Town Hall Meeting at Van Cortlandt Village

  Gary Axelbank host of Bronxtalk a local cable television show on Bronxnet was the moderator for the Town Hall meeting in Van Cortlandt Village in which Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman Andrew Cohen, and State Senator Elect Alessandra Biaggi answered questions from members in the audience.

  While the districts may overlap in many areas they are different in size, with the State Senate district being the largest. Questions were on many different topics effecting different areas of all three elected officials districts were asked. It should be noted that Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz has been in office for over twenty-four years, Councilman Andrew Cohen has been in office for five years, and State Senator Alessandra Biaggi will be sworn into office the first week of January. 

  Questions included - What is State Senator Biaggi going to do first when she takes office? Senator Biaggi answered by saying that there were fifteen new Democratic State Senators elected, Democrats now have a strong majority there, and that the current Senate Democratic Conference Leader Senator Stewart-Cousins will become the Senate Majority Leader. As for first items, fiscal compliance, election reform, early voting, ending voter suppression, and Women's Health Right's. 

  A question of what will happen to the old Van Cortland Village library building when the new library opens up was answered by Assemblyman Dinowitz, who said that the building is privately owned, and he doesn't know. To a question of supporting Daylighting Tibbetts Brook, and paving the Putnam Trail all three were in favor of the Tibbetts Brook project. On the matter of the Putnam Trail Cohen is in favor of the proposed Putnam Trail, Dinowitz having mixed feelings, and Biaggi admitting that she was not fully knowledgeable on the Putnam Trail.   

   A question on the future of the local private PreK program in the neighborhood, Councilman Cohen answered that the local public schools do not have any space for PreK programs in his council district. 

  Other questions were about a controversial housing project in Riverdale, healthcare, pot holes, future plastic bag legislation, the MTA, the future of the now empty nearby Visitation Church, the Amazon deal with the city and state by the mayor and governor, the possibility of free tuition returning to city colleges and Gary Axelbank's favorite topic the Croton Water Filtration Plant and the Jerome Park Reservoir. 

  The packed room may not have gotten all the answers they wanted, but almost everyone left with a good feeling that they received not only answers, but truths when new State Senator Alessandra Biaggi honestly answered the questions even admitting that she did not know as much as the other two elected official at the table, for the moment. After the town hall was over the elected officials stayed to talk with anyone who may not of had their question asked.

Congressman Eliot Engel - Statement on the Passing of President George H.W. Bush

  “Pat and I are deeply saddened by the passing of President George H. W. Bush. We send our condolences to the entire Bush family. President Bush’s life was one of service to the country he loved, marked by unfailing patriotism, integrity, and decency. From his service in World War II to the halls of Congress, from the thick of the intelligence community to the diplomatic ranks, and finally rising to become our 41st President, George lived a remarkable, uniquely American life.

“As Commander-in-chief, he presided over one of the most consequential periods in modern history, as the Cold War ended and the Soviet empire crumbled. In less capable, or more reckless hands, this era could have descended into chaos. But thanks in large part to George Bush’s deft and patient diplomacy, the world saw a decade in which peace and stability spread across the globe. This is a remarkable legacy.

“He was a kind man, a respected man, and a great leader. He will be sorely missed.” 

Morris Park Town Hall Meeting on Morris Park Avenue 'Road Diet'

  Al D'Angelo the President of the Morris Park Community Association opens the Town Hall meeting by the MPCA on the proposal from the New York City Department of Transportation to change Morris Park Avenue from four lanes of traffic to two lanes of traffic. This is known as a 'Road Diet'. 

  He said that the MPCA, merchants on Morris Park Avenue, and residents who live or shop on Morris Park Avenue are opposed to the Road Diet plan by the DOT. In the audience to listen was the Bronx DOT Commissioner Nivardo Lopez. Commissioner Lopez did not speak, but after the meeting did talk with people who attended the meeting. 

  It should be noted that approximately 100 people were in attendance with twenty-five speaking against, and two in favor of the road diet proposal.

Above - Bronx DOT Commissioner Nivardo Lopez took notes as he listened to the people speak as to why they were opposed or for to the proposed Road Diet for Morris Park Avenue.

Below - Councilman Mark Gjonaj speaks against the Road Diet proposal for Morris Park Avenue. Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez and Assemblyman Michael Benedetto also spoke against the proposal by DOT.

