Essex County Man Admits Using Credit Cards and Checks Stolen from U.S. Mail to Attempt to Defraud Banks of Over $250,000

 

 An Essex County, New Jersey, man admitted scheming with others to use credit cards and checks that were stolen from the mail by at least two U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees to make hundreds of thousands of dollars of purchases, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced.

Adeeb Salih, 30, of East Orange, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court to an information charging him with conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

According to documents filed in this and other cases and statements made in court:

Salih obtained checks, including U.S. Treasury checks, and credit cards from Yaseen Salih, 25, and Jahad Salter, 26, who had recruited USPS employees, including Khadijah Banks Oneal, 31, and Ashley Taylor, 28, to steal the credit cards and checks from the mail in exchange for compensation. Once they obtained the stolen credit cards, Adeeb Salih, Yaseen Salih, and Salter fraudulently posed as the accountholders of the stolen cards when calling the banks that issued the cards and used personal identifying information belonging to the accountholders to obtain or change information about the stolen credit cards. They then used the stolen credit cards to make purchases in New Jersey and elsewhere. Adeeb Salih also caused the stolen checks to be deposited into bank accounts that he controlled and withdrew proceeds from those checks from the accounts in the form of cash. This resulted in attempted losses of over $250,000.

Yaseen Salih, Salter, Banks-Oneal, and Taylor previously pleaded guilty for their respective roles in this scheme and are awaiting sentencing.

The charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud carries a maximum punishment of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2023.

Attorney for the United States Khanna credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Damon Wood, Philadelphia Division; and special agents of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the U.S. Marshals Service, District of New Jersey; the U.S. Secret Service, New York Field Office; the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Mid-Atlantic Field Division; the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Newark Field Office; the Livingston, New Jersey Police Department; the Newark Police Department; the Essex County Sheriff’s Office; the New Providence, New Jersey, Police Department; and the Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, Police Department, for their assistance.

Governor Hochul Announces the Start of 2022 Fall Foliage and Travel Season in New York State

 

View Weekly I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Reports Available Every Wednesday, Beginning September 14, Here

Watch New Broadcast and Digital Marketing Campaign Showcasing Popular Seasonal Attractions and Destinations Here

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of New York State's 2022 fall foliage and travel season, highlighted by the return of I LOVE NY's Fall Foliage Reports and a new I LOVE NY broadcast and digital marketing campaign to showcase popular fall activities and attractions. I LOVE NY is also collaborating with the state's network of heritage tourism destinations on this year's Path Through History Weekend, scheduled for October 8 to 10, which will feature special events and activations at the state's rich history and historic sites.

"From colorful foliage and unparalleled natural landscapes to breathtaking historical sites and one-of-a-kind state parks, there's nothing like New York in the fall," Governor Hochul said. "During this season, we invite travelers from New York and out-of-state to plan a perfect autumn adventure - whether it's climbing an Adirondack peak, visiting a Long Island winery, or walking along Buffalo's waterfront - and see what our great state has to offer."

Fall is one of New York's most popular travel seasons, attracting visitors from around the world who support local businesses while exploring the unique and diverse communities across the state. To help travelers and foliage enthusiasts plan a fall getaway, I LOVE NY's weekly foliage reports are issued every Wednesday, beginning on September 14. They are compiled using the on-location field observations from I LOVE NY's team of more than 85 volunteer leaf spotters throughout the state's 11 vacation regions. The spotters track color changes in their area, detailing the prevalent leaf colors, approximate percentage of change, and how much color change has progressed relative to peak conditions.

The reports also include an interactive foliage map, available on the I LOVE NY website, that tracks weekly changes and progression across the state throughout the season. The map includes recommended foliage viewing locations in each of the state's vacation regions, plus examples of peak foliage in a given area, and information about popular local and regional attractions. New this year, the interactive foliage map will include an option to filter attractions by category, including food & drink, and arts & culture.

Travelers are invited to share their photos of New York State's picturesque foliage on social media by using the #NYLovesFall hashtag. Photos submitted to this hashtag have a chance of being featured on the I LOVE NY fall foliage website and official I LOVE NY social media accounts reaching more than two million followers. I LOVE NY recently launched a TikTok account to reach additional audiences, complementing its existing accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks in part to its size and location, New York State traditionally has one of the longest and most colorful foliage seasons in the country. On any weekend from late September through mid-November, part of the state is likely experiencing peak foliage. Fall foliage reports and the interactive map are available at www.iloveny.com/foliage, or toll-free at 800-CALL-NYS (800-225-5697) from anywhere in the U.S., its territories and Canada.

