5 Defendants Indicted In Connection With Kidnapping, Narcotics, And Firearm Offenses

Broker of Failed Drug Deal Tied to Chair and Assaulted

  Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) in New York, and Dermot Shea, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging MARIO REYNOSO-HICIANO, JOEL CABRERA, a/k/a “Gordo,” a/k/a “Oso,” VLADIMIR REYES, YUDITH REYNOSO-HICIANO, a/k/a “La Classica,” and PEDRO REYNOSO with kidnapping, narcotics, and firearm offenses.  Three defendants were taken into custody earlier today and will be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Nathaniel Fox.  A fourth defendant remains at large, and a fifth defendant is already in federal custody in connection with another matter and will be presented and arraigned at a later date.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “As alleged, the defendants were involved in conspiracies to traffic in cocaine and/or to kidnap someone they believed had shortchanged them in a drug transaction.  This case illustrates once again how drug trafficking and gun violence so often go hand-in-hand.  Thanks to the efforts of HSI and the NYPD, people charged with violent crimes are in custody and facing federal charges.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said:  “The safety and well-being of New York City residents remains the primary focus of HSI and our partners.  Today’s indictment alleging narcotics trafficking and kidnapping by the defendants, and use of a firearm by one of them, marks yet another positive step in ridding alleged criminals from our community.  HSI’s continued collaboration with the NYPD to investigate violent crimes and dismantle criminal organizations will ensure the safe removal of guns, drugs and bad actors from our neighborhoods.”

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said:  “The illegal narcotics trade and associated violence alleged in this federal indictment are crimes that erode the fabric of city life. I commend our NYPD investigators, and federal partners, for their work in this successful case.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment[1]:

In or about May 2019, MARIO REYNOSO-HICIANO, JOEL CABRERA, and VLADIMIR REYES engaged in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine.  A dispute arose between MARIO REYNOSO-HICIANO and another individual who had brokered the sale of cocaine (“Victim-1”) because MARIO REYNOSO-HICIANO believed that he had been paid less than the full negotiated purchase price for the cocaine. 

As part of that dispute, MARIO REYNOSO-HICIANO, YUDITH REYNOSO-HICIANO, PEDRO REYNOSO, and others kidnapped Victim-1, tied him to a chair inside an apartment in the Bronx (“Apartment-1”), threatened to and did physically assault Victim-1, and demanded that Victim-1 provide information relating to the aforementioned cocaine transaction.  Portions of the kidnapping were recorded with a cellphone by YUDITH REYNOSO-HICIANO.

In the early morning of May 31, 2019, CABRERA brandished and discharged a firearm in connection with the cocaine transaction that occurred the day before.

A chart containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants is set forth below.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI and the NYPD.

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

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTIES
1	Narcotics distribution conspiracy     21 U.S.C. §§ 846,  841(b)(1)(B)	MARIO REYNOSO-HICIANO (age 35)     JOEL CABRERA (age 25)     VLADIMIR REYES (age 37)	40 years     Mandatory minimum of five years in prison
2	Kidnapping conspiracy     18 U.S.C. § 1201(c)	MARIO REYNOSO-HICIANO     YUDITH REYNOSO-HICIANO (age 41)     PEDRO REYNOSO (age 21)	Life
3	Kidnapping     18 U.S.C. §§ 1201(a)(1), 1201(d) and 2	MARIO REYNOSO-HICIANO     YUDITH REYNOSO-HICIANO     PEDRO REYNOSO	Life
4	Firearms offense     18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), 924(c)(1)(A)(ii), 924(c)(1)(A)(iiii),  and 2	JOEL CABRERA	Life     Mandatory minimum of 10 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

No. 206: Declaring a Disaster in The Counties of Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Westchester and Contiguous Counties

No. 206               E X E C U T I V E  O R D E R

 DECLARING A DISASTER IN THE COUNTIES OF BRONX, DUTCHESS, KINGS, NASSAU, NEW YORK, ORANGE, PUTNAM, QUEENS, RICHMOND, ROCKLAND, SUFFOLK, WESTCHESTER AND CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES

 WHEREAS, on August 4, 2020 and continuing thereafter, Tropical Storm Isaias created hazardous conditions in New York State, which has posed an imminent danger to public transportation, utility service, public health, and public safety systems within the counties of Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Westchester, and contiguous counties.

