Brooklyn Man Charged with Sex Trafficking, Interstate Prostitution, and Promotion Of Prostitution at “Penn Track” in East New York and Throughout the United States

 

Kaleem Nurse Allegedly Threatened and Assaulted Victims to Force Them to Work in Prostitution

An indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, charging Kaleem Nurse, also known as “Consistent,” with sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, interstate prostitution, and promotion of prostitution.  The charges in the indictment relate to Nurse’s trafficking of women to work as prostitutes in New York, including along an open‑air sex trafficking market on stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue in Brooklyn known as the “Penn Track,” and his transportation of women from New York to multiple other states with the intent that they engage in commercial sex for his financial benefit.  Nurse was arrested and was arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Vera M. Scanlon.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the arrest and charges.

“As alleged, the defendant trafficked women to serve as commercial sex workers for him on the notorious Penn Track in Brooklyn and in numerous states across the country,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Today’s arrest reinforces our commitment to removing criminals from the streets in our District and protecting victims of exploitation by prosecuting individuals like Nurse.  Our Office will continue to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of sex trafficking crimes that threaten the safety and dignity of our communities.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the FBI and New York City Police Department Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force for their work on the case.

“Kaleem Nurse allegedly trafficked multiple women in New York and across the country, forcing them to perform sexual acts for his own financial gain,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.  “Nurse’s alleged actions deprived his victims of their dignity and autonomy, degrading them to serve as vessels to satisfy his selfish greed. The FBI maintains its steadfast commitment to apprehending any sexual predator utilizing our city as a perverted hub to facilitate the exploitation of vulnerable women in our state and others.”

According to court filings, between January 2021 and June 2025, Nurse had numerous women working in prostitution for him on the Penn Track and other locations across the United States, and trafficked at least one of those women using force, fraud and coercion. Specifically, evidence obtained pursuant to the investigation reflects that Nurse regularly required his female victims to solicit customers on the Penn Track and other locations across the country, including Miami and Atlantic City, and to engage in commercial sex acts with those customers.  Nurse collected the proceeds earned by these women after they engaged in commercial sex acts with customers, and he used emotional manipulation and violence to discipline and control them.

If convicted of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment.

The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Former Senior DEA Official Indicted For Conspiring To Provide Material Support To A Foreign Terrorist Organization

 

Paul Campo, Former DEA Official, and Friend, Robert Sensi, Agreed to Launder Approximately $12,000,000 and Participate in Narcotics Trafficking for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a/k/a Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion or CJNG

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Terrance C. Cole, announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging PAUL CAMPO and ROBERT SENSI with narcoterrorism, terrorism, narcotics distribution, and money laundering charges. CAMPO and SENSI were arrested in New York. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe. 

“As alleged, Paul Campo and Robert Sensi conspired to assist CJNG, one of the most notorious Mexican cartels that is responsible for countless deaths through violence and drug trafficking in the United States and Mexico,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “As part of that support, the defendants laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars they believed to be CJNG drug proceeds, agreed to launder millions more, and even agreed to use their financial expertise to facilitate cocaine trafficking right here in New York City.  By participating in this scheme, Campo betrayed the mission he was entrusted with pursuing for his 25-year career with the DEA. CJNG is a violent and corrupting criminal enterprise that New Yorkers want broken. I commend the extraordinary efforts of the DEA in aggressively pursuing CJNG and those who support their deadly and corrupt efforts, no matter who they may be.” 

“The indictment of former Special Agent Paul Campo sends a powerful message: those who betray the public trust—past or present—will be held to account to the fullest extent of the law,” said DEA Administrator Terrance C. Cole.  “The alleged conduct occurred after he left DEA and was unrelated to his official duties here, but any former agent who chooses to engage in criminal activity dishonors the men and women who serve with integrity and undermines the public’s confidence in law enforcement.  We will not look the other way simply because someone once wore this badge.  There is no tolerance and no excuse for this kind of betrayal.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment:[1]

CJNG is a Mexico-based transnational criminal group overseen by Nemesio Ruben “El Mencho” Oseguera-Cervantes that controls a significant portion of the narcotics trafficking trade. CJNG illicitly transports cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other controlled substances into the United States.  CJNG also engages in money laundering and other criminal activities, including acts of violence and intimidation.  On February 20, 2025, the United States Secretary of State designated CJNG as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

PAUL CAMPO worked for the DEA for approximately 25 years, first as a Special Agent in New York and eventually rising to become a high-level DEA official, specifically the Deputy Chief of the Office of Financial Operations.  CAMPO retired from DEA in or about January 2016.  