About New York State

New York State is a premier vacation destination with world-class attractions, picturesque natural beauty, locally sourced cuisine and a booming craft beverage scene, an array of accommodations, and iconic, year-round festivals and events. Its 11 diverse vacation regions feature some of the world's top ranked beaches; two out of America's top three favorite state parks; breathtaking Niagara Falls; more ski areas than any other state; one of the nation's longest foliage seasons; multiple Halls of Fame; North America's longest, fastest and highest zipline; the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States; and the country's longest multi-use trail. Add in the state's unique museums, historic landmarks, cultural sites, charming small towns and urban playgrounds, and it's no wonder New York has been consistently chosen as a top getaway by travel publications and experts.

Permits Filed For 130 East 165th Street In Concourse, The Bronx

Permits have been filed for an eight-story residential building at 130 East 165th Street in Concourse, The Bronx. Located between Walton Avenue and Grand Concourse, the lot is near the 167th Street subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Jacob Kohn is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 80-foot-tall development will yield 40,812 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 75 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 544 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and a 30-foot-long rear yard.

Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

TODAY: CITY HALL PRESS CONFERENCE AGAINST BRONX UP ZONING

 

BRONX COALITION AGAINST UP ZONING

The Bronx Coalition Against Up Zoning, along with concerned members of the community will be hosting a press conference TODAY, September 7th at 11am at New York City Hall. The City Council hearing on Bruckner Site upzoning is taking place at City Hall and virtually at 10am.  The Bronx Coalition Against Up Zoning was formed by community members opposed to up zoning in their neighborhoods, and the Throggs Neck Associates LLC Bruckner Sites project in particular. When the neighborhood was predominantly white, it was down-zoned. Now that it is a quiet safe majority Hispanic neighborhood, problematic developers want to up-zone it.

WHO: Bronx Coalition Against Up Zoning WHAT: City Hall Press Conference WHEN: Wednesday, September 7th at 11am WHERE: New York City Hall Steps (map)

MAYOR ADAMS, UNIONS, ADVOCATES, RALLY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE EAST BRONX with Editorial Comment

 

Proposed Bruckner Boulevard Project Includes Affordable Homes for Seniors, Veterans

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Adams administration officials today were joined by labor unions, advocacy groups, and Bronx community partners in support of a proposed affordable housing project, with homes for seniors and veterans, on Bruckner Boulevard in Throggs Neck. As New York City continues to face affordable housing and homelessness crises, this project would help realize Mayor Adams’ vision for getting New Yorkers into the safe, high-quality, affordable housing they deserve.

 

“A handful of voices saying ‘No’ can’t stop the ‘City of Yes,’” said Mayor Adams. “Safe, stable, and affordable housing should not be a privilege — but we can only provide that for every New Yorker if we say yes to new affordable housing all across the city. And with family-sustaining jobs, a modern grocery store, and affordable homes, this project will enrich this community and help us make New York a city for everyone. I want to thank our brothers and sisters in labor, all the advocates, and the elected officials who have supported this project and worked so hard to make it a reality.”

 

The proposed Bruckner Boulevard would create 349 new homes for the East Bronx, including 168 with rent protections. Among those homes would be 99 reserved for seniors and 22 for veterans in need, as well as a modernized grocery store and community facilities, including space for local youth after-school programming. If adopted, it would add much-needed housing in a community that produced just 58 new affordable homes between January 2014 and December 2021 — among the lowest of any neighborhood in the city — even while welcoming 10,000 new residents in the last decade.

 

The proposal requires approval by the New York City Council and is being heard today by the Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises. It was approved by the City Planning Commission on August 24, 2022. It has been the subject of significant public engagement in its respective community.

 

On June 1, 2022, Mayor Adams laid out a plan to use the city’s zoning tools to create affordable housing, support small businesses, and promote sustainability — part of his vision for New York to become a more inclusive, equitable “City of Yes.” The Zoning for Housing Opportunity citywide text amendment will encourage the creation of more housing in neighborhoods across the entire city.

 

“Every New York City neighborhood must do its part to create safe, accessible, and affordable homes for New Yorkers. This project will bring hundreds of units of new housing, including permanently affordable housing and homes for seniors and veterans,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “I’m proud that our administration is supporting these types of projects that will help our city not only recover from the pandemic but also thrive in its wake.”

 

“Tackling our city’s housing shortage means welcoming new neighbors into our communities citywide — and standing up to those who refuse to do so. While the Bruckner rezoning is a small-scale project, it sends an important message,” said Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “New York City is the greatest city in the world because it continues to grow, change, and welcome new people. We must continue to build new housing to serve future New Yorkers and those who are struggling to afford to stay here today. We are all responsible for making this city more affordable, and that starts with projects like this one. I hope the City Council will vote yes and help us house our neighbors.”

