MAYOR ADAMS MAKES MAJOR INVESTMENTS IN FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY

 

Spotlight Initiative of Mayor Adams’ Economic Recovery Blueprint, Plan Includes First-Ever Film and Television Industry Council 

 

Appointment of New Deputy Commissioner for Film Office in Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment

 

Mayor Signs Executive Order 21, Requiring Each Agency to Have Film Office Liaison

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced three key components of his “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent” economic recovery blueprint that will drive inclusive growth in the film and television sector, invest in New York’s creative economy, and ensure the industry recovers beyond pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. These components include the introduction of the first-ever Film and Television Production Industry Council, created to advise the city’s production policies and programs; the appointment of Kwame Amoaku as deputy commissioner in the Film Office of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), to serve as principal advisor on production policy as film production in New York City returns to pre-pandemic levels; and the signing of Executive Order 21, highlighting the Adams administration’s support of the television and film industry.

 

“A strong foundation of production workers calls New York City home, but sadly many saw their jobs and their livelihoods suffer during COVID-19 — this administration is taking action to change that,” said Mayor Adams. “We vowed to help the film and television industry fully recover, and our new Film and Television Production Industry Council and the appointment of Kwame Amoaku as the new Deputy Film Commissioner make good on our promise. New York City has some amazing stories to tell, and we’re going to make it easy as possible for the film and television industry to tell each one of those stories.”

 

“New York City’s film and television industry supported over 185,000 local jobs and accounted for more than $82 billion in total economic output before the pandemic,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “The execution of these initiatives ensures this administration continues to equitably and effectively serve the needs of this industry and the greater city.”

 

“New York City’s film and television industry led the recovery of our creative economy, demonstrating its importance to our city’s cultural identity and vitality and drawing talent, businesses, and tourists from around the world,” said MOME Commissioner Anne del Castillo. “With the authority of Executive Order 21, the leadership of Deputy Film Commissioner Kwame Amoaku, and the support of the industry council, we can advance a holistic and coordinated approach to strengthen and diversify the industry in New York City.”

 

“I would like to thank Mayor Adams and Commissioner del Castillo for the opportunity to serve the film community in this incredible city,” said MOME Film Office Deputy Commissioner Kwame Amoaku. “I look forward to being a part of the awesome economic force that film production represents, for not only the studios and networks that make quality content here but also the residents and businesses of New York.”

 

The Film and Television Production Industry Council will be co-chaired by Directors Guild of America (DGA) Eastern Executive Director Neil Dudich and Executive Producer and New York Producers COVID Response Alliance Co-Chair April Taylor. The council will advise the city’s production policies and programs and include the following 21 members:

 

• Venus Anderson – Program Director, ‘Made in NY’ Production Assistant Training Program at Brooklyn Workforce Innovations 
• Gina Argento – President and CEO, Broadway Stages
• Kathy Banuelos – Senior Vice President, State Government Affairs, Motion Picture Association (MPA)
• Rebecca Damon – Executive Director, New York Local, Labor Policy and International Affairs, Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)
• Ryan Ferguson – Location Manager and DGA member
• John Ford – President and Business Manager, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 52
• Carolyn Gershenson – Set Medic, IATSE Local 52 Officer
• Malaika Johnson – Location Scout, Teamsters Local 817 member
• Ezra Knight – New York President, SAG-AFTRA
• Dede Lea – Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy and Government Relations, Paramount
• Amy Lemisch – Director, Studio Affairs, Netflix
• Matt Miller – President and CEO, Association of Independent Commercial Producers
• Flo Mitchell Brown – Chairperson, New York Production Alliance
• Tommy O’Donnell – President, Teamsters Local 817
• Santiago Quinones – Producer, DGA member
• Jay Roewe – Senior Vice President, Production, HBO
• Hal Rosenbluth – President, Kaufman Astoria Studios
• Doug Steiner – Chairman, Steiner Studios
• Vans Stevenson – Senior Advisor, Global Government Affairs, MPA
• Veronica Sullivan – Senior Vice President and Head of Global Production, External Affairs and State and Local Government, NBCUniversal
• Canella Williams-Larrabee – Unit Production Manager, DGA member

 

“It is an honor to be asked to help lead a group of distinguished film, television, and commercial industry veterans to advise Mayor Eric Adams on policy recommendations which will reinforce New York City’s place as a top production destination in the world,” said Neil J. Dudich, eastern executive director, DGA. “We thank Mayor Adams for his commitment to working New Yorkers and the arts and for recognizing the film, television, and commercial industries as a key driver of economic growth and a provider of high-quality union jobs with outstanding compensation and benefits.”