Above - Allerton Avenue Merchants Association President Gene DeFrancis replies to a comment about the 'Allerton Avenue Road Diet'. He stated that the road diet there does not go through the merchant area, and is only in the residential part of the road.

Below - Community Activist Roxanne Delgado blasted the MPCA for what she called a staged meeting with only opponents to the road diet on the stage. She is for the road diet proposal. 

MPCA President D'Angelo answered by saying that the people on the stage are all members of the MPCa who are sponsoring the town hall meeting. 

Bronx Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For 2010 Murder

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JOSE SANTIAGO-ORTIZ was sentenced today to three consecutive life sentences for murder, participating in a narcotics conspiracy, and firearms offenses.  SANTIAGO-ORTIZ was convicted on May 15, 2018, following a one-week jury trial before U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, who also imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Over eight years ago, in service of a violent drug crew, Jose Santiago-Ortiz brutally and senselessly murdered Jerry Tide.  Now, thanks to the extraordinary work of the FBI, Santiago-Ortiz stands convicted of that murder and other crimes, and will spend the rest of his life in prison.”

According to the Complaint, the Indictment, other filings in Manhattan federal court, evidence at trial, and statements made in court proceedings:

On September 11, 2010, SANTIAGO-ORTIZ shot and killed Jerry Tide in the vicinity of Jerome Avenue and 182nd Street in the Bronx.  Between 2010 and November 2015, SANTIAGO-ORTIZ was the leader of a violent heroin trafficking enterprise (the “Flow Heroin Enterprise”) that trafficked kilogram quantities of heroin, stamped “Flow,” in the Bronx and to Rutland, Vermont.  SANTIAGO-ORTIZ killed Jerry Tide in part to increase his position within the Flow Heroin Enterprise.  Following his arrest on state charges in March 2014, SANTIAGO-ORTIZ continued to direct narcotics trafficking and acts of violence from prison.  In addition, in 2015, members of the Flow Heroin Enterprise engaged in several shootings with rival drug dealers in the Bronx.

In addition to the prison term, SANTIAGO-ORTIZ, 27, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Mr. Berman thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Field Division for their work on the investigation.

Bronx Man Sentenced To More Than 12 Years In Prison For Facilitation Of Sex Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, Firearms, And Identity Theft Crimes

Kevin Pinnock Posted Advertisements Online for Women He Forced to Engage in Commercial Sex

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that KEVIN PINNOCK, a/k/a “Kev Savage,” a/k/a “Sav,” was sentenced yesterday to 12 years and three months in prison for using the internet to facilitate sex trafficking, possessing crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing stolen identification documents.  PINNOCK previously pled guilty before United States District Judge Deborah A. Batts, who also imposed yesterday’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Kevin Pinnock used violence and coercion to force women to engage in commercial sex for his own profit.  He will now serve a substantial prison sentence for his crimes.  The prosecution of Kevin Pinnock is part of our determined effort to deliver justice to victims of sex trafficking and other forms of commercial exploitation, and to deter others from engaging in this predatory criminal conduct.”

In sentencing PINNOCK, Judge Batts said:  “The nature of the crimes in which the defendant was convicted” were “unspeakable, violent, gratuitous crimes he arrogantly committed on young women for his financial gain,” and that his theft of others’ identities “show[s] a shocking disregard on the part of the defendant for the havoc his crimes create for innocent victims in terms of their ruined credit and long-term ramifications on their financial lives.”

According to the Complaint, Indictment, Superseding Indictment, and other documents filed in the case, as well as statements made during court proceedings:

In 2015 and 2016, PINNOCK posted online advertisements to solicit customers to engage in commercial sex with women PINNOCK forced into prostitution by violence, abuse, and coercion.  PINNOCK retained virtually all of the profits from his sex trafficking business. 

Since at least November 2016, PINNOCK sold crack cocaine and possessed a loaded firearm, which had been stolen, in order to protect his drug dealing business.  He also possessed dozens of stolen identification cards – including driver’s licenses and Social Security cards – which he sold to other individuals who were engaged in identity theft and fraud.  Many of the identification cards had been obtained through the commission of robberies.

