Gang Leader Sentenced To 20 Years For Racketeering And Related Offenses, Including An Attempted Murder In A Subway Station

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MICHAEL WHITE, a leader of a violent street gang known as the “Young Gunnaz,” was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his participation in the Young Gunnaz, including an attempted murder of three individuals at a subway station on October 28, 2012.  WHITE was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and a firearms offense following a two-week trial in October 2018 before U.S. District Judge Robert W. Sweet.  U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Michael White, a gang leader, was responsible for a shooting spree in and around NYCHA’s Mill Brook Houses.  He shot rival gang members in front of a public school, in a community center, and in a subway station.  Today’s sentence recognizes the serious impact of gun violence in our communities.  We will continue to aggressively prosecute all who engage in these senseless acts of violence.”

According to the evidence presented in court during the trial:

From at least in or about 2010 through in or about October 2017, WHITE was a member of the Young Gunnaz set of the YGz based in the Mill Brook Houses.  WHITE was also a member of MBG, also known as “Money Bitches Guns,” a local gang based in the Mill Brook Houses.  As part of his membership in both gangs, WHITE shot seven people.  Specifically, on January 25, 2010, WHITE shot and injured a 16-year-old rival on a street corner in the Mill Brook Houses.  On January 31, 2010, WHITE shot and injured an 18-year-old rival at a baby shower.  Later on January 31, 2010, WHITE shot a rival gang member near a building in the Mill Brook Houses, causing the individual to suffer life threatening injuries.  On February 12, 2010, WHITE shot and injured an 18-year-old rival outside a public school.  On October 28, 2012, WHITE shot and injured three individuals in the Cypress Avenue Subway Station.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department.     

Wave Hill events February 27-March 5

Sat, February 29

Family Art Project: We Build Our Homes

Where is your safe place? Join guest artist Anh Ta in creating an accordion-style zine to use as a journal, field notebook or book of recipes for holding the memories and plans that help you understand what home is to you. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sat, February 29

Walks with the Gardeners: Growing and Propagation Areas

Inspired by the book Nature into Art: The Gardens of Wave Hill, this series of walks offers an insider’s view of horticulture at Wave Hill, and an opportunity to have a dialog with the gardeners about growing techniques, garden design and interesting plants at Wave Hill. Wave Hill Gardener Christopher Bivens leads this tour of the working areas usually seen only by our staff. Explore the propagation greenhouse, the potting shed and the various growing spaces under glass including the cold frames and the heated hoop-house. Beyond the greenhouse, see all the nooks and crannies used as overwintering quarters for bulbs, tubers and many of the tender plants which ornament the grounds in summer. Free with admission to the grounds.

Wave Hill House, 1PM

Sun, March 1

Family Art Project: We Build Our Homes

Where is your safe place? Join guest artist Anh Ta in creating an accordion-style zine to use as a journal, field notebook or book of recipes for holding the memories and plans that help you understand what home is to you. Free with admission to the grounds.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, March 1

Art Workshop: Soft Sculptures in Sacred Black

Tour her Winter Workspace studio with Elizabeth Velazquez and view the artist’s current work, which incorporates the symbolism of natural dark pigments. Then, using salvaged fabric and other materials, destroy―rip, break, smush!―and construct―mold, attach, arrange!―soft sculptures with wishes and intentions stuffed inside. Ages 12 and up welcome with an adult. Materials included. $55. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or at the Perkins Visitor Center. 

Meet at Glyndor Gallery, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, March 1

Winter Workspace Drop-In Sunday

Artists in the Winter Workspace program share their studio practice with visitors on this Drop-In Sunday. This Sunday, participating artists are Samanta Batra Mehta, Tiffany Jaeyeon Shin and Elizabeth Velazquez. Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, 1–3PM

Sun, March 1

Garden and Conservatory Highlights Walk

Garden highlights walks offer an intimate look at our living collections. Wave Hill Garden Guides help you explore the grounds and make sure that you do not miss any seasonal floral wonders. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 2–3PM

Mon, March 2

Wave Hill is closed.

                         

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS – Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–4:30PM, November 1–March 14. Closes 5:30PM, starting March 15.

ADMISSION – $10 adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES – Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

  

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

MAYOR DE BLASIO, CHANCELLOR CARRANZA AND CSA ANNOUNCE TENTATIVE CONTRACT AGREEMENT

Agreement includes paid parental leave; with this agreement, over 81 percent of City workforce will be under contract

 Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza announced today that the City of New York has reached a tentative contract agreement with the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA), representing over 6,400 employees. The CSA represents school leaders for all 1,800 public schools in New York City. The de Blasio Administration has now reached agreements with 81.3 percent of the workforce in the 2017-2021 round of bargaining.