In late 2024, ROBERT SENSI began meeting with a confidential source working at the direction of law enforcement (“CS-1”), who was posing as a member of CJNG.  SENSI told CS-1 that he had a friend who used to be in charge of DEA’s financial operations who could assist CJNG by laundering narcotics proceeds and providing CS-1 with sensitive DEA information about sources and investigations.

After these initial meetings, CAMPO and SENSI together met with CS-1 on several occasions.  During these conversations, CAMPO and SENSI agreed to launder money for CS‑1 by, among other things, converting cash into cryptocurrency and making investments in real estate.  CAMPO and SENSI further advised CS-1 about fentanyl production and explored procuring commercial drones and military-grade weapons and equipment for CJNG, including AR-15 semi-automatic rifles, M4 carbines, M16 rifles, grenade launchers, and rocket-propelled grenades.  As part of these discussions, CAMPO and SENSI often boasted about and relied heavily on CAMPO’s prior federal law enforcement experience and expertise regarding financial investigations and drug cartels.

Regarding the drones, in one meeting, CS‑1 explained to CAMPO, “what we do with the drones, we put explosives and we just send it over there, boom”; in another conversation, CS‑1 asked SENSI how much C-4 explosive the drones could carry, to which SENSI responded, in sum and substance, approximately six kilograms, which is enough to “blow up the whole f------ . . . I don’t want to say.”

As part of the scheme, CAMPO and SENSI agreed to launder approximately $12,000,000 of CJNG narcotics proceeds; laundered approximately $750,000 by converting cash into cryptocurrency; and provided a payment for approximately 220 kilograms of cocaine on the understanding that the payment would trigger the distribution and sale of the narcotics worth approximately $5,000,000, for which CAMPO and SENSI would (i) receive directly a portion of the narcotics proceeds as profit; and (ii) receive a further commission upon the laundering of the balance of the narcotics proceeds.

CAMPO, 61, of Oakton, Virginia, and SENSI, 75, of Boca Raton, Florida, are each charged with one count of conspiring to commit narcoterrorism, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of conspiring to provide material support and resources to CJNG, a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of conspiring to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. 

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

Mr. Clayton also expressed appreciation for the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Florida, Eastern District of North Carolina, and Eastern District of Virginia, and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Varun A. Gumaste is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney James Donnelly of the Counterterrorism Section.

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 below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

New York Woman Charged with Smuggling Aliens from Canada for Profit

 

Stacey Taylor, 42, of Plattsburgh, New York, appeared for an arraignment after a federal grand jury in Albany returned an indictment on Oct. 2 charging her for her role in an international alien smuggling conspiracy that brought aliens primarily from India into the United States across the northern border.

According to court records, U.S. Border Patrol agents interdicted the defendant’s vehicle near Churubusco, New York, in the early morning hours of Jan. 20. Upon encountering the defendant, U.S. Border Patrol located four foreign nationals inside her vehicle. Agents then determined the four men, three Indian nationals and one Canadian national, had just crossed the U.S.-Canadian border illegally, without inspection, in the freezing cold. When law enforcement later examined the defendant’s cellphone, they observed text messages that indicated that the defendant had been involved in multiple other smuggling ventures in the days prior. Since her January 2025 arrest, the defendant was subsequently stopped in a suspected alien smuggling venture in August 2025, and was implicated in alien smuggling as recently as September 2025.

According to the indictment, Taylor is charged with conspiring with others to engage in alien smuggling, and four counts of alien smuggling for profit, with three counts being second or subsequent offenses. If convicted, she faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison per count of alien smuggling for profit, and additional time for second and subsequent offenses.

Matthew R. Galeotti, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York made the announcement.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Rouse’s Point and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol Champlain Station are investigating the case. HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington D.C. and CBP’s International Interdiction Task Force provided significant assistance.

The investigation is a result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations and eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating within the Americas that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border, the Northern District of New York, the District of Vermont, and the Southern District of Florida. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 425 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 375 U.S. convictions; more than 325 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt for the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case.

