Staten Island Man Sentenced To 12 Years For Illegally Distributing Oxycodone

 Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Vito Gallicchio, 50, a Staten Island resident, was sentenced yesterday to 144 months in prison for conspiring to distribute oxycodone.  GALLICCHIO was also ordered to forfeit $2,190,840 in drug proceeds he obtained during the period of the conspiracy.  GALLICCHIO pled guilty in Manhattan federal court on October 18, 2018, before United States District Judge Andrew L. Carter, who imposed GALLICCHIO’s sentence.    

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Vito Gallicchio sold hundreds of thousands of oxycodone pills on the streets of New York, and masterminded a ring of purported ‘patients’ who faked injuries to get pills.  As Gallicchio’s sentence makes clear, those who fuel the opioid epidemic face prosecution and stiff sentences.”

According to allegations in the Indictment and other documents filed in federal court, as well as statements made in public court proceedings:

Oxycodone is a highly addictive, narcotic opioid that is used to treat severe and chronic pain conditions.  Oxycodone prescriptions are in high demand and have significant cash value to drug dealers.  In fact, oxycodone tablets can be resold on the street for thousands of dollars.  For example, 30-milligram oxycodone tablets have a current street value of approximately $30 per tablet in New York City, with street prices even higher in other parts of the country. 

From at least approximately January 2012 until his arrest in 2017, GALLICCHIO obtained medically unnecessary oxycodone prescriptions from Dr. David Taylor, who operated a medical clinic in Staten Island, New York, and was subsequently convicted of conspiring to distribute oxycodone.  GALLICCHIO traded cash and other gifts, such as liquor, in exchange for Dr. Taylor writing prescriptions for GALLICCHIO and his crew.  During approximately the same period, GALLICCHIO filled the medically unnecessary prescriptions at a Staten Island pharmacy, and also purchased wholesale quantities of oxycodone from the pharmacist without prescriptions.  GALLICCHIO subsequently sold the oxycodone pills for millions of dollars in profit, which he used to make significant renovations on his home and purchase several expensive cars, including, a Corvette, a Lincoln Navigator, a Lincoln LS, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and a Bentley. 

At the sentencing proceeding, Judge Carter found Gallicchio was responsible for distributing more than 180,000 30-milligram oxycodone pills and that he obstructed justice by seeking to intimidate at least two government witnesses.    

GALLICCHIO’s co-defendant, David Taylor, is scheduled to be sentenced on January 16, 2020.  

Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the DEA Tactical Diversion Squad in New York, which comprises agents and officers from the DEA, the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police, Town of Orangetown Police Department, Rockland County Drug Task Force, Westchester County Police Department, and New York City Department of Investigation.  He also acknowledged the assistance of the Department of Health & Human Services. 

Attorney General James Sues Trump Administration For Failing To Address Interstate Smog Pollution

Suit Seeks to Force EPA to Comply with the Clean Air Act, Protect New Yorkers’ Health by Requiring Sources of Smog Pollution in Upwind States to Further Cut Emissions

  New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failure to abide by its legal responsibility under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to ensure upwind sources of pollution do not continue to create unhealthy ground-level ozone pollution (commonly known as smog) in New York. 

The lawsuit, filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, follows the EPA’s denial of a petition filed by New York in March 2018, pursuant to the “Good Neighbor” obligations set forth under Section 126(b) of Clean Air Act. That section of the Act establishes EPA’s legal responsibility to ensure the control of upwind sources that contribute to non-attainment of federal air quality standards in downwind states. The petition asked EPA to make a finding that the emissions of approximately 350 sources in upwind states violated the good neighbor provision and, upon making such a finding, ensure that these emissions are reduced as necessary to allow New York to attain and maintain health standards for smog. The EPA officially denied New York’s petition on Friday, October 18, 2019. 

“More than two-thirds of New Yorkers regularly breathe unhealthy air due to interstate smog pollution, yet the EPA continues to ignore the Clean Air Act,” said Attorney General James. “We will not remain idle when a federal agency called the 'Environmental Protection Agency' routinely refuses to protect the environment or the health of millions of people. My office will use every legal tool at our disposal to force the EPA to do its job and reduce pollution.” 

