Department of Environmental Protection Proposes Fiscal Year 2027 Water Rate

 

Proposed Increase of 6% is Lower Than Forecast Thanks to Strong Revenue Collections, Allowing DEP to Offset Increased Operating Costs and Make Critical Infrastructure Investments

New Partnership With New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to Provide $25 Million to Strengthen and Expand Key Affordability Programs

If Approved, the Cost of Water in New York City Would Remain Well Below the National Average

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Monday proposed a 6% increase for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) water rates during a presentation to the New York City Water Board. The proposed rate is lower than forecast thanks to the agency’s strong revenue collections, allowing DEP to offset increased operating costs and make critical infrastructure investments. In addition, a new partnership with the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation will provide $25 million over several years to support and expand the Board’s key affordability programs that help customers manage their water and sewer bills. The proposed rate would keep the cost of water well below the national average. If adopted, the increase would adjust the average single‑family customer’s bill by $6 per month. The proposed rate is subject to review and approval by the New York City Water Board. There will be a public hearing in each of the five boroughs in early June during which residents will have the opportunity to provide their input on the proposed rate to members of the Water Board. “Strong billing collections, smart long-term planning, and targeted investments continue to put New York City’s water and wastewater system on solid financial footing,” said DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia. “The proposed FY27 water rate keeps bills well below the national average and ensures DEP can keep building the resilient infrastructure needed to safeguard New Yorkers’ drinking water and protect our neighborhoods. The expanded affordability programs and support will provide assistance to customers experiencing financial challenges.” Revenue DEP continues to use every tool in the toolbox to drive compassionate and fair collections, and ensure every customer pays their fair share. Every dollar collected is reinvested into the system to provide rate relief and support day‑to‑day operations. Strong collections have helped lower the projected FY27 rate from the original 7% forecast. In FY26 to date, annual revenue collections have reached $4.1 billion, or $166 million above plan as of May 7. The ongoing forecast also includes approximately $100 million in new, recurring revenue driven by improved collections. Additionally, DEP’s newly formed Key Accounts Group brought in over $10 million in revenue by matching complex customer accounts with more experienced customer service staff members. DEP continues to focus its collections efforts on unlocking payments and resolving disputes with large debtors. Capital Investments Large‑scale capital investments funded by the proposed increase include more than $1 billion in upgrades to upstate reservoirs, $521 million for ongoing construction of City Water Tunnel No. 3, $620 million for combined sewer overflow retention tanks for the Gowanus Canal, $2 billion for bluebelts and green infrastructure, and another $2 billion to continue the comprehensive drainage system buildout in Southeast Queens. DEP is targeting to exceed $3 billion of capital commitments this year as part of a ten-year $33.5 billion capital program. Recent DEP capital investments include: $108 million to upgrade and replace more than 6,700 catch basins to improve sewer performance citywide and enhance stormwater resiliency $320 million investment in the Bronx’s wastewater treatment infrastructure with new facilities at Hunts Point, improving system efficiency and capacity, as well as neighborhood air quality $50 million to design Brooklyn’s first Bluebelt and install flood protection measures in Prospect Park $146 million, in partnership with other agencies, to alleviate chronic flooding in the Jewel Streets neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens $84 million, in partnership with other agencies, to complete a drainage project in Staten Island’s New Dorp Beach neighborhood Rental Payment The City’s financial plans include a forecast for rental payment requests from the water and wastewater system pursuant to the terms of the Water Board’s lease of city water and wastewater infrastructure. The projections include $312 million in FY27 from water rate proceeds. NYC Water Rates are Below the Average of Large U.S. Cities For more than a decade, New York City’s water rates have remained 15-20% below the average of the 30 largest U.S. cities, based on typical single‑family residential usage of 70,000 gallons per year. New York customers currently pay about $1,224 annually, compared to $1,428 in Boston, $1,623 in Philadelphia, $2,373 in Washington, D.C., $2,476 in Baltimore, and $3,251 in San Francisco.

