DRUG DEALER TARGETED BUSY UNION SQUARE BUSINESSES IN SALES OF HEROIN, FENTANYL AND COCAINE

  Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., announced today the indictment of ANTHONY MORALES for allegedly selling large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine inside fast food restaurants and a supermarket in the vicinity of Manhattan’s Union Square.

MORALES, 49, is scheduled to be arraigned on an indictment today before Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Felicia A. Mennin, Part 22, 111 Centre St. MORALES faces charges of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First, Second and Third Degrees and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. The charges are the result of an undercover investigation by the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) Narcotics Borough Manhattan South.

On seven dates between March 27, 2019 and May 9, 2019, MORALES allegedly sold a total of $16,280 in narcotics to an undercover officer. In each instance, the undercover requested heroin and/or cocaine. However, subsequent NYPD laboratory analysis of the drugs revealed that the purported heroin was in fact fentanyl (a synthetic opioid up to 50 times more potent than heroin) or a mixture of fentanyl and heroin.

In setting up the first six drug sales, MORALES directed the undercover to meet him in the vicinity of Union Square and guided him into busy local businesses. The majority of sales took place between the hours of 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. inside fast food restaurants, including Chipotle, McDonald’s and Au Bon Pain. An additional sale occurred inside a Food Emporium supermarket location at Union Square.

MORALES allegedly handed narcotics to the undercover inside a bag or box. The undercover observed families with young children and babies in strollers nearby while the sales were taking place.

NYPD officers arrested MORALES on May 9, 2019 following the final sale in the investigation, which occurred at a Dunkin’ Donuts location on St. Nicholas Avenue in Harlem. The undercover paid $3,700 for cocaine and purported heroin. Subsequent laboratory analysis determined the narcotics sold were cocaine and fentanyl. A total of approximately $4,470 cash was recovered from MORALES at the time of his arrest.

Overdose deaths are at record high levels in New York City, with fentanyl involved in more than half of all drug fatalities, according to data from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan commended SNP’s Trial Division and the New York City Police Department’s Narcotics Borough Manhattan South for their work on the investigation and thanked Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr.

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said, “Fentanyl is responsible for hundreds of overdose deaths across our city. It is being exchanged for cash in popular fast food shops and grocery stores in our city. The single most important thing we can do to reduce the number of overdose deaths, is cut off the supply of poison that is killing people. I commend the efforts of all involved in this investigation.”

"Today's charges show that criminals often believe they can operate in plain sight, with apparent impunity. The NYPD and our law enforcement partners exist to shatter that notion and hold them responsible for distributing dangerous drugs into our communities. I commend and thank the Special Narcotics Prosecutor's Office, the Manhattan District Attorney, and the hardworking NYPD investigators for their professionalism and dedication to this investigation," said Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill.

Defendants	Charges
Anthony Morales; New York, NY; 9/4/1969	CSCS 1st – 1 ct; CSCS 2nd – 4 cts; CSCS 3rd – 6 cts; CPCS 3rd – 1 ct

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

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Return To Polish Government Of Stolen Architectural Drawings Of Historic Synagogue

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced that five stolen architectural drawings created in 1896 of a historic synagogue in the city of Lodz, Poland (the “Drawings”), will be returned to the Polish government.  The Drawings were taken out of a larger set housed at the Polish state archive in Lodz in around 1999, and the identity of the thief or thieves remains unknown.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “A part of Poland’s cultural heritage and historical record were stolen from their state archive 20 years ago.  Now, thanks to a New York couple who are doing the right thing, and to HSI for doing its typically excellent work in this field, these important drawings are being returned to the government of Poland.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “On the heels of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, returning these drawings to Poland that represent a piece of human history the Nazis attempted to erase underscores the importance of preserving our world history through cultural patrimony for future generations.  We continue to pursue criminals who steal and traffic property that belongs to the peoples of the world, while returning those items found to their rightful owners, in this case, Poland.”

The ink-and-watercolor Drawings depict the interior, exterior facades, and floor plans of the Stara Synagogue, which used to stand on Wolborska Street in Lodz.  The Stara Synagogue was originally built in 1809 and moved to a new building around 1859 and 1861.  The Drawings were made by the prominent Lodz architect Adolf Zeligson in connection with significant renovations to the synagogue that began in around 1897.  The Stara Synagogue was later burned down during the Nazi occupation in around 1939, and no trace remains.     

Almost 10 years after the theft, the Drawings were put up for sale by an international auction house and were purchased by a Manhattan couple, Meredith Berkman and Daniel Mintz. After Ms. Berkman and Mr. Mintz were informed that the Drawings had been stolen from the Polish state archive, they readily and voluntarily agreed to turn over the Drawings to HSI so that they could be returned to Poland. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and HSI are now sending the Drawings back to the Polish government.

