NYC Small Business Services - Love Your Local NYC Neighborhood Businesses

Love Your Local Neighborhood Business

New York City’s neighborhood businesses keep us going 24/7 and give us local connections in our fast-paced city. In February, the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) launched Love Your Local, a new program to show neighborhood businesses how much we care and we're still taking nominations! All New Yorkers (including business owners) are invited to submit their favorite businesses to the Love Your Local map. Later this year, twenty businesses will be selected to receive expert advice and up to $90K in grants to keep their businesses strong & vital.  Love Your Local is for independent businesses, located in the five boroughs that operate in space they rent, not own. Special consideration will be given to longstanding businesses, in operation for twenty years or more, but businesses at least three years old are eligible. SBS will highlight the businesses you share throughout the spring and summer using the #LoveYourLocalNYC hashtag. Help your favorite restaurant, bodega, or dry cleaner get on the map and stay on the map. Spread the love with Love Your Local today!

KRVC - Upcoming Community Events

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South Bronx Unite - Sat, July 15, 10:30 am - Enviro Justice Waterfront Bike Tour

Waterfront Alliance City of Water Day South Bronx Environmental Justice Waterfront Bike Tour

Saturday, July 15, 10:30 am Meet at Brook Park (Brook Avenue and 141st Street) RSVP

Join South Bronx Unite as we partner with Friends of Brook Park and TIMES UP! to host a South Bronx environmental justice waterfront bike tour - part of the annual Waterfront Alliance City of Water Day. Bikers will learn about the community's ongoing fight against the disproportionate siting of waste transfer stations and fossil fuel power plants, and will learn about the people's environmental impact study, a dynamic effort being undertaken in partnership with Columbia University to monitor air quality and traffic pre- and post-arrival of FreshDirect, a company given $150 million to relocate its diesel trucking business to the South Bronx waterfront (relying on a 21 year old environmental impact statement to assess the effect of 1,000 more diesel truck trips through a community where one in five children have asthma.) We will also bike to the 132nd Street Pier, the Port Morris Gantries and the Lincoln Avenue waterfront to discuss the community-developed and -driven Mott Haven-Port Morris Waterfront Plan, a blueprint for a public waterfront now recognized as a priority project on the State Open Space Plan, and we will discuss the unprecedented real estate speculation threatening displacement and what the community is doing to confront it.  The group will then travel up the west side of the peninsula to Pier 5 where the city is currently trying to reneg on its promise to provide public green space and waterfront access in favor of additional residential highrise buildings. The bike tour will end at Mill Pond Park, where we will join together with the Bronx Council for Environmental Quality, Harlem River Working Group and the Bronx Children's Museum to host a waterfront family day with music, food, rock-climbing, children's games, face painting, water testing and other environmental demonstrations.   Join us! - RSVP

“BMB” Gang Member Charged With 2010 Murder Of 15-Year-Old Boy Who Was Mistaken For Rival Gang Member

   Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Angel M. Melendez, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”),  Ashan M. Benedict, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and James J. Hunt, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced that DOMINICK SHERLAND, a/k/a “D-Nick,” was charged today in a Superseding Indictment with the murder of Jeffrey Delmore, who was stabbed to death on May 15, 2010, at the age of 15.  SHERLAND, along with 62 others, was originally charged on April 27, 2016, with racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, and firearms offenses in connection with his membership in the “Big Money Bosses” (“BMB”), a violent street gang that operated primarily on White Plains Road from 215th Street to 233rd Street in the Bronx.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “As alleged, Dominick Sherland mistook 15-year-old Jeffrey Delmore for a gang rival, and stabbed him to death in defense of gang turf.  This brutal and senseless murder ended a young life.  Thanks to the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners, we are one step closer to providing Jeffrey Delmore’s family with the justice they deserve.”

HSI SAC Angel Melendez said:  “Dominick Sherland is already facing trial for a slew of charges including narcotics distribution and racketeering, and now he faces charges of murder for allegedly stabbing a 15-year-old boy to death as he pled for his life.  The alleged heinous act of this individual certifies that our unrelenting efforts to crack down on gang activity and the ensuing violence are necessary, and HSI and its partners will not waiver in that resolve.”

ATF SAC Ashan M. Benedict said:  “The members of BMB, including the defendant, terrorized the streets of the Northern Bronx, committing numerous wanton acts of violence. The alleged homicide of an innocent victim mistaken as a member of a rival gang highlights the depth of the defendant’s alleged depravity and the senselessness of the violence the defendant and his criminal associates allegedly brought to the streets. Today’s charges demonstrate that our investigation has not stopped, and that we will continue to hold these gang members accountable to ensure they face justice for all the crimes they are alleged to have committed.”

