Citizen Naturalized Under Joe Biden Brutally Murders DHS Employee Lauren Bullis

Since President Trump took office, USCIS has implemented measures to ensure individuals with criminal histories and who otherwise lack good moral character do not attain citizenship 

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Olaolukitan Adon Abel, a 26-year-old born in the United Kingdom, who was naturalized by the Biden Administration in 2022, brutally murdered DHS employee and public servant Lauren Bullis on April 13.

This individual possesses a prior criminal record that includes convictions for sexual battery, battery against a police officer, obstruction, assault with a deadly weapon, and vandalism, and now stands accused of murdering Lauren Bullis in a brutal shooting and stabbing while she was walking her dog.

Olaolukitan Adon Abel

Olaolukitan Adon Abel has also been arrested for the murder of an unidentified woman whom he reportedly shot outside a Checkers, before randomly shooting a homeless man multiple times outside a Kroger in Brookhaven.

Lauren Bullis served in multiple roles at DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG). She served as an Auditor in the Office of Audits and as a Team Leader in the Office of Innovation. In every role she held, Lauren exemplified dedication to the OIG mission. Lauren approached her work with integrity, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to excellence that strengthened our organization and the communities we serve. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lauren was a bright spot for so many of the DHS community. She brought warmth, kindness, and a genuine sense of care to her colleagues each day.

Lauren Bullis

“On Monday, a DHS employee, Lauren Bullis, was brutally shot and stabbed to death by Olaolukitan Adon Abel, a 26-year-old, born in the United Kingdom, who was naturalized by the Biden Administration in 2022. Since President Trump took office, USCIS has implemented measures to ensure individuals with criminal histories and who otherwise lack good moral character do not attain citizenship,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “He has also been arrested for the murder of an unidentified woman whom he reportedly shot outside a Checkers, before randomly shooting a homeless man multiple times outside a Kroger in Brookhaven. These acts of pure evil have devastated our Department and my prayers are with the families of the victims.”

In an effort to remove murderers like this from our communities, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the creation of a new vetting center on December 5, 2025, to enhance screening and vetting of immigration applications, with a focus on identifying terrorists, criminal aliens, and other threats to public safety. The center will leverage advanced technologies and work closely with law enforcement and intelligence partners to strengthen national security and uphold the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.

Pursuant to long-neglected statutory authority, USCIS also restored the practice of conducting neighborhood investigations of potential new citizens. The purpose of a neighborhood investigation is to verify aliens’ eligibility for naturalization by reviewing their residency, moral character, loyalty to the U.S. Constitution, and commitment to the nation’s well-being. These investigations are vital to maintaining the integrity of the naturalization process, assuring assimilation, and safeguarding the value of American citizenship. The agency began conducting neighborhood investigations in November 2025.

Two Men Charged with Narcotics and Firearms Offenses for Running a Fentanyl Manufacturing Facility in a Residential Building

 

Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) Special Agent in Charge of the New York Enforcement Division, Farhana Islam, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Michael Alfonso, announced the arrests of KAREEM ANTOINE TURNER and ALEXANDER DARAVINA on narcotics and firearms charges for operating a fentanyl manufacturing facility in a Brooklyn residential apartment building. TURNER and DARAVINA were arrested on April 13, 2026, and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker, where they were ordered detained.

“Thanks to the outstanding work of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Enforcement Division and our law enforcement partners, a fentanyl production site operating within an apartment building (in Brooklyn) has been swiftly and decisively dismantled, averting what could have been devastating consequences for residents” stated DEA Northeast Regional Associate Chief of Operations Frank Tarentino. “Operations like this demonstrate the professionalism, coordination, and relentless commitment required to identify, disrupt, and eliminate these deadly production sites from our communities. By shutting down this operation and removing lethal substances from circulation, our agents and partners have prevented countless potential overdoses and saved lives. The DEA remains steadfast in its mission across the Northeast to ensure those responsible are identified and held accountable.”

“These individuals allegedly transformed an apartment into a fentanyl processing plant: mixing, pressing, and packaging fentanyl alongside other deadly narcotics with absolutely no regard for the health and safety of their neighbors,” said DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam.  “This was not just alleged drug trafficking; it was a potential death sentence to others living in the building.  The magnitude of this alleged operation, which resulted in the seizure of two pill press machines, one capable of producing thousands of deadly pills per hour, as well as two kilo press machines, underscores the scale and lethality of the threat we face every day.  Restoring safety to our neighborhoods is critical, but above all, saving lives remains our top priority.”

“As alleged, Kareem Turner and Alexander Daravina ran an industrial-scale pill mill in a Brooklyn apartment, pumping deadly fentanyl pills onto the streets of New York in mass quantities,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “Fentanyl is poison.  It kills New Yorkers every day.  If you are dealing in fentanyl, you are dealing in death.  Together with our law enforcement partners, we will use all resources available to give New Yorkers what they want and what they deserve: the destruction of these deadly factories and their operators in federal prison.”

