NYPD ANNOUNCES SAFEST SUMMER FOR SHOOTING INCIDENTS, SHOOTING VICTIMS, AND MURDERS IN RECORDED HISTORY

Historic Summer Part of Eight-Month Stretch of Fewest Shooting Incidents, Shooting Victims, and Murders in Recorded History

Major Crime Fell 6.6% Citywide in August, Down More than 5,000 Reported Crimes Year to Date

Historic Lows in Shooting Incidents, Shooting Victims, Murders, Rapes, and Robberies in the Subway and Public Housing for August 

Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch today announced that the NYPD delivered the safest summer for shooting incidents, shooting victims, and murders in recorded history.

From June 1 through August 31, there were 195 shooting incidents, 32 fewer than the previous record low of 227 set in 2025. There were 249 shooting victims, 44 fewer than the previous record low of 293 set in 2018, and there were 66 murders, 12 fewer than the previous record low of 78 set in 2017.

This historic summer is part of an eight-month stretch of record low shooting incidents, shooting victims, and murders. Year to date, there were 442 shooting incidents, 47 fewer than the previous record low of 489 set in 2025. There were 538 shooting victims, 73 fewer than the previous record low of 611 set in 2025, and there were 173 murders, 18 fewer than the previous record low of 191 set in 2017. For the month of August, there were 61 shooting incidents, 13 fewer than the previous record low of 74 set in 2024, and there were 76 shooting victims, 14 fewer than the previous low of 90 set in 2018. Compared to August 2025, shooting incidents in August 2026 declined 20.8% (61 vs. 77) and shooting victims declined 37.7% (76 vs. 122).

Major crime declined 6.6% (10,276 vs. 11,000) citywide in August with 724 fewer crimes compared to August 2025. The Bronx continues to lead the city in major crime declines, with an 11.9% (18,369 vs. 20,846) reduction year to date.

The NYPD also delivered record low violent crime in the subway system with zero shooting incidents, shooting victims, murders, or rapes for the entire month of August. Robberies in transit also fell to their lowest level on record for the month, with 27 incidents compared to the previous record low of 35 in 2016.

Over the first eight months of 2026 and in the month of August, the department continued to drive violent crime to historic lows in our city’s public housing developments. In August, there were zero murders in public housing. There were seven shooting incidents recorded, surpassing the previous record low of 10 set in 2018. Shooting victims declined to a new record low of seven, surpassing the previous low of 13 set in 2018. There were eight incidents of rape reported, surpassing the previous low of nine incidents reported set in 2017. Robberies declined to a record low of 50 incidents, down from the previous record low of 67 in 2024.

“The NYPD delivered both the safest summer and first eight months of the year for shooting incidents, shooting victims, and murders in recorded history,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “These historic lows all happened while managing an unprecedented series of high-profile events, including the NBA Finals, the World Cup, Sail 250, and the largest Fourth of July celebration in the nation. The city’s public safety milestones extended to our subway system and public housing, reaching record lows in gun violence, murders, rapes, and robberies in August. This progress is only possible because of the extraordinary work of the men and women of the NYPD, and I am deeply grateful for their commitment to keeping New York City safe.”

Historic Lows in Shooting Incidents

Citywide shooting incidents and shooting victims fell to their lowest levels in recorded history for the first eight months of the year and in August.

Year to date, shooting incidents decreased by 9.6% (442 vs. 489) and shooting victims decreased by 11.9% (538 vs. 611). For the month of August, shooting incidents declined 20.8% (61 vs. 77) and shooting victims declined 37.7% (76 vs. 122).

In 2026, NYPD detectives have carried out 25 gang-related takedowns and seized more than 3,630 illegal guns.

Major Crime Reductions

In August, major crime decreased 6.6% (10,276 vs. 11,000) citywide compared to August 2025. Year to date, major crime decreased by 6.2% (75,945 vs. 80,953).

