Allerton Avenue Hip Hop Festival Honoring Legendary DJ Jazzy Jay

  

The rain held off just long enough for the 1st Allerton Avenue Hip Hop Festival to end. There was rapping, song, and dancing on Allerton Avenue, and a mural unveiled to honor DJ Jazzy Jay, at the place where his career in Hip Hop took off at 759 Allerton Avenue. 

It was at 759 Allerton Avenue where DJ Jazzy Jay and Rocky Bucano joined to form Strong City Records in 1987. The pair produced early recordings by Diamond D., Fat Joe, Brand Nubian, Sheff Anselm (Tribe Called Quest), and others. 

A stage was set up on Allerton Avenue where performances ran for hours with Famous Hip Hop Artist after Hip Hop Artist paying tribute to DJ Jazzy Jay. Proclamations from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Councilman Mark Gjonaj were given to DJ Jazzy Jay. The event was put together by Ms. Grace Lovag, Irene Estrada, Al Pizzaro, and others. 

DJ Jazzy Jay holds the proclamation from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr, thanking the BP for the honor. 

A group photo of Hip Hop Artists, and the people who helped put this event together.

Al Pizzaro, Steve Cas painter of the mural of DJ Jazzy Jay behind the group, Grace Lovag, Irene Estrada, and some Hip Hop friends of DJ Jazzy Jay standing right under his thumb in the mural.

The mural of DJ Jazzy Jay from artist Steve Cas.

759 the place where it all started upstairs, and the mural tribute to DJ Jazzy Jay right next door.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - OCTOBER 17, 2021

 

52,902 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours     

36 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.   

"The positive steps we've taken in the last few weeks are the clearest sign yet of New Yorkers' commitment to defeating this pandemic," Governor Hochul said. "Booster shots are underway, and we are laying the groundwork for getting our kids vaccinated pending final federal approval. But there is still more work to be done and New Yorkers must remain vigilant so that we move well on our way to realizing a post-COVID future." 

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported - 208,704
• Total Positive - 4,204 
• Percent Positive - 2.01% 
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.45% 
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,086 (-29) 
• Patients Newly Admitted - 256 
• Patients in ICU - 450 (-9) 
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 247 (-14) 
• Total Discharges - 205,151 (+262) 
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 36 
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 45,109 

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only. 

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 57,288 

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings. 

• Total vaccine doses administered - 26,274,749
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 52,902 
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 375,527 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 83.1% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 75.3% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 86.0% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 77.3% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 70.4% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 63.7% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 72.9% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 65.4% 

Two Indicted for Drug Trafficking and Hostage Taking - October 15, 2021

 

 SAN DIEGO – A federal magistrate judge denied bond today for one of two Mexican nationals indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the kidnapping and death of a 19-year-old San Diego man in May of 2020.

The defendant, Wyatt Valencia-Pacheco of Tijuana, is charged along with fugitive Jonathan Emmanuel Montellano-Mora, also from Tijuana. They were indicted on June 3, 2021, for Hostage Taking Resulting in Death, Conspiracy to Take Hostages Resulting in Death, and Intentional Killing While Engaged in Drug Trafficking. The indictment was unsealed last week.

According to the indictment, Valencia and Montellano worked with others to arrange the killing of the victim, M.A.R., as part of their methamphetamine importation and trafficking activities.

The indictment further alleges that Valencia and Montellano worked with others to kidnap, detain and threaten the victim at a location outside the United States, in order to compel the victim’s family to pay with money or methamphetamine to gain his release. The victim was ultimately killed.

At Valencia’s detention hearing today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard, the government provided greater detail as to Valencia’s alleged involvement. The government identified the victim as a 19-year-old U.S. citizen who had been arrested twice before for strapping drugs onto his body and attempting to cross into the United States through a port of entry. The victim was tortured and killed over the theft of three pounds of methamphetamine, the government told the court.  

At the hearing, the government provided the following chronology of the alleged crimes:

On May 28, 2020, the victim stole three pounds of methamphetamine from a drug trafficker connected to the defendants in Tijuana. Almost immediately after the theft, Valencia started sending the victim threats over Facebook Messenger, ordering the victim to return the drugs immediately or pay them $2,000. In Spanish, Valencia told the victim that he “fucked up” and now had to take responsibility, because “they only gave us two hours to pay for that shit.”