 

“I am grateful and honored to be co-chair, along with the esteemed Neil Dudich of the DGA, on this advisory committee. I commend Mayor Adams and his administration for convening such an advisory committee for the film and television industry comprised of local members of the production community, whose boots are on the ground and who are professionally and personally invested in the long-term success of the industry and this city,” said April Taylor, executive producer, co-chair, New York Producers COVID Response Alliance. “We look forward to listening and learning from each other as we create growth and opportunity for the individuals and economy of New York City while ensuring the world at large continues to see New York on the big and small screens as the vibrant and special place it truly is.”

 

Most recently, film and television industry veteran Kwame Amoaku served as director of Chicago’s Film Office. Amoaku will promote New York City as a premier location for production, develop and maintain relationships with key industry stakeholders, and oversee the film permitting process. Amoaku’s career in film and television spans 30 years and includes experience in directing, producing, writing, cinematography, acting, and location management. As director of the Chicago Film Office, he helped develop COVID-19 protocols that allowed filming permits to be issued by June 2020 and served as part of the city’s COVID Recovery Task Force, which invested in workforce development and infrastructure to increase sound stage capacity and revenues by 25 percent and film production by 125 percent. Amoaku also designed and implemented a workforce development program for Chicago residents from underserved areas and created the Chicago Independent Producers Lab to provide professional development and support to Chicago’s independent film community.

 

Finally, the administration additionally announced the issuance of Executive Order 21, requiring each city agency to have a film office liaison to support the $82 billion economic impact in the city and the 185,000 jobs the industry supports and contributes to the cultural identity of New York City. This will facilitate on-location production across the five boroughs, which, in turn, supports industry growth, connects New Yorkers to jobs in this growing sector, and strengthens local small businesses.

 

Today’s announcements speak to the Adams administration’s ongoing commitment to invest in studio and sound stage facilities across the city and support the ongoing demand for production space. Currently, nearly 1 million square feet of production and related space is being newly built or renovated throughout the five boroughs, including at the ‘Made In NY’ Campus at Bush Terminal in Brooklyn. The growing demand for content — sparked by the increase in streaming platforms — has led the number of productions in New York City to reach all-time highs, both pre- and post-pandemic, with 35 productions filming on the ground at any given time and 80 series shooting in the city — a 34 percent increase in episodic production since 2014.

  

Senator Gustavo Rivera Joins the Community Service Society to Urge Governor Hochul to Sign the First of His Bills to End Medical Debt

 

State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee, released the following statement on the Community Service Society’s (CSS) latest report on the impact of medical debt and the steps we need to take to end the predatory practices associated with medical debt in New York State. The report highlights Senator Rivera’s package of bills aimed at addressing and protecting New Yorkers from medical debt, including bill S.6522A/A.7363A, which would prohibit healthcare providers from placing home liens on an individual's primary residence or garnishing wages to collect on medical debt. The bill passed the Legislature in May and is waiting to be sent to the Governor to be signed into law.   “The Community Service Society’s final report in their medical debt series clearly highlights how critical my bill is to ensure New York patients are protected from liens against their primary residences and wage garnishments in predatory debt collection actions. New Yorkers should not face financial ruin for seeking medical care."  "I’m joining CSS in urging Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law as soon as possible so these egregious practices are outlawed in New York State. Medical debt should not exist at all, much less be the reason a New Yorker loses their hard-earned wages or their home.” Senator Rivera is the prime sponsor of two additional bills to address and end medical debt in New York State. Bill S.2521C/A.3470, which passed both houses of the Legislature this year, would regulate the billing of facilities fees by healthcare providers and address surprise billing for facility fees unrelated to the care patients receive. Bill S.7625/ A.8441 would require hospitals to use a uniform financial assistance policy in order to receive funding and to expand eligibility and protections for patients that need financial assistance.

