Florida Man Sentenced for Racially Motivated Attacks on Two Black Women

 

A Florida man was sentenced yesterday to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for committing two federal hate crimes by attacking two Black women with a gun.

Frederick Eugene Pierallini III, 27, previously pleaded guilty to these crimes on July 6, 2023.

“The defendant is being held accountable for targeting two Black women with a gun on two separate days because of their race,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one in this country should have to live in fear that when they use public spaces or work at their job, they risk attack by someone who hates them because of the color of their skin. The Justice Department is committed to protecting Black people from racially-motivated violence. We will continue to be relentless in investigating and prosecuting individuals who threaten or commit unlawful acts of hate.”

“The violent assaults committed against these two women because of their race are intolerable,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “There is no place in our society for such heinous acts. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who target individuals and communities because of their race, ethnicity or beliefs.” 

“Hate crimes like these are not only attacks on the victims but are meant to threaten and intimidate an entire community,” said Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI and our partners will continue to prioritize investigating civil rights violations and work together tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.”

According to court documents, Pierallini willfully intimidated the victims and interfered with their enjoyment of federally protected activities using force or a threat of force, because of their race and color. Victim 1 was enjoying her private employment and Victim 2 was enjoying a facility provided by the state of Florida.

Specifically, on Sept. 10, 2022, Pierallini went to a convenience store, located in Jacksonville, Florida. Victim 1 was working there as a clerk at the register. Pierallini attempted to buy snacks at the register, but his card was declined. He then attempted to walk out of the store with unpaid merchandise. Pierallini ultimately returned, scolding Victim 1 for not knowing how to do her job and directing racial slurs at her. Pierallini left the store, retrieved a shotgun from his car, pointed it at Victim 1 and cocked it by pulling the slide back to open the chamber and loaded a bullet into it. Victim 1 ran away in fear. Pierallini continued to use racial slurs throughout the encounter.

Two days later, on Sept. 12, 2022, Pierallini approached Victim 2 as she was sitting in her walker on the public sidewalk. He directed racial slurs at her and told her that she could not sit where she was. Pierallini also threatened to kill Victim 2. He then left, returned with a shotgun and fired a single shot. Victim 2 sustained injuries when she fell to the ground in response, but she was not hit by Pierallini’s shot.

The FBI Jacksonville Field Office and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. 

Governor Hochul Celebrates Biden Administration’s $6.1 Billion Investment in Micron to Grow the Semiconductor Industry in the United States

Announcement Builds on Governor Hochul’s Continued Commitment to Establish New York State as a Global Hub for Semiconductor Manufacturing and R&D

President Biden Announces Upstate New York as National Workforce Hub

Newly Enacted FY 2025 Budget Cements $500 Million in Additional Capital Investment at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex to Jumpstart $10 Billion Partnership for Next-Generation Chips Research

Budget Includes $200 Million Investment to Support Four ON-RAMP Advanced Manufacturing Training Centers – Including Flagship in Central New York – to Prepare New Yorkers for Jobs of the Future

Governor Kathy Hochul celebrated the up to $6.1 billion investment by the Biden-Harris administration’s Department of Commerce in Micron Technology, which will be dramatically expanding its domestic memory chip manufacturing in the United States, and the announcement by President Biden that Upstate New York will be designated as a National Workforce Hub. Both federal and state incentives were essential to secure Micron’s $100 billion investment in the White Pine Industrial Park in the town of Clay in Onondaga County – one of the largest economic development projects in U.S. history. This federal funding through the CHIPS and Science Act builds upon $5.5 billion in performance-based Green CHIPS incentives provided by New York State that are directly tied to Micron creating 9,000 new direct jobs, investing $100 billion in New York State, and achieving the Green CHIPS community benefits package and sustainability standards for their Clay facility. In total, the project is expected to create nearly 50,000 jobs statewide, including an average of 5,600 construction jobs per year paying federal prevailing wage. When complete, the complex will include the nation's largest clean room space at approximately 2.4 million square feet, grow domestic semiconductor manufacturing, and enhance our national security by expanding the United States’ chipmaking capacity. Additionally, Micron’s commitment to New York State builds on Governor Hochul’s successful efforts to establish New York State as a global hub for semiconductor research and manufacturing in the newly enacted FY 2025 Enacted Budget.