“For years, HSI New York special agents and investigators have confronted the devastating impacts of fentanyl and other illicit narcotics, which fracture families, corrode neighborhoods, and turn ordinary apartments into covert pill mills that imperil entire communities,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso.  “These arrests are a stark reminder that these crimes are not just numbers on a page, but direct threats to the public's safety and well-being.  Through the disciplined collaboration of HSI New York, DEA New York, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and our Homeland Security Task Force partners, we are committed to safeguarding our city and dismantling the criminal enterprises that profit from poison in our neighborhoods.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint:

TURNER and DARAVINA converted a residential apartment in Brooklyn into a “Pill Mill” where they manufactured, stored, and sold kilograms of drugs, including fentanyl.   The Pill Mill contained an industrial-scale pill-press machine capable of manufacturing approximately 4,800 tablets per hour, a hand-cranked pill-press machine, two kilogram presses, and other industrial-grade equipment.

Electronic evidence gathered during the investigation revealed multiple pictures of the Pill Mill; messages in which TURNER and DARAVINA discussed the assembly of the pill-press machine; documents, including a troubleshooting guide and handwritten notes, relating to the manufacture of fentanyl; and FaceTime screenshots in which DARAVINA is seen examining drugs and guns.  Some of these photographs are included below:

On April 13, 2026, DEA and HSI agents searched the Pill Mill pursuant to a judicially authorized search warrant and found kilograms of fentanyl and other narcotics in powder and pill form, along with kilograms of ingredients used in the manufacture of fentanyl.  They also recovered two loaded guns hidden in a speaker inside the Pill Mill.  One of the guns had an extended magazine.  In ongoing testing, multiple kilograms of suspected narcotics found in the Pill Mill have tested positive for fentanyl.  Photographs from inside the Pill Mill that law enforcement agents took while executing the search warrant are below:

TURNER, 47, of Brooklyn, New York, and DARAVINA, 45, of the Bronx, New York, are each charged with (i) conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, and (ii) using a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of, that drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, which must be served consecutive to any other prison term imposed, and a maximum term of life in prison.

The minimum and 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 praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA and HSI.  Mr. Clayton also thanked the New York State Police for their assistance in this case.

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

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON THE STATE PIED-À-TERRE TAX PROPOSAL

 

"It’s Tax Day, and while millions of New Yorkers work to file by the deadline, the state is long overdue to make the wealthiest pay their fair share. 

"I welcome the proposed pied-à-terre tax, a measure I’ve pushed for many years. Luxury units cannot sit empty and undertaxed while most New Yorkers struggle to stay in their homes. This measure is just one of several that the state must enact to create a more equitable economy and sustainable budget. Fears that the uber-wealthy will leave New York are irrational at a time when we are not only gaining more millionaires, but some are buying second and third homes.

"From filing their returns to finalizing the budget, New Yorkers deserve a fair tax system that funds critical services, and Albany must do its part to deliver economic justice."

Mayor Mamdani, Governor Hochul Announce State’s First Pied-à-Terre Tax, Requiring Ultrawealthy and Global Elites to Pay Their Fair Share

 

Historic measure will help close the budget gap, Mamdani administration to increase taxes on luxury secondary properties owned by residents outside New York City 

Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul announced the proposal of the state’s first pied-à-terre tax, a major step toward closing New York City’s budget gap while protecting the public services working New Yorkers rely on.

The pied-à-terre tax — supported by 93% of New Yorkers — will levy an annual surcharge on one to three family homes, condominiums and co-ops valued above $5 million when owners have a separate primary residence outside of New York City. While leaders from multiple mayoral administrations have proposed similar measures for more than a decade, this policy marks the first time such a tax will be enacted in New York State.

The measure targets ultrawealthy out-of-city residents and global elites who use New York City real estate as a vehicle for wealth storage rather than as homes. It is projected to generate $500 million in annual revenue, including from some of the most expensive residences in the country — from billionaire Ken Griffith’s $238 million penthouse in Midtown, at one time the most expensive home sold in the United States, to Russian auto-dealer Alexander Varshavsky’s $20.5M property (purchased in cash), and thousands more owned by foreign oligarchs and the global ultrarich.

“Thanks to the support of Governor Hochul, we are one step closer to balancing our budget by taxing the ultra-wealthy and global elites with a pied-à-terre tax — the first of its kind in our state. Alongside the governor, our administration is fighting every day to make sure we address this fiscal deficit fairly, where the wealthy contribute what they owe and our budget reflects our commitment to the working New Yorkers being priced out of our city,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. 

“New York City is the greatest city in the world, and the people who call it home should not be left carrying the burden alone. As Governor, I understand the importance of stabilizing the city’s finances without compromising on essential services New Yorkers count on. If you can afford a $5 million second home that sits empty most of the year, you can afford to contribute like every other New Yorker,” said Governor Kathy Hochul.

Housing Lottery Launches for 2951 Wallace Avenue in Allerton, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 2951 Wallace Avenue, a six-story residential building in Allerton, The Bronx. Designed by Angelo Ng & Anthony Ng Architects and developed by Long Lin, the structure yields 36 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are eight units for residents at 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $81,326 to $140,000.