NY State Senator Gustavo Rivera | rivera.nysenate.gov

Attorney General James Announces Felony Guilty Plea and Sentencing of Bronx County Clerk Luis Diaz

 

As County Clerk, Diaz Intentionally Defrauded the Court to Support an Alleged Associate of the Genovese Crime Family

 New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the guilty plea, resignation, and sentencing of Bronx County Clerk and former Assemblymember Luis Diaz, 69, of the Bronx, for intentionally writing, certifying, and submitting false information to the court in support of a criminal defendant. As Bronx County Clerk, Diaz knowingly defrauded the court by claiming that Thomas Poli, an alleged associate of the Genovese crime family, fulfilled a community service requirement as part of a criminal charge. In addition to the guilty plea, Diaz resigned his role as the Bronx County Clerk. 

“When we take our oath of office as public servants, we make a promise to our constituents to lead with integrity and uphold the laws of the great state of New York,” said Attorney General James. “Mr. Diaz violated that pledge, along with the sanctity of the same county court system he represents. Let this be a warning: we have zero tolerance for public servants who abuse public trust, and we will root out corruption in any and every form in New York. 

Diaz was arraigned and pled guilty before Supreme Court Judge Poust Lopez in Bronx County to one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony. The plea includes Diaz’s resignation from his lifetime appointment as the Bronx County Clerk and a lifetime ban on holding public office or working for nonprofit organizations registered in New York state. Additionally, Diaz must complete 100 hours of community service. Diaz was also sentenced today to a three year conditional discharge, an additional condition of which is that he does not get rearrested for three years.

In addition to his salaried appointment as the Bronx County Clerk, Diaz worked as a paid consultant for often-criticized and now defunct homeless services provider Aguila, Inc. (Aguila) since 2014. In this role, Diaz maintained a close working relationship with the organization’s former Chief of Staff Jose Sierra and Thomas Poli, then a contractor for Aguila.

In order to satisfy the conditions of a plea in a 2019 criminal charge, Poli requested that Diaz draft and submit a letter to the court stating that Poli performed volunteer work for Aguila. However, Poli did not perform any community service for the organization, and in fact, he was paid by Aguila for vending, storage, and furniture contracts. 

In April 2022, Poli was charged with racketeering conspiracy after a joint investigation from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), U.S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and the Kings County District Attorney’s Office for his role in illegal gambling and related extortions in connection with the Genovese crime family. Poli’s 2019 sentencing was for a prior, unrelated matter. 

This was a joint investigation between OAG’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and OAG’s Public Integrity Bureau. This investigation was led by OCTF Detective John Mullen under the direction of OCTF Detective Supervisor Bradford Miller and Acting Deputy Chief Andrew Boss. The Investigations Division is led by Chief Oliver Pu-Folkes.

Connecticut Man Charged In Manhattan For Trafficking “Ghost” Guns

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and John B. DeVito, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), announced that MELVIN BURROUGHS was charged in a superseding indictment with conspiring to traffic firearms, trafficking firearms, and being a felon in possession of ammunition.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, the defendant—a convicted felon—was in the business of building and selling untraceable ‘ghost guns.’  Thanks to our law enforcement partners, his dangerous ghost gun business has been shut down.”

ATF New York Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito said:  “ATF has no higher priority than stopping the flow of illegal guns of any kind. This case sends a clear message to those who seek to produce ghost guns for the criminal marketplace. The NYC Crime Gun Intelligence allows law enforcement to identify patterns, leads, and potential suspects such as in this case; in order to make our communities safer.   Thanks to the collaboration with the NYPD Major Case Field Intelligence Team, NYSP and Ansonia CT Police Department for their hard work.”

According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court and in other public court documents:

From approximately 2019 through approximately January 2022, BURROUGHS purchased the parts for “ghost guns,” assembled the parts into completed firearms, and then illegally sold the working and completed firearms. 

Based on review of surveillance video capturing the event from multiple angles, on March 14, 2021, BURROUGHS exited his house in Ansonia, Connecticut with a handgun and—in broad daylight—discharged five rounds at two men who had approached his house. 