 

“This area has seen barely any affordable housing creation over the past decade, and these proposals are an important step in correcting that problem,” said New York City Department of City Planning Director and City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick. “For the sake of seniors, veterans, and all New Yorkers who are struggling to find a place to live, we need to get this done.”

 

“Our city faces a crisis of homelessness and affordability, and every community has to be a part of the solution to expand the supply of housing,” said New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “The Bronx is my home, and as a member of this community and this administration, I say yes to more affordable housing, yes to more supportive housing and compassion for our neighbors in need, and yes to more opportunities for New Yorkers to live and grow here. I call on my fellow Bronxites to say yes with me.”

 

“This project is yet another example that New York is the model age-inclusive city. It represents an incredible opportunity to ensure working-class Bronx residents can continue to live in New York City for decades to come,” said New York City Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “We must take every opportunity to promote equitable and inclusive housing, and I welcome the City Council’s partnership in this regard.”

 

“The Bruckner Boulevard project strikes a necessary balance by creating new affordable housing that promotes family-sized units for our most vulnerable residents, opportunities for our youth to safely recreate, and a renovated supermarket for the neighborhood to access fresh and healthy food options while providing jobs to the local community,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “This project is an investment in our seniors and veterans who are in desperate need of stable housing, and we have a responsibility as a city to not turn our backs on New Yorkers who have dedicated their lives to giving back to their communities. We should not accept segregated housing of any type in our borough and city and instead should identify ways to welcome new residents and families that add value to our neighborhoods. There are neighborhoods that are saturated with affordable and supportive housing across the city, and lower-density neighborhoods need to take on their fair share of affordable housing. On behalf of the nearly 1.5 million residents I represent, which includes the communities of Throggs Neck and Schuylerville, I want to thank Mayor Adams, the administration, our labor unions, housing advocates, and many others for their commitment to investing in housing equity, recreational activities for our youth, permanent employment opportunities, and amenities for all New Yorkers. Every project has to work on its own merits, and this one does.”

 

“As a Bronx resident and an officer with 32BJ, I see the impacts of our city’s affordable housing crisis in my borough and at work every day,” said Shirley Aldebol, vice president, 32BJ SEIU. “These are urgent and real problems that require courageous and immediate action from our city’s elected officials. Our union is proud to stand with Mayor Eric Adams in support of the Bruckner Rezoning currently going through the ULURP process. This rezoning is a perfect example of how we can tackle these problems at once and create better opportunities for working-class New Yorkers to thrive in this amazing city and neighborhoods like my very own Throggs Neck.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It is this project along with the proposed 'Jail Without Walls' project at Jacobi Hospital that will ruin the current open nature of the East Bronx. Soon there will be no difference as building after building will go up in the East Bronx bringing in many more residents than can safely be housed. 

Mayor Adams, where is the needed infrastructure to accommodate all the new buildings that will go up? Where will the extra electricity come from to light the apartments, and charge the electric cars? Where will the public transit system that is missing come from? Will only one smaller grocery store be enough to service all the new incoming people from this and other similar new housing in the East Bronx? Where will the additional needed other services come from? When will certain people who do not live in the East Bronx stop trying to tell the residents of the East Bronx what is best for them, and demand that projects such as this be done, saying 'we are going to shove it down your throats whether you like it or not.' 

Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association Meeting Tuesday Sept 13 starting at 7:00pm

 

Please join us on Tuesday Sept 13 starting at 7:00pm as the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association has their first community meeting after the summer recess at Barnes and Lydig Ave.

August 2022 Crime Statistics

 

Fourth-Lowest Number of Shootings in any August since the early 1990s

Overall index crime in New York City increased in August 2022 by 26% compared with August 2021 (11,357 v. 9,014)

For the month of August 2022, the number of overall shooting incidents was driven down in New York City compared with August 2021, marking the fourth-lowest number of shootings for any August in the modern CompStat era. Citywide shooting incidents decreased in August by 30.3% (115 v. 165), driven by steep decreases in the Bronx, southern Queens, and northern Brooklyn. Additionally, the number of murders citywide decreased for the month by 54.2% (27 v. 59) compared to the same period last year, a sign that the NYPD’s work to eradicate violence is taking hold.