Amenities include assigned parking spaces, elevator, and outdoor areas. Residences have air conditioning and hardwood floors. Tenants are responsible for electricity, including stove, heat, and hot water.

At 80 percent of the AMI, there are four one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,092 for incomes ranging from $81,326 to $116,640, and four two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,419 for incomes ranging from $97,852 to $140,000.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than April 28, 2026.

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli Urges Vote Against eXp's Proposed Move to Texas and All Directors

 

Real Estate Company Proposed Move After Lawsuit Alleged Cover-Up of "Rape Culture" at the Firm

The New York State Common Retirement Fund is urging investors to vote against a measure to reincorporate eXp World Holdings Inc., the cloud-based real estate brokerage, from Delaware to Texas and against all company directors in the wake of a troubling court ruling, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, trustee of the Fund, announced today.

The company proposed the move just weeks after a Delaware judge ruled that a lawsuit be allowed to proceed against certain company officers and directors, including its founder and CEO Glenn Sanford, for allegedly concealing a pervasive “rape culture” at the company. Texas law limits shareholders’ rights to hold companies accountable.     

“No one should be subjected to sexual violence in the workplace,” DiNapoli said. “When companies fail to address and stop abuse by those in power, they perpetuate harm and put shareholder value at risk. The timing of this abrupt move — from a state where an adverse ruling occurred in a case seeking to hold the company’s leadership responsible, to a state where they may be shielded from future accountability — is highly suspect and should raise concerns for all investors.”     

The precedent-setting ruling by the Delaware Court of Chancery found that the failure of eXp’s management and board of directors to respond to workplace sexual misconduct is the basis for breach of fiduciary duty claims. According to the ruling, for many years top eXp agents “allegedly drugged and raped [other] agents at company-sponsored events.” The court noted that the lawsuit filed by shareholders alleged that some of eXp’s leaders “…benefited financially from retaining the perpetrators and actively covered up their conduct,” while others “failed to respond in good faith to red flags notifying them of the company’s rape culture.”

In 2024, DiNapoli wrote eXp to express concern about legal and reputational risks and to request an independent investigation into the company’s actions related to the sexual harassment and assault  allegations. A response from eXp stated that “an independent review of the facts and allegations is already underway.” However, the company did not follow-up and it is unclear whether such an independent review was ever conducted.  

In recent years, the Fund has filed multiple shareholder proposals seeking reports on efforts to prevent harassment and discrimination against employees and steps taken to improve workforce management with portfolio companies including Activision Blizzard Inc., Tesla Inc., Starbucks Corp., Uber, and Wells Fargo & Co., the last of which received support from a majority (55%) of shareholders. In 2019 the Fund announced a landmark $41 million settlement to hold Steve Wynn and Wynn Resorts’ officers and directors accountable after filing a lawsuit claiming they failed to protect the company and employees from former CEO Steve Wynn’s alleged sexual misconduct.

In addition to voting against the move from Delaware to Texas, the Fund is urging investors to vote against all six eXp director nominees, including the CEO and board chair and directors who were named in the Delaware lawsuit, for failure to provide independent oversight and accountability. 

Shareholders will vote on the proposal and directors at the company’s annual general meeting on April 24, 2026.

The New York State Common Retirement Fund is one of the largest public pension funds in the United States and has consistently been ranked as one of the best managed and best funded plans in the nation.

Bronx River Art Center - Celebrate Earth Day at BRAC

 

Celebrate Earth Day with Bronx River Art Center

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Join us for a joyful afternoon of art, environmental engagement, and community connection as we unveil our newly renovated Community Room.

Explore our galleries and studios, participate in hands-on activities, and enjoy live performances, wellness sessions, and interactive programming for all ages.

Event Highlights

Community Room Unveiling   Open House and Guided Tours   Artist Open Studios and Exhibitions   Hands-On Earth Day Activities   Spring Class Demonstrations and Enrollment Opportunities   Wellness Programming, Including Yoga   Community Partner Tabling   Live Music and DJ Performances   Artist Talk in our Gallery   Light Refreshments and Family-Friendly Activities

12:30 - 1:30pm: "Son de Citilore" will be performing from is a community-based group committed to sharing Son Jarocho, the traditional music of southern Veracruz, Mexico, along with its rich cultural heritage.

5:00 - 7:00 pm: An artist talk for our current exhibition, "Chronicles of Grace: Exploring the Aging Body". Learn more about the artists’ processes and how they explore themes of aging in their work. The conversation will be moderated by Deanna Liderman, with translation assistance provided by Ruddy Mejia.

Featuring Our Community Partners

New York Botanical Garden Bronx River Alliance Bronx River Community Garden Drew Gardens

Event Details

Saturday, April 18, 2026 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Bronx River Art Center 1087 E. Tremont Ave, Bronx, NY 10460 Free Admission – Registration Encouraged

Celebrate Earth Day with art, community, and creativity. We can’t wait to welcome you!

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Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - REMINDER: GREEK HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION