VISION ZERO: MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES MORE THAN TWO YEARS WITHOUT A FATALITY ON QUEENS BOULEVARD, AS NEXT PHASE OF REDESIGN MOVES FORWARD

Coming in June: New protected bike lanes, crosswalks, and expanded medians will come to Rego Park and Forest Hills

  Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that Queens Boulevard has seen zero fatalities since 2014, and New York City will further extend the redesign of Queens Boulevard beginning in June. After overwhelming approval by Queens Community Board 6 last week, DOT will add major safety improvements to the street - including new protected bike lanes, more crosswalks, and expanded medians -- through Rego Park and Forest Hills. Queens Boulevard, which had 22 traffic fatalities as recently as 1997, has not had a single traffic fatality in two and a half years, the same time DOT began the street’s conversion into a Vision Zero Priority Corridor.

“Queens Boulevard offers the best and most dramatic proof that our efforts at Vision Zero are working,” said Mayor de Blasio.  “What was once a ‘Boulevard of Death’ is no longer -- as pedestrians, cyclists and motorists all have become accustomed to enjoying a more vital, welcoming and safe street.  As changes come this year to Forest Hills and Rego Park, we thank Councilmember Karen Koslowitz for her leadership and Community Board Six for its recognition that a new Queens Boulevard is a win-win for all of the community’s businesses, children and seniors.” 

Last week, Community Board Six in Forest Hills voted overwhelmingly, by a 34-3 margin, to support DOT’s plan for a third phase of Queens Boulevard redesign, for the 1.3-mile portion of the street between Eliot Avenue and Yellowstone Boulevard.  In the first two phases, DOT transformed 2.5 miles of Queens Boulevard through Woodside and Elmhurst.  In addition to the absence of fatalities, DOT statistics show that since work began, crashes in the Phase 1 corridor have declined by 14 percent, with pedestrian injuries down by 49 percent and cyclist injuries down by 42 percent, yet cycling increased by 120%.

All of DOT’s changes to Queens Boulevard will cost approximately $4 million.  Starting next year, the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) will begin major capital work -- for which the de Blasio Administration has committed $255 million – to transform the boulevard, making all three phases permanent, including by widening medians and adding new amenities like trees, landscaping and benches.

The Mayor also cited the latest Vision Zero fatality statistics for 2017. Year-to-date, New York City has seen 69 traffic fatalities in 2017, compared to 78 by this date in 2016 – a 12 percent decline.  The number of pedestrians struck and killed has gone from 46 in 2016 to 38 in 2017, a 17 percent decline. 

“The transformation of Queens Boulevard is among the greatest achievements of the Vision Zero era,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.  “In just a few years, what was once a forbidding highway-like street bisecting communities has started to become a grand and welcoming boulevard worthy of Queens.  But we have much more to do -- and so we gratefully acknowledge Council member Koslowitz and Community Board Six for embracing the next phase of these exciting changes.”

“DDC is working in every borough to improve safety for pedestrians, motorists, and bicyclists alike,” said DDC Commissioner Feniosky Peña-Mora. “Vision Zero is a great success and DDC is proud to be a significant part of it through our work on Queens Boulevard, and other Great Streets projects such as Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn and the Grand Concourse in the Bronx. We will continue to create projects that realize Mayor de Blasio’s vision for a healthier, more resilient, and more equitable New York.”

About Vision Zero

In January 2017, after three successive years of declines in traffic fatalities, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced New York City would make an additional $400 million investment in Vision Zero – for a total of $1.6 billion over the next five years. DOT is implementing its most aggressive street redesign safety program, an increased investment in street redesign and traffic-calming measures citywide. Other Vision Zero changes announced by the Mayor include ensuring NYPD crossing guards at every post, faster replacement of street markings, intersection upgrades in the bike-lane network, more left-turn calming efforts, brighter lighting and more equipment at each police precinct to catch speeding.

For more information about the de Blasio Administration’s Vision Zero initiative, please see www.nyc.gov/visionzero

Youth Got Talent 2017: "Stirring Up The Gifts"

TALENT COMPETITION & SHOW

  Come out and join us this Saturday, May 20th @ 1pm as we encourage some youth of our community whom have taken courage to stir up their gifts, talents, and abilities by participating in this year's Youth Got Talent: "Stirring Up The Gifts" Competition & Show. 

Some of the participants will perform as contestants to compete for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prize. Some will perform as a support. Some will serve administratively and otherwise. All of them are stars and winners in our eyes. Come help cheer them on.

