Fourteen Charged with Federal Dog Fighting Offenses in Three-State Arrest Operation

 

Fourteen men – residents of Georgia, Florida and Alabama – were charged for participating in a major dog fighting event that occurred in April 2022 in Donalsonville, Georgia. The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia unsealed the indictment in conjunction with arrests that occurred this week. The defendants are:

• Tamichael Elijah, 47, of Donalsonville, Georgia;
• Marvin Pulley III, 52, of Donalsonville and Jakin, Georgia;
• Brandon Baker, 41, of Panama City, Florida;
• Christopher Travis Beaumont, 37, of Panama City, Florida;
• Herman Buggs Jr., 56, of Donalsonville, Georgia;
• Terrance Davis, 45, of Pansey, Alabama;
• Timothy Freeman, 26, of Bainbridge, Georgia;
• Terelle Ganzy, 34, of Panama City, Florida;
• Gary Hopkins, 66, of Donalsonville, Georgia;
• Cornelious Johnson, 39, of Panama City, Florida;
• Rodrecus Kimble, 43, of Donalsonville, Georgia;
• Donnametric Miller, 41, of Donalsonville, Georgia;
• Willie Russell, 43, of Blakely, Georgia; and
• Fredricus White, 36, of Panama City, Florida.

According to court documents filed in this case, the defendants all converged on a property in Donalsonville, Georgia, on April 24, 2022, where they held a large-scale dog fighting event. The defendants and others brought a total of 24 dogs to fight that weekend in a series of matches. Law enforcement personnel who disrupted the event found numerous dogs inside crates in cars on the property. The participants used their cars to store dogs who had already fought, as well as those whose turns had not yet come.

As alleged in the indictment, Elijah resided on the property and acted as the host, having taken money from Pulley for hosting the dog fights. Pulley was the primary organizer. He and Russell acted as referees for matches that occurred before law enforcement arrived. Beaumont, Davis and Miller were witnessed fighting dogs at the event. Baker, Beaumont, Ganzy, Johnson and White brought three dogs from Florida to fight. Buggs, Davis, Freeman, Hopkins, Pulley and Kimble also brought dogs to the fight. Under federal law, it is illegal not only to fight dogs in a venture that affects interstate commerce, but also to possess, train, transport, deliver, sell, purchase or receive dogs for fighting purposes. Miller is also charged with the unlawful possession of a firearm subsequent to a prior felony conviction.

Authorities rescued 27 dogs from the April 2022 dog fighting event, and another 51 in conjunction with the arrests that occurred this week.

If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count of animal fighting charges. Miller also faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the firearm charge. 

Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) made the announcement.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General and detectives with the Seminole County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case, which remains ongoing. Detectives with the Bay County, Florda Sheriff’s Office also provided invaluable assistance.

Senior Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section is prosecuting the case, with assistance from Criminal Chief Leah McEwen of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. The U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Northern District of Florida and Middle District of Alabama also assisted with the operation.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

DASHBOARD UPDATE: NYC Comptroller Releases New Monthly Data on Department of Correction Operations with New Charts Tracking Deaths in Custody

The New York City Comptroller’s Office released its monthly update to the Department of Correction (DOC) Dashboard, available here. New this month, the Comptroller’s office includes two regularly updated charts related to deaths in custody from the past several years: a timeline of deaths by race/ethnicity and cause of death, respectively.

Last year, DOC stopped consistently notifying the media when an incarcerated individual dies – a troubling development from a transparency and oversight perspective. Two people reportedly died in custody since the beginning of 2024. On January 4, Chima Williams collapsed on the basketball court, and on January 19, Manuel Luna died after found unresponsive in his cell. 

“We cannot manage what we cannot measure, and so my office will fill this oversight gap through the new additions to our DOC Dashboard,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. “Awaiting trial at Rikers should not be a potential death sentence, and DOC should not hide people’s deaths, and dangerous conditions, under a shroud of secrecy. If DOC won’t inform the public about the deaths occurring under their custody, my office will – by tracking and identifying those wrongly killed under the City’s watch.” 

• As of February 1, the number of people housed in DOC jails was 6,167, an increase of 148 from the previous month as fewer individuals were released in January.
• In January, admissions to DOC jails increased by 316 people from December, totaling 1,929 – the largest admissions increase since March 2023.  

