BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO JAIL FOR ASSAULTING MAN VISITING FROM ALABAMA

Jury Convicted Him of Third-Degree Assault; Victim Died After Head Hit Pavement 

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 364 days in jail for assaulting an Alabama man on a Morrisania street, which led to the death of the victim. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant struck a father of two who was visiting the Bronx for his sister’s baby shower. Although the defendant did not intend to kill him, the victim died that day after sustaining blunt trauma to the head.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Jimmy Rosario, 35, of 1234 Boston Road, was sentenced today to 364 days in jail, the maximum sentence, by Bronx Criminal Court Judge Frances Wang. A jury found the defendant guilty of third-degree Assault on October 11, 2019. 

 According to the investigation, at about 12:45 a.m. on June 22, 2019, inside a Kennedy Fried Chicken located at 1335 Prospect Avenue, the defendant and Troy Scott, 40, of Alabama, argued. Rosario grabbed Scott and pushed him down several stairs that led to a sidewalk, and a fistfight ensued between the two. As Scott began to withdraw from the altercation, Rosario punched him in the head, knocking him to the ground. Video of the incident shows Scott falling back on his head onto the pavement.

 The defendant fled the scene before two Police Officers of the 42nd Precinct found Scott. The victim was taken to Lincoln Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Trial Bureau 20 Trial Preparation Assistant Gregory Gentry, Bronx DA Detective Investigators, the Crime Victims Assistance Unit, and Video Technician Felipe Cardoso of the Bronx DA’s Video Unit. District Attorney Clark also thanked NYPD Detective Sean Butler of Bronx Homicide and NYPD Detective Martires Perez of the 42nd Precinct Detective Squad for their assistance in the investigation.

News From Congressman Eliot Engel

Engel, Bilirakis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Curb Suicides

 Congressmen Eliot L. Engel (D-NY) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Members of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, introduced bipartisan legislation today to curb the nation’s rising suicide rate.

The Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act would allocate significant federal funding to emergency departments to help identify and treat those with a high-risk suicide.

“The rising rates of suicides in the United States is a public health emergency that deserves immediate Congressional action,” said Congressman Engel. “In my home state of New York, suicide rates have increased by nearly 30% since 2000. I am pleased to join Congressman Bilirakis, on this important, bipartisan legislation which will leverage the skills of nurses and emergency departments professionals, who are trained in identifying and treating at-risk individuals, to help end this crisis and save lives.”

“These staggering statistics make it clear that we need improved methods for identifying and assessing the suicide risks of emergency department patients,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “Some of the communities in my district have the highest rates of suicide per capita in the nation. As part of my long-term commitment to fixing our broken mental healthcare system, I want to be sure that we enhance the procedures surrounding the discharge of patients who have attempted suicide or exhibit suicidal ideation to maximize the likelihood that they obtain appropriate follow-up care. Our bill is the first step in making that happen.”

“Emergency departments are often the place where patients with suicide risk factors, such as behavioral health conditions or substance use disorders,” said Emergency Nurses Association President Patti Kunz Howard, PhD, RN. “Suicide screening is an essential component of ensuring patient safety. This legislation would ensure that every emergency department has a plan in place to screen every patient.”

Between 1999 and 2016, the suicide rate increased by nearly 30% in New York, mirroring trends at the national level. Suicide claims about 47,000 Americans each year, making it the 10^th leading cause of death in the United States. 

To help end this public health crisis, Congressmen Engel and Bilirakis introduced the Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act. This bipartisan measure would allocate $100 million over a five-year period to support emergency department programs to prevent suicide specifically by:

• Training emergency department clinicians to identify patients at a high-risk of suicide
• Developing programs to coordinate the care and follow-up of those with an elevated risk of suicide
• Supporting the recruitment and retainment of behavioral health professionals who specialize in treating individuals experiencing suicidal ideation
• Incentivizing the development of new approaches such as telehealth to help those at a high risk of suicide 

Engel Statement on 10^th Anniversary of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act

 “10 years ago we passed one of the most consequential civil rights bills in modern times, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This bill, which I was proudly an original cosponsor on in 2001 and continued to cosponsor until its passage, made it possible to prosecute hate crimes based on sexual orientation, race, religion, gender, national origin, disability and gender identity. It is a landmark law in this country, and has become even more important today with the rise in hate crimes over the past several years.