Source: Amawalk Consulting Group, charges for all cities reflect rate schedules in effect on February 1, 2026. What the Proposed Rate Would Mean for an Average Customer If the proposed 6% water rate increase is adopted by the Board, customers would see the following changes to their bills: A typical single-family homeowner will see their total annual water and sewer bills increase from $1,224/year to $1,297/year for water and sewer bills — an increase of $6/month (based on an average consumption of 70,000 gallons of water per year). A typical multi-family unit with metered billing will see their total annual water and sewer bills increase from $909/year/unit to $964/year/unit—an increase of $5/month (based on an average consumption of 52,000 gallons of water per year). Keeping Our Water Affordable DEP’s world-class drinking water remains one of New York City’s best bargains, and the agency is committed to maintaining a rate and billing structure that keeps costs reasonable for customers facing affordability challenges. In FY26, DEP’s affordability programs touch nearly one-third of New York City’s 3.38 million households. Today, DEP’s two core affordability benefits were expanded for the second time in FY26, via a vote by the Water Board and thanks to funding provided by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation: Home Water Assistance Program: Credit increased by nearly 35%, from $145 in FY25 to up to $196 in FY26, to benefit approximately 68,000 low-income households. DEP proposes continuing this benefit in FY27, which would result in a FY27 effective rate increase of 4.5%, below the proposed 6% increase. All eligible accounts will receive the benefit. Multifamily Water Assistance Program: The program continues to offer a $250 credit and expands the recipient pool to 75,000 affordable residential units starting in FY26 and proposed to continue in FY27. This credit would represent an approximate 18–26% savings on the FY27 annual bill. DEP is also proposing to start two new assistance programs for affordable housing and lower-income customers: DEP will use $1 million in funding from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to help Housing Development Fund Corporation customers return to good standing after falling behind on their bills. DEP will also offer new reduced interest rate payment agreements to lower-income customers prequalified by Department of Finance, and help seniors stay in their homes through low-interest debt deferral. DEP also recommends the reauthorization of the Multi-family Conservation program, which guarantees a full-year per apartment unit rate for buildings with meters and water efficiency fixtures, and the Leak Forgiveness program, which provides financial relief to customers who experience a spike in their water bill due to a leak. DEP is also proposing to once again freeze the minimum water charge so that customers who use a low volume of water will see their bill remain the same. Improving Customer Service DEP is also further revising programs to reduce the financial burden of unexpectedly high bills. These efforts include: Expanding eligibility for Leak Forgiveness and related financial relief. Providing additional forgiveness for customers who experience leaks during periods of estimated billing. Establishing a new minimum benefit for customers with eligible leaks. Proactively capping exceptionally high residential bills that are outside a customer’s control. Increasing outreach to customers who may be eligible for existing assistance programs. And, DEP is streamlining customer service and compliance by: Allowing plumbers to return meter permits electronically and introducing new procedures to reduce warning notices and plumbing violations. Automatically renewing cooling‑tower discounts for customers who remain current with Department of Buildings and Department of Health registrations. Rate Hearings The Water Board is responsible for considering and adopting water and wastewater rates following the proposal and subsequent public hearings. The Water Board will be holding in-person public hearings in each of the five boroughs on the proposed rates: Monday, June 1 at 6:00pm: Queens (JFK Jr. School, 57-12 94th Street Tuesday, June 2 at 11:00am: Manhattan (NYC OMB, 225 Greenwich Street, 8th Floor) Tuesday, June 2 at 6:00pm: Brooklyn (Saint Francis College, 179 Livingston Street) Wednesday, June 3 at 6:00pm: Staten Island (Bernikow JCC, 1466 Manor Road) Thursday, June 4 at 6:00pm: Bronx (Mercy University, 1200 Waters Place) The public is welcome to submit written testimony or comments to the Water Board by email at nycwaterboard@dep.nyc.gov, or by mail to NYC Water Board, 59-17 Junction Boulevard, 8th Floor, Flushing, NY 11373. Following the public hearings, the Water Board is scheduled to meet on June 10, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. to consider and adopt an FY27 budget and water and wastewater rates; the new rates would become effective on July 1, 2026. About the NYC Department of Environmental Protection DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.3 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X and Instagram.

