Member Of Bronx Gang Sentenced To 42 Years In Prison For Murder, Racketeering, And Drug Trafficking

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JAMES CAPERS, a/k/a “Mitch,” was sentenced to 42 years in prison for the murder of Allen McQueen and participating in racketeering and narcotics conspiracies, all in connection with a violent street gang known as the “Leland Avenue Crew,” which is based primarily in and around the New York City’s 43rdPrecinct in the Bronx, New York. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge William H. Pauley III, after CAPERS was convicted following a jury trial in December 2016.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Gangs do enormous damage to our communities through drug dealing and the violence that often accompanies it. Today, James Capers, a gang member who sold drugs and participated in that violence, was sentenced to 42 years in prison for the horrific murder of a rival gang member, whom Capers shot and killed while the victim was holding his one-year-old daughter. Our Office remains committed to eradicating senseless violence from our city streets.”

According to the Indictment and other documents filed in the case, as well as evidence presented at trial and statements made during the sentencing proceedings:

CAPERS was a member of the Leland Avenue Crew, which controlled the distribution of crack cocaine in and around Leland Avenue in the Bronx, New York. As a member of the Crew, CAPERS sold crack cocaine and marijuana, carried weapons, and committed robberies of unsuspecting members of the public. To protect its drug-selling turf, the Leland Avenue Crew engaged in a long-running dispute with members of a rival gang based two streets over on Taylor Avenue. This dispute resulted in multiple shootings, some of which were fatal. On or about July 7, 2015, in connection with the ongoing dispute between Leland and Taylor, CAPERS went looking for Allen McQueen, a rival gang member on Taylor Avenue. After finding McQueen, who was walking down the street holding his one-year-old daughter, CAPERS ran up behind McQueen and fired several shots, striking McQueen once and killing him.

Mr. Kim praised the extraordinary investigative work of the New York City Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations. He also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their participation and support in this case.

DA VANCE ANNOUNCES TRIAL CONVICTION OF MAN FOR SHOOTING THREE PEOPLE ON PENN STATION SUBWAY LANDING, ONE FATALLY

Co-Defendant Previously Convicted and Sentenced to State Prison

  Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., announced the trial conviction of FRANCISCO ALSINA, 25, for a fatal shooting inside of a subway station on the corner of Eighth Avenue and West 35th Street. A New York Supreme Court jury found the defendant guilty of the following counts against him: Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. He is expected to be sentenced on June 15, 2017.

On February 23, 2017, ALSINA’s co-defendant, VINCENT ARCONA, pleaded guilty in New York Supreme Court to Manslaughter in the First Degree for his role in the shooting. He was sentenced to 13 years in state prison on April 18, 2017.

“This office has zero tolerance for gun violence of any kind, and particularly where, as here, it happens in one of the busiest, most active parts of our city: the subway, on a Monday morning, right at the beginning of rush hour,” said District Attorney Vance. “This defendant murdered one victim, wounded two others, and put pedestrians and commuters in grave danger as he fired shots from an underground landing. I would like to thank my Office’s prosecutors and our partners in law enforcement for ensuring that he faces justice.”

As proven at trial, at approximately 6:12 a.m. on November 9, 2015, ALSINA and ARCONA were arguing with two men outside of a McDonald’s restaurant on Eighth Avenue near West 35th Street. As the men continued to argue, the defendants led the victims to a subway entrance on the corner of Eighth Avenue and West 35th Street, then downstairs to a landing leading to the subway station. ALSINA then removed the gun from his waistband and fired four shots, striking the first victim in the neck and stomach and the second victim—fatally—in the neck at close range. A third victim suffered a graze wound to his leg as he ran from the scene.

ALSINA and ARCONA fled to a car parked on the northeast corner of West 35th Street and 8th Avenue and traveled to ALSINA’s home on Long Island before fleeing to Rhode Island the following day. The two stayed with ALSINA’s relatives in the days following the incident until NYPD officials tracked his phone to the Rhode Island address. Both were apprehended on November 12. 