In addition to his prison term, PINNOCK, 22, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release, a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $15,000, and restitution in the amount of $100,000.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and thanked the United States Secret Service, the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General, the New York City Police Department, and the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.

A.G. Underwood Announces 242-Count Indictment Charging 17 Individuals With Money Laundering In East Coast Untaxed Cigarette Trafficking Enterprise

 AG Alleges that Near-Daily Runs to Virginia and North Carolina Resulted in the Trafficking of Over 18 Million Untaxed Cigarettes into NYC – Evading Over $3 Million in Taxes 

  Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood announced the indictment of 17 individuals for their alleged involvement in an untaxed cigarette trafficking enterprise operating in Queens, Kings, Bronx, New York, Westchester, and Nassau Counties, as well as in New Jersey, Virginia, and North Carolina. The network allegedly illegally trafficked over 18 million cigarettes from low-tax states, such as North Carolina and Virginia, to various parts of New York City. It is alleged that the defendants evaded over $3 million in tax liability due to New York State and New York City.

“As we allege, the defendants ran a massive criminal enterprise that trafficked over 18 million untaxed cigarettes into New York, cheating New Yorkers out of over $3 million in taxes,” said Attorney General Underwood. “We have zero tolerance for those who try to game the system and cheat New Yorkers – and we won’t hesitate to hold them accountable.”

“Criminals do not concern themselves with city or state lines, so it is critical that the justice system comes together to achieve our shared duty: keeping the people we serve safe,” said New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “Along with the NYPD’s Intelligence Bureau, I thank and commend the New York State Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, and all of the NYPD’s law-enforcement partners who took part in this case. Cooperatively, we are making the safest large city in the nation even safer.”  

The investigation, which was led by the New York State Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and the New York City Police Department’s Intelligence Bureau, utilized court-authorized wiretapping, GPS tracking, covert cameras, and undercover operations. The takedown was dubbed “Operation Big Wheels” after investigators identified numerous Ford F-350 and F-150 pickup trucks that had been after-market-modified, allegedly utilized by the defendants to transport the cartons of cigarettes across state lines. Wiretaps intercepted the defendants allegedly discussing their illegal transactions in a cryptic and coded manner in hopes of avoiding detection by law enforcement, referring to Virginia as “the V” and North Carolina as “the North” to indicate which state they preferred to source their cigarettes from. 

The 242-count indictment charged all 17 individuals with Enterprise Corruption, Criminal Tax Fraud in the First Degree, and Money Laundering in the Second Degree—all of which are class B Felonies, which each carry a sentencing range of 1 to 3 to 8 1/3 to 25 years in state prison. Additionally, all defendants were charged with counts of possession or transport for the purpose of sale of 30,000 or more unstamped cigarettes, and with conspiracy. 

The ringleader, Mohammed Alsaidi, is facing 165 separate charges, including enterprise corruption, criminal tax fraud, money laundering, and related tax crimes. 

The following defendants were charged:

• Mohammed Alsaidi, 36 years old – Queens, New York

• Basam Hussain, 24 years old – Brooklyn, New York

• Yaheya Ghaleb, 40 years old – Queens, New York

• Wail Asseadi, 27 years old – Queens, New York

• Talal Alsaedi, 24 years old – Bronx, New York

• Yahia Mahases, 35 years old – Richmond, Virginia

• Fattoh Ghaleb, 31 years old – Richmond, Virginia

• Ali Fadel, 43 years old – Winston-Salem, North Carolina

• Mujahid Shawter, 35 years old – Winston-Salem, North Carolina

• Wail Al-Shaabi, 44 years old – Bronx, New York

• Bakil Adlehelfri, 38 years old – Queens, New York

• Ahmed Alsayedi, 43 years old – Baldwin, New York

• Mohamed Elgazali, 50 years old – Bronx, New York

• Naser Alsaidi, 41 years old – Queens, New York

• Adnan Alsayedi, 41 years old – Queens, New York

• Tawfiq Aziz, 43 years old – Queens, New York

• Alaa Alsaidi, 24 years old – Yonkers, New York

16 of the defendants have been arraigned in Queens County Supreme Court; Wail Asseadi is expected to be arraigned next month. The case is being presided over by the Honorable Stephen A. Knopf.

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

OCTF and NYPD were assisted by Homeland Security Investigations, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, the Henrico County Police Department, the North Carolina ALE, and Eagle Services, LLC. 

