D.A. Bragg Announces Hate Crime Indictment Of Man For Anti-Muslim Attack In Midtown

 

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., announced the indictment of DAVID GRINBLAT, 34, for repeatedly punching a 25-year-old Muslim man in Midtown, while making anti-Muslim remarks. GRINBLAT is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with two counts of Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime and one count of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree. [1] 

“As alleged, David Grinblat attacked a man because of his perceived religion and national origin and spewed racist, anti-Muslim words at him,” said District Attorney Bragg. “We will continue to hold those accountable who commit acts of hatred, which have no place in our city. If you have been a victim or witness to a hate crime or bias incident, please call 911 or report it to our Hate Crimes Unit at 212-335-3100.”    

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on August 5, 2024, at approximately 8:48 p.m., the victim was speaking on his cellphone in Urdu, while walking down the street near West 53rd Street and 5th Avenue. Walking by the man, GRINBLAT spat on him and stated, in substance, “F—ing Muslim.”  

As GRINBLAT walked away, the man followed him, asking GRINBLAT why he spat on him. In response, GRINBLAT continued to make anti-Muslim remarks, including calling the man a “terrorist” and telling him to “go back to Asia.” GRINBLAT punched the man in the face several times, cutting his lip, and causing redness, swelling and pain to his face and ear. The man took out his cellphone and began recording GRINBLAT and continued to follow him, asking why he had attacked him.  

A few minutes later, GRINBLAT and the man entered the Fifth Avenue/53rd Street subway station. GRINBLAT eventually responded to the man stating, in substance, “Death to Muslims,” and punched the man in the face, several more times. 

GRINBLAT fled the scene and was arrested a few days later, on August 8, 2024.  

Assistant D.A. Matthew Bayley (Trial Bureau 70) is handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Constantine Coritsidis (Deputy Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit) and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Senior Hate Crimes Investigative Analyst Julie Anne Doreen Lim is providing valuable assistance in the case.  

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Alfred Genao of the Hate Crimes Task Force.   

Justice Department Secures Agreement with Connecticut Department of Correction to Protect Children in Manson Youth Institution

 

The Justice Department announced that it has reached an agreement with the Connecticut Department of Correction addressing conditions for children at Manson Youth Institution, an adult correctional facility housing children charged in the criminal justice system.

Under the agreement, Manson will eliminate the use of disciplinary isolation to manage the behavior of children in its custody. Manson will also implement a comprehensive behavior management program that incentivizes positive behavior and provides a skills-based curriculum to help children regulate their own behaviors. The program will include a daily schedule of age-appropriate, structured activities.

“We know that isolation can cause real harm to children — increasing risk of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide — because their brains are still developing and they lack adequate coping mechanisms,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Placing a child in an ‘adult facility’ does not make children any less vulnerable to these risks. Nationally, more than 2,000 children each year are held in jails and prisons designed for adults. Too often, adult facilities fail to provide children with the age-appropriate services and care essential to development of the requisite skills to become healthy and productive adults, including educational and mental health services required by law. We are committed to protecting the constitutional and federal rights of children throughout the criminal and juvenile justice systems.”  

In addition to phasing out disciplinary isolation for children, the agreement requires Manson to conduct thorough mental health assessments and provide appropriate treatment for children. The agreement also requires Manson to provide adequate special education services for children with disabilities, in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

“We commend the Connecticut Department of Correction for its commitment to eliminate harmful disciplinary isolation practices and adopt age-appropriate treatment and services for children at Manson,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut. “We look forward to our ongoing collaboration as the Connecticut Department of Correction implements these reforms.”

The agreement resolves the department’s investigation of Manson under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. In December 2021, the department notified Manson that there is reasonable cause to believe that conditions for children at Manson violate the Eighth and 14th Amendments and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and that these violations are pursuant to a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of rights protected by the Constitution and federal law. Since then, Connecticut has begun to implement reforms to remedy problems at Manson.

The department recently secured a settlement agreement involving the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice’s Broad River Road Complex, the state’s only long-term post-adjudication facility for children, issued a findings report regarding  conditions at five post-adjudication facilities for children in Texas, and opened an investigation of conditions at nine juvenile justice facilities in Kentucky. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division’s work protecting children’s rights in the juvenile justice system is available at www.justice.gov/crt/rights-juveniles.

For more information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section, please visit www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. You can also report civil rights violations to the section by completing the complaint form available at civilrights.justice.gov/.

Individuals with information related to compliance with the settlement agreement are encouraged to report such information by email at Community.MYInstitution@usdoj.gov or by phone at 833-223-1565.

Ahead of Labor Day Weekend, Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Keep New Yorkers Safe in the Water

 

S.9748/A.10334 Extends Temporary Commission To Prevent Childhood Drowning

S.5815A/A.6205 Allows the Department of Health To Promote Public Awareness of the Dangers of Fatal and Non-Fatal Drowning

S.7731A/A.9888C Allows State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council Flexibility When Creating Standards Related to Latching Mechanisms on Pool Enclosures

Ahead of Labor Day weekend, Governor Kathy Hochul signed three pieces of legislation related to strengthening public safety regarding pools and swimming. Legislation S.9748/A.10334 extends the temporary Commission to Prevent Childhood Drowning for another year. S.5815A/A.6205 relates to education on the dangers of fatal and non-fatal drowning. Legislation S.7731A/A.988C requires pool enclosure release mechanism standards be developed by the State fire prevention and building code council based on internationally recognized standards.