Additionally, across major crime categories:

• Murder declined 34.3% (23 vs. 35) in August and 24.1% (173 vs. 228) year to date. Manhattan recorded only two murders for August and continues to have the fewest murders year to date in recorded history.
• Auto theft declined 16.2% (1,136 vs. 1,356) in August and 12.8% (8,049 vs. 9,227) year to date.
• Robbery declined 13.3% (1,224 vs. 1,411) in August and 11.9% (8,903 vs. 10,110) year to date.
• Burglary declined 9.1% (951 vs. 1,046) in August, the lowest on record, and 13.9% (7,316 vs. 8,494) year to date.
• Grand larceny declined 6.5% (4,103 vs. 4,389) in August and 5% (29,881 vs. 31,450) year to date.
• Rape declined 1.7% (170 vs. 173), the second consecutive month with a decrease. Year to date, rapes increased 3.2% (1,423 vs. 1,379), driven in large part by reports of crimes that occurred in prior years — 26% (364) of all rapes reported this year occurred in prior years. In September 2024, legislative changes enacted through the Rape is Rape Act rightfully broadened the legal definition of rape in New York State to include additional forms of sexual assault. Of the crimes reported this year, 20% (284) fall under the expanded definition of rape created by the Rape is Rape Act. Through the creation of the first-in-the-nation Gender-Based Violence Policy and Training Unit, the NYPD has enhanced its work with advocates to encourage all survivors of sexual assault to come forward and report these incidents.
• Felony assault increased 3.1% (2,669 vs. 2,590) in August and 0.7% (20,200 vs. 20,065) year to date. The NYPD has made arrests on 77.8% of all felony assault cases in 2026, and so far this year, 263 unique individuals have been arrested three or more times for felony assaults — a 205.6% increase compared to the same period in 2018 (263 vs. 86).

The Bronx Leads the City in Major Crime Declines

The Bronx continues to lead all five boroughs in year-to-date major crime reductions with an 11.9% (18,369 vs. 20,846) decrease. Year to date, auto theft in the Bronx was down 29.2% (2,161 vs. 3,051) and grand larceny was down 14.6% (5,265 vs. 6,167).

In August, major crime in the Bronx fell 10.5% (2,409 vs. 2,693) with double-digit declines across multiple index crime categories. Auto theft dropped 36.2% (268 vs. 420), murder dropped 35.7% (9 vs. 14), shooting victims dropped 31.8% (30 vs. 44), shooting incidents dropped 22.2% (21 vs. 27), rape dropped 18% (41 vs. 50), and grand larceny dropped 14.9% (710 vs. 834).

Safest Year So Far in Public Housing

In August, major crime decreased by 5.7% (482 vs. 511) in public housing developments across the city. Shooting incidents, shooting victims, murders, rapes, and robberies were at their lowest levels in recorded history for August. There were zero murders in public housing in the entire month of August, and shooting incidents dropped 65% (7 vs. 20), shooting victims dropped 73.1% (7 vs. 26), rape dropped 53.3% (7 vs. 15), and robbery dropped 27.5% (50 vs. 69).

Major crime declined 6% (3,664 vs. 3,899) year to date compared to the same period last year. Year to date, shooting incidents, shooting victims, murders, and robberies all declined double-digits and fell to their lowest levels in recorded history. Shooting incidents dropped 40.6% (60 vs. 101), shooting victims dropped 44.4% (65 vs. 117), murder dropped 52% (11 vs. 23), and robbery dropped 20.2% (469 vs. 588).

Keeping the Subways Safe

Major crime in the city’s vast subway system decreased by 8.4% (163 vs. 178) in August and 0.3% (1,439 vs. 1,443) year to date. During the month of August, there were zero murders, shooting incidents, shooting victims, and rapes, while robberies fell to their lowest levels in recorded history for the month.

The decrease in transit crime was largely driven by a 30.8% (27 vs. 39) decrease in robberies, which made up 16.6% of all transit crimes, and a 10.2% (88 vs. 98) decrease in grand larcenies, which made up 53.3% of all transit crimes in August.

Violence Reduction Zones

To further reduce violent crime and shootings across the city, the department launched its Summer Violence Reduction Plan on May 4 — deploying officers in the times and locations where violence and disorder are most concentrated and likely to occur. Since the initiative began, major crime was down 23.2% (1,659 vs. 2,160), shooting incidents were down 33.3% (46 vs. 69), robberies were down 30% (409 vs. 584), and shooting victims were down 27.8% (65 vs. 90), while major crime in public housing was down 22.1% (162 vs. 208) in the zones during deployment hours.

Combating Hate Crimes

The NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force (HCTF) investigates allegations of hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents. After an incident is flagged as a possible hate crime, the HCTF investigates and determines, in consultation with the NYPD Legal Bureau, whether it constitutes a hate crime under New York State law. If an incident is deemed a hate crime under the law, it will be categorized as a confirmed hate crime. The NYPD provides data on confirmed hate crimes along with all reported hate crimes regardless of whether they are ultimately confirmed as hate crimes by the HCTF. The disclosure of both sets of numbers enhances transparency and reflects best practices in hate crime reporting.