Mr. Berman thanked HSI’s Cultural Property, Art, and Antiquities Group for their handling of the investigation.  He also thanked Ms. Berkman and Mr. Mintz for their assistance and cooperation.  

Two Defendants Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With 2011 Murder-For-Hire

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, Police Commissioner of the City to New York (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of two Indictments charging DAVID ESPINAL, a/k/a “D-Block,” and MICHAEL CASTILLO, a/k/a “Squirrel,” with murder for hire and the March 10, 2011, murder of Hector Arias in the Bronx, New York. 

ESPINAL was taken into custody in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and will be presented in federal court in that District today.  CASTILLO was taking into custody this morning in the Northern District of Texas and will be presented in federal court in that District today.  This case is assigned to U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, eight years ago, David Espinal and Michael Castillo reduced the value of a man’s life to a dollar figure.  Their arrests today show that the passage of time does not insulate alleged murderers from investigation, apprehension, and prosecution. We hope that brings some measure of relief to the family of Hector Arias.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Mr. Espinal was so deadly serious about selling marijuana, he allegedly hatched a plan to kill a rival.  He and the man he’s accused of hiring to carry out the murder have been on the run since 2011.  They most likely believed they were in the clear, thinking no one was looking for them after all these years.  The FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and our law enforcement partners don’t let time stand in the way of catching alleged murderers and bringing them to justice.”

Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “Today’s charges are evidence that NYPD investigators do not forget victims, and they do not ever forget the justice that is owed to those victims’ families.  All New Yorkers deserve to be safe, and to feel safe.  The NYPD and our colleagues at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District will stop at nothing until every street, in every neighborhood of New York City, is as safe as our safest streets are today.”

As alleged in the Indictments unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

In or around March 2011, ESPINAL hired CASTILLO to murder Hector Arias.  On March 10, 2011, CASTILLO carried out the plan and murdered Arias by shooting him in the vicinity of 712 East Gun Hill Road in the Bronx, New York.  ESPINAL paid CASTILLO for murdering Arias.  The murder plot arose out of a conspiracy to distribute marijuana.                                           

A chart containing the names of the defendants charged in the Indictments, and the charges and maximum and minimum penalties they face, is attached.  The statutory maximum and minimum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI in this case.  Mr. Berman also thanked the NYPD and the United States Probation Office for their assistance in the investigation.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jamie Bagliebter, Maurene Comey, Scott Hartman, and Jacqueline Kelly are in charge of the prosecutions.

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

United States v. David Espinal, 19 Cr. 428

United States v. Michael Castillo, S1 19 Cr. 428

CHARGE(S)	DEFENDANT(S)	MAXIMUM PENALTIES
Murder for Hire	DAVID ESPINAL (age 44) MICHAEL CASTILLO (age 36)	Life in prison or death Mandatory minimum: Life in prison
Murder through Use of a Firearm	DAVID ESPINAL MICHAEL CASTILLO	Life in prison or death Mandatory minimum: 5 years in prison
Travel Act Murder	DAVID ESPINAL MICHAEL CASTILLO	Life in prison

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

Attorney General James' Multistate Lawsuit To Block T-Mobile And Sprint Megamerger Gains Additional Support From Attorneys General Across The Nation

Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Nevada join suit to block anticompetitive merger

 New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that four additional states have joined the multistate lawsuit to block the merger of telecommunications giants T-Mobile and Sprint. In an amended complaint filed in New York federal court this morning, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Nevada were added to the suit, bringing the total number of states as plaintiffs to fourteen. 

“The merger of T-Mobile and Sprint would stifle competition, cut jobs, and harm vulnerable consumers from across the country, so unity among the states will be key in defending our citizens against this power-hungry corporate union,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “We welcome the support from these four additional states, which should serve as a reminder that, all throughout the nation, we have much to lose if we do not take action to protect our people from this megamerger.”

“Millions of Americans rely on mobile devices at work, at home, and to organize their lives. Competition between the mobile companies has resulted in better coverage and cheaper, more reliable service for all of us,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. “Our year-long investigation found that the proposed merger would give the new company the power to raise prices, significantly reduce competition for customers, lower quality, and cost thousands of retail workers their jobs. We are challenging this merger to protect a service that matters to everyone.”

“It’s my job to protect Minnesotans when anticompetitive behavior makes it harder for them to afford their lives,” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. “The proposed megamerger between Sprint and T-Mobile would do just that. It would lead to higher prices, fewer jobs, and less service, especially in Greater Minnesota, where there are already too few options for staying connected. When Minnesotans and Americans everywhere are already struggling to afford their lives, more market consolidation is the last thing they need. I’m joining the fight today against the Sprint/T-Mobile merger to keep that from happening.”