The Ansonia Police Department searched BURROUGHS’s house the next day.  According to police reports and photographs documenting the search, law enforcement officers located two completed Glock-style privately made firearms (commonly known as “ghost guns”), and a .50-caliber Desert Eagle pistol that had been reported stolen in Georgia.  Law enforcement officers also recovered a custom-made red and black AR-15-style rifle with the words “SUU WHOOP” inscribed on it.  “Suu whoop” is a gang call of the Bloods street gang, and red is the color of the Bloods street gang.  A photograph of the rifle is below:

During the search of BURROUGHS’s house, and in addition to the four firearms described above, law enforcement officers also recovered large quantities of ammunition, various gun parts and tools for making ghost guns, and a flamethrower. 

In connection with the shooting and search of his residence, BURROUGHS was charged in Superior Court of Connecticut – Ansonia-Milford Judicial District in Milford, Connecticut with Connecticut state offenses of threatening in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, criminal mischief in the third degree, illegal discharge of a firearm, criminal use of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm or ammunition, and attempt to commit first degree assault.  BURROUGHS was released on bail conditions.  

On January 8, 2022, BURROUGHS was arrested in Westchester County, New York with kits to build 17 ghost guns, a completed lower receiver[2] for an AR-15 rifle, 15 extended magazines, and an 18-inch machete.  A photograph of the items seized from BURROUGHS on January 8, 2022 is below:

After BURROUGHS was arrested on January 8, 2022, law enforcement agents searched multiple cellphones belonging to BURROUGHS pursuant to search warrants.  Evidence on those cellphones, including text message communications, videos, and photographs, establishes that BURROUGHS has been unlawfully selling firearms since approximately 2019.  In particular, the evidence shows that BURROUGHS’s gun trafficking business involves purchasing ghost gun parts online or at gun shows, building the ghost guns at his home, and then selling the completed firearms.  One of BURROUGHS’s cellphones contained a photograph, below, of 15 ghost gun kits that BURROUGHS purchased in approximately February 2021. 

BURROUGHS, 35, of Ansonia, Connecticut, is charged with: (1) one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, (2) one count of trafficking firearms, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, and (3) one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the ATF.  Mr. Williams also thanked the New York City Police Department, the Ansonia Police Department, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the Connecticut Office of the State’s Attorney for Ansonia-Milford, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut for their assistance in the case.

The charges in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment and other assertions in public court documents, and the descriptions of those documents set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

[2] A “lower receiver” or “frame” is the bottom part of a firearm and the basic unit of a firearm, which, in an AR-15 rifle, houses parts related to the trigger, magazine, and hammer.

Governor Hochul Joins Mayor Adams for Media Availability on New York City's Bid to Host 2024 DNC

Governor Hochul: "I am so energized by this opportunity to put the spotlight on our stage here in New York City with the Mayor because there are no two greater champions and believers in this city, in this state than the two of us. And we want to spread that sense of optimism that we innately have about the possibilities of our comeback." 

 Thank you, Mayor Adams. It is great to partner with you on so many initiatives, but this will probably be the most fun thing we partner on. I am so energized by this opportunity to put the spotlight on our stage here in New York City with the Mayor because there are no two greater champions and believers in this city, in this state than the two of us.

And we want to spread that sense of optimism that we innately have about the possibilities of our comeback. Yes, we've been down, we've been knocked down before and we always rise up. So, we talk about symbolism. The symbolism of the National Democratic Committee selecting New York City for their 2024 location will be a symbol of a rebirth of not just a community, but of the Democratic Party.

As we remind people that the values of our party, the Democratic Party, are uniquely American values. We value our diversity. We welcome people from all over the world. The Statue of Liberty is that symbol that is recognized by others as seeking freedom from oppression. And today, that same symbol allows us to talk about coming here, women particularly, who are being oppressed and denied their rights in other states to the medical procedure known as an abortion. So we're going to talk about these issues in 2024. This is the place to have that conversation, we believe because we're going to be able to show an incredible contrast. Who's fighting to protect our city streets more than New York City? The partnership we have once again, talking about this nonstop to ensure that we remain the safest big city in America, which is what we are today.