“As the first Governor from Upstate New York in more than a century, I knew we needed to revitalize the Upstate economy and transform New York State into a national leader in semiconductor manufacturing and research. The combination of federal funding and our Green CHIPS program is the formula for success,” Governor Hochul said. “I spent months advocating for Micron to come to New York and this megafab will be a game changer, setting the stage for regional transformation. This is just the beginning of what we'll accomplish together, but none of it would be possible without the partnership of President Biden, Commerce Secretary Raimondo, New York’s congressional delegation, the New York State Legislature and our local stakeholders.”

This announcement complements the ongoing partnership between Micron and New York State that was forged in October 2022 when Micron chose Central New York for its megafab. Governor Hochul has worked closely with local, state and federal partners to prepare for Micron’s arrival and make continued investments in the community.

• In October 2023, Governor Hochul unveiled plans for the $15 million, 5,000 square-foot Micron Cleanroom Simulation Lab at Onondaga Community College, which will help to train students in Central New York for jobs at Micron.
• Governor Hochul has continued to work with Micron to provide access to reliable and affordable child care for Micron employees, including future on-site child care options on Micron’s Clay campus.
• Micron has made significant investments that will benefit Central New York families, including $500,000 to the YMCA of Central New York to help expand access to high-quality child care and early learning for underserved communities in the region.
• Micron also announced funding for the Early Childhood Career Pathways Program, administered by Childcare Solutions and PEACE Inc., to expand family home child care centers.
• Micron, in partnership with Empire State Development, will establish a $500 million Green CHIPS Community Fund to ensure that the area directly benefits from the company’s presence.

Additionally, Governor Hochul also established the Micron Community Engagement Committee to guide the investment strategy for the $500 million Community Investment Fund. The committee will produce a Community Priorities Document in the coming months that builds off robust community engagement. The Committee has already reached over 8,300 people, both in person at community forums and via web-based surveys, and continues to listen and learn about how Micron’s presence can help the region.

Governor Hochul is prioritizing the semiconductor industry as part of the FY 2025 Enacted Budget. The Governor secured an additional $500 million capital investment for NY CREATES’ Albany Nanotech Complex with total State investment of $1 billion to jumpstart a $10 billion partnership that will bring a cutting-edge High NA EUV Lithography Center to the Complex. The Governor announced the partnership with IBM, Micron, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron and other leaders from the semiconductor industry last year as part of her commitment to establishing a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing in New York. Once completed, this new center will build on other semiconductor-related investments to make New York home to the first publicly owned High NA EUV Lithography Center in North America, support the long-term growth of New York’s tech economy, and create and retain thousands of direct, indirect and union construction jobs.

The Budget also includes a $200 million investment to establish One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships (ON-RAMP) – a network of four new workforce development centers to prepare New Yorkers for the jobs of the future. As the state continues to attract 21st century businesses in fast-growing industries like semiconductor manufacturing, ON-RAMP will offer credentials and training related to advanced manufacturing and help expand opportunities for disadvantaged populations. The program will focus on strategic, high-impact locations in upstate New York, including a flagship facility in Syracuse overseen by CenterState CEO.

Additionally, Governor Hochul has secured $100 million in additional funding for the Focused Attraction of Shovel-Ready Tracts New York (FAST NY) program. Launched in December 2022, FAST NY has awarded more than $175 million to prepare more than 2,500 acres across 20 sites in every Upstate region for shovel-readiness, a key feature businesses seek when looking to locate.

Semiconductors are vital to the nation's economic strength, serving as the brains of modern electronics, and enabling technologies critical to U.S. economic growth, national security, and global competitiveness. The industry directly employs over 300,000 people in the U.S. and supports more than 1.8 million additional domestic jobs. Semiconductors are a top five U.S. export, and the industry is the number one contributor to labor productivity, supporting improvements to the effectiveness and efficiency of virtually every economic sector — from farming to manufacturing.

New York's is home to a robust semiconductor industry of 156 semiconductor and supply chain companies that employ over 34,000 New Yorkers. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, the industry is continuing to expand with major investments from semiconductor businesses and supply chain companies like Micron, GlobalFoundries, AMD, Edwards Vacuum, Menlo Micro and TTM Technologies to expand their presence in New York.