“New York State is resolute and will do whatever it takes to protect our communities from air pollution coming from other states," said New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos. “DEC will continue to fight U.S. EPA’s refusal to safeguard our communities from ozone-causing emissions as EPA is—once again—bowing to the interests of polluters and abdicating its role to protect public health and the environment. By not doing its job and demanding that upwind states reduce their emissions, EPA is disregarding its own approved regulatory model and more importantly, EPA is failing to protect the American people.”     

On the worst air quality days this past summer, nearly 13 million New Yorkers—over 65 percent of our population—breathed air with unhealthy levels of smog. Nine New York counties are currently considered by the EPA to be out of compliance with federal health standards for smog. According to an American Lung Association analysis of 2015-2017 air quality data, millions of New Yorkers with lung disease—including nearly 250,000 children and almost 1,000,000 adults suffering from asthma—are placed at special risk by living in smog-polluted areas of the state. The Association ranks New York City as the tenth most polluted city in the nation for smog.   

Joining Attorney General James in today’s lawsuit is the Attorney General of New Jersey and the City of New York.   

Background on New York and National Air Quality Regulations   

Reducing smog levels is vital to protecting the health of New Yorkers. Elevated levels of smog can cause a host of significant health effects, including coughing, throat irritation, lung tissue damage, and the aggravation of existing medical conditions, such as asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, and emphysema. Exposure to ozone is also linked to premature mortality. Children, the elderly, and those with existing lung diseases, such as asthma, are more vulnerable to ozone’s harmful effects.   

New York has some of the strictest air quality regulations in the country. The emissions of the pollutants that cause smog—such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—are aggressively regulated from power plants, factories, motor vehicles, and other sources within the state. In fact, New York has among the lowest emissions of NOx and VOCs in the country. As a result of their regulation, major stationary sources in New York reduced annual NOx emissions by 43 percent between 2008 and 2014, and major power plants in the state reduced ozone-season NOx emissions by 73 percent between 2008 and 2017.   

Smog precursors, such as NOx emitted from power plants and other sources, can travel hundreds of miles after they are emitted. The federal Clean Air Act recognizes the regional nature of the smog, and that emission sources located in multiple upwind states contribute to downwind states’ smog problems. Because of downwind states cannot solve their smog problems on their own, the “Good Neighbor” provision of the Clean Air Act requires the EPA to step in and adopt plans to reduce interstate smog pollution when the actions of upwind states are not sufficient to ensure that federal smog health standards can be met and sustained in downwind states like New York. 

EPA’s obligation under the Act to adopt such plans—known as “Federal Implementation Plans” or “FIPs”—reflects the Agency’s unique position and authority, as a federal agency, to ensure that the individual efforts of multiple upwind states will be sufficient, in aggregate, to solve regional air pollution problems, such as smog.    

On October 2, 2019, the D.C. Circuit agreed with New York and other downwind states that EPA erred in issuing a regulation that rejected the need for upwind sources to reduce pollution that negatively impacts downwind areas. 

Ydanis Rodriguez - Come join us for a campaign kickoff!

Please join us to help kickoff the campaign to send Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez to Congress!

I hope you can join us on:

Sunday, November 3rd

2:00-5:00pm

Grand Slam Hall

478 E. Tremont Ave.

Bronx, NY 10457

To RSVP, please email ydanisforcongress@gmail.com

VISION ZERO: AS DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS, MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES RETURN OF “DUSK AND DARKNESS” SAFETY CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS

  Mayor Bill de Blasio, Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and NYPD officials today launched the City’s fourth annual Dusk and Darkness campaign with a citywide “Day of Awareness” to draw attention to the increased risks to pedestrians and cyclists during the fall and winter. The campaign is part of the Vision Zero initiative.

“Fall and winter continue to be the most dangerous times of year for pedestrians and cyclists, but darker days don’t have to be darker times on our streets,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “For the past few years, we’ve seen that the Dusk and Darkness campaign works, and bringing back a proven, effective tool will help us step up our Vison Zero initiative and ensure that New York City streets become even safer.”

“As a cycling commuter, I can attest there is no better time of year to travel by bike than in the fall,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “However, after clocks fall back, the evening hours become especially dangerous for both pedestrians and cyclists. People on bikes should of course prepare for the seasonal changes in their evening commute, but this year’s Dusk and Darkness campaign is expanding our messaging to remind drivers about both pedestrians and cyclists – who are also on our roads year-round.”