Coast Guard Finalizes Contract for Five New Arctic Security Cutters

 

With this historic contract, the Coast Guard will roll out a brand new class of polar icebreakers that will strengthen America’s dominance in the Arctic

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement after the U.S. Coast Guard finalized a $3.5 billion contract for the construction and delivery of five Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs), a brand new class of polar icebreaker vessels that will strengthen America’s position in the Arctic.

The contract was awarded to Davie Defense. This is the first of three contracts for the construction of the new ASC class, with two remaining contracts set to be finalized by the Coast Guard soon. The first vessel under this contract is scheduled to be delivered in 2028, and all five vessels will be delivered by February of 2035.

The Coast Guard’s contract with Davie Defense was initially awarded in early February, and was the third ASC contract awarded. These initial contract awards allowed shipbuilders to begin planning while all final details were negotiated. The finalized contract with Davie Defense announced today is the first of those three ASC contracts for which terms were fully defined. The Coast Guard plans to finalize the two remaining contracts soon.

“Finalizing this contract represents decisive action to guarantee American security in the Arctic,” said Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard. “The Arctic Security Cutters will deliver the essential capability to uphold U.S. sovereignty against adversaries’ aggressive economic and military actions in the Arctic. These cutters will ensure the Coast Guard’s ability to control, secure, and defend our northern border and maritime approaches.”

Using the $25 billion provided by the historic Fiscal Year 2025 budget reconciliation, the Coast Guard has already ordered over $13 billion in new fleet assets and capabilities. This rapid investment demonstrates the Coast Guard’s commitment to modernizing acquisition, delivering next-generation technology, and revitalizing American shipbuilding.

The ASC program will fulfill President Donald J. Trump’s promise to expand the nation’s Arctic fleet by delivering 11 Arctic Security Cutters. The program will also bring Arctic shipbuilding expertise back to the United States, strengthening long-term industrial capability and workforce development at American shipyards.

Mayor Mamdani Announces New Broadway Bus Lane to Better Serve LaGuardia Airport Travelers and Queens Residents Ahead of the World Cup

 

New eastbound bus lane will speed up service for LGA travelers, airport workers and Queens bus riders 

  

Q70-SBS buses on Broadway currently move as slowly as 2.7 mph during evening rush hour 

A Q70-SBS travels along Broadway in Jackson Heights, Queens. Credit: NYC DOT

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today announced a new dedicated bus lane along Broadway in Queens that will improve commutes for LaGuardia Airport (LGA) travelers, airport workers and Queens residents ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. 

  

The project will add a dedicated, center-running eastbound bus lane along Broadway between 69th Street and Roosevelt Avenue while maintaining one travel lane in each direction for other vehicles.  

  

The corridor serves 9,000 daily riders on the Q70-SBS, which connects New Yorkers and visitors to LGA, the 7, E, F, M and R subway lines, Long Island Railroad and several local bus routes.  

  

Today, buses on the corridor move as slowly as 2.7 mph during evening rush hour — slower than the average walking pace of about 3 mph. 

  

“The World Cup may come and go, but the investments we made to our streets and public transit must serve New Yorkers for decades to come,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Arriving in New York City should be fast, affordable and reliable all year round — not just during major events. This new bus lane will help welcome visitors from around the world this summer while delivering faster commutes every day for the thousands of working-class New Yorkers who rely on the Q70.” 

  

“This new bus lane will speed up bus rides for thousands of New Yorkers while improving the safety of our streets for everyone,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “NYC DOT has launched a series of street improvements that will improve mobility during and long after the World Cup, whether you’re arriving through LaGuardia or biking over the Brooklyn Bridge.” 