• • Discharges decreased by 11 to 1,743. 

• Incarcerated persons missed medical appointments 11,930 times in December 2023, a 15% decrease compared to November. 

• • This was a decrease not seen since September 2023 and the fewest missed medical appointments since June 2023.  

• Violence within DOC jails decreased slightly in January compared to the previous month: 

• • 36 assaults on staff occurred, 2 fewer incidents. 
  • Slashings and stabbings totaled 29, down 1 incident. 
  • Fights decreased to 438, 20 fewer fights than in December.  

• 417 officers (7%) were on sick leave in January – 8 fewer officers from the previous month.
• 5% of officers were on medically restricted leave – those with serious physical or psychological limitations who cannot work with people in custody – as of December 2023.  

The Comptroller’s dashboard, first published in August 2022, monitors pervasive issues in the City’s jails, including staff absenteeism, missed medical appointments, and incidents of violence among detained people and staff. It also tracks the jail population every month and length of stay. The Comptroller’s office publishes data to this dashboard monthly to provide increased transparency and accountability over the City’s jail system. 

View the DOC Dashboard here.

RIKERS ISLAND INMATE INDICTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER; STABBED DETAINEE IN HEART WITH 7-INCH PLEXIGLASS SHARD

 

Victim Required Open Heart Surgery After Brutal Assault

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Rikers Island inmate was indicted on Attempted Murder in the second degree for stabbing another detainee in the chest and back, causing life-threatening injuries requiring open-heart surgery. 

District Attorney Clark said, “This vicious attack was caught on video, which showed the defendant allegedly stabbing the victim multiple times with a piece of plexiglass fashioned into a knife, causing life-threatening injuries. Department of Correction Officers swiftly stopped him before the victim was killed.” 

District Attorney Clark said Shane Delisle, 25, was arraigned on Attempted Murder in the second degree, two counts of second-degree Assault, two counts of first-degree Promoting Prison Contraband, third-degree Assault, two counts of fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and two counts of second-degree Promoting Prison Contraband before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Brenda Rivera. The defendant was remanded. He is due back in court on May 14, 2024. 

According to the investigation, on December 20, 2023, at approximately 8:34 p.m. inside the George R. Vierno Center, Delisle, allegedly a member of Gorilla Stone Bloods, allegedly stabbed inmate Charles Satterwhite, also allegedly of the Gorilla Stone Bloods, in the back and chest with a seven-inch plexiglass “knife.” Correction Officers were able to detain the defendant after using pepper spray. They allegedly recovered two plexiglass knives from Delisle’s cell. Satterwhite was transported to Elmhurst Hospital where he underwent open heart surgery. The defendant and victim are believed to have known each other before the incident.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYC Department of Correction Officer Omari Townsend and Investigators Paul Smith, Cecil Philips, and Nathaniel Williamson from the NYC Department of Correction Intelligence Bureau for their work in the investigation. 

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt. 

Governor Hochul Releases New Tool to Protect Low-Income New Yorkers From Losing EBT Benefits to Scams or Skimming

 

New EBT Card Lock Feature Helps Secure Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards and Restricts Unauthorized Purchases

Benefit Recipients Need to Remain Vigilant and Take Steps to Protect Themselves from Scam-Related Theft

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new tool for New Yorkers who receive government assistance via an Electronic Benefit Transfer card to protect themselves from criminals who use "skimming" devices to steal benefits. Beginning today, February 21, a new EBT lock/unlock tool on the ConnectEBT app will enable card users to easily lock their EBT cards when not in use to protect their benefits from scammers.

“Low-income New Yorkers shopping for food and other essential items for their families should never have to find out at the checkout that their benefits have been stolen by scammers,” Governor Hochul said. “We will continue to take action to protect New Yorkers from scam-related theft and ensure that EBT cardholders have effective tools to protect their benefits.”

Across New York State and nationwide, thieves are using card skimmers, covertly placed over card reading machines at legitimate retailers, to copy EBT card and personal identification number information from EBT users. Scammers use the stolen card data to drain funds from victims’ EBT accounts.