“While some so-called leaders continue to stoke the flames of bigotry, House Democrats are committed to protecting the rights and dignity of all Americans. Remember, it was our Democratic House, along with a Democratic Senate and President Obama, that enacted the Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

“The Hate Crimes Prevention Act also laid the groundwork for another major piece of legislation that we’re currently fighting to advance, the Equality Act. It’s critical for us to extend all federal protections to every American, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The House passed the Equality Act back in May, but as usual, Senate Republicans refuse to advance the bill forward. It’s long past time that our federal laws fully reflected our values as Americans.”

Attorney General James, Comptroller DiNapoli, And Department Of Investigation Commissioner Garnett Announce Guilty Verdict Of Non-Profit Executive In Corruption Scheme

Anna Mendez, Formerly of Tremont Crotona Day Care Center, Was Convicted of Indirectly Giving Straw Donations to NYC City Council Candidate Albert Alverez    

   Attorney General Letitia James, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, and New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett today announced that non-profit executive Anna Mendez was convicted of using money stolen from a non-profit to fund straw political contributions to former New York City Council candidate Albert Alvarez.

Mendez’ conviction makes the fifth public disposition in the investigation of wide ranging corruption at Tremont Crotona, Inc., and A&G Early Learn Community Network, the two non-profit day care centers where Mendez worked. Mendez was convicted of 10 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, in the Supreme Court of New York County.

“Public corruption, on any level and in any form, will not be tolerated in New York State,” said Attorney General James. “Anna Mendez took advantage of the democratic process by illegally using non-profit funds for political gain. My office will continue to root out corruption, and hold bad actors responsible for their actions.”

“A jury heard the overwhelming evidence and reached the conclusion that Ms. Mendez was guilty,” said New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. ”The message is clear, if you break the law, you’re going to get caught and you’re going pay the price. My thanks and gratitude go to State Attorney General James and NYC Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett for their efforts to ensure justice was served in this case.”

“Today’s conviction sends the important message that individuals who submit false documents in order to defraud the City of New York will be held accountable,” said New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett. “This defendant’s actions corrupted the City’s campaign finance and contracting systems, both of which are vital to the public’s trust in government. DOI will continue to work with the state Attorney General’s Office and fellow law enforcement agencies to uncover and stop this type of corruption.”

Mendez and her co-conspirator, George Gonzalez, were arraigned for their roles in the false filings on January 10, 2018. Mendez and Gonzalez provided funds to other employees of Tremont Crotona Day Care Center to contribute to Alvarez. Gonzalez also distributed contribution cards to these employees, which he had them falsely make out in their own names to conceal the true source of the funds. The money was, in reality, stolen from Tremont Crotona Day Care Center. Alvarez then collected the money and false contribution cards. Even though he knew the contribution cards were false, Alvarez submitted them to the New York City Campaign Finance Board (the “CFB”) to steal at least $4,500 in public matching funds. In total, Alvarez received $92,400 in public matching funds. Alvarez plead guilty to one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor in connection with the case. 

Gonzalez also pleaded guilty to felony counts of Grand Larceny and Offering a False Instrument for filing in connection with his role in the straw donation scheme. Additionally, former Tremont Crotona, Inc., Chairman of the Board, Alexander Pena, pled guilty to Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree for his role in corruption at the non-profit. 

Since 2011, the Attorney General and State Comptroller have worked together to fight corruption through their Joint Task Force on Public Integrity. They have brought charges against dozens of individuals implicated in public corruption schemes around the state – resulting in the return of over $11 million in restitution to taxpayers through these convictions.

The Attorney General would also like to thank the New York City Department of Investigation for their partnership on this investigation. The case was investigated by First Deputy Inspector General Ivette Morales under the supervision of Inspector General Andrew Sein, Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Dominick Zarrella, and First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Cort.

Vote NO for Ranked-Choice Voting Ballot #1

Vote NO for Ranked-Choice Voting Ballot #1

 

You should know that this year on the ballot, there is question for voters to decide if they want to completely undermine and overhaul New York City’s voting system.

 

It is important for you to know that if this measure, Ranked-Choice Voting Ballot #1 is passed, voters will no longer be able to cast their votes directly for the candidates of their choice in New York City’s primaries or regular elections.

 

This will be the end of our One Person-One Vote democracy.

 

You should know that instead of voting for your candidate to win, voters will rank as many as five candidates in the order of their preference.

 

Here is what the NYC Campaign Finance Board says will happen if none of the candidates receives more than 50 percent of the total vote:

 

“If there is no majority winner, the last place candidate would be eliminated and any voter who had that candidate as their top choice would have their vote transferred to their next choice. This process would repeat until only two candidates remain, and the candidate with the most votes then would be the winner.”