So, these are the issues that matter to people. Getting people good-paying union jobs as we rebuild our economy. We're going to talk about that. And also what we have to offer, not just historically as the place that had a democratic convention, 100 years, 1924. So, it'll be the 100th anniversary that it occurred right here in New York City. It was our first. This would be a great centennial of a convention coming here, but also the history of the last time the Democrats hosted a convention here was in 1992. And it was a very good year for a young guy, a Governor out of Arkansas named Bill Clinton. So, things turn out well for people who are nominated in this city is our recollection on that as well.

So, we have the history and we have the values. We want to showcase the contrast between the Democrats and the Republican Party. Interesting also, intersect with the fact that we are talking about an insurrection that occurred in our nation's capital at this time. We're also recognizing the fact that this is the nation's first capital here in New York City from 1785 to 1790.

So, we can make all kinds of connections. The symbolism is glaring and why this should be the location for the next convention. But as the Mayor said, the nightlife, the vitality, the energy, the excitement. This is a comeback. And by 2024, we'll be hitting on all strides. People will want to come here to celebrate the rebirth of our country after COVID, the long dark slumber of COVID, but also the rebirth of our Democratic Party. Once again, re-energized and there's no better place to do that than right here in New York City, in New York State. 

So, we know what we have the best. We're happy to brag about it because we're New Yorkers, it's what we do. But I think you walk away from here after two days of exploring all we have to offer with that sense as well, that this is the only place that this convention should and can occur. And we look forward to hosting this together as partners in 2024. 

MAYOR ADAMS STATEMENT ON OVERTURNED SCHOOL BUS INVOLVING NO CHILDREN ON HUTCHINSON RIVER PARKWAY

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement on a multi-vehicle crash involving a New York City Department of Education (DOE)-contracted school bus this morning, that had no children on board, on the Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx:

“This morning, a school bus carrying only bus drivers for the city’s summer programming overturned while exiting the Hutchinson River Parkway. The safety of every member of our community is our top priority and thankfully, at this time, no major injuries have been sustained on board. Additionally, no students were on the bus. 

 

“Families should expect that some bus routes this morning and afternoon will be delayed, and schools will be reaching out to families whose routes are impacted. Families experiencing delays should contact the transportation coordinator at their Summer Rising site or contact the DOE’s Office of Pupil Transportation call center at 718-392-8855.” 

 

Hell No! Is the Answer to the Jacobi - Rikers Proposal From the Community

 

Over four-hundred people jammed the room at Maestros for the Morris Park Community Association Informational meeting on the proposal to house people from Rikers Island at Jacobi Hospital. Al D'Angelo, President of the MPCA opened the meeting by saying that three group homes were recently visited, and not one person from Community Board 11 were residents. This proposal at Jacobi Hospital is a social experiment that has not been tried anywhere in the city. This is bringing in a criminal element from Rikers, and who in their right mind would put these people in their neighborhood. He concluded by repeating No More, Mo More to a loud audience cheer. 

Mr. D'Angelo then invited the two local elected officials who were on hand, and said that Senator Biaggi didn't want to come. He urged the audience to come out and vote the right people in. Boos greeted Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez who said that this was the first of these meetings with Jacobi and the Fortune Society. To be left in the dark is not right, and that this is only a proposal that must meet the Bronx and our communities needs first. Next up was current Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez who was also greeted with a round of boos. She said there is a lot of emotion here, adding that the intent here is to approve or deny this proposal. The audience shouted her down, and she ended her speech.

The Director of Correctional Services with HHC then spoke about the Just Home which has 1,500 units of housing on their sites, and Jacobi is the only site where this project could be sited. The audience roared up again and after a few minutes it was said that on June 30th HHC designated the Fortune Society as the provider of services. Ronald Davis of the Fortune Society then spoke saying that he lives in the Bronx, and his grandson will be born in Jacobi Hospital. He mentioned two sites in upper Manhattan run by the Fortune Society in old churches that are community models, that were greeted with 'Put the people from Rikers there'.