NYLCV Responds: Mayor Adam's FY25 Executive Budget

 

NYLCV has been working tirelessly to ensure our city's budget puts the environment first.  

  

While Mayor Adams promised to protect our important green spaces and touted the launch of curbside composting, his budget announcement yesterday disappointed and backtracked on environmental progress. 

 

Read our full statement here: 

The New York League of Conservation Voters is deeply disappointed in the FY25 Executive Budget announced by Mayor Adams. While the release of the new Climate Budgeting publication is welcome news, when it comes to on-the-ground policy, this budget takes us in the wrong direction. The mayor campaigned on a promise to invest in our green spaces – which are critical to climate resilience – yet this budget solidifies last year’s draconian cuts to the Department of Parks and Recreation. Further, despite announcing to great fanfare the city’s curbside composting program a year ago, this budget still cuts that program and community composting off at the knees, which means more waste going to our landfills. And while the mayor touts New York City as a leader in the climate fight, this budget will only delay the city’s own compliance with LL97, the strongest municipal climate law in the nation. We urge the Administration and City Council to work together to restore funding for these vital environmental programs in the final Adopted Budget.

If you, like us, want to see our parks given the funding New Yorkers deserve, take action by joining us for a rally to #SaveNYCParks on Tuesday, May 7 at 6pm. Rally information here. 

  

Sincerely, 

Alia Soomro, 

Deputy Policy Director for NYC, NYLCV

DOC DASHBOARD UPDATE: NYC Comptroller Releases New Monthly Data on Department of Correction Operations

 

The New York City Comptroller’s Office released its monthly update to the Department of Correction (DOC) Dashboard, available here.

Key monthly DOC metrics show:

• DOC jails housed 6,333 detained individuals as of April 1, 96 more people than in March.
• DOC incarcerated 2,051 people in March, 161 more people than admitted in February.

• DOC discharged 1,957 people in March, 125 more people than in February.

• The average length of a person was detained in DOC custody was 96 days; no change from previous month.
• On April 1, DOC hired 84 new correction officers, the first new class of uniformed staff since October 2023.
• 20% of incarcerated people have a serious mental illness for the fourth consecutive month.
• In March, an average of 6 percent of staff were out sick and 5 percent of staff were on medically restricted leave; no change from prior month.

Violence indicators in March:

• 533 fights broke out, 81 more than in February.
  • DOC last saw a month with more than 500 fights in November 2023 (508) and June 2021 (531).
• 42 assaults on staff occurred, 3 fewer incidents than in February.
• 27 slashings and stabbings occurred, no change from prior month.
• Roy Savage died in custody, bringing the total number of deaths to three in 2024. The cause of Savage’s death is currently unknown.

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.

MAYOR ADAMS, CHIEF SERVICE OFFICER ROG UNVEIL PLAN TO BOOST SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AND VOLUNTEERISM IN NEW YORK CITY

 

City Aims to Engage 55,000 New Yorkers in Service Opportunities Annually to Serve 100,000 New Yorkers in Need

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Chief Service Officer Laura Rog today unveiled the city’s plan to increase volunteer and service opportunities by 25 percent across the five boroughs — helping to build stronger communities, address the loneliness epidemic, and bolster the nonprofit sector’s volunteer force. Beginning this year, NYC Service will engage 55,000 people in service opportunities to support 100,000 New Yorkers across all five boroughs annually. The city will also offer more than 1 million volunteer opportunities at city-based non-profits and agencies, expanding how New Yorkers can give back to their communities.

 

“Real New Yorkers have each other's back, and across the city there are residents who give their time and talents to uplift those in need,” said Mayor Adams. “This plan is a roadmap to securing safe neighborhoods by engaging residents and embedding a culture of service on every block, in every building, and in the ethos of every business across the five boroughs. New York City is the greatest city in the world because everyone can serve.”

 

“AmeriCorps members and volunteers are vital to ensuring communities are supported and New Yorkers’ needs are met,” said City Hall Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack. “The NYC Service strategic plan outlines our whole-city approach to increasing access to meaningful opportunities and a commitment to tackling important issues affecting New Yorkers.”

 

“Service is a cornerstone of resilient communities and a responsibility of every New Yorker,” said Chief Service Officer Rog. “Our city is strongest when we are united in service, and NYC Service is committed to bridging the power of our city’s most precious resource — our people — to where they are needed most. We’re so proud of the volunteers and AmeriCorps members serving our city every year who continue to build on the legacy of New Yorkers showing up for each other.”