The new lock/unlock EBT card feature helps prevent skimming theft by enabling EBT cardholders to quickly and easily lock their card through the ConnectEBT app after making a purchase. Locking the EBT card blocks all purchases, balance inquiries, and transactions on the card.

The new lock/unlock card feature is the latest step in Governor Hochul’s continued work to protect EBT card users from scammers. To raise awareness about skimming, Governor Hochul in December signed legislation that requires stores accepting EBT cards to warn customers of skimming and how they can protect themselves from the practice. The Governor worked with New York’s Congressional delegation and the Legislature to secure federal and State funding for partial reimbursements to theft victims. OTDA, which oversees SNAP and Public Assistance in New York State, began accepting applications for replacement benefits in August. More than $20 million in stolen benefits has been reimbursed through the end of December.

When shopping, consumers should inspect the card reading machine for an overlay device that may hide parts of the machine or anything unusual like glue marks, damaged or loose parts. If anyone suspects something is wrong with the machine, they should not use their card, notify a store manager, and contact the local police.

Additionally, EBT card users should:

• Protect their benefits by shielding the PIN pad when entering their PIN.
• Change their PIN frequently and do not share it. It is best to change the PIN immediately after each transaction.
• Lock their card immediately after use.
• Check their EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges.
• If a transaction is unexpectedly declined or a user receives an error code, contact the EBT Customer Services Helpline to verify the transactions on the account.

To learn more about scams targeted at Electronic Benefit Transfer cardholders, how to protect benefits, and how to have stolen benefits replaced, click here.

Rep. AOC Announces Re-Election Bid in the NY-14

 

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress plans a campaign launch rally in March

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez officially announces that she will seek another term in Congress to represent New York’s 14th Congressional District. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress, the campaign, will formally launch with a kickoff rally that will be hosted in March—details to come. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez released the following statement:

“I’m so proud of the work we have accomplished for our communities in The Bronx and Queens over my past term in Congress. We’ve brought in historic investments directly to the residents of the NY-14 from creating green energy job training programs in Throggs Neck and reducing air pollution in Co-op City, to improving street safety of Astoria Boulevard and Westchester Square, and expanding pre-K programming in Corona. These projects, paired with our tireless fight in Washington to take on special interests and support working families, have shown what the possibilities of good governance can look like.

"My campaign is part of a movement of everyday working people committed to building a better future for The Bronx and Queens. We are in a pivotal moment with so much at stake, and now is not the time to be complacent. We must fight for affordable housing, Medicare for All, reproductive freedom, a bilateral ceasefire in the Middle East, a Green New Deal, millions of good union jobs, and, most importantly, a New York where everyone can thrive—not just the 1%. That’s why I’m running for re-election.

It is a privilege to represent the people of the NY-14 without taking a dime in corporate money. This campaign is 100% people-powered, and is part of a grassroots movement that is already winning a better future. Now it’s time to fight for more.”

Affordable Housing Lottery Launches For 909 East 229th Street In Wakefield, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 909 East 229th Street, a four-story residential building in Wakefield, The Bronx. Designed by Node Architecture Engineering Consulting and developed by Arben Ulaj, the structure yields 17 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are six units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $66,789 to $198,250.

Amenities include on-site assigned parking, bike storage lockers, and resident storage. Units come equipped with name-brand kitchen appliances, air conditioning, and intercoms. Tenants are responsible for electricity with electric stove, heat, and hot water.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are three one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,850 for incomes ranging from $66,789 to $165,230, and three two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,100 for incomes ranging from $76,423 to $198,250.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than March 5, 2024.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES TWO-YEAR SUSPENSION FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION INTO DECEMBER 2023 BRONX BUILDING COLLAPSE

 

Major Building Collapse Still Under Active Investigation by DOB, DOI, and Bronx DA

 

Further Investigation Could Result in Further Enforcement Against Professional Engineer Richard Koenigsberg

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner Jimmy Oddo today announced the signing of an agreement with professional engineer Richard Koenigsberg related to his negligence in inspecting and identifying structural elements of a building located at 1915 Billingsley Terrace, leading up to a partial collapse that occurred in December 2023 in the Morris Heights neighborhood of the Bronx. Several days after the collapse, DOB took action to temporarily suspend Koenigsberg’s ability to conduct façade inspections in New York City, pending further enforcement actions.