  

“New Yorkers should be able to connect to our airports with fast, reliable bus service — but congestion on Broadway in Queens means it can be faster to walk this portion of the Q70-SBS route in Jackson Heights,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “With the influx of visitors expected for the World Cup, the Mamdani administration will be working with urgency to ensure New Yorkers, and soccer fans from across the world, will be able to get where they’re going efficiently. We look forward to discussing this project with the community in the coming weeks before installation.”  

  

“Bus lanes are always a good idea but especially now as the region prepares to host a million-plus fans for the World Cup,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “We stand ready to get them where they need to go — even faster once this dedicated lane is installed.” 

 

“For both travelers and airport workers, the LGA Link Q70 is a vital connection to jobs, mobility and opportunity,” said Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Executive Director Kathryn Garcia. “This bus lane, spanning a critical and often-congested stretch of the LGA Link Q70 route, is one of several improvements on the way to make that connection more reliable. Passengers will be riding buses operated by one agency, on roads run by another, coming from an airport overseen by a third. That kind of complex environment demands strong, collaborative working relationships, and we’re proud to have built exactly that with our government partners to deliver meaningful benefits for the region.” 

  

“LaGuardia Airport, like all of our airports, is expecting a busy summer, with the World Cup among several major events bringing visitors to the region, and reliable ground transportation will be essential to meeting that demand,” said Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman Kevin O'Toole. “This dedicated bus lane addresses one of the LGA Link Q70's most persistent bottlenecks, making the route more reliable, more predictable and more inviting for visitors. We look forward to working with our city and state partners to ensure the LGA Link Q70, along with our entire transportation network, works seamlessly from the plane to the train to the game.” 

  

NYC DOT will present the proposal to the local community board later this month and expects to complete the project before World Cup matches begin in June.   

German Citizen Charged with Laundering Funds Linked to Prominent Darknet Marketplace “Dream Market”

 

Owe Martin Andresen, the suspected main administrator of Dream Market, one of the largest illicit darknet marketplaces before its 2019 shutdown, has been indicted for an alleged scheme to launder funds from Dream Market’s administrator accounts. Andresen was arrested last week in Germany on parallel charges brought by the German government. 

“Andresen allegedly channeled commissions earned from selling illegal drugs, stolen personally identifiable information, counterfeit identification documents, and other items through cryptocurrency wallets and even converted his ill-gotten gains into gold bars,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Thanks to the close coordination between federal and German law enforcement, Andresen and his co-conspirators will no longer profit from the online sales of narcotics and fraud services, and Andresen will be prosecuted in both Germany and the United States as a result of his actions.”

“This action highlights the unwavering commitment of IRS Criminal Investigation and our global law enforcement partners to dismantle the financial engines that sustain transnational criminal enterprises,” said Kareem Carter, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (CI), Washington D.C. Field Office. “The reintegration of long dormant proceeds demonstrates a hard truth: illicit actors may hide in the shadows, but their financial footprints remain. IRS CI is dedicated to following the money, and our Cyber Crimes Unit special agents are dedicated to exposing those who attempt to exploit technology to evade accountability.”

“Technology has provided drug traffickers with more and more options to peddle their poisons into our communities,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Miles Aley. “It’s up to us to slam the door on those options and bring these cyber criminals to justice.”

According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the indictment, and other information presented in court: Dream Market launched in 2013 and became one of the largest criminal marketplaces on the darknet, with close to 100,000 listings at a given time. Between 2013 and 2019, Dream Market facilitated the sale of more than 90 kilograms of heroin, 450 kilograms of cocaine, 25 kilograms of crack cocaine, 45 kilograms of methamphetamine, 13 kilograms of oxycodone, and 36 kilograms of fentanyl. Buyers and sellers accessed Dream Market and interacted with each other through the use of Tor (an internet traffic anonymizing service), and they relied on cryptocurrency to mask the origin and destination of their payments—a model that allowed the marketplace to grow at a staggering pace. 