“Protecting Nevada’s consumers is one of my top priorities,” said Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford. “Our office is exploring all options to ensure that this merger would not negatively affect Nevada families, businesses and workers.”

Today’s amended complaint includes the states of New York, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Last week, a handful of Attorneys General from across the nation voiced their support for the lawsuit to stop the merger of T-Mobile and Sprint.

T-Mobile US Inc. and Sprint Corporation are the third and fourth largest mobile wireless networks in the U.S., and are the lower-cost carriers among the “Big Four” — Verizon Wireless and AT&T round out the market. Intense competition, spurred in particular by T-Mobile and Sprint, has meant declining prices, increased coverage, and better quality for all mobile phone subscribers.

T-Mobile currently has more than 79 million subscribers, and is a majority-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG. Sprint Corp. currently has more than 54 million subscribers, and is a majority-owned subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp.

Attorney General James And Port Authority Inspector General Nestor Announce Guilty Plea Of Former Port Authority Official For Misconduct And Receiving Unlawful Gratuities

  Attorney General Letitia James and Inspector General Michael Nestor announced the guilty plea of Marlene Mizzi, age 55, a former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey employee for 35 years. Mizzi accepted benefits from representatives of foreign countries for violating her duty as a public servant as a Port Authority Official at John F. Kennedy Airport. 

Mizzi pleaded guilty to charges of Official Misconduct and Receiving Unlawful Gratuities, two class “A” misdemeanors. The guilty plea is in satisfaction of two indictments filed in Queens County that stemmed from a joint investigation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General and the Port Authority Inspector General’s Office. 

“Mizzi broke the law and defiled the public’s trust when she granted favors to foreign governments in exchange for bribes, gifts and rewards,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “When government employees leverage their public positions for personal enrichment, they commit a grave injustice to the people they serve. My office will continue to bring to justice those that engage in corrupt behavior to preserve and protect the integrity of our government agencies.” 

"The defendant violated her position of public trust and used her position for personal gain," said Michael Nestor, Inspector General for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “In this case, the defendant chose to enrich herself by accepting cash, travel, meals and other things of value from representatives of foreign governments. The Port Authority will not tolerate employee misconduct or corruption of any kind. Today’s guilty plea will serve notice to all Port Authority employees that the agency will not tolerate violations of the public trust or any other corrupt acts. The Port Authority Office of Inspector General and its Law Enforcement partners will aggressively identify, investigate and bring to justice those who corrupt the integrity of the agency.” 

As detailed in Court records, Mizzi most recently worked as an Assistant Airport Duty Supervisor at John F. Kennedy Airport (“JFK”) for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. During the annual United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan, with airport security at a heightened state, Port Authority rules clearly state that foreign state aircraft must depart JFK within two hours of arrival and there is no overnight parking of foreign state aircraft. From 2014 until she left the Port Authority in June 2018, Ms. Mizzi was the individual responsible for explaining this rule to foreign countries at a pre-Assembly conference. 

Mizzi admitted to unilaterally granting exceptions to the overnight parking rule without proper approval for the country of Qatar, allowing a Qatari diplomatic flight to stay overnight during the 2014 United Nations General Assembly. She acknowledged that in return for the improper exception she granted during the 2014 General Assembly, a representative from the Qatar Mission to the UN provided Mizzi with free limousine rides, meals, and gifts. According to court documents, Mizzi allegedly received cash, bottles of wine, and other gifts from another foreign state’s representative in return for the same overnight parking privilege.  

Mizzi also admitted to receiving other gifts from additional foreign countries for her work at JFK.  The Port Authority Code of Ethics has a strict zero tolerance policy on the acceptance of payments, gifts, free meals, or transportation from vendors or anyone the Port Authority does or is likely to do business with.  

The Attorney General’s Office thanks the Port Authority Inspector General’s Office for their assistance on this case. 

BRONX LANDLORD SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR STABBING TENANT TO DEATH

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Manslaughter

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx landlord has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for fatally stabbing a tenant in 2017. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant repeatedly stabbed the victim over unpaid rent. Then the defendant, with blood on his clothes, walked into the 45th Precinct stationhouse and told Police Officers he had stabbed someone.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Taha Mahran, 54, of 1001 Logan Avenue, was sentenced today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice James McCarty to 10 years in prison and 5 years post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree Manslaughter on May 31, 2019 after accepting a 10-year sentence offer from the judge, rather than the 13-year offer from the Bronx District Attorney’s Office. The second-degree Murder charge was dismissed after an expert obtained by the People concluded that the defendant’s Extreme Emotional Distress defense was valid.