More specifically, the NYPD’s array of strategies to remove illegal firearms from the streets is gaining traction as reflected in the department’s seizing more than 4,880 guns year-to-date in 2022. The department’s work is reflected in the citywide gun arrests police officers are effecting, a number that rose in August by 16% (405 v. 349) compared to the same period in 2021. That monthly productivity means that citywide gun arrests through August are at a 27-year high, rising to 3,170 – which is a 4.4% increase compared with the 3,036 gun arrests through the first eight months of last year. Additionally, NYPD officers in August 2022 made 4,011 arrests for complaints of major felony crimes, a 16.3% increase over the 3,450 arrests for major felonies in the same month last year. Arrests for major felonies are up 27.1% (31,033 v. 24,419) so far in calendar 2022, compared with the first eight months of 2021.

Overall index crime in New York City increased in August 2022 by 26% compared with August 2021 (11,357 v. 9,014). Five of the seven major index-crime categories saw increases, driven by a 38% increase in robbery (1,630 v. 1,181), a 34.7% increase in grand larceny (4,687 v. 3,480), and a 31.1% rise in burglary (1,356 v. 1,034).

“In their training, crime-fighting strategies, and relentless commitment, the brave women and men of the NYPD know well the most effective and just ways to battle crime and keep New Yorkers safe – and they will never waver in that trusted mission,” said Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “Your officers have worked in tandem and across boroughs and bureaus throughout this summer to prevent violence and criminal activity. Their success is a strong reflection of NYPD innovations built on gathering timely intelligence, rapid deployment, and the use of effective tactics to engage, investigate, and address matters large and small. Our gun seizures and gun arrests in August – and the corresponding downturn in shooting incidents – indicate a positive corner turn in our fight to stop criminals willing to carry illegal guns and brazenly use them. For the NYPD, victims of crime remain our central focus. We know there is much more work to be done to address crime in our city. We must push forward as we continue to advocate for further refinements to the state’s well-meaning criminal justice reforms that too many recidivists and violent criminals exploit.”

The NYPD, with its precision policing-based enforcement, built momentum in August 2022 in its mission to keep people safe and hold criminals accountable for their crimes. That work has driven a 12.4% reduction (928 v. 1,059) in shooting incidents year-to-date – with 147 fewer shooting victims through the first eight months of 2022 compared to the same period last year – and a 12.1% decrease (284 v. 323) in murders year-to-date through the end of August.

“Any level of violence in New York City – or anywhere – is unacceptable,” said Chief of Department Kenneth Corey. “We know that New York City is safer today than it was when we implemented our Summer Violence Reduction Plan in May. Throughout these months, the NYPD carried out more of its integral work, often in concert with our law enforcement partners, to develop long-term investigations focused on those few New Yorkers willing to pick up guns and use them.”

Shootings in the Bronx in August declined by 46.2% (28 v. 52), compared to the same period a year ago, and by 51.7% (14 v. 29) in southern Queens in the same period. In those and other areas of the city, precinct detective squads, field intelligence officers, patrol officers, and those in the department’s specialty units have all pulled together to share information, remain flexible to shifting conditions, and focus on violent street gangs, crews, and illegal narcotics enterprises. The NYPD’s Gun Violence Suppression Unit carried on with efforts to locate and seize illegal firearms – and, in many instances, to remove them before they could be sold on New York City’s streets.

A central element of the Summer Violence Reduction Plan is the localized deployment of additional officers – every day – into the precincts, transit districts, and housing developments where New Yorkers need them most. The NYPD’s summer beach detail, which ran through Labor Day, created an increased uniformed presence during the busiest, most crowded time of the year for the city’s public beaches. The Patrol Services Bureau, in alignment with the department’s Highway and Traffic Safety officers, has focused on seizing illegal ATVs and dirt bikes whose drivers pose great dangers on neighborhood streets. Neighborhood Coordination Officers worked every day to glean the complaints of residents and workers throughout the five boroughs and to get their problems solved, with the goal of keeping all New Yorkers safe.

The NYPD’s work will continue as the summer winds down – driven most fundamentally by community concerns. The support and partnership the NYPD receives from people in every neighborhood was highlighted at the Police Academy in Queens on August 10 during the Summer Youth Employment Program’s annual career forum, which was attended by the Police Commissioner. There, more than 800 young people – including many who are deaf and hearing-impaired – explored programs designed to open pathways to their future. Such NYPD programs, centered on youth development, are essential to building trust with all New Yorkers and underscore the important idea that public safety is a shared responsibility between the police and every member of the community. The NYPD will never stop fighting for New Yorkers, and will always work to keep the entire criminal justice system’s focus where it belongs: on the people it serves.