DEA SAC James J. Hunt said:  “Drug trafficking and violent crime are synonymous with gang activity. It is not surprising that additional crimes were unearthed as a result of last year’s massive gang takedown targeting the 2Fly YGZ and the BMB. What are shocking and appalling are casualties of this gang war; including the murder of a teenage boy whose identity was mistaken.”

According to the Superseding Indictment[1] and other documents filed in the case, as well as public proceedings in this case:

BMB was a subset of the “Young Bosses,” or “YBz” street gang, which operates throughout New York City.  Between 2007 and 2016, members and associates of BMB committed numerous acts of violence against rival gang members in the Bronx – including murders, attempted murders, and armed robberies – and sold crack cocaine and marijuana.  

SHERLAND was a member of BMB.  On May 15, 2010, SHERLAND and a group of other BMB members encountered a group of people in the vicinity of Gun Hill Road in the Bronx who the BMB members believed were members of the rival 2Fly YGz (“2Fly”) gang, which was based at the Eastchester Gardens public housing development.  The BMB members mistook Delmore for a member of 2Fly.  SHERLAND stabbed Delmore to death as Delmore pled for his life.

SHERLAND, 25, of the Bronx, New York, was arrested on April 27, 2016, and has been detained pending trial.  In the Superseding Indictment, he is charged with murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; narcotics conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison; possessing a firearm during the narcotics conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed; and discharging a firearm during the racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum of sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the judge.  SHERLAND is scheduled for trial on November 6, 2017, before United States District Judge Alison J. Nathan.

SHERLAND was arrested in this case as a result of a multi-year investigation by the Bronx Gang Squad of the NYPD, the HSI Violent Gang Unit, the DEA, and the Joint Firearms Task Force of ATF into gang violence in the Northern Bronx. On April 27, 2016, Indictment S2 15 Cr. 95 (AJN) was unsealed, charging 63 members and associates of BMB, including SHERLAND, with racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, narcotics distribution, and firearms charges.  To date, 49 of these defendants have pled guilty.  Also on April 27, 2016, Indictment S1 16 Cr. 212 (LAK) was unsealed, charging 57 members of 2Fly with the same offenses.  To date, 54 of these defendants have pled guilty.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding work of the NYPD’s 49th Precinct Detective Squad, the NYPD’s Bronx Gang Squad, HSI, DEA, ATF, and the Department of Investigation, NYCHA Inspector General’s Office.  He also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their ongoing support in this investigation.

 [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the descriptions of the Indictment constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Owner And CFO Of Debt Collection Company Sentenced To 7 ½ Years In Prison For Orchestrating $31 Million Debt Collection Scheme

All 14 Defendants Convicted in Largest Debt Collection Scheme Ever Prosecuted

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MAURICE SESSUM, the co-owner and chief financial officer of Four Star Resolution (“Four Star”), a Buffalo, New York-based debt collection company, was sentenced in Manhattan federal court to 90 months in prison for orchestrating a scheme to coerce thousands of victims across the country, through misrepresentations and false threats, into paying a total of more than $31 million to Four Star to resolve debts these victims purportedly owed. All 14 individuals charged in connection with the Four Star scheme have been convicted. SESSUM pled guilty on November 18, 2016, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud before U.S. District Court Judge Katherine Polk Failla, who also imposed today’s sentence.

Acting U.S. Attorney Kim said: “Maurice Sessum was a driving force behind the largest criminal debt collection scheme ever prosecuted. Using outrageous threats and blatant lies to take advantage of vulnerable Americans, Sessum and his co-conspirators defrauded victims out of $31 million. For victimizing others to enrich himself, Sessum will now serve a significant term in federal prison.”

According to the Indictment and other filings in Manhattan federal court, and statements made in connection with SESSUM’s sentencing and other court proceedings:

Between 2010 and February 2015, SESSUM was the co-owner, chief financial officer, and chief operating officer of the Four Star. In that capacity, SESSUM, together with his co-defendant and co-owner, Travell Thomas, oversaw four debt collection offices operated by Four Star in Buffalo as well as a team of managers and debt collectors. As part of the scheme, SESSUM and Travell Thomas falsely inflated the balances of debts owed by consumers in Four Star’s debt collection software so that debt collectors could collect more money from the victims than the victims actually owed.