“Losing a loved one to drowning is something no one should have to experience, so in addition to our increased investment to expand swimming instructions, we’re taking every measure possible to save lives and prevent tragedies,” Governor Hochul said. “Education and proper safety standards are vital to keeping New York’s swimmers safe and the pieces of legislation signed today will go a long way in addressing these issues.”

Legislation S.9748/A.10334 extends the Commission to Prevent Childhood Drowning another year in New York State to continue its work evaluating and developing programs to properly educate and instruct children on water safety and how to swim.

Legislation S.5815A/A.6205 allows the Department of Health to conduct education and outreach programs promoting public awareness of the dangers of fatal and non-fatal drowning.

Legislation S.7731A/A.9888C authorizes the New York State fire prevention and building code council to align the current New York State statutory provisions governing swimming pool enclosure gates with language from the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and the American Society for Testing and Materials Code.

Permits Filed for 2246 Bathgate Avenue in East Tremont, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 2246 Bathgate Avenue in East Tremont, The Bronx. Located between East 182nd Street and East 183rd Street, the lot is within walking distance of the 182-183 Streets subway station, serviced by the B and D trains and the Fordham station for MetroNorth. Gjergj Bujaj is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 47-foot-tall development will yield 8,132 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 14 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 580 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a penthouse and a 40-foot-long rear yard.

GRID Drafting and Consulting LLC is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

DEP and National Grid Successfully Complete Annual Maintenance of Biogas-to-Grid Project Ahead of Schedule

 

Collaborative Effort Played Pivotal Role in Reducing Flaring 

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the successful and early completion of the scheduled maintenance for the innovative biogas-to-grid renewable energy project at the Newtown Creek Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF). National Grid completed the maintenance three days ahead of schedule, finishing the work by August 16 instead of the originally planned date of August 19. Annual preventative maintenance is essential to ensure optimal performance of the biogas-to-grid energy project. 

The well-coordinated efforts of DEP and National Grid played a pivotal role in reducing flaring during the scheduled system downtime. To achieve this reduction, deliveries of pre-processed food scraps were temporarily paused and DEP staff delayed the flow of wastewater sludge entering the facility’s digesters. Together, these efforts decreased the amount of biogas generated at the facility. Biogas is a byproduct of wastewater solids treatment, and the facility’s biogas-to-grid system harvests biogas as a sustainable, renewable energy source. Flaring is the controlled combustion of excess biogas into the atmosphere; this process converts methane into biogenic carbon dioxide, significantly reducing its global warming impact. When the biogas-to-grid system is offline, excess biogas that cannot be used for on-site heating purposes is flared off. 

DEP is advancing New York City’s circular economy by recovering energy and nutrients from the city’s organic waste, including food scraps and wastewater. A circular economy is a system focused on reusing materials instead of discarding them, with the goal of recovering materials previously seen as waste. At the Newtown facility, DEP processes wastewater sludge and food scraps in giant mechanical stomachs called digesters. This biological process produces biosolids, which can be used as fertilizer, and biogas, a sustainable energy source. (A recent assessment of greenhouse gas emissions showed that digesting food scraps can have a comparable environmental benefit to direct composting.) 

In June 2023, DEP partnered with National Grid to cut the ribbon on this innovative renewable energy project. This first-of-its-kind project produces a reliable source of clean, renewable energy, reducing the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, and is already improving air quality. By converting biogas into clean, renewable energy, this project reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves air quality. 

DEP and National Grid have made massive reductions in the amount of system downtime and flaring, with the most recent data showing that the biogas-to-grid system was operational 95% of the time in May 2024. This resulted in 87% less flaring when compared to May of 2022, prior to the biogas-to-grid system coming online. 

About the Department of Environmental Protection 

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.8 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $29 billion in investments over the next 10 years. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

BRONX DAYCARE OWNER SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING BOY AND CREATING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

 

Pleaded Guilty to Forcing Child, Estimated to Be Ten Years Old, to Perform Sex Acts

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man who owned a Williamsbridge daycare has been sentenced to 20 years in prison on first-degree Criminal Sexual Act and other charges for sexually assaulting a boy in his care and taking photographs of the abuse.  

District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant owned a daycare center and turned it into a house of horror for at least one little boy. He also possessed thousands of images of child pornography, some involving a victim less than a year old. He will now spend 20 years in prison for such monstrous behavior.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Silfredo Castillo Martinez, 34, of 3525 Decatur Avenue, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison on one count of first-degree Criminal Sexual Act, 3 to 6 years in prison on one count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, 3 to 6 years in prison on one count of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, 1 to 3 years in prison on one count of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Laurence Busching. The sentences are to run concurrently. The sentence also includes post release supervision, Sex Offender Registration, and an Order of Protection. He pleaded guilty to those charges on May 28, 2024.