WHEREAS, Tropical Storm Isaias produced damaging winds, with gusts in excess of 70 miles per hour, heavy rainfall, and flooding.  These conditions caused over 1,276,500 power outages, downed trees, localized flash flooding, road closures, travel disruptions, and damage to public and private property throughout the impacted areas, which continue to pose a threat to public health and safety.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANDREW M. CUOMO, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the State of New York and Section 28 of Article 2-B of the Executive Law, do hereby find that an imminent disaster exists, particularly where affected local governments are unable to respond adequately.  Therefore, I hereby declare a State Disaster Emergency, effective August 5, 2020, within the territorial boundaries of the counties of Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Westchester, and contiguous counties.  This Executive Order shall be in effect until September 4, 2020; and

FURTHER, pursuant to Section 29 of Article 2-B of the Executive Law, I direct the implementation of the State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and authorize the State Office of Emergency Management, the Department of Transportation, the Division of State Police, the Division of Military and Naval Affairs, the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Public Service Commission, the Office of Fire Prevention and Control, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Office of General Services, the Thruway Authority, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and any other State agencies and State authorities,  as necessary to take appropriate action to assist local governments and individuals in containing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from this public health emergency, to protect state and local property, and to provide such other assistance as is necessary to protect public health, welfare, and safety.

G I V E N   under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State in the City of Albany this fifth day of August in the year two thousand twenty.

BY THE GOVERNOR

Secretary to the Governor

Governor Cuomo Declares State of Emergency Following Tropical Storm Isaias

Declaration Made for Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Westchester and Contiguous Counties

Governor Activates 50 National Guard for Service in Putnam County

Declaration Enables State to Provide Additional Levels of Support to Local Governments Throughout the Clean-Up and Recovery Process

703,191 Power Outages Remain as Governor Directs Investigation into Response by Utility Companies

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today declared a state of emergency in New York in order to provide local governments with additional clean-up and operational support in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias. The counties included in the declaration are: Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester. Additionally, the declaration will also apply to those counties bordering the 11 specifically stated in the declaration, as that is standard practice. As such, Columbia, Ulster and Sullivan will also be covered by the order. By declaring a state of emergency, it allows state agencies to provide direct support to local governments without already having standing agreements in place.

Governor Cuomo also announced that he has directed the New York National Guard to mobilize 50 soldiers with vehicles to assist Putnam County officials with storm response, cleanup missions and ice and water distribution.

This declaration follows the Governor's announcement of an investigation into the operations of utility companies, before, during and after the storm, as 703,191 New Yorkers remain without power. As this investigation begins, all other state agencies with emergency response capabilities remain fully engaged with local governments across the state to ensure they have all the resources they need to complete clean-up and recovery operations.

"We're taking an all-hands-on-deck approach and activating every resource at our disposal to expedite communities' recovery from the impacts of Tropical Storm Isaias," Governor Cuomo said. "The State is working closely with local governments to helpensure they have the help they need to get back on their feet. We're far too familiar with severe weather, but New Yorkers show their true spirit in times of crisis and we'll prove it once more."

As Tropical Storm Isaias moved quickly on northern track through the eastern portion of the state, it caused numerous downed trees, localized flash flooding and caused a peak of more than 920,000 power outages. While more than 216,000 outages have been restored, more than 703,000 still remain. 

Due to the apparent lack of adequate planning by utility companies, the Governor has directed the Department of Public Service to launch an investigation into the responses by Verizon, PSEG Long Island, Con Edison, Central Hudson Gas & Electric, Orange and Rockland Utilities, and New York State Electric & Gas to determine the causes of their failures. 

Outside of the investigation, the Department continues to work around the clock with senior executives at the utilities to ensure restoration moves as quickly and safely as possible. Utilities have deployed 7,000 workers to help with damage response and restoration and service.

Governor Cuomo Directs State Department of Public Service to Investigate Utilities in Wake of Failed Storm Response

  "We know that severe weather is our new reality and the reckless disregard by utility companies to adequately plan for tropical storm Isaias left tens of thousands of customers in the dark, literally and figuratively. Their performance was unacceptable.

"The large volume of outages and the utilities' failure to communicate with customers in real time proves they did not live up to their legal obligations. The fact that many customers still do not know when their power will be restored makes it even more unacceptable. The worst of this situation was avoidable, and it cannot happen again. 

"I am directing the state Department of Public Service to launch an investigation into Verizon, PSEG Long Island, Con Edison, Central Hudson Gas & Electric, Orange and Rockland Utilities, and New York State Electric & Gas to understand how such a failure could have taken place. New Yorkers deserve answers and they deserve better.

"In the meantime, DPS is working around the clock with leadership at the utilities to ensure restoration of service as quickly and safely as possible. Utilities have deployed 7,000 workers to help with damage response and restoration and service. We are also asking New Yorkers in affected areas to check in on their neighbors, especially seniors, to ensure they are safe."