 

The plan aims to harness the power of more than 3,000 AmeriCorps members and 1.5 million volunteers who are active annually and build capacity of the public and nonprofit sectors. It builds on more than 20 current initiatives administered by NYC Service, with seven new initiatives to inform the city’s efforts and increase opportunities to serve.

 

Key NYC Service initiatives launching to increase volunteerism and service opportunities:

• Advisory Council: Led by the chief service officer, a 12-member council of representatives from the public, nonprofit, and private sectors with expertise in social responsibility and community engagement will develop a set of recommendations to make New York City the easiest place to make an impact through volunteerism and service. Inaugural members of the advisory council include:
• Anita Astupuma, directive committee, Fundavenyc
• Caitlin Belt, vice president, Office of Corporate Engagement, Goldman Sachs
• Herman Schaffer, deputy commissioner, Community Engagement Bureau, NYC Emergency Management
• Janis Robinson, institutions and partnerships vice president, Food Bank for NYC
• Jen Chantrtanapichate, deputy director, Sixth Street Community Center
• Jessica Kaplan, deputy executive director for strategic planning, Service in Schools: NYC Public Schools
• Julie Raskin, executive director, Sanitation Foundation
• Karina Smith, assistant commissioner for community outreach and partnership development, NYC Parks and Recreation
• Katy Rodriguez Botello, global senior manager, social impact, Marsh McLennan
• Kasia Laskowski, executive director, Thrive Global
• Kevin Cummings, district and government strategy vice president, City Year
• Ryan Murray, executive deputy commissioner, New York City Department for the Aging
• Sarah Hope de Mayo, senior group director for social commitment, Chanel
• Sapreet Saluja, executive director, New York Cares
• Tonya Gayle, executive director, Green City Force

• Engaging the City’s Largest Workforce: In partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Labor Relations’ WorkWell program and the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services, the city will develop tailored campaigns to increase access to volunteer opportunities for social connection, positive health outcomes, and professional development.

• Volunteers for a HealthyNYC: In partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), NYC Service will bolster HealthyNYC: New York City’s Campaign for Healthier, Longer Lives with a campaign to build the capacity of nonprofits and hospitals that focus on seven key determinants of health, as well as increase opportunities to volunteer in the areas of health that contribute to healthier, longer lives for New Yorkers. Recent national and New York City studies show that both adults and youth are experiencing high rates of loneliness and sadness. Furthermore, life expectancy has dropped dramatically for New Yorkers. Connection for individuals and support for organizations to engage residents in addressing issues close to home are key to healthy and safe communities. The campaign will include a digital one-stop-shop to allow New Yorkers to sign up for volunteer opportunities to improve the health of New Yorkers.

• Youth Action Campaigns: In partnership with city agencies, including DOE and DemocracyNYC, NYC Service will recruit high-school youth, ages 14 – 18, to volunteer during school recess, annually for an April Youth Action Month, and on National Voter Registration Day.

• Engaging the City’s Largest Workforce: In partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Labor Relations’ WorkWell program and the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the city will develop tailored campaigns to increase access to volunteer opportunities for social connection, positive health outcomes, and professional development for city employees and their families.

The announcement follows the 15^th anniversary of NYC Service, which was established in 2009 to connect volunteers to organizations in need of capacity. Over the last two years, the Adams administration has successfully expanded many longstanding and fundamental community service programs, including expanding the largest municipal youth leadership council network to 200 councils, serving 14,000 youth experiencing homelessness through the NYC Service-led winter donation drive, re-developing the city-run volunteer engagement website with more than 5,000 active users, tracking more than 14 million hours of volunteer service through a volunteer engagement campaign, and growing volunteer support to expand essential food access services to nearly 660,000 residents through civic impact funding.

 

“The Health Department has organized ourselves around extending lifespans and health spans, and is laying a strong foundation for a sustainable mental health system,” said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “However, our plans are only effective if we have dedicated and passionate people working to put them into effect. Not only will this administration’s efforts to boost volunteerism support HealthyNYC, volunteering itself has been shown to improve mental and physical wellbeing, benefiting us as individuals and as a collective. Thank you to NYC Service for providing access to one of the healthiest things New Yorkers can do: give your time, in service of others.” 