Coordinated law enforcement efforts led to the dismantling of the Dream Market infrastructure by identifying, arresting, and prosecuting the high-level vendors, moderators, and administrators who sustained the transnational criminal enterprise. High-ranking administrators who used the monikers “Oxymonster” and “KITT3N” were previously convicted in prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Southern District of Florida and the U.S. Department of Justice Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section. A mid-level administrator responsible for customer service issues on the website and who used the moniker “GOWRON” was convicted in a prosecution by the United Kingdom Crown Prosecution Service. However, the main administrator of the Dream Market, who used the moniker “Speedstepper,” was not identified.

In 2019, facing increasing law enforcement pressure, Dream Market’s administrators announced that they were voluntarily shutting down the marketplace. After Dream Market’s closure, the marketplace’s cryptocurrency infrastructure remained largely untouched, including Dream Market wallets that held millions of dollars in commission payments to the administrators (the “Dream Wallets”). 

Three years later, in November and December 2022, Andresen allegedly accessed the Dream Wallets and transferred funds into new, consolidated cryptocurrency wallets (the “Consolidated Wallets”)—activity that could only have been initiated by someone with access to Dream Market’s original private keys, believed to be “Speedstepper.” 

Months later, in August 2023, Andresen allegedly used a cryptocurrency service provider based in Atlanta, Georgia to purchase gold bars from international companies using funds in the Consolidated Wallets and directed those companies to ship the gold bars to his home address in Germany. German law enforcement identified additional money laundering transactions committed by Andresen in Germany. In total, Andresen is alleged to have laundered over $2 million between August 2023 and April 2025.

On May 7, 2026, in a coordinated effort by both German and U.S. law enforcement, Andresen was arrested on German charges, and his residence and two other locations were searched. During the searches, law enforcement located approximately $1.7 million of gold bars allegedly purchased with Dream Market funds, as well as over $23,000 in cash. Law enforcement also located information identifying several bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets containing approximately $1.2 million of funds believed to be proceeds of the Dream Market.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on January 13, 2026, charging Owe Martin Andresen, 49, of Germany, with six counts of international concealment money laundering and six counts of concealment money laundering. Each federal charge provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Germany also has charged Andresen with several counts of concealment money laundering. Each German charge is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges.  The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is being investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation – Cyber Crimes Unit and DEA Miami Counternarcotic Cyber Investigations Task Force, with substantial assistance from foreign law enforcement partners, including the Bundeskriminalamt Cybercrime Unit and Zentrale Kriminalinspektion Oldenburg.

A multi-agency task force, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, initially investigated Dream Market’s criminal activities between 2016 and 2022.

Former New York State Judge and Brooklyn Real Estate Investor Charged with Wire Fraud Conspiracy

 

Sam Sprei and Edward Harold King Allegedly Perpetrated Schemes to Defraud Real Estate Investors of Millions of Dollars

A complaint was unsealed charging Sam Sprei, also known as “Yechiel Sprei,” “Shimon Sprei,” and “Eli Shapiro,” and Edward Harold King, a former Kings County Supreme Court Justice, with wire fraud conspiracy.  Both defendants were arrested this morning and are scheduled to make their initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Clay H. Kaminsky.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI New York), announced the arrests and charges.

“As alleged, the defendants stole millions of dollars from investors by cynically leveraging King’s position as a sitting judge to lend false legitimacy to supposed investment opportunities,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Today’s arrests demonstrate that this Office will hold accountable those who exploit victims for their own financial gain.  Holding corrupt individuals accountable for the abuse of public trust will always be a priority of our Office.”

“Fraud that hides behind a veneer of legitimacy—especially the authority of a judge—strikes at the heart of public trust,” stated IRS-CI New York Special Agent in Charge Chavis.  “IRS‑CI will relentlessly follow the money, expose deception, and ensure that those who manipulate and mislead investors are brought to justice.  Today’s arrests send a clear message: schemes dressed up as opportunity will not shield wrongdoers from accountability.”

