Two Georgia Residents Plead Guilty To Firearms Trafficking

 

Xavier Simms and Bryce Martin Trafficked Firearms from Georgia to New York With a Third Co-Conspirator Who Shot and Critically Wounded an FBI Task Force Officer When Law Enforcement Attempted to Interdict

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that XAVIER SIMMS and BRYCE MARTIN pled guilty to trafficking firearms from Georgia to New York and conspiring to do the same.  SIMMS pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern, and MARTIN pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Vincent L. Briccetti.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Today, Xavier Simms and Bryce Martin admitted to trafficking guns from Georgia to New York.  Their actions contributed to the flow of illegal guns into New York, which too often results in gun violence in our communities.  Today’s pleas reflect the commitment of this Office and our law enforcement partners to rid our streets of illegal guns and to prosecute gun traffickers to the fullest extent of the law.”

According to the Complaint, Information against each defendant, and other documents filed in federal court, as well as statements made in public court proceedings:

On April 20, 2022, members of the FBI Westchester Safe Streets Task Force and the City of Yonkers Police Department were investigating illegal firearms activity in the vicinity of Elm and Linden streets in Yonkers, New York.  During the course of their investigation, they attempted to interdict members of the conspiracy, including XAVIER SIMMS, BRYCE MARTIN, and a third co-conspirator (“CC-1”).  When law enforcement officers approached SIMMS, MARTIN, and CC-1 at a Yonkers deli, CC-1 shot and critically wounded an FBI Task Force Officer at close range.  After that, an FBI Special Agent fired his gun at CC-1 and fatally wounded CC-1.

Law enforcement officers recovered four firearms in total from SIMMS, MARTIN, and CC-1 at the Yonkers deli, including a “Ghost Gun” — a type of firearm that is designed to evade law enforcement detection.

SIMMS and MARTIN had previously traveled together with CC-1 from Georgia to New York, arriving in Yonkers on or about April 19, 2022, with multiple firearms to sell.  Evidence recovered from their cellphones showed that SIMMS and MARTIN both had access to specialized firearms, including machinegun-style weapons.  Once in Yonkers, SIMMS, MARTIN, and CC-1 met with another individual (“Individual-1”) who received from them at least five firearms to sell on consignment.

SIMMS, 22, of Covington, Georgia, and MARTIN, 23, of Hampton, Georgia, each pled guilty to one count of conspiring to traffic firearms, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and one count of firearms trafficking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(1)(A) and 924(a)(1), which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

SIMMS is scheduled to be sentenced on April 20, 2023.  MARTIN is scheduled to be sentenced on January 11, 2023.

The statutory maximum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of Yonkers Police Department.  He also thanked the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance in the investigation.

In Celebration of HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, The NYC HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE in partnership with THE NEW TERMINAL ONE JFK brings October’s Information session

The 161st Street Business Improvement District Congratulates Aaron Judge - The New American League Single-Season Home Run King

 

The 161st Street Business Improvement District (BID) would like to congratulate Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees for becoming the American League single-season home run king. Judge hit his 62nd home run in second game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers last night surpassing another Yankee Slugger Roger Maris. The Yankees have one final regular season game against the Rangers this afternoon before they prepare for the American League Division Series next Tuesday, October 11. 

For the first home playoff game at Yankee Stadium, the 161st Street BID will be welcoming Aaron Judge back to the Bronx and Yankee fans to the district with a performance from the brass band the Underground Horns. The Underground Horns will be performing in front of the McDonald’s (East 161st Street) across from Yankee Stadium 90 minutes before the game on October 11 (time TBD). In addition to music, the BID will be working with mural artist Andre Trenier for a Yankees mural unveiling the morning of October 11 at Ballpark Sports Shop (850 River Ave).



