgs Neck. As the victim left her house to drive her grandchildren to school, Mateo struck her with his vehicle. The victim hid beneath her car, and the defendant got into her vehicle and ran her over with it. He then hacked her with a machete. The victim was taken to Jacobi Medical Center where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Her grandchildren, who were 11 and nine years old at the time, witnessed the entire attack.

 The defendant fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle and was arrested on October 10, 2019 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania.

 District Attorney Clark also thanked NYPD Detective Francis Orlando from Bronx Homicide and NYPD Detective Kristopher Persaud of the 45th Precinct.

45 Days and Counting

 

Here is an old photo of me when I came into office. Notice the Equity and Excellence at work on the podium. My goal was to make every New York City public school the same so children could move from one area of the city to another being able to continue on the program that they learned in their previous school. 

There would be no more schools that were better than others, all schools would be on the same level. Now I plan to go around the state pushing my same program that has failed in New York City public schools. I have four working boroughs Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queen, and Staten Island, and the Bronx which continues to underperform in all eight years of my administration. That is why in my six year in office, I said that it is time I stopped to dump on the Bronx, then COVID hit, and took over.

Permits Filed For 128 West 167th Street In Highbridge, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a seven-story residential building at 128 West 167th Street in Highbridge, The Bronx. Located between Ogden Avenue and Nelson Avenue, the lot is within walking distance of the 167th Street subway station, serviced by the 4 train. Zev Mayer of Skyrock NYC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 75-foot-tall development will yield 25,176 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 33 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 762 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a 30-foot-long rear yard and ten open parking spaces.

Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed earlier this month for the two-story house on the property. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - NOVEMBER 17, 2021

 

95,434 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours  

31 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.  

"In order to spend the holidays safely with our loved ones, we must stay vigilant in our fight against COVID-19," Governor Hochul said. "If you have not done so yet, get vaccinated. If you have a child, protect them by getting them vaccinated. And if you have already been vaccinated but feel at risk, get your booster shot and we can end this pandemic together."    

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 160,747
• Total Positive - 6,114 
• Percent Positive - 3.80%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.47% 
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,102 (+51) 
• Patients Newly Admitted - 328 
• Patients in ICU - 414 (-8) 
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 225 (-6) 
• Total Discharges - 212,015 (+265) 
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 31 
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 46,101

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only. 

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 58,732 

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 28,627,601 
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 95,434 
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 654,701 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 85.0% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 77.7% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 89.3% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 79.9% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 72.9% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 65.8% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 76.2% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 67.7% 

Attorney General James Announces Takedown of Major Drug Trafficking Operation in Capital Region

 

54 Individuals Indicted for Roles in Distributing Heroin, Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the indictment of 54 members of a drug trafficking ring for their roles in distributing heroin laced with fentanyl, powder and crack cocaine, and methamphetamine to Fulton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Warren counties sourced from New York City dealers. The year-long investigation led to the seizure of approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 14 grams of heroin, four handguns, and $25,000 in cash.

“Dangerous drugs have devastated too many communities throughout our state and claimed too many lives,” said Attorney General James. “As New Yorkers and Americans across the country witnessed the greatest number of drug overdose deaths in history in 2020, the defendants here were allegedly flooding our streets with the very types of drugs that caused this devastation. Today, we are putting an end to their efforts that put New Yorkers in harm’s way. My office will continue to pursue and hold accountable anyone who violates the law. I thank our partners in law enforcement for their critical support in this takedown.”

Today’s takedown was the result of a joint investigation between the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF), the Johnstown Police Department, the Gloversville Police Department, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Amsterdam Police Department, the Schenectady Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New York State Police. The investigation — codenamed “Operation Garage Days” — included covert surveillance and hundreds of hours of wiretaps over numerous targeted phones. 

As alleged in the indictment, the central figures in this narcotics distribution network were Brianna Nichols and Michael Kuntzsch, who often worked together to obtain and sell methamphetamine and cocaine in Fulton County. The investigation also revealed that Nichols had various sources of supply for the methamphetamine and narcotics that she sold to customers who travelled to her from around the Capital Region. Kuntzsch had customers based in Montgomery, Fulton, Saratoga, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.  

