A.G. Schneiderman And NYSP Superintendent Beach Announce The Takedown Of Six Major Narcotics Trafficking Kingpins And Their Associates In “Operation Jailhouse Rock”

Ringleader Orchestrated His Cocaine Trafficking From Federal Prison Using A Smuggled Cellphone

20 Kilos Of Cocaine & Heroin Seized Including Kilos Sent Through The U.S. Mail

14 People Indicted In Cocaine & Heroin Trafficking Ring That Spanned New York, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida And Puerto Rico

Schneiderman: We Will Not Tolerate Drug Kingpins Trafficking Narcotics Into New York

   Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent George Beach announced today the indictment of 14 people for their roles in an alleged narcotics trafficking kingpin that spanned New York, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida, and Puerto Rico.

The yearlong investigation, dubbed “Operation Jailhouse Rock,” seized more than 20 kilos of cocaine and heroin, including kilos that were sent through U.S. mail, by four distinct large-scale trafficking operations connected by New York-based distributors. The total street value of the narcotics seized in the bust is approximately $1.53 million.

One of the ringleaders directed traffic via a contraband cellphone while serving out a ten-year remainder of a federal drug trafficking sentence in Florida. 

“This bust should send a clear message to dealers and traffickers that we will not tolerate drug kingpins brazenly trafficking narcotics into our state,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “My office will use every tool at our disposal to root out criminal drug operations and get dangerous narcotics off our streets. I want to thank the New York State Police for all of their help in bringing these defendants to justice.”

State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “I want to thank the Attorney General’s Office and our federal and local partners for their collaboration on this case. Because of this extensive cooperation between law enforcement agencies, we have disrupted a major drug trafficking operation and put 14 individuals behind bars. This case sends a strong message that we will not tolerate those who bring these dangerous drugs into our communities. “

The indictment, unsealed today in Bronx County Supreme Court Part 60, before Justice Steven Barrett, detailed a sophisticated distribution ring that moved cocaine from Puerto Rico to New York and other states, which was ultimately distributed across the eastern seaboard. Kilograms of cocaine were also sent through the mail hidden in boxing equipment and statues of Santa Maria destined for “catcher” or recipient locations in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. The heroin was transported and recovered in multiple states hidden in concealed compartments, also called “traps.”

The investigation utilized confidential informants, wiretaps, physical and video surveillance and strategic interceptions of narcotics carried out prior to their ultimately delivery destination. In the wiretaps, the defendants can allegedly be heard discussing methods of transportation, packaging, and tracking numbers and recipient names and addresses for the shipments sent through the mail.  Intercepted conversations also included conversations between the distributors and their “testers” who would discuss how well the cocaine “cooked” into crack cocaine and what their assessment was of the quality of the heroin once it was ingested. 

Those charged as major traffickers include:

• Angel Melendez Orsini (36), Miami Federal Prison
• Francisco Vega Vasquez (51), Caguas, PR
• Francisco Vega Cancel (26) Cidra, PR
• Juan Rodirguez (50) Bronx, NY
• Edwin Vega (40) Bronx, NY
• Jan Santiago Garcia (38) San Juan, PR

Others indicted include:

• Mayolo Toxqui (36) Bronx, NY
• William Estrada (37) Bronx, NY
• Juan Javier Rivera (38) Winter Haven, Fl
• Wilber Marquez Torres (31) Richmond Hill, NY
• Ramon Amaro (46) Bronx, NY
• Jamille Nelly Nieves (42) Carolina, PR
• George Suggs (54) Bronx, NY
• Victor Holloway (53) Kinston, NC

Those charged as major traffickers could face up to life in prison if convicted. All others could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

The investigation was conducted by OCTF Investigator Brian Fleming together with Supervising Investigator Paul Grzegorski and The New York State Police Special Investigations Unit, members of Troop K and C-NET. OCTF investigators are supervised by Deputy Chief Christopher Vasta. The Attorney General’s Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Investigator Dominick Zarrella. 

Several additional agencies assisted in the investigation, including the Drug Enforcement Agency, United States Postal Inspectors, Army Air National Guard, Virginia State Troopers, Deputy Warden Stevie Knight of the Federal Correctional Institution Miami, Orange County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshal Service, Bronx County District Attorney Darcel Clark, the New York City Police Department, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office.