As co-owner of Four Star, SESSUM approved debt collection scripts that contained a variety of misrepresentations and instructed his collectors to make those misrepresentations to consumers over the telephone. At the direction of SESSUM and Thomas, Four Star’s debt collectors, using a variety of aliases, attempted to trick and coerce thousands of victims throughout the United States into paying millions of dollars in consumer debts through a variety of false statements and false threats, including that: (1) Four Star was affiliated with local government and law enforcement agencies, including the “county” and the district attorney’s office; (2) the consumers had committed criminal acts, such as “wire fraud” or “check fraud,” and if they did not pay the debt immediately, warrants or other process would be issued, at which point they would be arrested or hauled into court; (3) the victims would have their driver’s licenses suspended if they did not pay their debts immediately; (4) Four Star was a law firm or mediation firm and that Four Star’s employees were working with lawyers, a law firm, mediators, or arbitrators; and (5) a civil lawsuit would be filed, or was pending, against the victims for failing to pay their debts. SESSUM and Thomas also approved an abusive and coercive “mailing campaign,” in which Four Star sent mailers to victims across the country that purported to be from courts and government agencies.

In total, from about January 2010 through November 2014, Four Star collected more than $31 million from thousands of victims across the United States. Of the money that Four Star took in from victims, millions of dollars were paid in cash to SESSUM and Thomas, and hundreds of thousands of dollars were used to pay for SESSUM’s personal expenses, including for gambling and season tickets for professional sports games.

In addition to his prison term, SESSUM, 40, of Buffalo, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release, and ordered to forfeit $31 million.

In total, 14 individuals associated with Four Star have been charged and pled guilty to defrauding consumers as part of this debt collection scheme. In addition to SESSUM, co-owner and chief executive officer Travell Thomas, managers Jimmy Stokes, Tacoby Thomas, Heather Gasta, Mark Lavin, and John Salatino, and debt collectors Anthony Caba, Jessica Mann, Charles Starks, William Clark, Columbus Simmons, Michael Calandra, and Jennifer Sherk each pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud for their roles in the scheme.

Travell Thomas, Tacoby Thomas, Starks, Caba, Clark, Simmonds, Calandra, and Mann were sentenced by Judge Failla to prison terms of 100 months, 70 months, 37 months, 36 months, 30 months, 28 months, 15 months, and one year and one day, respectively. The sentencing of the other defendants who have pled guilty is pending.

Mr. Kim praised the efforts of the Office’s Criminal Investigators, who led the investigation of this matter. Mr. Kim also thanked the Federal Trade Commission for referring the case and for its assistance.

Three Defendants Charged With 2008 Murder During Attempted Armed Robbery

   Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of a federal indictment charging LUIGI JAQUEZ, KARILIE HERRERA, a/k/a “Choco,” a/k/a “Choco Black,” and SACHA SANTIAGO with the June 24, 2008, murder of Maximiliano Campusano, 33.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “As alleged, Jaquez, Herrera, and Santiago planned the gunpoint robbery of Maximiliano Campusano, which ended in Campusano’s murder.  Thanks to the outstanding work of the FBI, the defendants have been arrested and charged with this terrible crime.  We will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement, no matter how much time passes, to hold murderers responsible for their crimes.” 

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. stated:  “More than nine years has passed since Mr. Campusano was murdered, but time doesn’t change the fact that those responsible deserve to be brought to justice. We want the community we serve to know we are committed to tracking down and following all the evidence to solve crimes, no matter how much time it takes.”

According to the Indictment[1]: 

On June 24, 2008, JAQUEZ, HERRERA, and SANTIAGO planned to rob, and attempted to rob, Campusano, using a gun, in the vicinity of 20 Bogardus Place, New York, New York.  During the attempt to carry out the armed robbery, one of the charged defendants’ co-conspirators shot and killed Campusano. 

JAQUEZ, 28, and SANTIAGO, 25, both of Manhattan, New York, were arrested this morning by the FBI.  HERRERA, 26, also of Manhattan, New York, was taken into federal custody yesterday evening.  The defendants will be presented later today before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman.  The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Paul A. Crotty.

The sole count of the Indictment charges the defendants with use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in the murder of Campusano, and aiding and abetting the same.  JAQUEZ faces a maximum sentence of life in prison or death.  HERRERA and SANTIAGO face a maximum sentence of life in prison.  The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim thanked the New York City Police Department’s 34th Precinct Detective Squad for its determined efforts in this investigation.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the descriptions of the Indictment constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Six Defendants Charged In White Plains Federal Court With Narcotics Trafficking In Westchester County

   Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Field Division (“DEA”), and Charles Gardner, the Commissioner of the City of Yonkers Police Department (“YPD”), announced today the unsealing of an indictment and a complaint charging six defendants with allegedly engaging in the distribution of heroin throughout the Southern District of New York. Five defendants were taken into federal custody today, and will be presented in White Plains federal court this afternoon before United States Magistrate Lisa M. Smith. JAMES ODELL WHITTED remains at large.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As alleged, these defendants contributed to the rising tide of heroin that is plaguing suburb and city alike. Thanks to the excellent work of the DEA and the Yonkers Police Department, we hope to stem that tide and protect our communities from this epidemic.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt said: “Gangs are actively capitalizing on opioid addiction by pushing potent heroin onto our streets. In this case, heroin was allegedly being trafficked throughout Yonkers, Westchester and Newburgh communities, increasing the risks of potential overdoses caused by opioids. I applaud the men and women of the Westchester Task Force and the US Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York for their diligence in this investigation and commitment to safeguarding public health.”