 

My dear reader, this measure is too complicated to put into place without any real discussion by the voters or the general public. It amounts to an electoral 3-Card Monte game, and who wants to play that with our elections?

 

Please inform all your family, relatives, and friends that Ranked-Choice Voting Ballot #1 is very bad for our participatory democracy.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, if you do nothing else during these next few days, I urge you to go to the polls, which are open until Election Day, November 3, and vote NO on Ballot Proposal #1.

 

I am the Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

Bronx Gang Member Charged With Murder

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Peter C. Fitzhugh, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), and Margaret Garnett, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced today the unsealing of a superseding indictment charging MARQUIS YOHANIS, a/k/a “DG,” with murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and a firearms offense in connection with the murder of Nelson Ramos on January 6, 2019, in the Bronx.  Robert Wilson, a/k/a “Ro,” Kevin Crosby, a/k/a “Sama,” and Yefrel Brito, a/k/a “Mini,” were previously arrested on charges related to the murder of Nelson Ramos and are already in federal custody.

YOHANIS was arrested yesterday morning and will be presented today in the South Paris District Court in Maine.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged in the indictment, Marquis Yohanis, along with his co-defendants, are responsible for the cold-blooded murder of Nelson Ramos earlier this year.  We commend the extraordinary efforts of our law enforcement partners to bring these defendants to justice.”           

HSI Special Agent-in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said:  “Mr. Yohanis and his co-defendants would stop at nothing to expand their violent criminal enterprise, including murder, as alleged in court documents.  Working hand in hand with our law enforcement partners at the NYPD and DOI along with the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York made today’s arrest possible.  We will always be more determined than criminals are to evade us in bringing them to justice.  Hopefully the arrest of Mr. Yohanis’s will begin a path to healing for all those impacted by his crimes.” 

DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett said:  “This arrest is another important step in holding accountable those individuals who endanger our City’s neighborhoods and the people who live there.  This investigation reflects the strong impact that law enforcement partnership has on protecting all New Yorkers and rooting out violent crime.”

According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment unsealed yesterday in Manhattan federal court[1]:

Wilson and Crosby are members or associates of a racketeering enterprise known as the Stevenson Commons Crew.  In order to fund the enterprise, protect and expand its interests, and promote its standing, members and associates of the Stevenson Commons Crew committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence against rival gangs, including murder and robbery; conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics; and obtained, possessed and used firearms, including by brandishing and discharging them. 

Brito and YOHANIS are members or associates of a racketeering enterprise known as Sex Money Murder, a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in, among other things, murder, attempted murder, and narcotics trafficking. 

On January 6, 2019, Wilson, Crosby, Brito, and Yohanis murdered Nelson Ramos in the vicinity of 800 Soundview Avenue in the Bronx, New York.                

YOHANIS, 19, from the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of murder and assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and one count of murder through use of a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. 

Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of HSI, the NYPD, and DOI.

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

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.

Four Individuals Who Operated Queens Medical Clinic Convicted For Illegally Distributing Oxycodone

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JOHN F. GARGAN and LOREN PIQUANT were convicted Wednesday after a two-week jury trial for conspiring together and with others to unlawfully distribute oxycodone from a medical clinic in Queens, New York.  DANTE A. CUBANGBANG and MICHAEL KELLERMAN previously pled guilty to narcotics, health care fraud, and money laundering charges in connection with their participation in the oxycodone distribution scheme at that same clinic.  From 2012 to 2018, CUBANGBANG, a physician, and GARGAN, a nurse practitioner, prescribed over 6.3 million oxycodone 30-milligram pills to individuals they knew did not need the oxycodone for any legitimate medical reason.  The vast majority of these pills were diverted and sold to others on the street. 

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “These health professionals should have been the first line of defense against opioid abuse, but instead they were drug dealers operating out of a medical clinic.  They hid behind their medical licenses and positions within the clinic to sell addictive, dangerous narcotics.  This Office will do everything in its power to bring to justice anyone responsible for fueling the opioid epidemic that has taken so many lives.”    

According to the evidence presented during the trial and other court documents:                  

Oxycodone is a highly addictive and dangerous opioid narcotic, which is often diverted and sold to individuals who do not have a legitimate medical need for the drug.  The most lucrative pill for street sales is the 30-milligram (“mg”) oxycodone pill, which is fast-acting and powerful.  CUBANGBANG and GARGAN were medical professionals who had the authority to prescribe controlled substances, including oxycodone.