 According to the investigation, on February 22, 2017, at 1001 Logan Avenue, the defendant caused the death of Zakir Khan, 44, a tenant that lived in an apartment located in Mahran’s multi-family home. On the day of the incident, Mahran and Khan were arguing about an ongoing dispute over months of unpaid rent the victim owed the defendant. Mahran stabbed Khan multiple times in the torso and neck with a knife, leaving him with 29 wounds. The incident happened in front of the victim’s 11-year-old child. The victim was pronounced dead at Jacobi Medical Center shortly after the stabbing.

 District Attorney Clark thanked former Homicide Bureau Assistant District Attorney Leah Takantzas and NYPD Detective Robert Klein of Bronx Homicide Task Force for their assistance in the investigation.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR FATAL 2012 SHOOTING

Jury Found Defendant Guilty of Second-Degree Murder 

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for fatally shooting a 23-year-old man on a Bronx street in 2012. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant shot and killed the victim, whom he did not know. I hope today’s sentence brings some sense of closure to the victim’s family who lost their loved one seven years ago.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Raheem Simon, 29, of 1001 Kelly Street was sentenced today to 25 years to life in prison by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Denis Boyle. A jury found the defendant guilty of second-degree Murder on April 10, 2019. 

 According to the investigation, in the early morning on February 28, 2012, in front of 928 Intervale Avenue, the defendant shot Jared Jones, 23, causing his death. The victim was standing on the sidewalk outside of where a party was taking place when the defendant fired three times, striking Jones twice in the back and once in the head. The victim was pronounced dead at Lincoln Hospital shortly after the incident. The defendant fled and was arrested on April 14, 2015.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Nancy Borko, Deputy Chief of the Homicide Bureau, and Chief Appellate Attorney Peter Coddington, and NYPD Detective Anthony Velez of Bronx Homicide Squad.

THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC IS NOT WHERE MORE AMERICAN TOURISTS HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES

What You Should Know

By Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz

District 18, Bronx County

You should know that tourism in the Dominican Republic is the main source that keeps the economy of this Caribbean country afloat. 

Its magestral hotels, the wonderful climate that God has bestowed upon the country, the crystal clear, clean and well-maintained waters of its attractive beaches, along with their all-inclusive resorts which makes the Dominican Republic the envy of all others islands in the Caribbean. 

Many people, including the Mayor of the City of New York, Bill de Blasio, have on occasion raised their voices in hatred, envy, or disgust against tourism to the Dominican Republic, which has resulted in calls for “Boycotts” of tourism and trips to the Dominican Republic. 

Those voices have never achieved their goals and have time and again been left with their "Carbine on their shoulders", as it happened to Mayor Bill de Blasio and all those who have tried to destroy the tourism and economy of the Dominican Republic.

It is important that you know, that recently according to news reports, about 10 American tourists have died in the Dominican Republic while vacationing on the island. 

As a result the news media and the enemies of the Dominican Republic, have loaded their guns, full of negative criticism against tourism, in D.R., to such an extent that many future tourists have canceled their reservations and trips to the Dominican Republic. 

I believe that one unexplained death is too many.  In this case 10 deaths in one year is very difficult to explain and needless to say the Dominican officials have an obligation to conduct a thorough investigation as to what caused of theses deaths.

However, it should be noted that the Dominican Republic is not the only vacation spot where most Americans have lost their lives, while vacationing.  Mexico and Costa Rica have surpassed the Dominican Republic for the last three (3) years. 

Beloved reader you should know and study these statistics that someone sent me, please observe:  

Año  Mexico Costa Rica Dominican Rep.

2016   265          32             17

2017   249          35             18

2018   196          24             13

Total   710          91             48

 

As you can see, according to these statistics, in the last three (3) yearss a total of 710 Americans have lost their lives while vacationing in Mexico, 91 Americans died in Costa Rica and 48 tourists died in the Dominican Republic. 

 

If these statistics are true, we have to ask ourselves: Why were those American Deaths in Mexico, and Costa Rica not given the same coverage and importance that was given to the Dominican Republic?  Especially when Mexico and Costa Rica has so many more deaths of tourist?  Why has the press only focused on the Dominican Republic? 

 

We mourn the loss of these lives. We join the pain of their families and pray for all of them. At the same time I wish to express that all lives are worth the same concern, and attention. We can not report the deaths of tourist as one exclusively in the Dominican Republic as if it were isolated incidences in DR.  This will undoubtly harm DR’s tourism and the country's economy.  

 

I am Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.