As set forth in court filings, Sprei and King perpetrated numerous schemes to defraud, including multiple schemes to defraud real estate investors in which they solicited the victims’ funds in fictitious investment opportunities, represented to the victims that their invested funds would be returnable on demand if the victims decided to end their involvement in the investments, and then later refused to return the money based on false excuses and converted a significant portion of the victims’ funds for their own use.

For example, in November 2024, Spreipresented two investors (the Investors) with an opportunity to purchase commercial real estate located in Freehold, New Jersey (the Property).  Sprei told the Investors that to take advantage of this opportunity, they would first have to show “proof of liquidity” by depositing funds in escrow. In addition, Sprei told the Investors that King was an independent escrow agent and a New York judge.  Sprei also made numerous misrepresentations designed to deceive the Investors, including that if the Investors decided not to pursue the investment, they could so advise the escrow agent and would receive the full amount deposited within two business days.  Based on these representations from Sprei, the Investors wired a total of $6.5 million to a bank account in King’s name pursuant to written escrow agreements signed by the Investors and King.  In the days immediately following the wire transfers from the Investors to the bank account in King’s name, millions of dollars of the Investors’ funds were withdrawn or transferred to a bank account in Sprei’s name.  When the Investors subsequently wrote to King to request the return of their deposited funds, King provided false excuses as to why he could not return the $6.5 million. Months later, King and Sprei returned to the Investors $1.5 million, representing only a portion of the Investors’ investment.  To date, Sprei and King have not returned any further funds to the Investors.

The charge in the complaint is an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted of wire fraud conspiracy, the defendants face up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

Georgian National Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Soliciting Hate Crimes and Planning Mass Casualty Attack in New York City

 

Earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, Michail Chkhikvishvili, a Georgian national also known as “Commander Butcher,” was sentenced to 15 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Carol Bagley Amon for soliciting hate crimes and distributing instructions to make bombs and ricin.

Chkhikvishvili is a leader of Maniac Murder Cult, an international racially motivated violent extremist group that is also known as “Maniacs Murder Cult,” “Maniacs: Cult of Killing,” “MKY,” “MMC,” and “MKU.” Chkhikvishvili recruited others to commit violent acts in furtherance of MKY’s ideologies, including planning and soliciting a mass casualty attack in New York City. He was extradited from Moldova to the Eastern District of New York in May 2025 and pleaded guilty in November.

“Chkhikvishvili, a leader of the ‘Maniacs Murder Cult,’ repeatedly called for the murder of innocent civilians, including children, and schemed to attack and terrorize Jewish communities and racial minorities in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Chkhikvishvili, for example, tried to recruit a supposed associate to dress up as Santa Claus and pass out poisoned candy to minority children. Today’s sentence takes a monster off our streets and protects our communities at least for a time.”

“The defendant plotted abhorrent acts of antisemitic and racially motivated violence,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Individuals who plan and encourage this violence will not find refuge in the dark corners of the Internet. Together, with our law enforcement partners, we will relentlessly pursue these criminals, and hold them accountable.”

“The defendant is a hate-mongering menace who intended to hurt and kill children in the Jewish community and in other minority communities in New York City,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York. “Thanks to our incredible law enforcement partners, he did not succeed and will now face justice for his cowardly acts. Today’s sentence sends a strong message to hateful extremists, wherever you are, who seek to spread fear through unspeakable violence: we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

“The defendant recruited others to commit violent attacks against the Jewish community and racial minorities, and he will now pay a steep price for his crimes,” said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “His twisted plans included poisoning children with candy around the holidays, but that plot was stopped thanks to the good work of the FBI and our law enforcement partners. The defendant was extradited from Moldova, showing once again that those who try to harm our citizens will not be able to hide overseas from the FBI and Justice Department prosecutors. We will spare no effort to make sure these criminals face justice.”