The case is being prosecuted by OCTF Assistant Deputy Attorney General Howard Feldberg. Deputy Attorney General Peri Alyse Kadanoff runs the Organized Crime Task Force.

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

A.G. Schneiderman Announces $12 Million Settlement With Draftkings And Fanduel

Each Company Agrees To Pay $6 Million For Repeated False Advertising Violations In New York; Year-Long Investigation Found That Both Companies Had Consistently Misled Consumers In Advertisements

Companies Agree To Sweeping Marketing Reforms, Including Enhanced Disclosure To Users About Terms and Conditions Of Marketing Promotions, Expected Winnings, And Rates Of Success

Schneiderman: Today’s Settlement Makes It Clear That No Company Has A Right To Deceive New Yorkers For Its Own Profit

   Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that his office has reached separate $6 million settlements – for a total of $12 million in penalties and costs - with DraftKings and FanDuel, resolving lawsuits alleging false and deceptive advertising practices by the companies. The settlement agreements impose the highest New York penalty awards for deceptive advertising in recent memory. The agreements also require sweeping reforms to the companies’ marketing, including clear disclosure of terms and conditions for marketing promotions, expected winnings, and expected performance in the online contests, as well as resources for players at risk for compulsive gaming disorders, including addiction. Furthermore, the companies will be required to maintain a webpage that provides information about the rate of success of users in its contests, including the percentage of winnings captured by the top 1%, 5% and 10% of players.

Attorney General Schneiderman said, “Today’s settlements make it clear that no company has a right to deceive New Yorkers for its own profit. DraftKings and FanDuel will now be required to operate with greater transparency and disclosure and to permanently end the misrepresentations they made to millions of consumers. These agreements will help ensure that both companies operate, honestly and lawfully in the future.”  

The Attorney General’s investigation found, among other violations, that the companies:

• Misled casual and novice players about the substantial advantages of high-volume and professional players, which included using automated computer “scripts” and sophisticated statistical and game theory strategies;
• Gave false and misleading statistics in marketing and advertising about the likelihood that players will win cash prizes and earn a positive return on their entry fees (in fact, most players lost money over time);
• Deceptively promised to match a player’s initial deposit in marketing promotions, while providing a much less generous rebate on entry fees; and
• Marketed its contests as harmless fun, while failing to disclose the danger to populations at risk for compulsive gaming and addiction or provide responsible safeguards.

The agreements cover penalties for the deceptive advertising. The Attorney General’s Office reviewed and considered the financial condition of the companies in determining the amount and schedule for the settlement payments.

The settlement with FanDuel is available here and the settlement with DraftKings is available here. 

On March 21, 2016, the OAG reached a partial settlement with DraftKings and FanDuel, which required the companies to stop accepting entry fees in New York until the games became expressly legalized in New York State. The settlement allowed the OAG to continue to pursue claims of false and deceptive advertising against DraftKings and FanDuel.

On June 18, 2016, the State Legislature passed a bill legalizing and regulating Daily Fantasy Sports contests, which was signed into law on August 3, 2016.  Today’s settlement agreement resolves all outstanding claims against DraftKings and FanDuel by the OAG.

52nd Precinct Community Council Fellowship Breakfast

  The 52nd Precinct Community Council Fellowship Recognition Breakfast will be held on Friday, October28th, from 9:30 AM-12:30 PM at Monroe College, 2501 Jerome Avenue.

You can RSVP from October 22 to 27th to Brenda Caldwell-Paris 917-650-0620, Grace Seimer 718-220-3183, Sallie Caldwell 718-367-3066 or the 52 Precinct Community Affairs Office 718-220-5824, with PO Reveron, Puente, and Cortez.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Senator Jeff Klein Allocate Over a Quarter Million Dollars in State Funding to High School of American Studies at Lehman College

Senator Jeff Klein, and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz awarded High School of American Studies at Lehman College over a quarter of a million dollars in state funding on October 25^th to improve this top school. High School of American Studies, a specialized high school, serves many gifted students from the community and from throughout the city. As the school approaches its 15^th anniversary, it is considered one of the best high schools in the country.

Senator Klein and Assemblyman Dinowitz allocated a combined $270,000 in state funding. The $145,000 from the State Senate will allow the school to build retractable walls in some of its larger rooms. The $125,000 from the State Assembly will be used for furniture, laptops, and various high tech pieces of equipment.