Presented by The Youth & YGT Committee of Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church  

771 Fairmount Place   Bronx, NY 10460  

Rev. Torrence Robinson, Pastor

   

THIS YEAR'S GUEST/CELEBRITY JUDGES:

David Moore

Jaay Parks 

Mikey Jay

Sandy Rolon, SGT (Ret)

Serrina Goodman

EVENT LOCATION:

1919 Prospect Avenue /CS 211 - Auditorium

Bronx, NY 10457

(1 block off E. Tremont & Prospect Aves)                                    

ADMISSION TICKET: Charitable Contribution $5 per person 5 y/o & Up

Available across the street @ FUNDRAISER: 771 Fairmount Place. Also, Refreshments.

Program participants are admitted Free with copy of the YGT event flyer. Programs are DHS, OASAS, and other. 

For additional information call (917) 226-7960

“This activity is not sponsored or endorsed by the New York City Department of Education or the City of New York.”

STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE - RE: OSCAR LÓPEZ RIVERA

NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE 2017

Statement   RE: Oscar Lopez Rivera In response to the media activity surrounding the upcoming participation of Oscar López Rivera in the 60th Anniversary of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, it is imperative to express our perspective to the events that have taken place in past few days. We recognize that every news article references the Parade's past leadership and financial difficulties for context. That said, since 2014, the Parade's governance and operations were structured to prevent these matters from reoccurring and to support its core mission.    The Board of Directors of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, made a decision to stand by its mission of having the Parade serve as an educational and celebratory platform that embraces the diverse opinions in our community under the theme "Un Pueblo, Muchas Voces"/"One Nation, Many Voices".    In 2014, we launched our awareness and solidarity campaign to free Oscar López Rivera. This decision arose out of our strong conviction to be inclusive of all the voices in our community, and the broad support we have witnessed at prior Parades for the Oscar López Rivera cause. This confirmed the importance of having a voice in the Parade that many Puerto Ricans and people of all ideologies and cultures have rallied around. In the past three years, we have launched relevant and challenging conversations such as: marriage equality and LBGT rights; Borinqueneers; environmental justice for Caño Martín Peña, and this year the centennial anniversary of the Jones Act of 1917 that resulted in U.S. citizenship for Puerto Ricans.   The history of Oscar López Rivera is complicated, some call him a terrorist and others call him a freedom fighter, but Oscar López Rivera, as the New York Times recently wrote, was never charged with carrying out acts of violence. After 35 years in prison, 12 years of which were spent in solitary confinement, President Obama concluded, that at the age of 74, Oscar should be free.      It has been disappointing and unfortunate to see the progress of this Parade undermined by the circulation of false information, and the targeting of loyal sponsors by people who disagree with the Parade's decision to recognize the freedom of Oscar López Rivera. These actions allegedly influenced Goya's decision to stop its 60-year partnership with the Parade.     The Parade appreciates the sponsors who have supported this cultural entity and its mission. These relationships are rooted in mutual respect, as well as mutual goals and objectives. When we disagree, we resolve our differences through dialogue that leads to a common productive outcome. There are also times when despite our best efforts, our partners will have to make business decisions, which we respect, but the Parade will continue to be a platform for peace and solidarity that includes all the voices in our community.        Our initiatives and announcements for 2017 are evidence that we have not deviated from our mission to be an inclusive platform, even when taking on complex issues/subjects. The Oscar López Rivera experience provides opportunity to engage in a healthy and fierce conversation about a part of our Puerto Rican history. As we continue to learn and talk about issues important to our experience, Puerto Rico needs the unity and solidarity of its people in this time of crisis.  Only in unity will we inspire positive change. The Board of Directors of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Thursday, May 18, 2017

13 Members Of Violent Drug Trafficking Organization Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Narcotics Trafficking And Firearms Offenses

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the Police Department for the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging 13 members of a Bronx-based drug trafficking organization with narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses. 

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “As alleged, these defendants, many of them members of the violent and dangerous Crips street gang, used gun violence to control their territory in the North Bronx and to flood the streets with heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine. Together with our partners at the FBI and NYPD, we are committed to making our city safer from drug-related violence.”    

FBI Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Our most important job as the FBI NY Metro Safe Streets Task Force is to protect the community from dangerous gangs that use threats and violence to maintain control. Gangs impact innocent people’s lives every day, people who often have no way to rid their neighborhoods of the dealers on the street corners. Our agents and investigators from our partner law enforcement agencies will be dogged in our pursuit of these criminals.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “Today’s arrests are the latest example of the NYPD’s commitment to combatting narcotics trafficking and violent gun crimes.  The dismantling of this crew and the amount of evidence seized represents a significant blow to criminal networks operating in the Bronx. Thanks to FBI and U.S. Attorney in the Southern District—our partners on this and many other cases.”