“Judicious enforcement of traffic laws and regulations always serves as a major and necessary component of any traffic safety campaign,” said Thomas Chan, the NYPD’s Chief of Transportation. “During the Dusk and Darkness initiative, the NYPD will be stepping up its efforts to protect pedestrians and cyclists by taking appropriate action against those violations by motorists that are most likely to result in collisions, such as failure to yield.”

After daylight saving time ends—as it will at 2 a.m. this coming Sunday—crashes involving pedestrians historically have dramatically increased, especially during evening hours. Cyclists are also at increased risk during evening and nighttime hours. 

Part of the Vision Zero initiative, the “Dusk and Darkness” campaign launched today at a press conference with DOT officials includes the following elements:

 ·         “Day of Awareness”: NYPD and DOT street teams will today be educating and engaging drivers and other New Yorkers at different Vision Zero priority areas from 3:30-6:30 p.m. in all five boroughs, including: The Whitehall Ferry Terminal, Penn Station, Grand Central Station, and Canal Street & 6^th Avenue in Manhattan; Barclays Center, Bushwick Avenue & Flushing Avenue, and Bay Parkway & 86^th Street in Brooklyn; Parsons Blvd & Archer Avenue, and Northern Blvd & Broadway in Queens; W 225^th Street and Broadway in the Bronx.

·         Increased Evening/Nighttime Enforcement: As it has the last three years, NYPD will this week begin focusing enforcement resources on the most hazardous violations (speeding and failure-to-yield to pedestrians), with precincts increasing their on-street presence around sunset hours when data show serious pedestrian crashes increase. NYPD will also focus resources on drunk-driving efforts, as the incidence of DWI have historically increased during evening and nighttime hours in the fall and winter.

·         Daylight Saving Awareness:  DOT statistics from 2010-2014 show that serious collisions increase by approximately 40 percent in darker early evenings. This year, Daylight Savings Time will end at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 3, when clocks “fall back.” As with previous years, DOT will run radio ads during the evening commute, alerting drivers to the dangers of lower visibility and encouraging them to follow the 25 MPH citywide speed limit and to yield to pedestrians and cyclists. Ads are running through December 15 on fourteen stations.

Dusk and Darkness 4.0

At today’s event, officials cited the encouraging fatality statistics from Dusk and Darkness campaigns over the previous two years. In the five years before the campaign began, New York City averaged 63.4 traffic fatalities in the period between November 1 and March 15—many of them in the evening hours. In the first year of Dusk and Darkness, the overall fatality number declined from 67 to 51; in the second year, fatalities declined further to 44.

However, during the past year, pedestrian fatalities during the same period rose to 59. Over 20% of this year’s cyclist fatalities have occurred after sundown.

“Bicycling and walking are healthy and sustainable ways to get around our city,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “With fewer hours of daylight in the fall and winter months, drivers need to slow down and be aware of fellow New Yorkers who are also using the road. The Health Department is committed to reducing traffic fatalities and injuries in New York City, working together with sister agencies to advance road safety for all.”   

“As evenings get darker earlier, the Dusk and Darkness campaign offers an important reminder to drivers to be extra cautious when sharing the road with cyclists and pedestrians,” said Lisette Camilo, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. “This campaign and the City’s broader focus on outreach and enforcement efforts will help keep New Yorkers safe during the fall and winter months.”

“We remind our 130,000+ licensed drivers that safety is and must always be at the heart of what they do, especially now as we approach the end of Daylight Saving Time and the added risks to cyclists and pedestrians that it brings,” said Acting TLC Commissioner Bill Heinzen.  “Having just honored a record high number of drivers with a place on the TLC’s Vision Zero Safety Honor Roll, we are again inspired by the commitment they and their fellow drivers have made to sharing our roads safely.”

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION, US ARMY CORPS ANNOUNCE LATEST UPDATE ON ROCKAWAY BEACH RESILIENCY PROJECT

The plan for Rockaway Beach calls for a composite seawall/dune from Beach 9th Street to Beach 149th Street, an increased beach berm, the extension of five groins already in place, and the construction of 13 new groins

 The de Blasio Administration and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District today announce that they are in the process of receiving final approval for the East Rockaway Inlet to Rockaway Inlet and Jamaica Bay General Revaluation Report. Pending final approval, construction on the first elements of the project, focusing on groins that will prevent beach erosion, is expected to begin in 2020.