Year to date, the number of confirmed overall hate crimes increased 15.8% (425 vs. 367), with 58 more confirmed hate crime incidents compared to last year. For the month, there were 45 confirmed hate crimes and 62 incidents reported as hate crimes.

In August, confirmed anti-Jewish hate crimes decreased by 13.6% (19 vs. 22) compared to the same period last year. Year to date, anti-Jewish hate crimes increased by 8% (229 vs. 212) and accounted for more than half of the confirmed hate crimes for the first eight months of the year (53.9%) despite Jewish New Yorkers making up only 10% of the city’s population.

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

Major Crime Statistics: August 2026

Crime	August 2026	August 2025	+/-	% Change
Murder	23	35	-12	-34.3%
Rape	170	173	-3	-1.7%
Robbery	1,224	1,411	-187	-13.3%
Felony Assault	2,669	2,590	79	3.1%
Burglary	951	1,046	-95	-9.1%
Grand Larceny	4,103	4,389	-286	-6.5%
Grand Larceny Auto	1,136	1,356	-220	-16.2%
Total	10,276	11,000	-724	-6.6%

Additional Statistics: August 2026

	August  2026	August  2025	+/-	% Change
Transit	163	178	-15	-8.4%
Housing	482	511	-29	-5.7%
Shooting Incidents	61	77	-16	-20.8%

Confirmed Hate Crimes: August 2026

Motivation	August 2026	August 2025	+/-	% Change
Asian	1	0	1	***
Black	4	2	2	100%
Gender	3	1	2	200%
Hispanic	1	0	1	***
Jewish	19	22	-3	-13.6%
Muslim	1	2	-1	-50%
Other Ethnicity	6	3	3	100%
Religion	3	2	1	50%
Sexual Orientation	6	5	1	20%
White	1	0	1	***
Total	45	37	8	10%

Reported Hate Crimes: August 2026

Motivation	Motivation
Asian	1
Black	7
Gender	5
Hispanic	1
Jewish	25
Muslim	2
Other Ethnicity	6
Religion	3
Sexual Orientation	10
White	2
Total	62

Confirmed Hate Crimes: YTD

Motivation	2026	2025	+/-	% Change
Age	1	0	1	***
Asian	13	13	0	0%
Black	29	30	-1	-3.3%
Other Ethnicity	12	15	-3	-20%
Gender	18	9	9	100%
Hispanic	10	5	5	100%
Jewish	229	212	17	8%
Muslim	27	18	9	50%
Religion	36	27	9	33.3%
Sexual Orientation	46	31	15	48.4%
White	4	7	-3	-42.9%
Total	425	367	58	15.8%

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It should be noted that  the Bronx has only 16% of the total NYC population, but by the NYPD figures the Bronx has 38% of the murders, shooting incidents, and shooting victims.

The Bronx has 30% of NYC robberies and Felony assualts, 28% of the NYC rapes, 26% of the NYC auto theft, 24% of the NYC burglary, and 16% of the NYC grand larcenies. 

Commissioner Tisch, you need to visit the Bronx North division and send more help, as murder, rape, felony assult, and every crime below the seven major crimes are up including shooting victims and shooting incidents, transit, housing,  and all the others including a 320% rise in hate crimes. The Bronx needs at least two more police precincts. 

Safer Streets: Governor Hochul Announces Continued Declines in Crime Across New York

7 Percent Decrease in Index Crime and 48 Percent Decrease in Murder in GIVE Communities

6.6 Percent Decrease in Major Crime Across New York City

New York City Experiences Safest Summer on Record for Shootings and Murders

Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on continued reductions in crime and gun violence across the state, highlighting historic declines in shooting incidents, shooting victims and murders, as well as significant reductions in index and violent crime so far in 2026. The 28 police departments participating in the state's Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative reported a 7 percent index crime decline and 48 percent drop in murders during the first five months of 2026, the lowest of any year since 2017. Meanwhile, New York City experienced its safest summer on record so far for shooting incidents, shooting victims and murders, including 6.6 percent reduction in major crime.