Assistant District Attorneys Jung Park and Ayanna Sorett handled the prosecution of the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Peter Casolaro, Senior Trial Counsel for Trial Bureau 70; Assistant District Attorney Lanita Hobbs, Chief of Trial Bureau 80; and Executive Assistant District Attorney John Irwin, Chief of the Trial Division. Supervising Rackets Investigator Mark Stewart and Trial Preparation Assistant Robert Laird also assisted with the prosecution of this case.

District Attorney Vance also thanked Detective John Peters of the Manhattan District Attorney Squad; Detective William Brower of NYPD’s Midtown South Precinct Detective Squad; Detective Joseph Barbara of NYPD’s Manhattan South Homicide Squad; and the Rhode Island State Police for their assistance with the case.

Defendant Information:

FRANCISCO ALSINA, D.O.B. 01/10/1992

Mastic, NY

Convicted:

•    Murder in the Second Degree, a class A felony, 1 count

•    Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a class B felony, 1 count

•    Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, 1 count

•    Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 2 counts 

VINCENT ARCONA, D.O.B. 08/16/1988

Medford, NY

Convicted:

•    Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class B felony, 1 count

Sentenced:

•    13 years in state prison

Bronx Jewish Community Council - Breakfast for Champions 2017

This event serves as an important fundraiser for BJCC. It allows us to continue doing the work we do in our community. Tickets and journal ads can be purchased at our NY Charities Page. We look forward to seeing you on June 14!

Visit our Website: http://www.bjcconline.org/

          and  Like us on Facebook  

Bronx Jewish Community Council, 

2930 Wallace Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467

BP DIAZ ANNOUNCES LGBTQ NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced that his office will conduct a LGBTQ needs assessment survey for The Bronx throughout June, as part of the office’s efforts to celebrate Pride Month.

“Our LGBTQ population is growing and becoming more and more vocal about their needs and what services and amenities they would like to see in The Bronx,” saidBronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “Through this survey, my office will acquire more detailed information about our borough’s LGBTQ residents and how we can provide this important community with better government, cultural, medical and other services.”

The survey can be taken online at http://bit.ly/2so1TJB. Hard copies of the survey are also available at the offices of the borough’s 12 community boards.

“The LGBTQ community’s diverse needs are always growing and changing, and it is crucial that government officials periodically survey the community to see what new resources and services are needed to help LGBTQ individuals. The LGBTQ Needs Assessment will help us all better understand the challenges of LGBTQ Bronx residents, so that we can tackle them head on,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres.

“We have a vibrant and ever-expanding LGBTQ community in The Bronx,” saidCouncil Member James Vacca.  “As our community develops and expands, it is a necessity to continuously assess the wants and needs of the Bronx LGBTQ community. We, as elected officials, need to know where to allocate resources. We need to know what’s working and what isn’t working in order to make informed funding decisions. We also need to be made aware of new needs as they arise. I applaud the Borough President for being proactive in his efforts to obtain this useful information.”

“The Bronx Borough President continues to show his dedication to LGBTQ Bronx residents with this much-needed LGBTQ Needs Assessment.  This survey will document the needs of the community along with gaps in service and service overlap.  With this information, we will be able to continue to develop programs that meet the needs of our residents,” said Sean Coleman, executive director of Destination Tomorrow.

“Assessing the housing needs of older LGBTQ Bronxites through this survey is crucial, given the housing crisis that our city is experiencing.  At SAGE, we are dedicated to increasing the affordable housing options available to our LGBTQ elders in The Bronx,” said SAGE CEO Michael Adams. “That is why we are launching one of New York City’s first affordable LGBT-welcoming senior housing development right on Crotona Park in The Bronx.”

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and McHale Energy invite you to attend a free presentation: "A Business Case for LED Lighting - Why Now!"

STATEMENT FROM STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA ON SINGLE PAYER BILL PASSING THE CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE

"I applaud the efforts of the California State Senate in approving a bill that aims to create a single-payer system in the state. While this proposal still needs to pass the California State Assembly and will likely go through further amendments as it continues through the legislative process, this vote represents a huge step forward in ensuring access to affordable health insurance to every Californian. 