The full plan for Rockaway Beach calls for a reinforced seawall/dune that will stretch from Beach 9th Street to Beach 149th Street, an increased beach berm width with 1.6 million cubic yards of sand for initial placement, the extension of five groins already in place and the construction of 13 new groins – all designed to help reduce the risk from future coastal storms and provide additional resiliency for the residents of this community. Subsequently, the Army Corps plans to advance additional flood prevention projects, including High Frequency Flooding Risk Reduction Features (HFFRRF), on the Bay Side of the peninsula.

“We are moving rapidly to lock in the final approvals and get this vital resiliency project underway,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “For years, residents in the Rockaways have called for these measures to protect against future storms. We are closing in on the final steps needed to make them a reality, and give these communities the safety and the peace of mind they deserve. The Army Corps has been a tremendous partner, and we are grateful to the Corps, our federal officials and everyone who has fought to bring the Rockaways back after Sandy.”

“We’re making significant progress toward getting the approvals necessary to begin construction as soon as possible,” said Col. Tom Asbery, Commander, USACE, New York District. “This project will enable us to provide additional flood risk reduction measures for the residents of the Rockaway community and continue the Corps’ mission to provide real world solutions to the toughest challenges in the nation. I’d like to thank our partners at the local, state and federal levels for their tremendous support.”

“Since Hurricane Sandy, we have worked diligently with the Army Corps of Engineers to fortify our shores and prevent damage from future storms. Now we are on the final steps of confirming that resilience project to build dunes and groins that can prevent erosion, flooding, and the damage we’ve seen in the past. I thank the Mayor and the Corps for their continued cooperation, and look forward to seeing the project fully underway so all the families and businesses along Rockaway can rest assured that our shore is protected,” said Congressman Gregory Meeks.

“These vital protections will make communities across the Rockaway peninsula safer and more resilient,” said Jainey Bavishi, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Resiliency. “We’re partnering closely with the Army Corps to advance this effort as quickly as possible and expect to sign a Project Partnership Agreement by this winter.”    

In August 2019, Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, USACE Commanding General, signed the Chief’s Report for the Atlantic Coast of New York East Rockaway Inlet to Rockaway Inlet and Jamaica Bay Hurricane Sandy Reformulation Study. The report transmitted the Corps of Engineers' recommendation to the Assistant Secretary for the Army for Civil Works for review and final approval.

Hurricane Sandy caused significant damage across the Tri-State area. Thousands of homes and an estimated 250,000 vehicles were destroyed during the storm, and the economic losses in New York City were estimated to be roughly $19 billion with an estimated $32.8 billion required for restoration across the state. Rockaway was one of the hardest hit areas. Residents had their homes destroyed, dealt with significant fires, and extended power loss that went on for weeks at a time in some cases. Since then, USACE has placed over 3 million cubic yards of sand to repair beaches, fortify dunes and increase resiliency.

The Atlantic Coast of New York East Rockaway Inlet to Rockaway Inlet and Jamaica Bay Study is a partnership between the Army Corps and the non-Federal Sponsor, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and in cooperation with New York City.

The $600 million project is authorized for construction using the P.L. 113-2 (Sandy) funding at 100 percent full Federal cost. Pending approval by the Assistant Secretary for the Army for Civil Works, construction is currently scheduled to begin in 2020.

Once the report has been approved, USACE will move forward with the first contract related to this project. That contract is expected to consist of a comprehensive erosion control package that will include the construction of the additional stone groins and refurbishments to the existing groins, among other features.

Taken From the CB 10 Monthly Full Board Meeting Minutes - Who Didn't Vote on the Public Hearing? 30 Attended 29 Votes

MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

and

COMMUNITY BOARD #10 MEETING

October 17, 2019 at 7:00 P.M.