 

"The Adams administration's investment in service and volunteerism is a vital step toward combatting the effects of loneliness post-COVID and ensuring all New Yorkers can access essential services. This initiative offers more than 1 million volunteer opportunities, bridging political divides, revitalizing the nonprofit sector’s volunteer force, and creating a safe, livable city for generations to come," said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “At NYC Parks, we have a long and fruitful legacy of engaging volunteers in the stewardship of our city’s greenspaces, which we have been proud to build on through our ‘Let's Green NYC’ initiative. With this new mayoral project, we enthusiastically join our sister agencies in working toward a common mission: to help New Yorkers give back to our city through volunteering!" 

 

“NYC communities are made strong by neighbors supporting neighbors who need a helping hand. NYC Service is an excellent way for community members to get connected to volunteer opportunities that will make an impact on the lives of others” said New York City Administration for Child Services Commissioner Jess Dannhauser. “I want to congratulate Mayor Adams on this new strategic plan and look forward to seeing more and more New Yorkers working to make this city a better place for children and families.” 

 

“When New Yorkers come together to serve their communities and support those in need, the entire city benefits, and there is no better way to find meaningful opportunities to volunteer than through NYC Service,” said New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. “DSS is proud to partner with NYC Service on endeavors to serve vulnerable New Yorkers, like the NYC Service-led winter donation drive, which provides holiday gifts to thousands of vulnerable children across the city, and we greatly value Mayor Adams’ efforts to bolster volunteer opportunities and public-private partnerships that address New York City’s most pressing issues.”

 

"We are excited to partner with NYC Service,” said Mayor’s Office for Nonprofit Services Interim Executive Director Diane Mamet. “This collaboration is not just a continuation but an expansion, aiming to invigorate nonprofits throughout New York City with the power of service and volunteerism. Together, we are dedicated to offering a wealth of free resources that will enable nonprofits to harness the energy and passion of New Yorkers. Our goal is to cultivate a more dynamic, connected community where everyone thrives.”

 

“DCAS commends Mayor Adams for his strategic plan to increase service opportunities and volunteerism in New York City,” said DCAS Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock. “This comprehensive plan reflects our collective commitment to address the diverse needs of our communities, foster unity, and build a safer, more livable city for all New Yorkers. We are proud to support this effort and look forward to collaborating with NYC Service and other partners to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and create a more resilient city through volunteerism and connection." 

 

“New Yorkers dedicated to volunteering and service is what makes this city thrive,” said Herman Schaffer, deputy commissioner for community preparedness, New York City Emergency Management. “Volunteerism reflects our collective responsibility to care for our neighbors. Volunteers who respond to emergencies before, during, and after a disaster strengthens New York City’s preparedness and resiliency.  We are thrilled for the Adams Administration’s new strategic plan and continued effort to increase service opportunities and volunteerism for all New Yorkers.” 

 

"AmeriCorps is proud to support NYC Service in cultivating a culture of service across the Big Apple,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps. “AmeriCorps members, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers, and those who serve alongside them strengthen communities, improve lives, foster civic engagement, and cultivate a sense of belonging. This strategic plan will help all New Yorkers see how they can get involved in owning the challenges and opportunities in their neighborhoods." 

 

“Mayor Adams’ announcement today marks a pivotal moment in New York City’s commitment to fostering a culture of service and volunteerism that leaves no one behind. This announcement represents both an effective strategy and a clarion call to action, ensuring that every New Yorker, regardless of background or circumstance has the opportunity to contribute their talents and skills to address complex challenges facing our city,” said Dr. Lisette Nieves, president, Fund for the City of New York. “This multifaceted approach, spearheaded by NYC Service, underscores our city’s unwavering commitment to robust inclusivity, proximate problem solving, and civic engagement. Initiatives such as the NYCHA Health Corps and Women Forward NYC exemplify a forward-thinking approach to tackling complex issues, leveraging strengths and talents from every community, while addressing systemic inequalities. 

 

“We are proud to partner with NYC Service to increase opportunities that build a community who looks out for one another,” said Sapreet K. Saluja, executive director, New York Cares. “As the largest volunteer organization in the city, we bring New Yorkers together in service to make New York the city we know we can be."  