On March 22, 2024, the defendant pleaded guilty in Manhattan Federal Court to one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child. He was sentenced on June 27, 2024, to 25 years in federal prison. The State sentences are to run concurrent to the Federal sentence.

According to the investigation, on May 3, 2022, authorities of the U.S. Secret Service and NYPD conducted a search inside Lina’s Garden Daycare at 3525 Decatur Avenue, which was owned by the defendant, and seized 30 devices. They discovered that Castillo Martinez downloaded 12 child pornography files in his Google Drive account. The files included images and videos of boys between the ages seven and 12, and one child as young as under one year old. The defendant was taken into custody that day.

In reviewing the thousands of images of child pornography discovered in multiple devices which were seized in the defendant’s apartment adjacent to the daycare via search warrant, investigators found a photo and video of a child that were taken inside the daycare, and the victim was identified as a boy who had attended the daycare. According to the investigation, the defendant sexually abused the child and forced him to perform sexual acts on him multiple times. The boy is estimated to have been about 10 years old.

District Attorney Clark thanked Special Agents of the U.S. Secret Service, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; Lieutenant Felix Rivera, Detective Ralfi Hernandez and Detective Anthony Rodriguez of the NYPD Computer Crimes Unit and Detective Ariel Florentino of the NYPD Special Victims Child Squad for their work in the investigation.

Ahead of Labor Day Weekend, Governor Hochul Announces Safe Driving Campaign

 

New York State Police and Local Law Enforcement to Target Impaired and Reckless Drivers With Extra Patrols Through the Holiday Weekend

Gas Prices in New York Have Declined by 9.5 Percent Compared to Labor Day Weekend 2023

Thruway Authority, Department of Transportation to Suspend Road Work Ahead of Anticipated Record Travel

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that State Police and local law enforcement will be cracking down on impaired and reckless driving by increasing patrols and check points during Labor Day weekend. The enforcement period begins on Friday, August 30, 2024, and runs through Monday, September 2, 2024. Additionally, with the price of gas down 9.5 percent compared to last Labor Day Weekend, record travel is anticipated and roadway construction is being suspended on major state roads.

“We want all New Yorkers to wrap up the summer by enjoying Labor Day weekend and making memories,” Governor Hochul said. “Avoiding crashes, serious injuries and fatalities is simple; stay sober, stay alert and obey the speed limit.”

Enforcement Mobilization

Drivers can expect to see sobriety checkpoints and increased patrols by State Police and local law enforcement agencies during this holiday weekend. Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of this crackdown to more easily identify motorists who are violating the law. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe driving violations. These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

On Labor Day weekend in 2023, law enforcement officers statewide arrested 988 people for DWI and issued 28,856 total tickets.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee urges drivers to use the STOP-DWI Have a Plan app to help find a safe way home. The free app allows users to designate a driver, call a cab or rideshare, and to review the consequences of impaired driving. Users can even use the app to report a drunk or drugged driver. The app is available for Apple, Android and Windows smartphones.

Motorists are also reminded to follow the state’s Move Over Law, which was expanded in March. Under the expanded law, all drivers must slow down and move over when safe to do so for all vehicles stopped along the roadway.

Construction Projects Suspended

Labor Day weekend traditionally results in heavy traffic throughout the state. To help ease travel during the busy holiday weekend, temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will be suspended beginning 6 a.m. on Friday, August 30 to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3.

Motorists should be aware some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs. The construction suspension aligns with New York State’s Drivers First Initiative, which prioritizes the convenience of motorists to minimize traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work.

The Thruway Authority reminds motorists that while 19 service areas are open, eight are closed and under construction as part of the $450 million redevelopment project. Fuel services remain open at all locations. Motorists can view the service areas and plan their stops on the Thruway Authority's website and on the free mobile app, which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app also provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert emails, which provide the latest conditions along the Thruway.

Text stops, including park-and-ride facilities, rest stops, service areas and parking areas along state highways support the state's effort to reduce distracted driving. All text stops will remain open, providing locations where drivers can safely and conveniently use their phones and other mobile devices for calling, texting, navigating and accessing mobile apps. Texting while driving is especially dangerous, as it requires motorists to take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel and mind off driving.

Travelers can also check NYSDOT's 511NY before traveling by calling 5-1-1, visiting the 511 website, or downloading the free 511NY mobile app on iTunes or Google Play. The free service allows users to check road conditions, view 2,219 traffic cameras and link to air and transit information. The app features Drive mode, which provides audible alerts along a chosen route while a user is driving, warning them about incidents and construction.

Justice Department to Monitor Compliance with Federal Voting Rights Laws in Massachusetts

 

The Justice Department announced that it will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in two cities in Massachusetts for the Sept. 3 primary election. The department will monitor in the Cities of Methuen (in Essex County) and Lowell (in Middlesex County). 

The Justice Department enforces the federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all citizens to access the ballot. The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities across the country. In addition, the division also deploys federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management, where authorized by federal court order. 

The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section, working with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Civil Rights Act and Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931.