“Our children are the future, and they deserve the best school leaders to inspire them every day,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “With this agreement, we are ensuring our schools retain top talent and our employees get the fair wages and benefits they deserve, including the paid parental leave necessary to support new members of their own families.”

"Our principals, assistant principals and supervisors lift our schools up and put our students on the path to bright futures, and we’re proud to come to an agreement with the CSA,” said Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “Our school leaders put their students first each and every day, and this historic deal will deliver on key reforms including paid parental leave and hard to staff differentials for principals. I look forward to our continued partnership on behalf of the city’s 1.1 million public school children.”

“CSA members have more than earned this contract with their incredible talent, professionalism, leadership and dedication to the families they serve,” said CSA President Mark Cannizzaro. “Those who protect and educate the city’s children deserve the time necessary to welcome their own children into the world, and we are proud to secure Paid Parental Leave that provides eligible members with flexibility and security during such a significant period in their lives. This agreement also provides fair compensation and maintains benefits for our members. In addition, we have taken a significant step toward achieving more equitable salaries for principals. These advances, along with many commonsense workplace protections, will help enable our school leaders to continue to focus on their guiding priority of ensuring that all students receive a first-rate education.” 

CSA represents public school principals, assistant principals, directors, supervisors and education administrators serving 1.1 million students and their families each day. As part of today’s tentative agreement, the City and the CSA have agreed to pattern conforming wage increases and additional benefits including paid parental leave, an enhanced salary schedule for elementary and middle school principals, the creation of a tenure framework for supervisors, a plan to create a new evaluation system for assistant principals and establishing a hard to staff differential for principals. 

The pattern conforming agreement with CSA would begin retroactively on April 23, 2019 and expire on January 28, 2023. The terms of the agreement must be approved by the union’s membership.

Key Reforms for School Administrators:

The tentative contract agreement includes key reforms, such as:

Paid Parental Leave 

Creation of a new Paid Parental Leave (PPL) benefit that allows up to 25 work days of paid leave for the employee to bond with a newborn, adopted or foster child. Employees would stay on the city payroll and have the ability to use PPL intermittently over a 6-month period of time from the date of the qualifying event. The option of intermittent usage with supervisor approval allows school level supervisors to make tailored arrangements to benefit schools.

Elementary and Junior High School Principal Salary

The creation of an enhanced salary schedule for elementary school and middle school principals in order to narrow the gap in salary with high school principals. These salary increases are in addition to the general wage increases.

Lead Education Administrator

A stipend for selected education administrators to conduct flexible additional work that will streamline and improve management in citywide offices. This helps leverage existing staff and streamline processes for schools.

Establish a Hard to Staff Differential for Principals

A differential of between $10,000-$15,000 to be offered to individual principals to either attract or retain school leaders to certain schools at the Chancellor’s discretion in close consultation with the CSA. 

Principal Observation

There will be changes to the process intended to be more collaborative between principals and superintendents, including requiring advanced notification of meetings.

Fair Wages:

The tentative contract agreement is pattern conforming and includes the following wage increases:

April 23, 2019: 2.00% 

July 23, 2020: 2.50%

September 23, 2021: 3.00% 

Affordable Costs:

The gross cost of this pattern conforming deal over the financial plan is approximately $378 million, and funding is fully reflected in the budget.

Third Avenue Business Improvement District - Building Bronx Businesses and Community - Training and Workshops

Trainings and Workshops The Third Avenue Business Improvement District Training Series is designed to ensure that local businesses and community stakeholders interested in building community power and in supporting equitable economic activities have the quality expertise they need to engage in this work while developing their business or organization. Our training participants leave with the skills, knowledge, and abilities to tackle complex community development, business issues, and an understanding of the BID's work in the community. Our trainings are free, or low-cost. These workshops address barriers for district small business owners and build robust equitable economic development tools. These tools help drive the systemic change needed to support equitable economic development in the Bronx. We encourage you to search our current and upcoming workshops here. Harm Reduction 101, Weds - February 26, 2020 - 10:00am Harm Reduction 101 is part of the Third Avenue Public Health Certification charged w/ understanding & enhancing public health and wellness. NYS Plastic Bag Ban Info Session, Weds - February 26, 2020 - 5:00pm Learn about the NYS Plastic Bag Ban and what steps you need to take to comply with the law. Free Registration - Click Here Multi-Sector Meeting 24/7 Care Center at the HUB, T hurs - March 5, 2020 - 10:00am This quarterly check-in provides multi-sector updates on creating a 24/7 Care Center at the HUB. Free Registration - Click Here Downtown Bronx Capital Projects Explained, Thurs - March 19, 2020 - 6:00pm Learn about capital investments in the area resulting from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative  The meeting will focus on: Bronx DRI Plan Briefing Third Avenue BID - Lead Projects RFP and Procurement Overview Community Q & A Free Registration - Click Here Understanding Your Lease, Thurs - March 26, 2020 - 6:00pm The leasing process giving you a headache? Come and speak to experts that will help you understand your commercial lease Free Registration - Click Here Starting Your Business - The Essentials, Weds - April 22, 2020 - 6:30pm Starting a business can be tough - come and learn about what you need to know. Free Registration - Click Here Developing a Business Plan, Weds - May 13, 2020 - 6:30pm Business Planning 101 - Planning and Understanding Your Future Free Registration - Click Here Pricing Your Products and Services, Weds - June 17, 2020 - 6:30pm Remain Competitive - Pricing Your Products and Services Free Registration - Click Here