About the 161st Street Business Improvement District:

Founded as the Capitol District Management Association in 2009, the 161st Street Business Improvement District (BID) was created to provide a vibrant commercial district and improve the quality of life for those who live, work, visit and shop on 161st Street in the Bronx. The 161st Street BID aims to keep the streets clean, promote commerce and enrich the area through special events and cultural projects. The BID is in the heart of the Bronx Capitol District, located on and around 161st street in the shadows of Yankee Stadium. In addition to Yankee Stadium, the district contains many municipal buildings, recreation sites, community organizations, unique shops, restaurants and services. To learn more about the 161st Street BID and stay up-to-date on all happenings in the area, make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. 

Permits Filed For 52 West 176th Street In Morris Heights, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed to expand a two-story structure into a four-story residential building at 52 West 176th Street in Morris Heights, The Bronx. Located between Macombs Road and Grand Avenue, the lot is two blocks from the 176th Street subway station, serviced by the 4 train. Herman Jakob under the West St. Gardens LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 57-foot-tall development will yield 11,197 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 25 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 447 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a penthouse, cellar, and a 34-foot-long rear yard.

Sander Williams Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the project calls for an expansion. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Trafficker-Quantities of “Rainbow Fentanyl” Arrive in New York

 

Approximately 15,000 candy-colored fentanyl pills seized in Manhattan 

One person was arrested and approximately 15,000 fentanyl pills were seized as part of an ongoing investigation into a fentanyl trafficking organization. The fentanyl pills, in various colors, were destined for distribution throughout New York City and had been concealed in a LEGO box to deter law enforcement attention. The fentanyl pills were also imprinted with “M” and “30” to resemble “30 M”, Oxycodone Hydrochloride 30 mg pills. 

This significant seizure, the largest to date in New York City, signals more widespread distribution of these dangerous colorful pills. The case highlights Mexican cartels’ most recent tactics to attract the public while deceiving them about the lethal drugs. The Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel are mass-producing fentanyl pills in rainbow colors to not only brand their products, but use colors and dyes to mimic candy and/or legitimate prescription drugs.

Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division, Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, New York City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell and New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen announced the seizure and arrest following the arraignment of Latesha BUSH. 

“Rainbow fentanyl is a clear and present danger and it is here in New York City,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “Approximately forty percent of the pills we analyze in our lab contain a lethal dose; and in a recent 15-week enforcement operation, DEA New York seized half a million lethal pills. These staggering statistics underscore the importance of reminding the public that just one pill can kill; and this operation alone removed the equivalent of 500,000 lethal doses of  fentanyl from circulation in the Empire State. In the same reporting period, DEA seized the equivalent of over 36 million lethal doses nationally.” 

NYC Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said, “Using happy colors to make a deadly drug seem fun and harmless is a new low, even for the Mexican cartels. Fentanyl is already involved in more than 80% of overdose deaths in the city. If you take any drug sold on the street or through the internet, regardless of its medicinal markings or festive appearance, you risk your life. My office and our partners are committed to intercepting lethal fentanyl and ensuring that these rainbow-colored pills don’t lead more people down a sad path of substance use and overdose death.

“Disguising fentanyl as candy – and concealing it in children’s toys – will never hide the fact that fentanyl is a deadly poison that harms our communities, our families, and our city,” said Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “The criminal complaint unsealed today is another example of the NYPD’s relentless commitment to never stop working to rid New York City of illegal drugs and I want to thank the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York, the DEA New York Division, the New York State Police, and everyone else involved in this case for their exceptional work.”

A criminal complaint filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (SNP) charges BUSH, of Trenton, N.J., with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees. BUSH was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on Friday, September 30, 2022. Bail was set at $25,000 cash/$150,000 insurance company bond/$100,000 partially secured surety bond. 

The investigation was conducted by DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force (NYDETF) Group T-12, which is comprised of agents and officers with DEA New York Division and the New York City Police Department. SNP’s Investigators Unit assisted in the investigation. 

On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at approximately 7:11 p.m., members of NYDETF Group T-12 were conducting surveillance as part of an ongoing investigation into narcotics trafficking when they allegedly observed BUSH carrying what appeared to be a black tote bag wrapped around a large object as she entered a vehicle in front of 475 10th Avenue in Manhattan. 