“Public safety has been my top priority since taking office, and we continue to deliver measurable results with record low crime across New York,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “We’ve invested nearly $4 billion in public safety and are seeing historic lows in shootings, murders and major crime because of these investments and the dedicated law enforcement officers who show up every day to keep their communities safe. We’ll continue making these strategic investments and fighting for the safety of every family across our state.”

Between January and May 2026, 28 police departments participating in GIVE reported the fewest index crimes and violent crimes, including murders and robberies, during the first five months of any year since 2017. There were 29,654 index crimes, a 7 percent decrease from 31,752 during the same period last year, and 4,617 violent crimes, a 1 percent decrease from 4,644. Murder declined 48 percent, with 41 reported, while robbery declined 17 percent, with 830 reported. Property crime also declined 8 percent, with reductions in motor vehicle theft, burglary and larceny.

Eleven GIVE police departments reported double-digit percentage decreases in index crime: Elmira, Greece, Hempstead, Jamestown, Kingston, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Spring Valley, Suffolk County and Utica. Nine GIVE departments - Elmira, Greece, Hempstead, Ithaca, Kingston, Lackawanna, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie and Watertown - also reported double-digit percentage decreases in violent crime.

Administered by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, GIVE funds personnel, overtime, technology, and equipment, and DCJS provides focused training and technical assistance, so participating agencies can address shootings, shooting deaths and firearm-related violent crimes.

New York City also continued to experience historic reductions in gun violence during summer 2026, marking an eight-month stretch of record low shooting incidents, shooting victims and murders. From June 1 through August 31, there were 195 shooting incidents, 249 shooting victims and 66 murders: each the fewest recorded during that period in New York City Police Department (NYPD) history. The 195 shooting incidents were 32 fewer than the previous record low of 227 set in 2025, while the 249 shooting victims were 44 fewer than the previous record low of 293 set in 2018. The 66 murders were 12 fewer than the previous record low of 78 set in 2017.

Major crime in New York City also declined 6.6 percent in August, with 10,276 offenses reported compared to 11,000 in August 2025. Year to date, the Bronx led the city in major-crime reductions, with an 11.9 percent decline. 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Bronx led in major crime reduction because Bronx crime figures were way to high to start with. The Bronx still has more crime than the borough of Queens, with Queens county having almost one million more residents than the  Bronx. 2,349,330 for Queens County and 1,406,612 for Bronx County. 

Bronx South 8,925 total major crimes

Bronx North 9,369 total major crimes 

Bronx total major crimes 18,294

Queens south 7,385 total major crimes

Queens North 9,849 total major crimes

Queens total major crimes 17,234

Queens has 942,718 more people

The Bronx has 1,060 more major crimes.

There are 17 police precincts in Queens

There are 12 police precincts in the Bronx.

Governor Hochul, the Bronx needs more police precincts to bring crime figures down to where the crime figures should be when compared to other boroughs.

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S OFFICE OF FAITH AND NONPROFIT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE $1.2 MILLION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

 

Two Nonprofit Organizations Will Get Resources to Provide Technical Assistance to Support Capacity Building in Nonprofit Organizations Throughout the State

Grant is Divided between One Upstate and One Downstate Nonprofit and Will Help Serve Thousands of New Yorkers

Secretary Mosley said: “The winners of this $1.2 million grant will be able to strengthen the operational effectiveness of their organizations to improve resources so that they may continue to offer access to programs and services in the neighborhoods they serve.”

New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley today announced the winners of the $1.2 million grant to provide statewide Technical Assistance (TA) to strengthen the nonprofit sector’s organizational capacity, sustainability, and access to opportunities. Two nonprofit organizations – one from Upstate, one from Downstate – will receive grants to provide free technical assistance to nonprofits across New York State that will support their operational effectiveness to carry their vital work in their communities.

“Nonprofit organizations are the eyes and hears in the communities they serve and partner with the Department of State to offer the resources necessary to improve the lives of thousands of New Yorkers,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “The winners of these $1.2 million grants will be able to strengthen the operational effectiveness of many nonprofit organizations so that they may continue to offer access to programs and services in the neighborhoods they serve.”       

The grant winners are:

Region A: Downstate

• CABS Health Network: $660,000. This nonprofit will operate as the lead coalition partner in providing technical assistance for nonprofits in the downstate region. They will assist with grant resource development, financial infrastructure and organizational compliance.