The gallery session was next, led by former Councilman Mark Gjonaj who was calling in. Gjonaj said that he knew about the proposal in November, and it was the wrong project for the site. He then said "I guess the new council member will move it." It must be approved by the city council, will she write a letter to the mayor, speaker, and others that she is against the project. Councilwoman Velazquez got up to refute what Gjonaj had said, adding that she wasn't elected with developer money. We need senior housing or a Birthing Center, and asked that everyone sign the petition against the proposal to be given to the mayor. 

The new Chair of Community Board 11 Yahay Obeid spoke next, saying that there would be an official community board meeting. He questioned the difference in number of occupants, first 100, then 72, now only 28 will come from Rikers. He added that the board will be fighting three homeless shelters again. One by one area residents came up to ask questions that all did not get answered, because there could be none since this would be the first such project of its kind. Only answers such as that would be taken care of, no that would not happen, and we will have people to take care of that. Safety seemed to be the number one concern, with concerns over the wall around Jacobi being opened so people would not have to go through the hospital grounds to leave the building given the address of 1900 Seminole Avenue. 

The question of zoning came up, since Jacobi is zoned R 4 low density residential zoning of two or three story houses of one or two families. The HHC representative said that since it was city property they could do whatever they wanted, which brought back a response, that since it was city owned property, and they would need a zoning change for this project a ULERP process would be needed. Then there was the question to Assemblywoman Fernandez about a bill A01745 she had sponsored in the State Assembly that said, "Imposes criminal liability for the failure to obtain medical care for a person in custody displaying medical distress." I went to show her the bill on my phone since she could not remember it, and she grabbed my phone away from me, putting it behind her back. I asked several times for my phone back, thinking if I was to grab for my phone Assemblywoman Fernandez might then say I was attacking her. She said that the bill was not for correction facilities, but for police departments only, and handed me my phone back. 

Assemblywoman Fernandez then disappeared saying that she had another event to go to, as more questions were being asked of the panel. Al D'Angelo ended the meeting by saying "we have a very strong community, go out and vote." Where is Senator Biaggi, we need to put in someone who will be with us. Go to community meetings, "I don't care what they say, this is not going to happen." He then thanked Maestros for the use of the room for the meeting.

The huge crowd that filled the room at Maestros for the meeting on the Jacobi - Rikers proposal.

Al D'Angelo President of the MPCA opens the meeting. L - R seated are two representatives of Jacobi Hospital, Assemblywoman  Fernandez, Councilwoman Velazquez, three representatives of the Fortune Society, and two representatives of HHC.

Community Board 11 Chair Yahay Obeid speaking.

Left - Assemblywoman Fernandez. Right - Councilwoman Velazquez.

Left - Ellie Epstein Director of Reentry and Transitional Services HHC. 

Right - Ronald Davis of Fortune Society.

80th A.D. Female District Leader Sandra Pabon is speaking, but Assemblywoman Fernandez has already left.

More photos of the event are below.

Two Men Charged With 2002 Murder

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Keechant L. Sewell, Police Commissioner for the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of an indictment charging RICARDO AYALA, a/k/a “Richie,” and TERRIS OLIVER, a/k/a “T-Bird,” with murder in furtherance of drug trafficking in connection with the murder of Atari Felton on March 27, 2002 in the Bronx, New York.  AYALA was arrested yesterday and was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang.  OLIVER is still at large.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “We allege that over 20 years ago, Ricardo Ayala and Terris Oliver participated in the murder of Atari Felton, who was just 19 years old.  Thanks to the extraordinary partnership of the NYPD and the Special Agents of our office, the defendants are charged in federal court for this decades-old murder.  No matter how long it takes, we will tirelessly work to hold murderers accountable for their crimes.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

On March 27, 2002, AYALA and OLIVER planned and carried out the murder of Atari Felton, who was 19 years old.  AYALA and OLIVER committed the murder in furtherance of a conspiracy to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine and quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

AYALA, 42, and OLIVER, 40, are each charged with one count of murder in furtherance of drug trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years in prison; and one count of murder through the use of a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. 

Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the NYPD’s Cold Case Squad. Mr. Williams added that the investigation is continuing.

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 constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.