According to the Indictment[1] unsealed in Manhattan federal court and other publicly filed documents:

The members of the Davidson Avenue drug trafficking organization (the “Davidson Avenue DTO”) controlled narcotics trafficking on Davidson Avenue between West Tremont Avenue and West Burnside Avenue in the Bronx, New York (the “Davidson Block”).  From 2012 to May 2017, members of the Davidson Avenue DTO sold heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine, among other illegal narcotics, on the Davidson Block, and prevented others from doing the same by the threat of violence.  

Members of the Davidson Avenue DTO are also members and associates of the “55” and “Wildcard” neighborhood sets of the nationwide Crips street gang.  Members of the Davidson Avenue DTO possessed firearms, and planned and engaged in acts of violence to, among other reasons, protect and maintain their drug business.  In particular, members of the Davidson Avenue DTO used their firearms in territory battles with members and associates of the rival Bloods gang, as well as during internal disputes over authority within the Crips sets that composed the DTO.

Count One of the Indictment charges OVED VEGA, a/k/a “O,” a/k/a “Mantha,” FRANKIE REYES, a/k/a “Biscuit,” HENRY MEJIA, a/k/a “Bigs,” FELIX CASTILLO, a/k/a “Spyder,” JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Poochie,” JESSICA GLENN, a/k/a “J,” GABRIEL CRUZ, a/k/a “Gabe,” ISIAH PEREZ, a/k/a “Izzy,” NOEL PEREZ, a/k/a “Lito,” ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Fetti,” MARKEEN JORDAN, a/k/a “Kingo,” STEFAN CROMARTIE, a/k/a “Stef,” and DAYQUAN SALAMAN, a/k/a “Domo Gz,” with participating in a conspiracy to distribute narcotics, including heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine.

Count Two of the Indictment charges OVED VEGA, a/k/a “O,” a/k/a “Mantha,” FRANKIE REYES, a/k/a “Biscuit,” HENRY MEJIA, a/k/a “Bigs,” FELIX CASTILLO, a/k/a “Spyder,” JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Poochie,” JESSICA GLENN, a/k/a “J,” GABRIEL CRUZ, a/k/a “Gabe,” ISIAH PEREZ, a/k/a “Izzy,” NOEL PEREZ, a/k/a “Lito,” ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Fetti,” MARKEEN JORDAN, a/k/a “Kingo,” STEFAN CROMARTIE, a/k/a “Stef,” and DAYQUAN SALAMAN, a/k/a “Domo Gz,” with possessing and discharging firearms in furtherance of the narcotics conspiracy charged in Count One.

In a coordinated operation, 10 defendants were arrested in New York on Tuesday afternoon and earlier today.  They will be presented this afternoon in Manhattan federal court.  Defendant MARKEEN JORDAN was already in federal custody on a violation of supervised release.  Defendant DAYQUAN SALAMAN is in custody on state charges and will be transferred to federal custody.  FELIX CASTILLO remains at large.  Charts identifying each defendant, the charges, and the maximum penalties are attached to this release.

The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska. 

Mr. Kim thanked the FBI and NYPD for their work on the investigation.

The Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit is overseeing the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gina Castellano and Hagan Scotten are in charge of the prosecution.

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

United States v. Oved Vega et al.

Count	Charge	Defendant	Maximum Penalty
1-	Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics	OVED VEGA,      a/k/a “O,”      a/k/a “Mantha,”   FRANKIE REYES,      a/k/a “Biscuit,"   HENRY MEJIA,      a/k/a “Bigs,”   FELIX CASTILLO,      a/k/a “Spyder,”   JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ,      a/k/a “Poochie,”   JESSICA GLENN,    a/k/a “J,”   GABRIEL CRUZ,    a/k/a “Gabe,”   ISIAH PEREZ,    a/k/a “Izzy,”   NOEL PEREZ,    a/k/a “Lito,”   ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ,    a/k/a “Fetti,”   MARKEEN JORDAN,    a/k/a “Kingo,”   STEFAN CROMARTIE,    a/k/a “Stef,”   DAYQUAN SALAMAN,    a/k/a “Domo Gz,”	Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
2 -	Discharge of Firearms in Furtherance of Narcotics Trafficking	OVED VEGA,      a/k/a “O,”      a/k/a “Mantha,”   FRANKIE REYES,      a/k/a “Biscuit,"   HENRY MEJIA,      a/k/a “Bigs,”   FELIX CASTILLO,      a/k/a “Spyder,”   JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ,      a/k/a “Poochie,”   JESSICA GLENN,    a/k/a “J,”   GABRIEL CRUZ,    a/k/a “Gabe,”   ISIAH PEREZ,    a/k/a “Izzy,”   NOEL PEREZ,    a/k/a “Lito,”   ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ,    a/k/a “Fetti,”   MARKEEN JORDAN,    a/k/a “Kingo,”   STEFAN CROMARTIE,    a/k/a “Stef,”   DAYQUAN SALAMAN,    a/k/a “Domo Gz,”	Life in       prison      with a       =mandatory  minimum  of 10 years  in jail