*All crime statistics are preliminary and subject to further analysis, revision, or change.*

Index Crime Statistics: August 2022

	August 2022	August 2021	+/-	%
Murder	27	59	-32	-54.2%
Rape	144	144	0	0.0%
Robbery	1630	1181	+449	+38.0%
Felony Assault	2303	2112	+191	+9.0%
Burglary	1356	1034	+322	+31.1%
Grand Larceny	4687	3480	+322	+34.7%
Grand Larceny Auto	1210	1004	+206	+20.5%
TOTAL	11357	9014	+2343	+26.0%

Additional Statistics For August 2022

	August 2022	August 2021	+/-
%Transit	178	149	+29	+19.5%
Housing	541	479	+62	+12.9%
Citywide Shooting Incidents	115	165	-49	-30.3%

Rape Incident Reporting Statistics: August 2022

(Reports filed from August 1 – August 31 in years indicated)

Year	Total Incidents Reported	Incident Occurred Same Year	Incident Occurred Previous Year	Incident Occurred 2 Years Prior	Incident Occurred 3 Years Prior	Incident Occurred 4 Years Prior	Incident Occurred 5+ Years Prior
2022	144	118	7	4	2	0	13
2021	144	114	7	4	1	2	16
2020	130	99	8	4	2	5	12
2019	162	125	8	7	3	4	15
2018	168	121	17	9	5	3	13
2017	125	100	11	1	1	2	10

Rape continues to be underreported. If you are a victim of sexual assault, please come forward. The 24-hour NYPD Special Victims Division hotline is: 212-267-RAPE (7273).

Hate Crimes Stats Summary for August 2022

(Representing Aug. 1 – Aug. 31 for calendar years 2022 and 2021)

Motivation	2022	2021	Diff	% Change
Asian	7	5	+2	+40%
Black	5	1	+4	+400%
Disability	0	0	0	0%
Ethnic	5	1	+4	+400%
Gender	2	0	+2	+200%
Hispanic	0	1	-1	-100%
Jewish	24	11	+13	+118%
Muslim	0	2	-2	-100%
Religion	5	1	+4	+400%
Sexual Orientation	5	16	+11	-69%
White	2	1	+1	+100%
TOTAL	55	39	+16	+41%

Note: Statistics above are subject to change, as active possible bias cases may be reclassified to non-bias cases and removed from counted data upon investigation.

MAYOR ADAMS STOPS ADDITIONAL GHOST GUN RETAILER FROM SELLING GHOST GUN KITS TO NYC RESIDENTS

 

Settlement Follows Two Other Settlements in August, City’s June Lawsuit Against Two Remaining Defendants Continues

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that another online ghost gun retailer, Salvo Technologies, has stopped illegally selling and delivering gun components — used to assemble illegal and untraceable firearms — to New York City residents. The agreement with Salvo Technologies — doing business as 80P Builder (based in Largo, Florida) — is the third agreement the city has reached with online ghost gun retailers since last month, following a lawsuit filed against five companies in June 2022. The Adams administration announced two previous agreements on August 25 with Rainier Arms (based in North Auburn, Washington) and Rock Slide USA (based in Broadway, North Carolina).

 

“Ghost guns are illegal and deadly, and we will not sit idly by as gun sellers flout the law to turn a profit off of death in our city,” said Mayor Adams. “We will not hesitate to take every necessary action to keep these dangerous weapons out of our city and hold accountable those who put profits over people. Today’s agreement with Salvo Technologies, like the two before with Rainier Arms and Rock Slide USA, stop the illegal selling of ghost gun kits to New York City residents and is another step in our efforts to reduce gun violence across our city. This is about stopping our schools, our businesses, our places of worship, and so many other locations from turning into killing fields.”

 

“This latest settlement is yet another example of the city’s commitment to stop online ghost gun retailers from arming individuals who cause enormous harm in our communities,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Sylvia Hinds-Radix. “Our efforts are ongoing to ensure that ghost gun retailers comply with the law so these dangerous weapons stay out of our city.”

 

As part of today’s agreement with Salvo Technologies, the seller agrees, among other things, to:

• Immediately stop selling ghost gun components to New York City residents,
• Implement a technological bar to any such sales in the future, and
• Provide the city with sales data it can obtain for all such sales since 2020.

 

In addition to Salvo Technologies, Rainier Arms, and Rock Slide USA, New York City filed suit against Arm or Ally (based in Kansas City, Missouri) and Indie Guns (based in Orlando, Florida) in June. Those suits continue. 

 

In addition to the city’s lawsuit, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed her own lawsuit in June against 10 defendants — including the five the city sued — for selling tens of thousands of illegal, unfinished frames and receivers to New Yorkers that were then converted into unserialized, untraceable handguns and assault-style weapons.