“As a leader of the white supremacist group ‘Maniac Murder Cult,’ this defendant concocted hate-fueled, mass-casualty plans and inspired others to commit attacks based on his vile rhetoric,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “This violent extremist’s intentions were clear: harm and kill as many Jews and racial groups as possible. But thanks to the work of our NYPD investigators, along with the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, he is now off our streets and being held accountable for his hateful crimes.”

Mr. Nocella praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the New York City Police Department, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the Department of State, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, and the government of Moldova for their crucial assistance in securing Chkhikvishvili’s arrest and extradition.

Maniac Murder Cult adheres to Neo-Nazi ideology and promotes violence against racial minorities, the Jewish community and other groups it deems “undesirables.” Since approximately September 2021, Chkhikvishvili has distributed a manifesto titled the “Hater’s Handbook” to MKY members and others. The Hater’s Handbook encourages people to commit acts of mass violence, including school shootings, and includes Chkhikvishvili’s assertion that he has “murdered for the white race.”

In June 2022, Chkhikvishvili traveled to Brooklyn, New York. Beginning as early as July 2022, Chkhikvishvili repeatedly encouraged others, primarily via Telegram, to commit violent hate crimes and other acts of violence on behalf of MKY. This included soliciting acts of mass violence in New York from an individual who, unbeknownst to Chkhikvishvili, was an undercover FBI employee (the UC).

Beginning in approximately November 2023, Chkhikvishvili solicited the UC to commit violent crimes, such as bombings and arsons, for the purpose of harming racial minorities, Jewish individuals and others. In November 2023, Chkhikvishvili began planning a mass casualty attack in New York City to take place on New Year’s Eve. The scheme involved having an individual dress up as Santa Claus and hand out candy laced with poison to racial minorities. In January 2024, the scheme evolved and Chkhikvishvili specifically directed the UC to target the Jewish community, Jewish schools, and Jewish children in Brooklyn with poison. Chkhikvishvili sent detailed manuals about creating and mixing lethal poisons and gases, including ricin. 

Chkhikvishvili has incited multiple attacks and killings around the world:

• In January 2025, a 17-year-old student killed one individual and injured another before dying by suicide inside Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee. The attacker livestreamed part of the attack. Prior to the attack, in an audio recording posted online and attributed to him, the attacker claimed he was taking action on behalf of Maniac Murder Cult. The attacker’s manifesto explicitly mentioned Chkhikvishvili.
• In August 2024, an individual livestreamed himself stabbing five people outside a mosque in Eskisehir, Turkey, while wearing a tactical vest bearing Nazi symbols. A manifesto attributed to the attacker included explicit references to Chkhikvishvili and his violent statements. Before the attack, the attacker also distributed a link to the Hater’s Handbook and other violent propaganda.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew D. Reich and Ellen H. Sise for the Eastern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, Special Agent Kristoffer Borch from the Eastern District of New York’s Criminal Investigations Unit, and Paralegal Specialists Rebecca Roth and Wayne Colon. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division also provided assistance.

Defendant Extradited From Dominican Republic To Face Charges For Using Manhattan Apartment To Operate Industrial-Scale Pill Pressing Operation

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Michael Alfonso, and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Farhana Islam, announced the unsealing of a Complaint charging RUDDY CENIT-THEN with conspiring to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.  CENIT-THEN was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn and ordered detained pending trial.

“New Yorkers want us to send a message:  New York will not be a safe haven for any level of drug distribution, much less fentanyl and methamphetamine pill factories,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “As alleged, Ruddy Cenit-Then conspired with others to operate a pill mill out of a 20th-floor Manhattan apartment, right next to thousands of innocent New Yorkers just going about their lives.  That conduct will never be tolerated by this Office.  I am deeply grateful for the efforts of our law enforcement partners and the career prosecutors of this Office as we work to keep methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other deadly and debilitating narcotics off our streets.”