Former Manager Of Public Utility Arrested For Defrauding The Public Utility And Its Customers Out Of More Than $3.8 Million

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that JOHN FARCHIONE, a former customer operations manager of a public utility company (the “Public Utility”), and LOUIS BENDEL, who ran a business purporting to assist customers with payments to the Public Utility, were arrested this morning and charged with honest services fraud, bank fraud, mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy, for their roles in a scheme to defraud the Public Utility and its customers out of more than $3.8 million.  BENDEL was presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein.  FARCHIONE was arrested in Maine this morning and was presented in federal court there today.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “John Farchione, an employee of a public utility, and Louis Bendel, the owner of a payment processing vendor, allegedly stole more than $3.8 million from the public utility and its customers. As alleged, instead of providing the fair and honest services the public deserves and the law requires, the defendants instead looked to the public utility as a vehicle to satisfy their personal greed. We thank our partners at the FBI for protecting New York’s public utilities and their customers.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “As alleged, Farchione, aided by his inside knowledge of the billing and payment process of the public utility for which he worked, found a way to exploit procedures in furtherance of a scheme abetted by Bendel.  Bendel, whose job it was to remit customer payments to the utility company, allegedly conspired with Farchione to subvert the system, allowing for their personal enrichment to the detriment of the company and its consumers.  The right to honest services is something every member of the public should enjoy, and those who stand in the way will most certainly be held accountable.”

According to the Complaint[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

From at least in or about 2005, up to and including in or about November 2016, FARCHIONE and BENDEL engaged in fraudulent schemes resulting in the theft of more than $3.8 million from the Public Utility and its customers.

FARCHIONE, who was employed by the Public Utility as a manager in Customer Operations during the relevant time period, devised and implemented the scheme, using his knowledge of the Public Utility’s billing and payment processes.  FARCHIONE carried out the scheme with BENDEL, who operated a business that aggregated payments from customers of the Public Utility for the purpose of passing such payments on to the Public Utility.  FARCHIONE and BENDEL effected the fraud in part through conspiring to submit fraudulent checks and payments to the Public Utility, in amounts owed by customers who provided cash to BENDEL believing he would submit those payments to the Public Utility on their behalf. 

In fact, however, FARCHIONE and BENDEL kept the customer cash for themselves and submitted fraudulent checks to the Public Utility that purported to convey aggregated payments by multiple customers of the Public Utility.  FARCHIONE, by virtue of his position as an employee of the Public Utility, was able to conceal the nature of the fraudulent checks, and thereby perpetuate the fraudulent scheme, through his knowledge of and access to the Public Utility’s account payment system.

Additionally, FARCHIONE and BENDEL conspired to create fraudulent positive balances on certain customer accounts associated with BENDEL, causing the Public Utility to issue unearned account refunds, the proceeds of which were obtained and shared by FARCHIONE and BENDEL.

FARCHIONE, 64, of Queens, and BENDEL, 69, of Seaford, Long Island, are each charged with one count of honest services fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; mail fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, mail fraud, and bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; and aggravated identity theft in connection with the fraudulent schemes, which carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.

The statutory maximum and mandatory penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised the investigative work of the FBI in this investigation.

 [1] The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and FARCHIONE and BENDEL are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Charges Queens Music School Teacher With Sex Trafficking Of Minors

  Joon Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Darcel D. Clark, the Bronx County District Attorney, Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the arrest of OLIVER SOHNGEN, a/k/a “Helmuth Moss,” a/k/a “Stephan Weierbach.”  SOHNGEN is charged with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors, sex trafficking of minors, attempted sex trafficking of minors, and attempted inducement of minors to engage in sexual activity.  SOHNGEN was arrested this morning and presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein in Manhattan federal court.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Oliver Sohngen, a music school teacher, allegedly engaged in disturbing, predatory conduct: preying on minor girls for sex. He allegedly had sexual contact with minor girls at least twice, and attempted to engage in sex trafficking of girls under the age of 14. Together with our partners at HSI, NYPD, and the Bronx District Attorney, we are committed to working to protect our most vulnerable victims, children, from sexual exploitation.”