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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.

Governor Hochul Authorizes Real Property Tax Exemptions for New York Seniors

Legislation S5175A/A3698A Allows Localities To Provide Real Property Tax Exemption up to 65 Percent for Certain Seniors

Builds on Governor’s Affordability Agenda That Included Tax Cuts for Middle-Class New Yorkers

Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that enhanced real property tax exemptions for New York seniors. Legislation S5175A/A3698A allows localities to provide a real property tax exemption for senior citizens who meet the income eligibility limits, among other criteria, up to 65 percent percent of the assessed valuation of their properties. This legislation builds on the Governor’s affordability agenda, which included tax cuts for middle-class New Yorkers.

“No New York senior should lose their home because they can no longer afford their property taxes,” Governor Hochul said. “By signing this legislation, we are working to make New York more affordable for our seniors on fixed incomes and empowering them to age in place, at home, in the communities they know and love.”

The bill will give localities the option to offer real property tax exemptions of up to 65 percent to seniors living below the maximum income eligibility level set by the locality. Prior to, the maximum percentage of exemption local governments have been able to offer senior citizens was set at 50 percent and has not been raised in decades. Increasing the exemption from 50 percent to 65 percent could translate into savings of up to $300 annually for the average senior.

This legislation builds on Governor Hochul’s affordability agenda, which includes:

• Middle-Class Tax Cut: Approximately 8.3 million New Yorkers will benefit from decreased tax rates, bringing middle-class taxes to their lowest levels in 70 years.
• Child Tax Credit Expansion: The Child Tax Credit is increasing to up to $1,000 per child under the age of four and up to $500 for school-aged children, starting in 2026.
• Inflation Refund Checks: Eligible New Yorkers have received up to $200 per person or $400 per family, reaching 8.2 million people.
• Free School Meals: All K-12 students now have access to free breakfast and lunch, saving families up to $1,600 per child annually.

 

Permits Filed for 715 East 224th Street in Wakefield, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a three-story residential building at 715 East 224th Street in Wakefield, The Bronx. Located between Barnes Avenue and White Plains Road, the lot is one block south of the 225th Street subway station, served by the 2 and 5 trains. Genti Muriqi of East 224th Realty LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 35-foot-tall development will yield 12,216 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 18 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 678 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a cellar and a 42-foot-long rear yard.

Badaly Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in October for the structure on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Texas Businessman Convicted for Scheme to Bribe Mexican Government Officials

 

A federal jury in Houston convicted a local businessman for his role in a scheme to bribe Mexican government officials at Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), the state-owned oil company of Mexico, and PEMEX Exploración y Producción (PEP), PEMEX’s wholly owned exploration and production subsidiary.

“Alexandro Rovirosa orchestrated a scheme to bribe Mexican officials to benefit himself and his companies,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Bribery of government officials to win business undermines fair competition and unjustly enriches bad actors. In prosecuting this case, the Department has sent a clear message that we will not tolerate bribery and corruption schemes run out of the United States, whether the bribes are paid here or abroad.”

“Most individuals applying for American citizenship treat our laws and customs with respect,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams of the FBI Houston Field Office. “Alexandro Rovirosa instead violated U.S. laws through a network of corruption and deceit. Rovirosa believed his residence in Houston protected him from the consequences of bribing foreign officials. However, as today’s verdict demonstrates, his scheme not only cost him a luxurious Texas lifestyle, but also his freedom.”

“The conviction in this case holds the defendant accountable for participating in a scheme to bribe Mexican government officials for the benefit of the defendant and the companies associated with him,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey D. Pittano of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG), Mid-Atlantic Region. “The FDIC OIG remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate financial crimes, including those involving bribery and corruption.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ramon Alexandro Rovirosa Martinez (Rovirosa), a Mexican citizen and U.S. lawful permanent resident, 46, of The Woodlands, Texas, paid more than $150,000 in bribes to officials at PEP to retain contracts and payments from PEMEX and PEP and obtain other improper advantages in business with PEMEX and PEP, for the benefit of companies associated with Rovirosa. The trial evidence showed that between approximately 2019 and 2021, Rovirosa and his co-conspirators, including Mario Alberto Avila Lizarraga, 61, of Spring, Texas, a Mexican citizen and U.S. lawful permanent resident, offered to pay and paid bribes in the form of cash payments, luxury goods and other valuable items to at least three PEMEX and PEP officials in exchange for those officials taking certain actions to help companies associated with Rovirosa obtain and retain business with PEMEX and PEP. Those improper advantages assisted companies associated with Rovirosa in obtaining contracts with PEMEX and PEP worth at least $2.5 million.