Region B: Upstate

• New York Council of Nonprofits: $540,000. This nonprofit organization is a leading voice for the nonprofit sector in policy and advocacy, representing organizations that serve every New York Community. With more than 119,000 nonprofit organizations statewide, the nonprofit sector employs over 1.3 million New Yorkers. As a trusted partner, NYCON provides nonprofits with the tools, training, and support they need to thrive.

This grant will be administered by the New York Office of Faith and Nonprofit Development Services. This new state grant seeks to build organizational capacity, improve nonprofits’ ability to maximize funding opportunities, expand programmatic impact, and promote their ability to meet and exceed applicable compliance standards. Providing this technical assistance will assist nonprofits to apply for resources at a faster pace, perform the associated administrative requirements that come with additional resources, and unify efforts to be ready to provide services.

Caura Richardson, Director of the Office of Faith and Nonprofit Development Services said, “Today, we are turning commitment into capacity. This $1.2 million investment in two trusted organizations will provide critical technical assistance to help faith-based and nonprofit organizations strengthen their operations, expand their impact, and better serve communities across New York State. We are not simply providing funding—we are investing in the infrastructure, expertise, and sustainability that allow organizations on the front lines to thrive. When we strengthen the organizations that strengthen our communities, all of New York wins.”

CABS Executive Director Sheryl Demosthenes-Atkinson said, “We are honored that New York State Governor has entrusted CABS Health Network to lead this initiative. With our partners, we will help hundreds of nonprofits and faith-based organizations across the region build the financial, compliance, and grant capacity they need to compete for government funding and better serve their communities.”

New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) CEO Megan Allen said, “We look forward to partnering with New York State on this new project to support nonprofits across the state. Strengthening nonprofits — including in fiscal, compliance and grants areas — is more critical than ever as organizations deal with an increasing number of challenges, and we are excited to provide NYCON expertise to help.”

This funding will help these two organizations develop and implement programs to provide free technical assistance to hundreds of nonprofits across New York State to build organizational capacity, improve nonprofits' ability to maximize funding opportunities, expand programmatic impact, and enhance their administrative capacity, which in turn will improve the quality of life of many New Yorkers.

Permits Filed for 2429 Morris Avenue in Fordham Heights, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a ten-story mixed-use building at 2429 Morris Avenue in Fordham Heights, The Bronx. Located between East 184th Street and East Fordham Road, the lot is near the Fordham Road subway station, served by the B and D trains. Steven Westreich of Westorchard Management is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 95-foot-tall development will yield 274,988 square feet, with 269,382 square feet designated for residential space and 5,606 square feet for community facility space. The building will have 56 residences with a total 377 residences on the lot, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 714 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and a 20-foot-long rear yard.

Leandro Nils Dickson Architects is listed as the architect of record.

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

Mamdani Administration Celebrates Transfer of Three Crown Heights Buildings Away from Negligent Owners

HPD and MOPT will work with tenants and new owner to improve conditions at 88 rent-stabilized homes

Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani celebrated the transfer of three long-neglected, rent-stabilized apartment buildings in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, putting 88 homes on a path toward greater stability, investment and improved conditions.

The buildings, previously owned by Rubin Dukler, who routinely ranked among New York City’s worst landlords, were sold Wednesday to Mark Schwartz. Following the sale, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) will work with tenants and the new owner to ensure the buildings receive the repairs and maintenance they have been denied for years.

“The tenants of the Dukler Tenant Union have suffered from neglect and disinvestment for years. Today, a new chapter begins for these buildings. We will work alongside tenants and the new owner to put these 88 homes on a path toward stability and make clear that every New Yorker deserves a safe, well-maintained and stable place to call home,” said Mayor Mamdani.

“Every New Yorker has the right to a safe and stable home. This sale can mark the beginning of a new chapter for the tenants who call these three buildings home and help make that vision a reality. We will continue to support them as they fight for the repairs that they have long deserved – one small piece of our work to improve housing quality across the five boroughs,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning.

“These tenants have suffered long enough living under the Duklers, who routinely neglected and underinvested in their buildings. Thanks to HPD’s AEP enforcement, alongside organizing by UHAB and the tenants, this has finally come to an end. Congratulations to the tenants on the transfer of their buildings away from these predatory owners,” said HPD Commissioner Dina Levy.

“Fighting for tenants means fighting for safe, high-quality housing. We are proud to stand with the members of the Dukler Tenant Union – and with tenants across the city – as they organize for the repairs and investment that every New Yorker deserves,” said Cea Weaver, Director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.