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said:  “This defendant came to the Bronx to allegedly engage in the dehumanizing treatment of girls ensnared in sex trafficking, even allegedly trying to arrange sexual encounters with girls as young as 8 years old.  We have a duty to protect our vulnerable youth, and with our partners in the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office, we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law anyone who supports this cruel exploitation.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “It is unfathomable that Sohngen, who runs a music school, allegedly paid a pimp hundreds of dollars to arrange sexual encounters with underage girls. We at HSI remain committed to working together with our law enforcement partners to keep our children safe and ridding our neighborhoods of these dangerous sexual predators.”

Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “The trafficking of minors for the purpose of sex is a deeply disturbing and reprehensible crime.  We remain resolute in working along with our law enforcement partners to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those individuals who prey upon our most innocent victims. I commend the detectives and agents involved in this investigation and the US Attorney’s Office, Southern District for their efforts that resulted in these arrests.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint[1]:

Between March 2013 and November 2013, SOHNGEN exchanged text messages with a co-conspirator to arrange paid sexual encounters with minor girls ranging in age from 8 to 17.  On at least two occasions, SOHNGEN engaged in sexual contact with minor girls at the co-conspirator’s apartment in the Bronx, New York.  In addition, between November 2015 and January 2016, SOHNGEN participated in recorded telephone conversations with an undercover NYPD officer who was posing as a 15-year-old girl.  SOHNGEN proposed to meet with the purported 15-year-old girl in order to engage in sexual conduct.

OHNGEN, 52, of Queens, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors, which carries a maximum term of life in prison, as well as two counts of sex trafficking of minors under the age of 18, each which carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison; three counts of attempted sex trafficking of minors under the age of 14, each of which carries a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison; and two counts of attempted inducement of minors under the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity, each of which carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI and the NYPD, and expressed gratitude for the efforts of HSI’s New York Trafficking in Persons Unit and the NYPD’s Vice Enforcement Division Major Case Team.  Mr. Kim also expressed gratitude to the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its partnership in this investigation.   

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Frank Balsamello and Michael Krouse are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Bronx County Assistant District Attorney Meagan Powers.

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.

INMATE INDICTED FOR ASSAULTING NYC CORRECTION OFFICER, BREAKING HIS JAW AND CAUSING LIFE-ALTERING INJURY

Officer Will Have Permanent Metal Plate in Jaw

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Rikers Island inmate been indicted for Assault on a Peace Officer for punching a New York City Department of Correction Officer, causing extensive injury to his jaw. 

  District Attorney Clark said, “This unprovoked attack has caused long-term physical damage and pain to a Correction Officer who was just doing his job. The defendant faces charges that carry a maximum sentence of 15 years, and if he is convicted we will ask that his sentence be consecutive to any other prison term he faces. We must change the violent trajectory of Rikers Island, and inmates must know they will not get away with brutality against staff.” 

  District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Tariq Hargorve, (AKA Tariq Hargrove), 20, of Brooklyn, NY was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. He is due back in court on August 23, 2017. If convicted on the top charge, he could face up to 15 years in prison. 

  Hargorve was indicted on charges of Assault on a Peace Officer, three counts of second degree Assault, third-degree Assault and second-degree Obstructing Governmental Administration. 

  According to the investigation, Hargorve was speaking on an inmate phone in the George Mochan Detention Center on April 11, 2017, and when he hung up, he allegedly punched Correction Officer Richy Herrera Castillo in the face for no apparent reason. Officer Castillo stumbled backwards from the blow and Hargorve left the area, continuing to yell at the officer. The incident was captured on video.

  The officer was hospitalized and underwent extensive surgery. A metal plate was implanted in his jaw, a molar that was knocked loose by the punch had to be removed and his jaw was wired shut. He will require physical therapy and the metal plate is permanent. Officer Castillo suffered considerable pain and difficulty speaking as a result of his injuries.

  District Attorney Clark thanked Department of Correction Investigator Daniel Monaco and the Department of Correction’s Central Intelligence Bureau for their assistance in the case. 

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.