CUBANGBANG, GARGAN, KELLERMAN, and PIQUANT worked out of a medical clinic in Queens, known as EPOH Medical P.C. (“EPOH”).  Although the defendants tried to make EPOH appear as a legitimate medical clinic, in reality, it was a pill mill that was prescribing medically unnecessary oxycodone 30 mg pills on a massive scale. 

EPOH had approximately 600 “patients.”  These patients traveled from all five boroughs of New York City, from other counties in New York, and even from other states, to obtain medically unnecessary oxycodone.  There were typically large crowds of patients in EPOH’s waiting area, and patients often had to wait hours to be seen for their “office visit.”  The visit itself lasted no more than a few minutes and involved no physical examinations or questions about pain.  Patients were required to pay $300 in cash for this visit and, in return, they received a prescription for as many as 180 oxycodone 30 mg pills each month.  Most of these prescriptions was paid for by Medicare or Medicaid.  From just the $300 patient visit fee, EPOH generated approximately $2 million in cash each year. 

The vast majority of the patients seen at EPOH had no medical need for the oxycodone 30 mg pills they were prescribed, and those pills were either abused or sold.  Testimony at trial established that these purported patients sold their pills for up to $19 per pill to individuals who would then resell them to street-level drug dealers.  From 2012 to 2018, CUBANGBANG and GARGAN together prescribed over 6.3 million oxycodone 30 mg pills to individuals they knew did not need the pills for any legitimate medical reason.  At approximately $19 per pill, the value of these illegally obtained pills prescribed by CUBANGBANG and GARGAN at EPOH was approximately $120 million.  PIQUANT, who worked as a receptionist at EPOH, personally sold hundreds of oxycodone 30 mg pills each month.  PIQUANT obtained most of these pills through prescriptions that GARGAN wrote to PIQUANT, to members of PIQUANT’s family, and to PIQUANT’s neighbors.  PIQUANT also recruited purported patients for the clinic.             

CUBANGBANG, 51, of Queens, and KELLERMAN, 55, of Queens, each pled guilty to one count of narcotics distribution conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of health care fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and one count of money laundering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

GARGAN, 63, of New York, New York, and PIQUANT, 38, of the Bronx, New York, each were convicted at trial of one count of narcotics distribution conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

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

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (“DEA”) New York Tactical Diversion Squad, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service, and the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”).  DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad (Group TDS-NY) comprises agents and officers from the DEA, the NYPD, the New York State Police, New York State Department of Financial Services, and New York City Department of Investigation.

13 Members And Associates Of Mac Baller Brims Charged With Racketeering, Narcotics, And Firearms Offenses

Indictment Includes Charges for Five Attempted Murders

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), today announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging 13 members and associates of the Mac Baller Brims gang that operated in and around the Mount Hope section of the Bronx with racketeering, narcotics, and firearms offenses, including five attempted murders between September 2018 and July 2019. 

Of the 13 defendants, eight – DERRICK CASADO, a/k/a “Big Bank,” a/k/a “Papa D,” JUSTIN COLON, a/k/a “Lindo,” MICHAEL ROWE, a/k/a “MJ,” CARLOS RIVERA, a/k/a “Nug,” JAHUAN POLLARD, a/k/a “Flip,” CARLOS ROSARIO, a/k/a “Baby Bottle,” a/k/a “Carlito,” a/k/a “Barlito,” a/k/a “Barlos,” JUAN TEJADA, a/k/a “Gotti,” and CHRISTIAN LIVERMAN – were taken into federal custody in New York earlier today.  They were presented before Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman today.  Defendant DAVON MCCULLOUGH, a/k/a “Yung,” a/k/a “Dayday,” was also taken into federal custody in Virginia earlier today, and he was to be presented before Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard today.  Two other defendants – DARRELL LAWRENCE, a/k/a “Capo,” and GIBRIL DARBOE, a/k/a “Mouse,” a/k/a “G Money” – are currently in state custody in Maine on related charges and will be presented in the District of Maine on a later date.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken.    

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, the defendants wreaked havoc on the Mount Hope section of the Bronx, through acts of violence and narcotics trafficking as members of the Mac Baller Brims.  Thanks to the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners at the NYPD, HSI, and DEA, the defendants now face federal charges for these very serious crimes.”