Yonkers Police Commissioner Charles Gardner said: “These arrests will reduce the availability of heroin in our community and help fight the opioid epidemic we are experiencing. I would like to specifically thank the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the US DEA Westchester Task Force for their support and tenacious efforts in this investigation.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in White Plains federal court[1]:

From at least in or about February 2017 up to and including in or about June 2017, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, CHRISTOPHER COLEMAN, a/k/a “Fox,” JONATHAN ACQUINO, a/k/a “Jonathan Aquino,” a/k/a “Jonathan Harvey-Acquino,” a/k/a “Gotti,” JAMES ODELL WHITTED, a/k/a “Odell,” a/k/a “O,” LEIBYS MERCEDES, a/k/a “Celly,” a/k/a “Sonny,” BRANDEN JONES, a/k/a “Branden Mima,” a/k/a “Marlo,” conspired to distribute 100 grams and more of heroin.

As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today in White Plains federal court[2]:

LISA HENDERSON and COLEMAN conspired to distribute heroin. Specifically, HENDERSON assisted COLEMAN in packaging the heroin for resale and allowed COLEMAN to store narcotics trafficking paraphernalia in HENDERSON’s apartment.

The defendants COLEMAN, ACQUINO, WHITTED, MERCEDES, and JONES each face a maximum term of 40 years in prison, and a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison.

The defendant LISA HENDERSON faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison.

A chart containing the names of the defendants who were arrested and charged today, and the charges and maximum penalties they face, is attached.

The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for information purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by the respective judges.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Westchester Resident Office and the Narcotics Unit of the City of Yonkers Police Department. The DEA’s Westchester Resident Office comprises agents and officers of the DEA, Westchester Police Department, New Rochelle Police Department, Yonkers Police Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, White Plains Police Department, and Port Chester Police Department. Mr. Kim also thanked the United States Marshals Service and the United States Probation Office for their assistance in taking the defendants into custody.

The charges contained in the Indictment and the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

CHARGE(S)	DEFENDANTS	MAXIMUM PENALTIES
Narcotics conspiracy (Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams and more of heroin.)	CHRISTOPHER COLEMAN, a/k/a “Fox”   JONATHAN ACQUINO, a/k/a “Jonathan Aquino,” a/k/a “Jonathan Harvey-Acquino,” a/k/a “Gotti”   JAMES ODELL WHITTED, a/k/a “Odell,” a/k/a “O”   LEIBYS MERCEDES, a/k/a “Celly,” a/k/a “Sonny”   BRANDEN JONES, a/k/a “Branden Mima,” a/k/a “Marlo”	40 years in prison   Mandatory minimum: 5 years in prison
Narcotics conspiracy (Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin.)	LISA HENDERSON	20 years in prison

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

[2] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE FOR FIRST-DEGREE MURDER OF HOMELESS SHELTER DIRECTOR

Defendant Shot At Victim As She Tried to Escape Following Sexual Abuse 

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree Murder of the director of a homeless shelter in which he formerly resided. 

  District Attorney Clark said, “This was a heart-wrenching case that shocked our community. The victim, a mother of two children, had come to the Bronx from her native Spain in the hope of helping the neediest population. The defendant brutally murdered her and callously left her body on the street. He will now spend the rest of his life behind bars, never to walk our streets again. I hope this will bring a measure of justice to the victim’s family.” 

  District Attorney Clark said the defendant, West Spruill, 41, was sentenced today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy to life in prison without parole for first-degree Murder. He also received two sentences of 15 years followed by five years post-release supervision to run concurrently for two counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. He was convicted by a jury on May 24, 2017 after a four-and-a-half week trial.

  According to trial testimony, on April 27, 2015, Spruill sexually abused Ana Charle, 36, inside her vehicle, causing her to flee naked as her assailant chased after her with a gun. Spruill then fired at her multiple times, causing her death. Charle’s car was found two blocks from where she had originally parked it to go to work at the Bronx Boulevard Men’s Shelter, where Spruill had resided until early January, 2015. Spruill fled the scene on foot and was apprehended minutes later. DNA found on the victim was linked to the defendant.