“I am so proud of High School of American Studies and all of its students, teachers, staff and principal. The school has achieved amazing success and I am pleased that I was able to secure funding to help enhance the education of these great students,” said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

“As the High School of American Studies nears its 15^th anniversary I am excited to work to ensure that the coming years are as successful as the past.  Over the years the high school has demonstrated great success in educating students from The Bronx and across the city.  These improvements will allow teachers and staff to continue that mission,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

 Pictured are PA Co-President Alice Lee, President of Lehman College José L. Cruz, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Principal Alessandro Weiss, Senator Jeff Klein and PA Co President Unjoo Trebach.

Chancellor Fariña and Commissioner O’Neill Announce Expansion of Team Up! Tuesday Initiative

   Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña and Police Commissioner James O’Neill attended a Team Up! Tuesday event at The Hunts Point Middle School in the Bronx today with officers from the 41st precinct and School Safety officers assigned to the school. They visited classrooms, participated in a restorative circle, and cheered on students and officers playing in a basketball game. 

Above - Chancellor Farina asks the opinion of students of the new Team Up Tuesday program.

Below - The Chancellor gets the opinion of one of the students. Both students and police officers liked the idea of getting to know one another better.

“Building strong community relationships from an early age is essential to ensuring that New Yorkers across the City are aware of the many supports available to them,” Mayor Bill de Blasio has said. “Team Up! Tuesday is an important opportunity for middle school students to connect with officers from their local precincts and strengthen relationships through engaging activities.” 

“Through Team Up Tuesday!, schools and precincts are coming together to make meaningful connections and build community,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the NYPD to support our students and officers as they collaborate and build relationships of mutual respect and support, and I look forward to bringing it to more schools next years.” 

“Team Up! Tuesday is one of many ways the Police Department and Department of Education work together and it is another opportunity to build meaningful relationships between students, teachers, and officers,” said Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “My cops are excited to continue building new relationships with students at middle schools in every borough.” 

These events introduce students to officers in their local precinct and provide an opportunity to hear directly from them about their personal experiences and will help build rapport. The expansion of Team Up! Tuesday also includes a new parent engagement component – schools are inviting families to participate in activities so the entire community is involved. As part of the ongoing effort to promote partnership between the school community and police, the DOE is encouraging schools to continue to build upon these new connections throughout the school year. 

Above - The Chancellor and police commissioner participated in the Restorative Circle where one at a time when given the Kouch Ball spoke about what they felt. Today the group used preprinted index cards with topics on them.

Below - It is the turn of one of the students to speak her mind on the subject on her card.

Above - It was Police Commissioner James O'Neill's turn to speak, as he holds up his card with his topic on it.

Below - Later, there was a press conference where the chancellor and police commissioner answered a few questions from reporters. I was able to say that as a former middle school Parent's Association President that there was a similar program years ago in middle schools which was discontinued. When I asked Commissioner O'Neill why the program was disbanded, he just spoke about the new program now in effect. 

Save the Senate By John Kasich Republican Governor of Ohio

The Democrats are just four seats away from winning a majority in the U.S. Senate, but we can stop them. At least half a dozen campaigns are too close to call and we need to do all that we can to win them and hold our majority!   If Hillary becomes president, it is vital that Republicans keep control of the United States Senate. Today, we're launching a Save the Senate campaign to raise the funds to ensure that our Republican team wins. I've been traveling the country doing everything I can to make sure down ballot Republicans win, but now I need your help.  Thank you for all that you’re doing to help. John Kasich Governor of Ohio EDITOR'S NOTE: The above comes from a man who pledged to honor and support the winner of the Presidential Republican Primary which Governor Kasich was a candidate. Not only did Governor Kasich lose badly, but John Kasich has not kept his word on supporting the Republican candidate for president. In fact John Kasich has gone out of his way to try to get Donald Trump removed as the Republican Party candidate for president. When his term of office expires the people of Ohio should not re-elect John Kasich.

New York State Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz - Looks to Unused Religious Properties To Fight School Overcrowding

In A letter to Department of Education, Bronx Assembly Member calls on city to consider acquiring vacant Catholic Diocese property to fight severe overcrowding and poor conditions at District 10 public schools

 

Dinowitz request comes as private developers target old churches and synagogues for condo development

   To fight the rampant overcrowding at public schools in the Bronx and around the city, New York State Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz is turning to religion. In a letter to New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña, the Bronx Assemblyman is urging the city to consider purchasing an unused Catholic Diocese property to reduce crowding and address poor conditions at area schools.