Third Avenue Business Improvement District - 1 Bronx Pride 2020

1 Bronx Pride Launches with LOVE.   2020 Bronx LGBTQ Pride is the Movement for Equity   The Third Avenue Business Improvement District and Destination Tomorrow - the Bronx LGBT Center, in partnership with the Bronx LGBTQ Caucus, the Bronx Borough President's LGBTQ Policy Taskforce, Montefiore Medical Center, Community Healthcare Network, Boogie Down Pride, and Bronx Pride continue a unified demand for LGBTQ equity by announcing the 2020 Bronx Pride agenda and programming.  The culmination of year-long planning based on a platform of equity for the LGBTQ community in the Bronx has resulted in a multi-faceted policy and program agenda that will be celebrated during the 1 Bronx Pride Rally, March, and Festival on Sunday, June 21, 2020 in the heart of the downtown Bronx Civic Center at 149th Street and Third Avenue. This year's 1 Bronx Pride series connects to year-long programs and includes sober and safe space programs, and through partnerships with Out My Closet and NYC Department of Transportation and Department of Health, events for young people. The Festival promotes inclusion, community, and dialogue and works toward a future without discrimination where all people have equal rights under the law.  The Festival celebrates the movement started by Bronxites that laid the groundwork for equity, the next wave of creative thinkers prepared to score their own trails, and each individual in between. This year's framework of LOVE. responds to the attacks the LGBTQ community has experienced under the Trump administration and provide a path to organize and continue the movement forward for generations of LGBTQ individuals. Volunteer - Click here The Third Avenue Business Improvement District promotes the growth, vitality and visibility of the Bronx’s oldest and most trafficked commercial corridor. Our organization is helping drive the systemic change needed to support equitable economic development in the Bronx. We organize and build coalitions, provide strategic community services, provide research and data analysis, and support targeted advocacy efforts that strengthen community voices, build community power, and help to win economic development policies that invest in people as much as they invest in places.   Destination Tomorrow - the Bronx LGBT Center is a grassroots agency located in the South Bronx that provides services to and for the LGBTQ community. It is our belief that no one should have to leave their neighborhood to access LGBTQ specific services. It is our belief that all LGBTQ young people deserve a space to grow, learn and flourish. It is our belief that people, regardless of their sexual identity or gender expression deserve a space they can call their own.

Two Men Charged With Bronx Murder

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Dermot Shea, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an indictment charging RALPH BERRY and FRANK LOPEZ with the murder of Caprice Jones in the vicinity of 751 East 161 Street, Bronx, New York.  BERRY was arrested on Friday in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry S. Perkin.  LOPEZ was arrested on Friday in Plano, Texas, and was taken into federal custody on Monday.  He will be presented tomorrow before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine A. Nowak.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan.  

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Many years have passed since Caprice Jones was murdered, but the detectives of the NYPD continued investigating, working to see that justice would be done.  Now, thanks to their extraordinary efforts, in partnership with the Special Agents of our Office, Ralph Berry and Frank Lopez face federal murder charges.”

As alleged in the Indictment[[1]] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

On June 21, 2000, BERRY handed LOPEZ a gun and LOPEZ fired shots in the vicinity of 751 East 161st Street in the Bronx, New York.  The shooting was in furtherance of a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.  Jones was hit during the shooting, and ultimately died from his wounds in 2010 at the age of 42.

BERRY, 52, and LOPEZ, 43, are each charged with murder through use of a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, and murder in connection with a drug trafficking crime, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.  

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for information purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

 Mr. Berman praised the outstanding work of the NYPD and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.  He also thanked the United States Marshals Service and the Plano Police Department for their assistance with the arrests.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.