 

“Food Bank For New York City is honored to be invited to be on the NYC Service Advisory Council, as we all work to support the New York community,” said Janis Robinson, vice president for institutions and partnerships, Food Bank for New York City. 

 

“As someone who has seen the immense power people bring when they become civically engaged, I am proud that today we are opening volunteer opportunities to 55,000 New Yorkers," said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. "I became an assemblywoman by increasing voter turnout to three times higher than it had ever been and turning my campaign into a community service operation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s initiative will activate tens of thousands more New Yorkers to volunteer, helping 100,000 children, seniors, and other neighbors in need. New Yorkers will come together to invest in our collective destiny as one city and bring unprecedented energy to our communities.”

 

Statement from NYS DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar on EPA's Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plant Standards

 

New York State applauds President Joe Biden and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan for this significant regulatory action to protect public health and the environment from the harmful emissions and other byproducts of fossil-fueled power plants. New York’s stringent measures to eliminate coal-fired power plants and reduce pollution from all fossil-fueled power plants are already driving down emissions. New Yorkers will further benefit from the measures finalized by EPA today to improve air and water quality nationwide.

Instagram Influencer Known as “Jay Mazini” Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Overlapping Fraud Schemes

 

Defendant Capitalized on His Social Media Persona to Commit Fraud, Including a Scheme That Bilked the Muslim Community Out of Over $8 Million

In federal court in Brooklyn, Jebara Igbara, also known as “Jay Mazini,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Frederic Block to 84 months in prison for wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering arising out of multiple schemes that resulted in millions of dollars in loss to trusting investors.  Igbara pleaded guilty to the charges in November 2022.  As set forth in the information, up until March 2021, Igbara maintained a popular Instagram account under the name “Jay Mazini,” where he would post videos depicting, among other things, occasions during which he would hand out large amounts of cash to various individuals as gifts.  In reality, Igbara was perpetrating overlapping fraud schemes, scamming investors out of at least $8 million.  As part of his sentence, Igbara was ordered to pay $10 million in forfeiture. The amount of restitution will be determined at a later date.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Thomas M. Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI), announced the sentence. 

“The prosecution of Igbara unmasked him as a fraudster who used his social media popularity to con investors out of millions of dollars,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Shamefully, he targeted his own religious community, taking advantage of their trust in him so he could spend and gamble their hard-earned money. Hopefully today’s sentence will influence fraudsters, like this defendant, to think twice about the consequences before they victimize investors for their own benefit.”

“Igbara was a crypto con man.  He not only created a fake online presence to purport that he was a wealthy crypto investor, he used his Instagram persona as proof of success when convincing his unsuspecting victims to invest in his schemes.   He conned a New York Muslim community out of millions then simply spent it and gambled it away.  Igbara had no regard for the victims he affected with his scam, but today’s sentence means that this crypto swindler, along with his social media persona, will now spend years in prison for his criminal acts,” stated IRS-CI Special Agent-in-Charge Fattorusso.

Igbara maintained a popular social media presence on Instagram, calling himself “Jay Manzini,” with nearly one million followers during the offense period of 2019 to 2021.  The defendant portrayed himself as a successful investor and businessman, and also posted material relating to his Muslim faith, portraying himself as religious. Igbara touted his purported wealth by posting videos on his Instagram account showing him handing out large sums of cash to shoppers waiting on the checkout line in grocery stores, individuals working in fast food restaurants and a woman he met at the airport who had lost her purse. 

Igbara perpetrated an investment fraud scheme via a company called Halal Capital LLC.  The scheme targeted members of the Muslim-American community in New York by soliciting their money for purported investments in stock, electronics resale and the sale of personal protective equipment.  In reality, Igbara was operating a Ponzi scheme, and misappropriated nearly all of the money for his personal expenses, luxury vehicles and gambling.  To raise money in order to pay his investors “returns,” and keep them on the hook, Igbara also perpetrated a second fraudulent scheme, wherein he posted on his Instagram and other social media accounts that he was willing to pay above-market prices for various cryptocurrencies.  He would then send his victims doctored images of wire transfer confirmations that purported to show he had sent money for the cryptocurrency as promised, when in reality, the payment was never sent, and Igbara was merely stealing the cryptocurrency sent by his victim.