“Ruddy Cenit-Then now stands accused of using a Manhattan apartment as the base for a clandestine pill-pressing factory to produce narcotics-laced tablets on an industrial scale,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso.  “Pumping these toxic pills into our communities drives overdoses, fuels crime, and erodes the safety and stability of our families and local businesses.  HSI New York, together with our Homeland Security Task Force partners, will continue to utilize every lawful tool at our disposal to dismantle these operations and protect our neighborhoods from this deadly trade.”

“The DEA and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in holding accountable those individuals responsible for pushing fentanyl and methamphetamine into our neighborhoods,” stated DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam. “Ruddy Cenit-Then, who is charged with operating an industrial-scale pill press operation in Washington Heights and sought refuge in the Dominican Republic, thought he was safe from the reach of the DEA and our partners. Today he learned that our global footprint remains strong and wide, and that we are committed to holding traffickers accountable both here at home and abroad.”

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

On July 24, 2025, pursuant to a judicially authorized warrant, law enforcement officers searched an apartment in the Washington Heights neighborhood in Manhattan that appeared to be used by CENIT-THEN.  Inside the apartment, law enforcement officers found evidence that CENIT-THEN was using the apartment to run a clandestine, industrial-scale pill pressing operation.  Hidden behind panels inside a closet, law enforcement found, among other things, an industrial-scale pill press and approximately 37 pounds of a white crystal substance contained in a series of Ziplock bags for which field tests positively indicated the presence of methamphetamine.  The pill press, drugs, and other items found behind the hidden panels are pictured below in Image 1, and the hidden panels are pictured below in Image 2.

                                                                                                                                                                 Image 1

                                              Image 2

                                                                                                                                                              RUDDY CENIT-THEN, 46, of the Dominican Republic, is charged with one count of conspiring to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The statutory minimum and maximum 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 a judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI New York and the Homeland Security Task Force, DEA Group D-25, the New York State Police, the New York City Police Department, and the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.  Mr. Clayton also thanked the DEA Chemist Team for its processing of the scene and the U.S Marshals Service for the arrest of CENIT-THEN.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Dominican authorities in securing CENIT-THEN’s arrest and extradition.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Getzel Berger, Katherine Cheng, and Joseph H. Rosenberg are 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. 

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

RONX MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DAYTIME SHOOTING ON CROWDED STREET THAT INJURED TWO WOMEN

 

One Victim Suffered Devastating Injuries

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of Attempted Murder and Assault for shooting two women, seriously injuring one of them. 

District Attorney Clark said, “This defendant opened fire on a crowded Bronx sidewalk in the middle of the afternoon. His intended target was hit twice, suffering grievous injuries. Another victim was hit in the leg. With this lengthy prison sentence justice has been served. I hope this sentence will give the two victims and their families peace of mind.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Carlos Rivera, 66, of East 178th Street, Bronx, was sentenced on May 11, 2026, to 15 years in prison and five years post release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Verena Powell. Rivera was convicted by a jury of Attempted Murder in the first-degree, first-degree Assault, second-degree Assault, and second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon on March 6, 2026. 

According to the facts brought out at trial, at approximately 1:48 p.m. on May 3, 2023, the defendant and Erica DiSalvio got into an argument inside the TD Bank located at 148 E Fordham Road. Rivera exited the bank and waited for DiSalvio. When she exited the bank, Rivera pointed a firearm at her and fired two shots, striking her twice. The bullets hit her in the pelvic area, right chest, and right arm. A bystander who was on the street, was hit in the leg. Both women were taken to St. Barnabas Hospital. DiSalvio suffered serious injuries which required reconstructive surgery. To this day she experiences pain in her arm and leg.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Officer Johnmicheal Medina of the 46th Precinct, NYPD Detective Joseph Uvenio of the Crime Scene Unit and NYPD Sgt. Katherine Torres of the 43rd Detective Squad for their work in the investigation.