 

In the legally binding agreement, Koenigsberg agreed to a voluntary two-year suspension of his ability to conduct façade inspections in New York City under the Local Law 11 Façade Inspection and Safety Program and agreed to pay a $10,000 fine. Parallel investigations into the various factors that may have contributed to the collapse are currently being conducted by DOB, the New York City Department of Investigation, and the Office of the Bronx District Attorney. Additional enforcement actions may be issued to the responsible parties at the building based on these ongoing investigations.

 

“Public safety is our administration’s top priority, and the signing of today’s agreement should serve as a reminder to all construction professionals about the importance of carrying out their duties professionally, competently, and, most importantly, safely,” said Mayor Adams. “I would like to thank Commissioner Oddo and his team at DOB for their quick and tireless work to hold Mr. Koenigsberg accountable following this incredibly dangerous collapse, and for helping to get the displaced families back into their homes safely.”

 

“Public safety in our city relies heavily on the competence and expertise of state-licensed private engineers, especially their ability to properly diagnose building conditions. When a private engineer fails to demonstrate this competency, our construction professional disciplinary team will not hesitate to take quick action to curtail their ability to work in our city,” said DOB Commissioner Oddo. “Decisive actions, like the one announced today against Mr. Koenigsberg, send a clear message to the industry that we will not tolerate sloppy work that puts our fellow New Yorkers in danger. Since the collapse occurred, our enforcement team has worked tirelessly — investigating all of the factors that could have contributed to the collapse, completing numerous field inspection sweeps of other properties across the city associated with the responsible parties at this building, and pushing the landlords to make needed repairs to 1915 Billingsley Terrace in an effort to get displaced families back into their homes both safely and as quickly as possible.”

 

On December 11, 2023, a corner of the occupied apartment building at 1915 Billingsley Terrace suffered a major collapse. Thankfully, this incident did not result in any fatalities or serious injuries. Prior to the collapse, Koenigsberg was acting in the capacity of a professional engineer — contracted by the building owners for required façade inspections and subsequent repairs — where he misdiagnosed a load-bearing column at the northeast corner of the building as non-structural in his engineering drawings. Following the collapse, DOB issued a full vacate order for the entire building in the interest of public safety. Since that time, extensive structural inspections of the building and major repairs performed by the property owners have allowed many of the families to safely move back into the building.

 

The new agreement requires Koenigsberg to wind down his business over a four-month period, during which he will be allowed to complete any active jobs where he was previously contracted to perform Local Law 11 façade safety inspections. However, resulting façade inspection reports for jobs already underway must undergo peer review approval by a third-party engineering firm prior to being submitted to DOB, where they will then be subject to enhanced scrutiny from senior DOB engineers. Jobs where Koenigsberg has already completed the inspections and already generated façade safety reports will not be required to undergo a peer review but are subject to enhanced scrutiny from DOB engineers.

 

Additionally, DOB has already completed audits of the 368 façade inspection reports filed by Koenigsberg in 2023 to ensure their accuracy. DOB has informed the New York State Office of the Professions — the appropriate state oversight body for state-licensed engineers — of the findings of its audits as well as shared details about today’s agreement. Finally, DOB is currently reviewing existing agency regulations related to the qualifications of industry professionals who perform Local Law 11 façade inspections in New York City to determine if there are any opportunities to strengthen registration requirements for these private façade inspectors in the interest of public safety.

 

This agreement was settled in lieu of a formal disciplinary hearing at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - Sign Up: Green New Deal Town Hall in Astoria on February 22

 

Join Us for a Green New Deal Town Hall in Astoria!

Join Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Astoria for an in-person town hall to celebrate the five-year anniversary of the Green New Deal! We'll be at 14-14 29th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11102 on Thursday, February 22 at 6 pm. Guests are asked to register in advance.

REGISTER HERE

The Congresswoman will discuss our progress with the Green New Deal over the past five years and lay out a vision for the next five years. There will be a panel discussion with local elected officials and organizers on projects impacting New Yorkers. The Congresswoman will also take questions from the audience.

Spanish and ASL interpretation will be available. CART open captions can be accessed here. If you can join us in person, join us virtually @RepAOC on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube.

If you have any questions, call our office at 718-662-5970. 

We hope to see you there!