 

"Private developers all over the city are snatching up unused religious properties to convert into condos. Buildings like Church of the Visitation were intended for the greater public good and it only makes sense that we consider them for new public uses," said Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz. "That's why I urge the Department of Education to consider acquiring this and other unused Catholic Diocese properties in the Bronx to help alleviate the overcrowding and poor conditions our children face."

In a letter to Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña, Assembly Member Dinowitz called on the city to consider acquiring a property currently owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of New York. Dinowitz writes that the former Church of the Visitation off Van Cortlandt Park sits "at the crossroads" of the zones for four local schools: P.S. 95, P.S. 7, P.S. 24 and P.S. 81. Acquiring this property, Dinowitz argues, would help alleviate crowding within School District 10 and provide families with a new state-of-the-art-facility.

 

As Dinowitz points out, there is a precedent for the proposal. Recently, the city relocated P.S. 315 from the southern end of District 10 to the former Our Lady of Angels School. Meanwhile, nearby P.S. 307, itself located in a former synagogue just three blocks from Our Lady, continues to suffer from serious maintenance issues that Dinowitz contends puts students at a "severe disadvantage." To address this, the Assembly Member has called on the city to find a similar solution as with P.S. 315.    

Both issues come as the local School District 10 faces serious overcrowding issues. According to a 2015 Independent Budget Office report, District 10 ranked as the most crowded school district in the borough at a time when 80% of city schools exceed state-mandated limits on class size.

 

Assembly Member Dinowitz has been at the forefront of efforts to reduce school overcrowding and secure resources for students. In recent months, Dinowitz has been at the center of the fight to address overcrowding at P.S. 24 in Riverdale. Just this week, Dinowitz and fellow legislators called on the city to allocate state education resources to increasing diversity at the city's specialized high schools.

 

To garner support for his school acquisition proposal, Dinowitz intends to address the local Community Board and civic groups in the coming weeks. For the veteran lawmaker, his responsibility to area school children is clear.

 

"Providing our children with the tools to succeed is one of my greatest responsibilities as an elected official. If we can't ensure students a quality education, then the whole community suffers," concluded Assemblyman Dinowitz.

Council Member Cohen Launches "District 11 Community Activist of the Month" Award

Wakefield Parks Activist Audrey McAllister Receives Inaugural Honor

Council Member Andrew Cohen has announced that he is launching a new “District 11 Community Activist of the Month” award, and the inaugural honor will go to Audrey McAllister, a Wakefield resident.

Cohen is launching “District 11 Community Activist of the Month” for one specific purpose: to recognize individuals who have advocated successfully on community issues of concern to them. He hopes that this initiative will encourage more residents to become further engaged in the community and raise awareness that his office is a resource available to everyone.

“In devising this program, my plan is to single out residents who have pushed for, and achieved, civic

improvements, whether large or small,” said Council Member Cohen. “Audrey McAllister has modeled the type of community activism I’d like to nurture—she has persistently and thoughtfully targeted issues in Wakefield, and possible improvements that could benefit many individuals, and we were able to resolve a number of her concerns as a result of her cooperative efforts with my office. “

Cohen noted that McAllister first became involved with his district office through the Participatory Budgeting process, suggesting improvements to parks and where she voluntarily became further involved with PB serving as a budget delegate. She also attends monthly meetings of civic groups in her neighborhood, and interfaces with school groups to draw attention to issues, he added.

Citing an example, Cohen noted that McAllister proposed improvements to the Wakefield playground. He partnered with State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Assembly Member Jeff Dinowitz and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. to allocate $2.2 million in capital funds, $950,000 from Cohen, for improvements to the Wakefield playground.

Ms. McAllister has also created the Friends of Wakefield Playground advocacy group and she volunteers to maintain the Playground, one of the only public recreational spaces in the community. Additionally, she has advocated for traffic safety and other quality of life improvements in the neighborhood.

“McAllister’s efforts have resulted in a better Wakefield neighborhood,” said Cohen. “She deserves to be named ‘District 11 Community Activist of the Month’.”