Upon stopping the vehicle, agents and officers allegedly found BUSH in the rear seat, with two black tote bags and a yellow LEGO container also in the rear seat. Inside the LEGO container were several brick-shaped packages covered in black tape lying next to LEGO blocks. The black tape covering one of the packages had been partially opened, exposing multi-colored pills inside. A subsequent examination of the packages revealed they contained approximately 15,000 pills. 

During the investigation, agents and officers learned that just prior to the arrest, BUSH had travelled from New Jersey to the vicinity of 475 10th Avenue in a rental car. Agents and officers also learned that the multi-colored fentanyl pills allegedly originated in Mexico.

DEA laboratory analysis of the narcotics seized in New York is pending. Preliminary testing indicated the presence of fentanyl. 

Last week the DEA announced the results of the third phase of the One Pill Can Kill initiative focused on combatting the fake pill threat which led to the seizure of more than 10.2 million fentanyl pills and approximately 980 pounds of fentanyl powder during the period of May 23 through Sept. 8, 2022. The amount of fentanyl taken off the streets during this surge is equivalent to more than 36 million lethal doses removed from the illegal drug supply. Additionally, 338 weapons were seized, including rifles, shotguns, pistols, and hand grenades. There were 390 cases investigated during this period, 51 cases are linked to overdose poisonings and 35 cases link directly to one or both of the primary Mexican cartels responsible for the majority of fentanyl in the United States – the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). In addition, 129 investigations are linked to social media platforms, including Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and TikTok.  

Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino thanked the New York City Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police, SNP’s Special Investigations Bureau and Investigators Unit and Group T-12 of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force.

Defendant                                 Charges 

Latesha Bush Trenton, N.J.    CPCS 1st – 1 ct 

Age: 48                                     CPCS 3rd – 1 ct 

The charges and allegations are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty

Speaker Adams and Council Members Oppose Plan to Site Asylum Seeker Relief and Intake Center at Randall’s Island, Propose New Approach

 

Urge Administration to consider indoor locations and focus on expediting transitions from homeless shelters into permanent housing by eliminating bureaucracy and expanding supportive housing

 Speaker Adrienne Adams, Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, and the chair and members of the Council’s Immigration Committee expressed major concerns about the City’s plan to relocate its Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center from Orchard Beach to Randall’s Island. They cited the island’s similar environmental challenges, with flood risks in the middle of hurricane season and the exposure to increasingly colder weather exacerbated by being on the water surrounded by the East River. They urged Mayor Adams’ Administration to consider alternative indoor locations to more humanely provide emergency relief and intake services to people seeking asylum. Council members highlighted that there are approximately 10 large-scale hotels in Manhattan, which are currently closed and might offer indoor space to host intake and relief services for newly arriving asylum seekers. Staffing for these hotel-based relief centers could also offer opportunities for hotel workers, who lost their jobs in the closures, to return to work.

In addition, Council leaders also highlighted the urgent need for the City to act to implement solutions to reduce the lengthy stays in its homeless shelters that have historically strained the system. Permanent affordable housing with supportive services must be prioritized as the City faces a growing unhoused population. These solutions include reviewing closed hotels for conversion to supportive housing that can provide permanent affordable housing with supportive services for people to transition out of the City’s shelter system. In addition to the 10 large hotels, with room-counts ranging from 1,025 to 478, there are over 70 additional closed hotels – like the Gramercy Park Hotel – that could be assessed for conversion to supportive housing. The Council has cumulatively identified that there are over 15,000 such rooms across the city. The Times Square – a former hotel building acquired in 1991, which currently operates as a supportive housing site of over 650 units, can serve as a practical model. The site provides onsite supportive services for low-income and formerly homeless adults, people with mental health challenges, and New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS. The expansion of supportive housing could help reduce homelessness and ensure New Yorkers in need of mental health and social services receive assistance to attain stability, addressing two different crises facing the city.