News From Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR STABBING BROTHER TO DEATH

Defendant Killed Victim Because He was Being Too Loud 

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the 2016 stabbing death of his brother during a petty argument. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant killed his brother because the victim was being loud and woke him up. Now the defendant will serve 10 years in prison for a senseless crime.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Dennis Martinez, 53, of 2160 Seward Avenue, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison and five years post-release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Lester Adler. A jury found the defendant guilty of first-degree Manslaughter on October 25, 2018. 

 According to the investigation, on March 4, 2016, inside the Castle Hill Houses in the Bronx, the defendant was awakened by noise and began to argue with his brother in the apartment they shared. The defendant then stabbed the victim, Jorge Montanez, multiple times in the chest, back and right leg. The 36-year-old victim died of his wounds at Jacobi Medical Center. In an effort to deviate the investigation, the defendant initially told police that a group of men had attacked Montanez in the hallway, and that he tried to help his brother and was stabbed in the leg.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Bronx Homicide Detective Patrick Flatley and Officers Ricot Marcelin and John Ford of NYPD Housing Police Service Area 8 for their assistance in the case.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING SIX-YEAR-OLD CHILD

Defendant Knew Victim and Her Mother; Photographed Sexual Acts

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexually abusing a six-year-old girl left in his care. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant knew the child and her mother and took advantage of their trust. He sexually abused the innocent victim, who was only six years old, and took pictures of his atrocious actions. We hope today’s sentence brings some justice to the victim and the family, who no doubt have suffered from the crimes committed by the defendant.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Carlos Rosario, 39, of 1642 Mace Avenue, was sentenced today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Ralph Fabrizio to 20 years in prison and 20 years post-release supervision and will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from incarceration. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree Criminal Sexual Act on September 13, 2018. 

 According to the investigation, on August 13, 2016, the defendant sexually abused the victim in his home, after her mother was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery and left the child temporarily in his care. While the child slept, the defendant engaged in various sexual acts with her. The defendant took multiple photographs of the sexual acts he performed on the child and distributed them online.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Computer Crimes, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their cooperation and assistance in the investigation.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 50 YEARS IN PRISON FOR FATAL SHOOTING OF ESTRANGED WIFE, ATTEMPTED MURDER OF HER FRIEND

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for killing his estranged wife as he fired shots at her and her friend. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant, who was in a rage of jealousy, shot and killed the young mother of his four children in broad daylight. I hope today’s sentence brings some justice to her family.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Amauri Perdomo, 34, of 2335 Walton Avenue, was sentenced today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Alvin Yearwood to 50 years in prison and 10 years post-release supervision. A jury found the defendant guilty of first-degree Manslaughter, Attempted Murder in the second-degree and second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon on November 1, 2018. 

 According to the investigation, on October 4, 2015, at 2525 Morris Avenue, the defendant fired a Glock 9-mm pistol at his estranged wife, Jennifer Ortiz, 27, causing her death. The defendant had been stalking Ortiz through a smartphone app and found her in the vehicle of Anthony Fergus, 48. After confronting them, Perdomo hit Ortiz in the face, and when Fergus got out of the vehicle, Perdomo fired shots at him. Perdomo then returned to the vehicle and fired multiple shots that struck Ortiz in her chest, buttocks, legs, torso and heart.

 District Attorney Clark thanked her Detective Investigator Modesto Acevedo for his assistance in the investigation.

49th Precinct Council Meeting - Introduction of new Precinct Commander

  The new 49th Precinct commanding officer Captain Andrew Natiw is preparing his remarks before being introduced by 49th Precinct Community Council President Joe Thompson. Former 49th Precinct commander Captain Alps was transferred to the 52nd precinct as other Bronx precinct commanders were promoted or rotated as is the case every few years.

  Captain Natiw spoke of his twenty-two year career in the police force, his various promotions and different duties around the city. He started a in the police force as a rookie officer in the 49th precinct, and was happy to be commanding the precinct where he began in the NYPD.  

Above - New 49th Precinct commander Captain Andrew Natiw tells of his twenty-two years on the police force, which began at the 49th precinct.

Below - Captain Andrew Natiw the new Commanding officer at the 49th Precinct.