The three buildings – 1018 Eastern Parkway, 1074 Eastern Parkway and 1392 Sterling Place – are part of HPD’s Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP), which targets buildings with the most severe uncorrected violations. Together, the buildings have nearly 1,000 open code violations, and HPD has been required to make emergency repairs at each property. HPD and the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants (MOPT) have supported tenants in their fight for better conditions, including through Housing Court litigation seeking to compel the previous owners to make repairs.

Following the sale, HPD and MOPT will continue working with tenants and Schwartz to ensure the new ownership adequately invests in repairs and maintenance.

Tenants at the three buildings began organizing in 2018 for repairs and investment with support from Housing Organizers for People Empowerment (HOPE), a member-led tenant organizing project of the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board (UHAB), and Brooklyn Legal Services. They formed the Dukler Tenant Union in 2025 to organize for resident ownership and the transfer of ownership away from the Dukler family. The tenant union has reached an agreement with Schwartz that commits to rehabilitating the three buildings with tenant oversight and moving toward resident ownership.

The transfer is part of the Mamdani administration’s broader effort to hold the city’s most negligent landlords accountable and improve conditions for tenants across the New York City. The administration is using the enforcement and litigation tools available to the City to stand up for tenants, pursue repairs and work toward transferring buildings to more responsible ownership.

This work is part of the Mamdani administration’s commitment to addressing New York City’s housing crisis with the scale and urgency New Yorkers deserve. In Mayor Mamdani’s first budget, the administration invested $22 billion over five years in affordable housing capital, including $2.6 billion over the next two fiscal years specifically for affordable housing preservation.

Block by Block: The Housing Plan for a New Era further details the City’s plan to build 200,000 new affordable homes and preserve an additional 200,000 over the next decade. The plan also outlines the administration’s efforts to empower tenants, secure NYCHA’s future, expand and stabilize homeownership, invest in good jobs and deliver public excellence in housing, from permitting through lease-up.

Following more than 2,400 conversations with New Yorkers, the Mamdani administration also released the Rental Ripoff Report, which included 23 policy priorities to improve compliance, strengthen tenant organizing and make New York City’s housing market fairer.

ICE Lodges Detainer for Haitian Illegal Alien Charged with Killing a Woman and Strangling Another in Florida

 

This illegal alien was RELEASED into the United States by the Biden Administration

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer for an illegal alien from Haiti who has been charged with homicide, sexual battery, and other crimes after allegedly killing a woman and strangling another in Florida.

According to local reporting, the incident took place on August 27 in Lehigh Acres. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a report about a domestic disturbance at a duplex, where they found the body of a woman named Amadette Longin. The woman who made the 911 call said that she woke up to a man on top of her and strangling her, before she broke free and barricaded herself in the bathroom to call 911. Deputies arrived and took the suspect, Whycliff Longin, an illegal alien from Haiti, into custody. Amadette Longin’s family said that she was the suspect’s aunt and that the other victim was his cousin.

Whycliff Longin

Longin now faces charges of homicide, attempted homicide, sexual battery, and burglary with a battery. ICE lodged a detainer with the Lee County Jail the same day he was arrested.

“This illegal alien from Haiti is charged with homicide, attempted homicide, sexual battery, and burglary with a battery after allegedly killing a woman and attempting to strangle another woman to death,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “This dangerous illegal alien should have never been allowed into our country in the first place. If it weren’t for the Biden Administration’s reckless open-border policies, Amadette Longin would still be alive. ICE has lodged a detainer and will work with our partners in Florida to make sure this killer is never released onto our streets ever again.”

Longin illegally entered the United States through Florida in 2024. He was then RELEASED into the country by the Biden Administration.

Two Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distribution of Fentanyl

 

Adrian Dion Pettaway Jr., 25, of Pensacola was sentenced to 28 months in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl, and Gindy Nicole Lacey, 49, of Pensacola was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine, tramadol, and fentanyl. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “These two cases underscore the excellent investigative work performed by our state and federal law enforcement partners to identify and root out the networks of criminals responsible for flooding our streets with deadly drugs, like meth and fentanyl. The citizens of the Northern District of Florida deserve to live in safe, drug-free communities, and that is exactly what my office will deliver with continued aggressive prosecutions of the drug peddling criminals who have terrorized our streets for far too long.” 