During the course of the investigation, investigators intercepted communications in which Sahib Braan, Miguel John, Christopher Mitchell, and Jordan Thomas plotted and attempted a home invasion robbery of a rival narcotics trafficker in Gloversville. The investigators were able to thwart the robbery plot, intercept the would-be robbers, and seize a loaded handgun that they had planned to use.   

“This case is a good example of how drug dealers have no jurisdictional boundaries and they actually try and use those boundaries to further criminal activity,” said Johnstown Police Chief David Gilbo. “We have shown through this collaborative effort that law enforcement will rise to the challenge and protect our communities. This investigation is the direct result of the hard work done by members of the various agencies involved and shows just how effective law enforcement can be when working together. This case also shows the scale of drugs, weapons, and money that travels through our suburban and upstate communities.”

“Drug dealers do not contain their violence and other negative impacts on our communities to specific jurisdictions,” said Gloversville Police Chief Anthony Clay. “For example, the resources in this investigation were leveraged to prevent multiple home invasions that suspects from other communities intended to commit in Gloversville. This collaboration among the various law enforcement agencies sends a clear message that law enforcement will rise to the challenge and protect our communities. The success of this investigation is the direct result of the hard work done by members of the various agencies involved and shows just how effective law enforcement can be when working beyond their jurisdictional boundaries.”

“This case targeted a trafficking network that was bringing dangerous, illegal narcotics into upstate New York and beyond, with no regard for the damage being done to the local communities,” said State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen. “We will not stand for it. These arrests were only made possible through the combined efforts of our members and our state and local law enforcement partners, and we appreciate this ongoing collaboration.”

“This drug trafficking organization distributed everything from crack cocaine, to methamphetamine, to heroin,” said DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan. “We are proud to have worked in partnership with our many law enforcement partners and the Office of the Attorney General to dismantle this organization, and others like it, that do nothing but pollute our communities with addictive and deadly drugs.”

The 376-count indictment — unsealed today in Fulton County Court — charges the defendants with various counts of Criminal Sale and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (class A, B, C, D felonies) and Conspiracy in the Second Degree (class B felony).  

Those charged in today’s indictment include:

Walter Allen, 51 years old, Gloversville, NY

Darnell Alston, 49 years old, Gloversville, NY

Zionna Belknap, 21 years old, Gloversville, NY

Everett Russell Bishop, 48 years old, Wilton, NY

Toni Borromeo, 45 years old, Gloversville, NY

Sahib Braan, 30 years old, Troy, NY

Octavius Brooks, 24 years old, Binghamton, NY

Lamar Brown, 35 years old, Gloversville, NY

Christopher Clark, 39 years old, Amsterdam, NY

Lawrence Cross, 34 years old, Gloversville, NY

Daniel Degnan, 30 years old, Gloversville, NY

Stephen Dingman, 27 years old, Gloversville, NY

Floyd Everson, 47 years old, Port Jefferson, NY

Megan Grubb, 32 years old, Gloversville, NY

Alex Hanson, 26 years old, Potsdam, NY

Sean Hines, 38 years old, Gloversville, NY

Tina Jackson, 49 years old, Gloversville, NY

Ryan Jacques, 40 years old, St. Regis Falls, NY

Miguel John, 26 years old, Saratoga Springs, NY

Donald Johnson, 39 years old, Johnstown, NY

John Kaminski, 43 years old, Fort Johnson, NY

Christopher Kippen, 41 years old, Schenectady, NY

Adam Krzeski, 37 years old, Gloversville, NY

Michael Kuntzsch, 33 years old, St. Johnsville, NY

Thomas Laverpool, 30 years old, Brooklyn, NY

Andre Lewis, 52 years old, Gloversville, NY

Dylan Mailloux, 30 years old, Little Falls, NY

Kenneth McKiver, 29 years old, Gloversville, NY

Ernest McMikle, 35 years old, Gloversville, NY

Shakona Mikula, 25 years old, Gloversville, NY

Donovan Millhouse, 25 years old, Gloversville, NY

Christopher Millington, 37 years old, Gansevoort, NY

Christian Mitchell, 33 years old, Troy, NY

Khalif Mitchell, 35 years old, Hudson, PA

Adonta Moore, 24 years old, Gloversville, NY

Brianna Nichols, 25 years old, Gloversville, NY

Barbara Parker, 47 years old, Gloversville, NY

Wayne Platt, 37 years old, Gloversville, NY

George Ramson, 43 years old, Rotterdam, NY

Dalton Remines, 28 years old, Galway, NY

Jacquelynn Ross, 36 years old, Gloversville, NY

Dashawn Rowland, 27 years old, Gloversville, NY

Tessa Taylor, 26 years old, Mayfield, NY

Jordan Thomas, 23 years old, Troy, NY

Javiel Tirse, 41 years old, Gloversville, NY

Steven VanAllen, 43 years old, Gloversville, NY

Ross VanAlstyne, 26 years old, Gloversville, NY

Clinton Waddell, 39 years old, Middle Grove, NY

Laquan Warren, 26 years old, Brooklyn, NY

Christopher Williams, 53 years old, Gloversville, NY

Hassan Wilson, 31 years old, Gloversville, NY

Jamar Wright, 38 years old, Johnstown, NY

The charges against the defendants are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. 

In addition to the listed partners, Attorney General James would like to thank Gloversville Police Detective Brian Knecht, who worked under the supervision of Gloversville Police Chief Anthony Clay and Detective Lieutenant Richard Richardson, as well as Fulton County District Attorney Chad W. Brown for their assistance in this investigation. 

MAYOR DE BLASIO CELEBRATES OPENING OF NEW CARIBBEAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OFFICE AT CATON FLATS

 

Mayor Recognizes Visionary Behind New Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce Office, Presents Special Honor to Family

 Mayor de Blasio joined community members, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and elected officials today at Flatbush Caton Market in Brooklyn to recognize and honor Dr. Roy Hastick at the grand opening of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) headquarters. Dr. Hastick, who founded CACCI in 1985, was the visionary and strong advocate for building CACCI office space near a bustling market to help Caribbean-American vendors and small business owners with development, trade, and investment opportunities between the United States and the Caribbean. 

 

“Dr. Roy Hastick was a tireless advocate who worked to promote small businesses and deepen ties between New York City and the Caribbean,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “His legacy lives on in the new permanent headquarters of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Caton Flats Market, spaces that will spur our small businesses’ recovery and bring us back stronger than before.”

 

“Dr. Hastick’s vision was always to promote small business development, trade and investment opportunities between the United States and the Caribbean. This space is critical in strengthening Brooklyn's Caribbean American, African American and other minority communities economic power. In collaboration with other community leaders, elected officials, city regulatory agencies, the developers and the community at large, today we are able to see the vision come to pass, to the City of New York this space is a gift for you,” said Renee Hastick-Motes, daughter of Dr. Roy A. Hastick Sr.

 

“Strong communities and empowered small businesses are the key to New York City’s success. Caton Flats Market represents the fruits of a successful cross-sector collaboration, which honors the late Dr. Roy Hastick and his leadership of Brooklyn’s vibrant Caribbean-American community,” said Housing and Economic Deputy Mayor Vicki Been. “By listening to and partnering with our community leaders, New York City charges toward a true Recovery For All of Us.”

 

“We are proud to honor Dr. Hastick’s legacy with the opening of CACCI’s new offices at Caton Flats,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Rachel Loeb. “This new space will realize Dr. Hastick’s vision for CACCI and continue to provide Brooklyn’s small businesses and entrepreneurs with the resources, tools, and trainings necessary to help them thrive.”

 

“The grand opening of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) headquarters is one of the ways we are making our City better by bringing opportunity and economic activity to communities,” said Jonnel Doris, Commissioner NYC Department of Small Business Services. “It’s exciting to see the work of such an important community leader and mentor Dr. Roy Hastick come to fruition as we honor his legacy today. This new space will go a long way in serving the Caribbean American community, aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses across Brooklyn and the City as they embark on fulling their dreams and aspirations. Thank you to the Hastick family and to the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry for being great partners in getting this done.”

 

NYCEDC, partnering with the City and a coalition of community organizations, transformed the space with the help of BRP Companies. 

 

At the new office, CACCI will continue to offer               

·       Business development and networking opportunities with the public and private sectors

·       Free on-site confidential small business counseling services and technical assistance

·       Minority and women owned business, financial literacy, and business service seminars

·       Assistance with increasing Caribbean based exports to New York City

In addition to the CACCI headquarters, the ground floor will be home to Flatbush Caton Market, featuring upgraded amenities for the Market’s existing small business owners, expanded space for food vendors including a bar, café, and commercial kitchen, as well as flexible classroom space for business trainings and workshops for the community.