The jury convicted Rovirosa of one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and two counts of violating the FCPA.  It found him not guilty of a fourth count of violating the FCPA. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Rovirosa’s co-conspirator, Mario Avila, is a fugitive.

HSI Houston, FBI Houston and FDIC-OIG are investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Lindsey Carson, Samad Pardesi and Paul Ream of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Gray for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.

Man Charged With Setting Fire To Train With Victim Inside

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), Bryan DiGirolamo, Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department (“FDNY”), Robert S. Tucker, and Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, announced the filing of a Complaint charging HIRAM CARRERO with arson resulting in injury to another person in connection with a December 1, 2025, incident in Midtown Manhattan.  CARRERO was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. 

“As alleged, Hiram Carrero committed a horrific arson, starting a fire inside of a New York City subway car where a victim was sleeping,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “As a result of that arson, the victim has suffered severe injuries.  The New York City subway is the heart of our city, with millions of people who live and work here relying on it every day.  New Yorkers have the right to be safe and feel safe when they ride the subway, and our Office is committed to that result.” 

“The swift arrest in this case demonstrates what is possible when our agencies work as one,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo.  “ATF New York Special Agents, the NYPD Detectives, and FDNY Fire Marshals brought their unique strengths to bear to identify and locate the suspect responsible for this violent act.  The ATF NY Arson and Explosives Task Force is dedicated to protecting this city, and we will continue working with our partners to bring justice to those who threaten public safety.  Our partnership with the Southern District of New York remains central to seeking justice.”

“This alleged outrageous and senseless attack received an immediate response from our elite joint task force,” said FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker.  “Our Fire Marshals worked side by side with our partners in the NYPD and ATF to identify and apprehend this suspect quickly.  Their work has removed a dangerous individual from the streets of New York City and the FDNY will continue to work closely with our public safety partners to keep New Yorkers safe.”

“Hiram Carrero showed a complete disregard for human life when he allegedly set a sleeping New Yorker on fire inside a subway car,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.  “This attack is among the most serious acts of violence a person can commit, and it has no place in our city—above or below ground.  This case also reflects the exceptional work of the NYPD’s Detective Bureau, whose investigators worked closely with our federal partners to identify the individual responsible.  And it comes at a time when the last five months have been the safest for subway riders in recorded history.  I am grateful to our detectives, our responding officers, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their swift and coordinated work on this case.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint and statements made in open Court:

At approximately 3:03 a.m., CARRERO entered a northbound train at the 34th Street – Penn Station subway stop. He picked up a piece of paper from the subway car (depicted in the screenshot below), lit it on fire near where the victim was sleeping, and jumped out of the car just as the doors were closing.

Video from inside the train car shows that as the train traveled north towards the 42nd Street – Times Square subway stop, the fire flared up, engulfing the victim’s legs and a portion of the train car in flames.  When the train arrived at 42nd Street – Times Square, the victim emerged, burning from the train (depicted in a screenshot below).

Law enforcement partners on the platform responded to the victim immediately and extinguished the fire.  The victim was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

CARRERO, 18, is charged with arson resulting in injury to another person, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

The maximum and minimum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the ATF and NYPD, and the FDNY Fire Marshals.  Mr. Clayton also thanked the United States Marshals Service for their assistance in this case.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Molis is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr.'s Annual Holiday Toy Giveaway

 

Friends,

The holiday season is here, and I am once again proud to bring holiday cheer to our community.

Please join me for our annual Holiday Toy Giveaway on Saturday, December 13th at 11:00 AM at the Allerton Library.

This event is FREE for the community and open to children 16 years old and under.

Please note: All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Event Details:

• When: Saturday, December 13^th
• Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM 
• Where: Allerton Library — 2740 Barnes Ave

For more details, please see the flyer below.

Happy Holidays,

John Zaccaro, Jr.

New York State Assemblymember