The Council also encouraged the City to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles and pursue policy changes to facilitate the faster transition of people out of homeless shelters to reduce stress on the system that is necessitating emergency expansion of temporary shelters. These changes include improved access to CityFHEPS and supportive housing placements, and adequate staffing of key agency operations by:

•   Eliminating the rule that requires people to remain in the shelter system for 90 days before becoming eligible for the CityFHEPS rental voucher program;
•   Reducing the number of homeless families with children who are needlessly shuffled between conditional shelter placements by removing administrative barriers and advocating for the State to reevaluate verification requirements (families can be repeatedly required to return to the PATH Intake Center to reapply and be placed, promoting instability and unnecessarily extending the timeframe to access supports transitioning out of the shelter system);
•   Resolving bureaucratic errors and inefficiencies in the application process for CityFHEPS and supportive housing that block people from accessing the opportunities to transition from the shelter system;
•   Prioritizing hiring of Department of Social Services (DSS) staff who help process CityFHEPS applications and supportive housing placements, to both reduce backlogs that currently occur and prepare for an increase in applications;
•   Tackling source-of-income discrimination that blocks people with rental vouchers from securing apartments by ensuring adequate staffing and operational capacity of the Source of Income Unit at the Commission on Human Rights.

“Our city is grappling with a homelessness crisis exacerbated by an international emergency that we did not create, but demands effective and compassionate responses,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “While an emergency relief center providing more effective intake services for asylum seekers than the Port Authority makes sense, neither outdoor locations of Orchard Beach nor Randall’s Island are adequate. Given its own flood risks in the middle of hurricane season and colder temperatures from exposure to the East River as winter approaches, Randall’s Island is inconsistent with humanitarian relief. There are better options that New York City should explore to provide healthier and safer conditions for people who have already experienced so much trauma.

“It is also imperative to now fix longstanding issues in our approach to homeless services that keep people in temporary shelters longer than necessary and make us overly reliant on the shelter system,” continued Speaker Adams. “Inefficient policies and bureaucracy slow access to rental housing vouchers and supportive housing placements, which we need to focus on fixing to move people into available permanent housing. Our city also lacks affordable permanent housing stock that can partially be addressed by exploring practical conversions of unused properties to supportive housing. This is a crisis that does not come with easy solutions, but it is our collective responsibility to collaboratively confront it. The Council is committed to being a constructive partner to address these complex challenges, providing longtime unhoused New Yorkers and people seeking asylum with the support they deserve that can benefit us all. We can address many of the major challenges facing our city with a bold, forward-thinking approach that reduces homelessness, improves public health, and advances safer communities.”

Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Hold Drinking Water Polluters Accountable

 

Legislation (S.8763A/A.9824A) Extends Statute of Limitations to Enable Public Water Suppliers to Commence Actions Against Polluters

Law Allows Communities with Contaminated Water the Ability to Recoup Necessary Filtration or Treatment Costs

 Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation (S.8763A/A.9824A) allowing local water authorities to take legal action against drinking water polluters for claims that were previously barred due to the statute of limitations. Local water authorities may generally only file legal claims against companies within three years of when misconduct or contamination occurred.

"Every New Yorker deserves access to clean, safe and affordable drinking water," Governor Hochul said. "By signing this legislation, which gives local water suppliers another avenue to take action against polluters and recover the costs of treatment or filtration, we are making sure that we not only hold these companies accountable but also prioritize the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers."

Legislation (S.8763A/A.9824A) allows public water suppliers to revive any action, civil claim, or cause of action involving an emerging contaminant that may have been barred because the statute of limitations had expired. This allows local water authorities to pursue actions against polluters to recover the costs of treatment and filtration as a result of contamination.

The new law gives providers up to a year and a half from today to bring actions against polluters for claims that may otherwise be barred under the statute of limitations. In addition, the legislation defines an emerging contaminant as meaning any physical, chemical, microbiological or radiological substance that is identified or listed as an emerging contaminant in public health or any other law.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We thought it was the job of the New York State Attorney General's office to make sure polluters pay for what they have done to New York State's waters and drinking water.

Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance Get to Know the Candidates in the 80th Assembly District Meeting

 

Monday night's Van Nest Neighborhood Neighborhood Alliance meeting was a get to know the candidates in the 80th Assembly District for the November General Election. Ms. Phyllis 'Tiz' Nastasio filed petitions during the petition period, and is on the Republican and Conservative Party lines. Mr. John Zaccaro Jr.  was recently chosen by a very small amount of Democratic County Committee members in the 80th A.D. during a closed backroom selection process, appears on the Democratic Party line. This is because the current Assemblywoman who also did not collect petition signatures for the position of state senator was placed there by special arrangement when the State Senate lines were redrawn this year. There is no candidate on the Working Families Party Line or any independent candidates in this race.  

After some in house business was taken care of candidate Phyllis 'Tiz' Nastasio was introduced and spoke about why people should vote for her. She is against the Just Home project at Jacobi Hospital, she wants it to be a women center, or senior housing, the value of a good education, Crime, and other quality of life issues. She took questions from the audience. On the subject of No Cash bail, candidate Nastasio said that the court system needs to be reformed to make sure people in Rikers Island get speedy trials, to a question on Bike lanes she said more research needs to be done before just implementing a bike lane such as the one on Bronxdale Avenue that is very confusing and is causing accidents, and in what seemed to be a set up question she was asked about something she said in 2019 when comparing Morris Park to Van Nest, and it got very interesting when the Democratic State Committeewoman Christine Culpper who was sitting next to Ms. Nastasio's opponent brought up a cell phone to the exact page from 2019, which no one remembered except Ms. Culpper. 

Next up was John Zaccaro Jr. Ms. Nastacio's opponent. He very recently was named the Democratic nominee after Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez became the Democratic candidate for 34th State Senate. John said that he is thirty-three years old and has been in politics since the age of eighteen or fifteen years, he is the current Chief of Staff to South Bronx Councilman Rafael Salamanca who is term-limited in 2025 and rumored to be running for Bronx Borough President. In 2020 John lost his District Leader position in the 80th Assembly District, and his boss Councilman Salamanca who had announced he was interested in running for Bronx Borough President decided not to run for borough president but reelection as a South Bronx councilman. John mentioned he was involved in the Westchester Avenue Homeless shelter saying that his South Bronx Council District has fifty-five Homeless shelters. His experience includes a stint with the Department of Education, and West Bronx Housing. During questioning John tried to say that he never said Westchester Avenue Homeless shelter, but that he was involved in the White Plains Road shelter which he wasn't. He wants to continue the  discussion on the new concrete plaza on Pelham Parkway which angered environmentalist who has said there is enough concrete on the parkway, and more trees are needed. On bail reform he said that he would sit down with the Assembly Speaker, even though Speaker Heastie has said he will not budge on the issue of bail reform. 

The Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance executive board (L - R) Treasurer John Messinger, President Bernadette Ferrara, Senior Advisor Robert Nolan, Vice-President Sharlene Jackson Mendez, an Secretary Marion Manfredi. 

Candidate Phyllis 'Tiz' Nastasio listens to a question from the audience. 

While his opponent is answering question candidate John Zaccaro Jr., and Democratic Female District Leader Christine Culpepper turn around and appear to be asking a question to someone while another person behind her and candidate John Zaccaro Jr. is looking at their cell phone. 

Dmeocratic State Committeewoman Christine Culpepper would then bring up a cell phone with a Facebook comment from 2019 that she said candidate Nastasio had made comparing Van Nest to Morris Park.

Candidate John Zaccaro Jr. a very polish fifteen year veteran of Bronx politics now working for South Bronx Councilman Rafael Salamanca would get a South Bronx homeless shelter mixed up with the White Plains Road homeless shelter he claimed to be involved in the fight to stop. He would also have to answer to a local Pelham Parkway environmentalist why he is in favor on putting a concrete plaza on the  grass on the parkway. Finally he said that the No Cash Bail Law has not been a success going into a personal story with someone who was harassing his family, saying he would talk with the Speaker of the Assembly on changing the law, but Speaker Heastie has said he would not budge on the matter.