Court records in the separately indicted cases reflect that in November 2024, Lacey sold tramadol pills and methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer. In December 2024, Lacey sold 1,000 pills containing fentanyl during an undercover operation. Further investigation revealed that Pettaway had supplied Lacey with the fentanyl pills sold during the undercover operation. Lacey was previously convicted of armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.               

The case involved a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Executive of Indian Chemical Company Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Distributing and Smuggling Fentanyl Precursor Chemicals

 

In First of its Kind Case, India-Based Defendant Smuggled Fentanyl Precursor Chemicals into the United States Knowing They Would Be Used to Manufacture Fentanyl

Bhavesh Lathiya was sentenced by United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen to 54 months in prison for his conviction of smuggling and distributing fentanyl precursor chemicals knowing they would be used to manufacture fentanyl.  Lathiya was the leader and founder of Raxuter Chemicals, a company based in Surat, India, that illegally sold and smuggled more than 50 pounds of chemicals commonly used to manufacture fentanyl.  As part of the case, the defendant was ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $24,560.  The defendant pleaded guilty in April 2026 and will be deported upon completion of his prison term.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Pete Gizas, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York), announced the sentence. 

“During a national crisis when hundreds of Americans were dying every day of fentanyl overdoses, Lathiya smuggled and distributed chemical ingredients, including those that were the building blocks for this deadly drug, without any regard for the harm that his conduct would cause,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “With this sentence, the message is loud and clear that our Office will hold precursor traffickers like the defendant accountable for their role in the fentanyl supply chain.”

“Bhavesh Lathiya’s conduct placed him at the source of the fentanyl supply chain, where he knowingly moved the chemical building blocks of a lethal drug into the United States through deception, false labeling, and international shipments in a prosecution that breaks new ground against an India-based supplier.  By feeding the market for fentanyl at its earliest stage, he turned chemical commerce into a direct threat to public safety, widening the reach of a drug that continues to inflict profound harm across our communities.  This Homeland Security Task Force investigation, co-led by HSI New York, demonstrates our resolve to attack the fentanyl supply chain before the poison is manufactured, packaged, and sold to the public,” stated HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Gizas. 

As set forth in court filings, Lathiya supplied precursor chemicals to the United States and Mexico, among other places, despite knowing they would be used to manufacture fentanyl.  He and his company also sent their chemical products to the United States and Mexico using international mail and package carriers.  The chemicals distributed by the defendant included all the materials necessary to manufacture fentanyl via the most common pathways.  To prevent detection and interception of chemical products at the borders, the defendant employed deceptive and fraudulent practices, such as mislabeling packages and falsifying customs forms. 

For example, on or about June 29, 2024, a package shipped by Raxuter Chemicals was delivered to an address in the Eastern District of New York.  The package had a false manifest that listed its contents as Vitamin C.  In truth, the contents were a List I chemical, 1-boc-4-piperidone, an unlawfully imported fentanyl precursor.

On or about October 2, 2024 and October 15, 2024, Lathiya appeared on a video call to discuss sale of fentanyl precursor chemicals with an HSI undercover officer.  After being told by the undercover officer that his “clients in Mexico were very happy with the quality of what you sent me” and with “the yield they got of the final product,” Lathiya agreed to sell 20 kilograms 1-boc-4-piperidone, which is a List I chemical used in fentanyl synthesis. Lathiya also proposed mislabeling the chemical as an antacid.  The undercover officer replied and asked if it would be easier to ship the product to Mexico, stating “This is a very controversial product … Because like you said it’s banned and in Mexico I think it could be easier but there’s so much pressure on them because of fentanyl.”  On or about November 23, 2024, Raxuter Chemicals and Lathiya shipped approximately 20 kilograms of 1-boc-4-piperidone to the Eastern District of New York.  The package was mislabeled as an antacid. 

Mexican drug trafficking organizations, including but not limited to the Sinaloa Cartel, have increasingly availed themselves of the fentanyl precursors developed and distributed by companies like the defendant’s, including in India and China. 

This sentence follows the Office’s pathbreaking indictments of three Chinese chemical companies and three employees in United States v. Anhui Rencheng Technology Co. (Rencheng) Ltd et al. and United States v. Hefei GSK Trade Co. Ltd, et al., charging them with similar offenses, including conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute a List I chemical, distribution of a List I chemical, and customs fraud conspiracy.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section.