Riverbay Corporation

2049 Bartow Avenue, Room 31

Bronx, New York 10475

PRESENT: T. Accomando, R. Baez, R. Barbarelli, R. Bieder, P. Cantillo, M. Caruso, T. Chambers, Col. W. Chin, A. Chirico, L. Council, M. Davila, T. Franklin, I. Guanill, D. Krynicki, J. Marano, M. Morris, D. Noble, L. Popovic, J. Robert, J. Russo, T. Smith, J. Thomas, M. Velazquez,

(total # present = 30)

ABSENT: H. Acampora, D. Hunt, M. Johnson, J. McQuade, M.J. Musano, J. Onwu, C. Papastefanou, N. Rosario, N. Sala, A. Salimbene, P. Sullivan, S. Woods (total # absent 12 =)

Chairman Joseph Russo began the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

A PUBLIC HEARING on 2021 CAPITAL AND EXPENSE BUDGET PRIORITIES (CEBP) was held. Members of the Bronx Community Board #10 community were encouraged to bring forth ideas/suggestions for the Board's 2021 Capital and Expense Budget Priorities and present them at this public hearing.

“Resolved...at the recommendation of the Executive Board of Bronx Community Board #10 that the District Manager submit the annual District Needs Statement for Fiscal Year 2021 to the Mayor of the City of New York and Department of City Planning as part of our annual Charter requirement and that this be forwarded to the Full Board for its approval.”

A motion to accept the Resolution was made by Mr. Bieder, seconded by Mr. Accomando with the following vote: unanimous by all (29) members present. The Resolution passed.this be forwarded to the Full Board for its approval.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

First, the minutes make mention of thirty members being present, but only twenty-nine voting on the resolution. Which members voted for the resolution, and which member did not vote or was not present? A listing of those who voted should be a part of the minutes.

Having been a community board Budget Committee Chair that made up a District Needs Statement, I went into the CB 10 office on Tuesday October 15th 2019 and asked to view the CB 10 District Needs Statement for Fiscal Year 2021. Less than two days before the meeting I was told that the district manager had not made it up yet, and if I wanted to talk to the district manager by the very helpful associate in the office. 

I decided the best thing to do was to look at the Land Use Item also to be voted on at the full board meeting in less than two days. While I was looking at the zoning change from C7 to C82 the district manager left the office, did not say a word to me, and did not return until after I was finished.

I sent this to Mr. Tom Lucania Director of Community Boards for Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. I said it takes time to make up a District Needs Statement, (having done so myself), and I questioned how one could be done in less than thirty-six hours. 

I received back from Mr. Lucania that the district manager offered to talk to me, and I declined. I sent back to Mr. Lucania that it was the associate in the office that suggested I speak to the district manager, who at no time said anything to me even as he passed by me as he left the office.

With no Fiscal Year 2021 District Needs Statement the Fiscal Year 2020 District Needs Statement was sent out first thing the next morning, one day before the public hearing.

Is this any way to run a Community Board CB 10 Chair Joseph Russo?

Council Votes on Disciplinary Measures for Council Member Andy King

The resolution calls for suspension, fine and independent monitor

  The New York City Council on voted today  on disciplinary actions against Council Member Andy King. The resolution, which calls for a 30-day suspension, a $15,000 fine and an independent monitor, is the result of months of investigation, meetings, hearings and deliberations on the allegations. These proposed disciplinary actions are unprecedented – no member in the modern history of the Council has ever faced such a high fine, long suspension or independent oversight of the district office.

The Bronx Council Member was charged with violating the Council’s Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, Council Rules and the City Charter’s Conflicts of Interest Laws. The Committee substantiated claims against Council Member King with overwhelming evidence, including allegations that he intimidated and retaliated against staff who came forward with charges.

This is Council Member King’s second time before the Standards and Ethics Committee. In 2017, he was found to have violated the Council’s EEO Policy.

“In order to preserve the integrity and reputation of the Council, this legislative body must do everything it can to hold members accountable when they are charged with wrongdoing. I applaud the work of the Standards and Ethics Committee in its comprehensive and thoughtful investigation of Council Member King’s actions,” said Speaker Corey Johnson. “The action we are taking today is unprecedented in the history of the modern New York City Council.”

“Today’s vote is solemn and difficult. But we should remember that we are only here because courageous witnesses and complainants came forward and cooperated with this Council to help us get to this place of holding an elected official accountable for misconduct. They reminded us to never lose sight of the great and serious responsibility we all bear to make the Council a safe place to work and that this Council is only as good, and effective, and worthy of its role in this City, as its essential parts,” said Council Member Steven Matteo.