The victim asked for more time or a smaller payment, to which Valencia responded: “I don’t know how you’re going to do it, but I want it today.” The victim asked for Valencia to trust him and promised to pay later. Valencia replied, “I don’t give a fuck. You’ll see how I make you pay today.” Valencia even told others that he planned to kidnap the victim.

On May 29, 2020, approximately four hours after the victim was supposed to have crossed the drugs, Valencia was in conversation with a co-conspirator on Facebook Messenger, assuring the co-conspirator that he (Valencia) was in touch with the victim, and they would find him. Valencia assured his co-conspirator that the victim was scared.

About eleven hours later, at a little after 11 a.m. that same day, Valencia told a girlfriend that he was angry, because a guy stole “work” from him, and Valencia was looking for the guy. When asked why he was looking for the guy, Valencia answered, “because I’m going to kill him.” Valencia said he gave the guy until 5 p.m. to return and pay for the “work,” or else Valencia was “going to send people to his house … here and there … here I’m going to shoot it up.”

About an hour later, Valencia communicated with a co-conspirator to plan how best to kidnap the victim.

At 11:57 p.m. on May 29, 2020, three males forcibly took the victim from a hotel in Tijuana at gunpoint. The event was captured by hotel surveillance cameras. One of the kidnappers was wielding a gun, which he used to beat the victim.

In the early morning hours of May 30, 2020, the kidnappers began contacting the victim’s mother and stepfather to demand money (sometimes $2,000, other times $3,000) or methamphetamine. The hostage takers permitted the victim’s family to see him through FaceTime, as proof of life. The victim appeared bloodied and beaten.

During this same time, a co-conspirator asked Valencia, “Hey, dude, give us ideas where we can get him signed,” that is, where to kill the victim.  

After a few minutes, and after insisting that he did not want to get further involved, Valencia answered the previous question about “where can we get him signed.” Valencia offered, “Smoke the guy by the dam, dude. Or by Cerro Colorado. … Or in the canal. It’s around the corner.” The co-conspirator asked, “Which canal?” To which Valencia responded, “The one by La Rapida (laughs)”

The family’s last contact with the victim occurred on May 30, 2020, at 12:30 p.m. No one has heard from or seen the victim since that time.

At the close of the hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Goddard detained Valencia, finding that there were no conditions of release which would guarantee his return to court. She detained the defendant based on the nature and circumstances of the criminal activity, the lengthy period of incarceration which the defendant faced, the defendant’s use of weapons, the fact that he would be subject to immigration removal to Mexico if he were released from custody, his significant ties outside the United States, and the weight of the evidence against him.

“The narcotic netherworld is full of extreme danger and tragedy, and this case is no exception,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “A misguided young man tangled with the wrong people and paid a terrible price, and now his family lives with the unspeakable horror of their loss. We will always seek justice for victims of drug-related violence that destroys families, communities and futures.” Grossman thanked prosecutors Mario Peia and Alexandra Foster, as well as the investigating FBI agents, for their excellent work on this case.

“The FBI will vigorously pursue justice for U.S. citizens who fall victim to violence regardless of where the crime occurs,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner. “The victim was killed over a $2,000 drug debt. May these charges serve as a warning to those who think violence against U.S. citizens committed outside of the United States exempts them from prosecution here; It does not.”

Valencia is next in court on December 16, 2021, at 9 a.m. before U.S. District Court Judge William Q. Hayes. Montellano has not yet been apprehended.

76 Days and Counting

 

Don't forget to get vaccinated, or you won't be able to enter any of these great New York City venues. You may hate me for this, but I am going to keep you and the rest of the city safe from the COVID virus.

Tomorrow is Monday and the return to my morning media availability with those pesky reporters. I wonder what they will ask me tomorrow? Will it be if I am going to run for governor, or how I am going to pay for the police I used, or even who am I endorsing for Mayor. I'll bet one asks me since William Shatner went up in space, will I.  

Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez - Job Fair, October 23rd

 

Hello,   Mark you calendars for our upcoming Job Fair with  NYS Department of Labor! Date: Saturday October 23rd Time: 11:00am - 3:00pm Location: Columbus High School, 925 Astor Ave  If you have any questions or concerns, contact us at  district80@nyassembly.gov or 718-409-0109. Best Regards, New York State Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - OCTOBER 16, 2021

 

64,712 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours  

28 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.  

"We are getting closer to the season of gathering with loved ones, and the best thing you can do to keep your loved ones safe is to get your vaccination," Governor Hochul said. "We hit a vaccination milestone of eighty five percent of adult New Yorkers with their first dose, but we need to get it higher before the holiday season so we can celebrate with the best peace of mind." 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 216,951
• Total Positive - 5,248
• Percent Positive - 2.42%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.54%
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,115 (+3)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 275
• Patients in ICU - 459 (+1)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 261 (+6)
• Total Discharges - 204,889 (+270)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 28
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 45,073

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 57,288

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 26,221,847
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 64,712
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 370,951
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 83.1%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 75.2%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 85.9%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 77.1%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 70.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 63.6%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 72.8%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 65.3%

 

PUBLIC ADVOCATE WILLIAMS RESPONDS TO THE THIRTEENTH DEATH ON RIKERS ISLAND IN 2021

 

 "I offer prayers for peace and comfort to the family of Victor Mercado. His passing after contracting COVID-19 is the thirteenth death at Rikers this year amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis. His pre-trial detention became a death sentence.

"Lives are continuing to be lost as our leaders take steps that are too small and too slow. While some recent actions have helped reduce the strain on the system, we can't be content to move in the right direction, it has to be with the right level of urgency.

"It is even more clear today that we must expand decarceration efforts to older individuals and those with health risks, but it also seems clear that if the city and state had done so earlier, a life would have been saved. The crisis conditions on Rikers continue to threaten staff and incarcerated people alike in a health and safety emergency. This is not public safety."

Member Of $4 Million National Luxury Stolen Car Ring Sentenced To Five Years In Prison

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that LASHAUMBA RANDOLPH was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for providing fake titles and other fraudulent vehicle documentation used to defraud car buyers as part of a national stolen car ring involving approximately 60 stolen luxury cars, including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Corvettes, worth more than $4 million.  RANDOLPH previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and was sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel.

All defendants have pled guilty and RANDOLPH is the ninth defendant sentenced to date. Earlier in the case, Judge Seibel sentenced eight co-defendants for their roles in the $4 million stolen car ring.  CLIPHAS BELFON, a/k/a “Cliff,” who supplied from Florida many of the stolen cars sold by the ring, was sentenced to 52 months in prison on May 27, 2021.  COLIN BURNETT, a/k/a “Greg,” who made fraudulent documentation for the cars, was also sentenced to 52 months in prison on October 6, 2021.  BESAR ISMAILI, who supplied, stored, and sold stolen cars to secondhand buyers, was sentenced to 42 months in prison on April 20, 2021.  ROBERT PINSKY, a supplier of stolen cars and false vehicle documentation, was sentenced to 40 months in prison on July 9, 2021.  ANTONIO SANTIAGO, another Florida supplier of stolen cars, was sentenced to 30 months in prison on January 21, 2020.  CHARLES WALTON, a Michigan-based supplier of stolen cars, was sentenced to 21 months in prison on August 27, 2020.  STEVEN KLEIN, who provided financing for the scheme and resold stolen cars to secondhand buyers, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on June 11, 2021. NICHOLAS DIXON, who transported some of the stolen cars, was sentenced to time served on September 10, 2020.

As a result of the investigation, law enforcement recovered more than 30 stolen cars, and the defendants have already paid more than $443,000 in combined restitution to victims of the stolen car ring, forfeiture, and fines.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “These defendants used sophisticated methods to traffic scores of stolen luxury cars worth more than $4 million, stealing from rightful owners and defrauding buyers and state departments of motor vehicles.  This unacceptable crime harms car owner victims, muddies up car records relied upon by the public, and also imposes hidden costs on the public, including anyone paying for car insurance. It will not be tolerated.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment, as well as other public documents and court proceedings:

From October 2017 through November 2018, MARVIN WILLIAMS, CLIPHAS BELFON, a/k/a “Cliff,” COLIN BURNETT, a/k/a “Greg,” NICHOLAS DIXON, a/k/a “Robbie,” BESAR ISMAILI, STEVEN KLEIN, ROBERT PINKSY, LASHAUMBA RANDOLPH, ANTONIO SANTIAGO, and CHARLES WALTON operated a sophisticated, interstate stolen car ring, during which they (1) obtained stolen cars from, among other places, Michigan and Florida; (2) transported the stolen cars to, among other places, the Southern District of New York and Connecticut, for resale; (3) created and/or obtained false titles, registrations, and temporary license plates for the stolen cars; (4) used the false car records to deceive car buyers and the South Dakota Division of Motor Vehicles; and (5) used online markets, such as eBay, to solicit buyers of the stolen cars in various states.  Through this extensive criminal scheme, the co-conspirators obtained, transported, and sold or attempted to sell more than 60 cars worth, in total, more than $4 million.

To carry out the stolen car ring, its members performed multiple and various roles.  Some members stole and/or obtained luxury cars from the rightful, original owners, including dealerships and car rental businesses in Florida and Michigan.  Others assisted in transporting the cars from Florida and Michigan to, among other places, New York or Connecticut.  Others provided financing and assisted in purchasing or finding buyers for stolen cars.  Others attempted to conceal the scheme from or deceive car buyers, law enforcement, and the SDDMV by “re-VINning cars,” and using fraudulent documents, such as fraudulent titles and VIN stickers, to acquire new titles and registrations for the stolen cars, making it appear as if the stolen cars were not, in fact, stolen.

RANDOLPH, 46, of Atlanta, Georgia, pled guilty on February 2, 2021 to conspiring to commit wire fraud from in or about October 2017 through in or about November 2018.  In addition to the prison term, RANDOLPH was sentenced today to three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay forfeiture of $9,500 and restitution of 26,098.47.

BELFON, 28, of Miami, Florida, pled guilty on May 14, 2020, to conspiring to receive, possess, and sell stolen cars from in or about October 2017 through in or about November 2018, and was sentenced on May 27, 2021 to 52 months in prison, and forfeiture of $17,000.

BURNETT, 30, of Atlanta, Georgia, pled guilty on September 15, 2020, to conspiring to receive, possess, and sell stolen cars from in or about October 2017 through in or about November 2018, and was sentenced on October 6, 2021 to 52 months in prison, forfeiture of $8,577, and restitution of $24,991.24.

ISMAILI, 40, of Waterbury, Connecticut, pled guilty on December 22, 2020 to conspiring to commit wire fraud from in or about October 2017 through in or about November 2018, and was sentenced on April 20, 2021 to 42 months in prison, forfeiture of $76,000, and restitution of $393,329.96.

PINSKY, 52, of Howell, New Jersey, pled guilty on March 12, 2020 to conspiring to receive, possess, and sell stolen cars from in or about October 2017 through in or about November 2018, and was sentenced on July 9, 2021 to 40 months in prison, forfeiture of $77,000, and restitution of $51,444.08.

SANTIAGO, 38, of Pompano Beach, Florida, pled guilty on June 11, 2019 to conspiring to receive, possess, and sell stolen cars from in or about October 2017 through in or about November 2018, and was sentenced on January 21, 2020 to 30 months in prison, forfeiture of $22,500, and restitution of $66,671.91.

WALTON, 35, of Detroit, Michigan, pled guilty on March 17, 2020 to conspiring to receive, possess, and sell stolen cars from in or about October 2017 through in or about November 2018, and was sentenced on August 27, 2020 to 21 months in prison, forfeiture of $36,000, and restitution of $41,365.33.

KLEIN, 58, of Easton, Connecticut, pled guilty on March 3, 2021 to conspiring to commit wire fraud, and was sentenced on June 11, 2021 to 18 months in prison, forfeiture of $70,000, restitution of $240,000, and a fine of $15,000.

DIXON, 46, of Tamarac, Florida, pled guilty on May 7, 2020 to receiving a stolen car, and was sentenced on September 10, 2020 to time served, forfeiture of $34,050, and restitution of $6,849.59.

WILLIAMS, 35, of Torrington, Connecticut, pled guilty on October 11, 2019, and is awaiting sentencing.

Mr. Williams praised the excellent work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York State Police.