In the face of federal efforts to strip health coverage from millions of Americans with the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, states have the obligation to do what is right and implement adequate measures to safeguard the health of every resident within their state.

As the Ranking Member of the Senate Health Committee and the proud sponsor of this bill in the New York State Senate, I will continue to work tirelessly to follow in the footsteps of legislators in California, as well as my colleagues in the New York State Assembly, and pass the single payer bill in my house."

June Greenmarket Openings

Seasonal Greenmarkets Opening in June

To market, to market, to buy... a bunch of delicious, locally-grown food! June 1         Water Street, Mhtn June 4         Bensonhurst, Bk June 6         Bronx Borough Hall, Bx June 6         Elmhurst, Qns June 6         Ft. Washington, Mhtn    June 7         Fordham, Bx June 11       Parkside Plaza, Bk         June 14       Mt. Sinai Hospital, Mhtn  June 16       Parkchester, Bx June 20       Poe Park, Bx June 24       Sugar Hill, Mhtn June 25       92nd Street, Mhtn June 29       175th St, Mhtn June 30       Lincoln Hospital, Bx

MAYOR DE BLASIO, SPEAKER MARK-VIVERITO, AND CITY COUNCIL REACH EARLY AGREEMENT ON FY2018 BUDGET, MARKING EARLIEST HANDSHAKE SINCE 1992

Highlights include increased investments in our schools, youth, seniors and veterans

  Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Finance Chair Julissa Ferreras-Copeland and members of the City Council today announced an agreement for an on-time and balanced City budget for Fiscal Year 2018, marking the earliest handshake since 1992. The agreement on an approximately $85.2 billion budget builds on the Administration’s ambitious plan for investing in our public schools, youth workforce development, seniors and veterans, while protecting and strengthening the City’s long-term fiscal health.

The FY18 Adopted Budget accounts for $1.2 billion in General Reserve, $4.2 billion in Retiree Health Benefits Trust Fund and $250 million in the Capital Stabilization Reserve. This allows the City to retire debt in the face of potential federal cuts or an economic downturn. The Adopted Budget also recognizes $100 million in savings from the partial hiring freeze, as well as debt service savings.

“This budget is aimed at addressing the economic realities of everyday New Yorkers,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Life in this city is too hard for too many, but with this budget it is our goal to alleviate some of those pressures. We are adding 5,000 additional Summer Youth Employment slots, creating a property tax exemption for veterans how have fought for this country, and eliminating the waitlists for senior case management and home care. We’re doing this all while maintaining the fiscal responsibility raters and monitors have come to expect and adding to our rainy day reserves.”

Among a variety of initiatives, today’s agreement includes:

·   $105.53 million in capital funding and $1.8 million in expense to ensure Universal Physical Education by 2021.

·   $23 million to eliminate the Home Care and Case Management waitlists, create a new program to offer relief to caregivers, provide weekend meals to seniors utilizing Senior Centers or the Home Delivered Meals programs, and enhance rates paid to senior centers.

·    A Veterans Property Tax Exemption for any veteran who served during a war, saving an average of $443 per year, per person at a cost to the city of $25 million annually.

·    $20 million to provide 6,500 year-round jobs through the Work, Learn and Grow.

·    $9 million to expand the Summer Youth Employment Program from 65,000 to 70,000 slots.

·   $30 million in FY18 growing to $104 million in FY22 to provide enhanced resources and support to our nonprofit service providers.

·  $6.4 million to continue deployment of rapid-response “Fly Cars” in the Bronx, continue strategic placement of emergency vehicles in high-need locations, place EMS personnel at Bronx hospitals, and $17 million in capital to replace the existing EMS 17 facility.

·   $7.2 million – an increase of 15% from last year’s spending – for the Emergency Food Assistance Program to address the projected demand.

·   $2.1 million to expand Breakfast in Classrooms to an additional 303 buildings, bringing the total to 833.

·  $10.4 million to expand the Free School Lunch program in schools.

·   $110 million to assist with capital projects in libraries across the city.

Budget monitors have validated the judicious way in which this administration has protected the City’s fiscal health. As recently as February, all three major rating agencies affirmed the City’s strong, stable ratings.