Police Commissioner James O’Neill said:  “This case highlights the NYPD’s relentless pursuit of those few individuals who drive the worst kinds of violence and disorder.  Our success reflects how New Yorkers share in our responsibility to keep families and neighborhoods safe to aid us in reducing crime beyond our record-lows.  I want to commend our partners in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District, and the members of Homeland Security Investigations, and the DEA, for working together to dismantle a group allegedly responsible for shootings, robberies, drug-dealing, and more.” 

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said:  “This investigation exemplifies law enforcement partnerships prevailing over a criminal enterprise only looking to benefit from chaos.  HSI will not back down and will not stop our fight to secure our communities and our nation from violence and narcotics distribution.  Criminal organizations like the Mac Baller Brims should take note that combined law enforcement efforts like this investigation with HSI, the NYPD and DEA along with the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York only thrive our resolve to end their existence and eliminate any financial gains they hope to profit.”

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

The Mac Baller Brims were a criminal enterprise, and their members and associates committed numerous acts of violence, including shootings, in and around the Bronx.  They engaged in such acts to preserve and protect their power, territory, and profits, and to promote and enhance the gang and its criminal activities.  Members of the gang also enriched themselves by committing robberies and by selling drugs, such as crack cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana, including in New York and in Maine.  While conducting their drug business, members and associates of the gang used, carried, and possessed firearms, and members of the gang brandished and fired those guns on multiple occasions since 2017.           

Count One of the Indictment charges DARRELL LAWRENCE, DAVON MCCULLOUGH, GIBRIL DARBOE, DERRICK CASADO, JUSTIN COLON, MICHAEL ROWE, CARLOS RIVERA, JAHUAN POLLARD, CARLOS ROSARIO, DAVONTE GARCIA, and JOSE NOUEL with conspiring to conduct and participate in the conduct and affairs of the Mac Ballers enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity, including through acts involving murder, robbery, and narcotics distribution.

Counts Two and Three charge ROWE with assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering in connection with a September 14, 2018, shooting, and a related firearms offense.

Counts Four and Five charge COLON with assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering in connection with a March 9, 2019, shooting, and a related firearms offense.

Counts Six and Seven charge CASADO with assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering in connection with a May 17, 2019, shooting, and a related firearms offense.

Counts Eight and Nine charge ROSARIO with assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering in connection with a July 18, 2019, attempted shooting, and a related firearms offense.

Counts Ten and Eleven charge ROSARIO with assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering in connection with a July 20, 2019, shooting, and a related firearms offense.

Count Twelve charges LAWRENCE, MCCULLOUGH, DARBOE, CASADO, COLON, ROWE, RIVERA, POLLARD, ROSARIO, GARCIA, and NOUEL, as well as JUAN TEJADA and CHRISTIAN LIVERMAN, with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana.

Count Thirteen charges LAWRENCE, MCCULLOUGH, DARBOE, CASADO, COLON, ROWE, RIVERA, POLLARD, ROSARIO, GARCIA, NOUEL, TEJADA and LIVERMAN with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy.

Charts containing the names, ages, residences, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding work of the NYPD and HSI on this investigation, and thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration for its assistance.

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

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

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTIES
1	Racketeering conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)	DARRELL LAWRENCE DAVON MCCULLOUGH GIBRIL DARBOE DERRICK CASADO JUSTIN COLON MICHAEL ROWE CARLOS RIVERA JAHUAN POLLARD CARLOS ROSARIO DAVONTE GARCIA JOSE NOUEL	Life in prison
2	Assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	MICHAEL ROWE	20 years in prison
3	Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2	MICHAEL ROWE	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
4	Assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	JUSTIN COLON	20 years in prison
5	Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2	JUSTIN COLON	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
6	Assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	DERRICK CASADO	20 years in prison
7	Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2	DERRICK CASADO	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
8	Assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	CARLOS ROSARIO	20 years in prison
9	Using, carrying, possessing, and brandishing a firearm 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and 2	CARLOS ROSARIO	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison
10	Assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	CARLOS ROSARIO	20 years in prison
11	Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2	CARLOS ROSARIO	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
12	Narcotics conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846	DARRELL LAWRENCE DAVON MCCULLOUGH GIBRIL DARBOE DERRICK CASADO JUSTIN COLON MICHAEL ROWE CARLOS RIVERA JAHUAN POLLARD CARLOS ROSARIO DAVONTE GARCIA JOSE NOUEL JUAN TEJADA CHRISTIAN LIVERMAN	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
13	Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2	DARRELL LAWRENCE DAVON MCCULLOUGH GIBRIL DARBOE DERRICK CASADO JUSTIN COLON MICHAEL ROWE CARLOS RIVERA JAHUAN POLLARD CARLOS ROSARIO DAVONTE GARCIA JOSE NOUEL JUAN TEJADA CHRISTIAN LIVERMAN	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison

DEFENDANT	AGE	RESIDENCE
DARRELL LAWRENCE, a/k/a “Capo”	29	Bronx, New York
DAVON MCCULLOUGH, a/k/a “Yung,” a/k/a “Dayday”	32	Newport News, Virginia
GIBRIL DARBOE, a/k/a “Mouse,” a/k/a “G Money”	22	Bronx, New York
DERRICK CASADO, a/k/a “Big Bank,” a/k/a “Papa D”	19	Bronx, New York
JUSTIN COLON, a/k/a “Lindo”	20	Bronx, New York
MICHAEL ROWE, a/k/a “MJ”	19	Bronx, New York
CARLOS RIVERA, a/k/a “Nug”	18	Bronx, New York
JAHUAN POLLARD, a/k/a “Flip”	18	Bronx, New York
CARLOS ROSARIO, a/k/a “Baby Bottle,” a/k/a “Carlito,” a/k/a “Barlito,” a/k/a “Barlos”	18	Bronx, New York
DAVONTE GARCIA, a/k/a “VT”	22	Bronx, New York
JOSE NOUEL, a/k/a “Tutu”	22	Bronx, New York
JUAN TEJADA, a/k/a “Gotti”	19	Bronx, New York
CHRISTIAN LIVERMAN	27	Bronx, New York

Attorney General James Announces Election Protection Hotline To Open During Early Voting

Attorney General’s Office Will Troubleshoot Election Issues

During New York’s First Early Voting Period

Voters Experiencing Problems Can Call 1-800-771-7755

or Email election.hotline@ag.ny.gov

 New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that the Attorney General’s Office will make its Election Protection Hotline available to voters during New York’s first early voting period, beginning on October 26, and lasting until November 3. Voters that experience problems casting early ballots, can report issues to the Attorney General’s Office from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM each day of the early voting period, by calling 800-771-7755 or emailing election.hotline@ag.ny.gov.

“Voting is one of our most basic democratic rights, so we must do everything in our power to protect that right,” said Attorney General James. “Early voting is a commonsense measure that will provide greater accessibility and convenience to New Yorkers across the state and ensure that they have ample time to cast their ballot and make their voices heard. We are opening our Election Protection Hotline every day of early voting to protect every New Yorkers’ fundamental right and ensure our first early vote is a successful one. I urge all New Yorkers to vote early.”

This election will offer New Yorkers their first opportunity to vote early. Starting tomorrow, Saturday, October 26 through Sunday, November 3, registered voters in New York will be able to cast a ballot in-person at certain designated poll sites.

Each county Board of Elections will make one or more sites available to registered voters to cast ballots early. Those poll sites will only open for certain hours each day. To find details about early voting poll sites and the hours that those poll sites will be open, New Yorkers can check the website of their county Board of Elections or check the VoteEarlyNY website.

Importantly, voters residing in New York City or in the counties of Westchester or Orange have been assigned particular early voting poll sites by their local Board of Elections. As a result, in order to cast an effective early vote, voters must vote at the particular polling site assigned to them. Voters in Albany County have also been assigned a particular polling site, but these voters have the option of casting a ballot at the Albany County Board of Elections office. Voters in every other county of the state have the benefit of voting early at any early voting poll site in their county.

Additionally, there are several other key changes in election law that were enacted this year, which will be in effect throughout New York State. Most importantly, registered voters who have moved from one county in New York to another county within the state may now cast a ballot — during early vote or on Election Day — at their new residence without resubmitting an entirely new registration form. This can be done by filing out an affidavit ballot at their new residence’s local poll site. Voters can contact their local Board of Elections if they need help locating their new polling site or reach out to the New York Attorney General’s Office by calling 800-771-7755 or emailing election.hotline@ag.ny.gov.

The New York Attorney General’s Office has operated the voter access hotline since November 2012. During previous elections, the office fielded hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of complaints from voters across the state, and worked with local election officials and others to address issues. In 2017, in part from information received from an Election Hotline, the Attorney General’s Office sued and secured a consent decree with the New York City Board of Elections regarding voter registration purges.

The Election Day Hotline is part of the New York Attorney General’s Office ongoing effort to reduce barriers to voting. Attorney General James reminds all registered voters that they have the right to accessible elections. In addition, all registered voters have the right to vote free from coercion or intimidation, whether by election officials or any other person.