Preconsidered Res. 1138,by the Committee on Standards and Ethics, would adopt the resolution of the Superseding Charges brought against Council Member Andy King. The charges are as follows:

1. - Council Member King shall be suspended, without pay, for a period of 30 days, to commence immediately upon passage and adoption of this Resolution.
2. -  Council Member King shall be removed from all committee assignments, including any Committee Chairs, effective immediately. Council Member King shall not Chair any committee for the duration of his term, and may reapply for membership on a committee one year after adoption of this Resolution.
3. -  For the remainder of Council Member King’s term in office, Council Member King’s Offices shall be subject to a Monitor designated by the Chair of the Committee, with approval by the Council’s Office of the General Counsel (“OGC”), in order to ensure that staff in Council Member King’s Offices (“King staff”) are appropriately managed in accordance with Council Rules and Council Policy.
4. -  In fulfillment of the foregoing responsibility, which may be amended by the OGC at any time, and in conformity with this Resolution, the Monitor shall be permitted to engage in the following conduct in the manner the Monitor deems most effective:
   •   Review and approve of all hiring, firing, and other employment status decisions for members of King staff;
   •   Have full access to Council Member King and King staff Council email accounts;
   •   Attend King staff meetings, none of which shall be held at Council Member King’s residence, and require pre-approval of any off-site staff meetings; and
   •   Hold regular meetings with King staff, at an interval to be determined by the Monitor, outside the presence of Council Member King.
5. -  Council Member King shall not allow Staff to use their personal vehicles for Council purposes without adequate reimbursement for same, which reimbursement process shall be approved by the monitor and OGC. This restriction on use of personal vehicles includes driving Council Member King to/from events and/or appearances.
6. -  Council Member King shall ensure that Neva Shillingford-King is prohibited from giving directions to King staff, attending staff meetings, and using Council resources for any personal or non-Council related business.
7. -  Any current King staff member who Council Member King has retaliated against may return to work at Council Member King’s Offices and have their position and/or responsibilities restored.
8. -  Council Member King shall complete appropriate training, to be determined by the OGC and at Council Member King’s expense, no later than March 1, 2020.
9. -  Council Member King shall pay a fine of $15,000. While a reasonable payment schedule may be arranged at the OGC’s discretion, failure by Council Member King to pay according to said payment schedule may result in the disciplinary proceeding being reopened.
10. -  Failure by Council Member King to adequately comply with any provision of this Resolution, including full cooperation with the work and directives of the Monitor, may result in reopening of the disciplinary proceeding.

The vote was 44 - 1 with Councilman King was the only Nay vote.

Manhattan Man Pleads Guilty To Sex Trafficking

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that WILLIAM BAZEMORE pled guilty today to sex trafficking of a female victim by force, fraud, or coercion.  BAZEMORE pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres.  

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “William Bazemore used violence and coercion to force a woman to engage in commercial sex for his own profit.  With Bazemore’s guilty plea today, we seek to deliver justice for a victim of sex trafficking and exploitation, and to deter others from engaging in this heinous criminal conduct.”

According to the Indictment, as well as statements made during BAZEMORE’s plea proceeding:

In or about 2017, BAZEMORE was the leader of a criminal enterprise (the “Organization”) involved in various criminal acts, including drug distribution and sex trafficking, in and around New York City, Maine, and Connecticut.  Members and associates of the Organization transported heroin and crack cocaine between New York, Connecticut, and Maine, at times using women suffering from drug addiction as drug couriers to secrete drugs on their persons and transport drugs and drug proceeds in vehicles controlled by the Organization.  In addition, BAZEMORE and other members and associates of the Organization used force and coercion to cause a female drug customer (“Victim-1”) to engage in commercial sex for their financial gain, and took actions to prevent Victim-1 and others from cooperating with law enforcement against the Organization.     

BAZEMORE, 39, of New York, New York, was arrested on March 3, 2019, while in state custody in Maine, and has been in federal custody since.  BAZEMORE pled guilty to one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

BAZEMORE is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Torres on March 12, 2020.

BAZEMORE’s co-defendant, Warren Bryant, is scheduled for trial on December 9, 2019. 

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.