News From Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark

BRONX MAN INDICTED FOR FATALLY BEATING INTRUDER WITH METAL ROD 

Defendant Chased and Beat Victim After Wife Saw Him in Backyard

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been indicted for first-degree Manslaughter for fatally beating a man who had intruded in his backyard. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly beat the intruder with a metal rod, leaving him with multiple injuries, including massive blunt force trauma to the head. The beating happened down the street from the defendant’s home.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Troy George, 54, of 834 East 223rd Street, was arraigned today on first-degree Manslaughter before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy. Bail was continued at $100,000 cash/$100,000 bond and the defendant is due back in court on February 10, 2020

 According to the investigation, at midnight on September 20, 2019, the defendant’s wife spotted the victim, Harold Bates, 29, in her home’s backyard, and told the defendant. He came out of the house and confronted Bates. The victim fled and the defendant ran after him down the street. He hit him 10 times in the head and about the body with a metal rod. Bates was pronounced dead at Montefiore Medical Center a few hours after the incident.

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

MAJOR DRUG TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON 

Defendant Trafficked Large Amounts Of Cocaine; 176 Lbs. Were Seized During Joint Investigation With NYPD, HSI and DEA 

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to Operating as a Major Trafficker for distributing large amounts of cocaine in the Bronx and elsewhere. 

  District Attorney Clark said, “We will stop traffickers of any illicit drugs that devastate lives and neighborhoods. This defendant flooded an area of the Bronx with cocaine and now he will serve serious time in prison.” 

  District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Alvon Pierre, 45 of Brooklyn, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison and five years post-release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice John W. Carter. The defendant pleaded guilty on October 30, 2019 to Operating as a Major Trafficker and third-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.

 According to the year-long investigation by the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, NYPD Bronx Gang Squad, Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations, the defendant trafficked large quantities of cocaine, which was sold in bulk to distributors, and which in turn was sold in $10 and $20 packets, sometimes in crack form, on Valentine Avenue between the Grand Concourse and East 187 th Street.

 On February 28, 2019, investigators seized 176 pounds (80 kilos) of cocaine with a street value of almost $3 million in a vehicle and packed in suitcases in an apartment on 191 st Street in Flushing, Queens that was connected to Pierre and a co-defendant.

 Pierre was one of 19 people indicted earlier this year for trafficking cocaine sold in the Bronx and elsewhere, and club drugs sold at nightspots throughout New York City. In addition to Pierre, seven defendants have also pleaded guilty, to various narcotics possession charges.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Luke Maddock of the Bronx Gang Squad for his work in the investigation.

FORMER RIKERS ISLAND INMATE SENTENCED FOR ASSAULTING NYC DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION OFFICER WITH WALKING CANE

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced a former Rikers Island inmate has been sentenced to two to four years in prison for beating a New York City Department of Correction Officer with a cane. The sentence will run concurrently with a prison term the defendant is serving. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant used a walking cane to hit a Correction Officer in the face, splitting the inside and outside of the victim’s lip. Attacks against DOC Officers on the job will not be tolerated and this inmate has been held accountable.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Malik Cargill, 26, was sentenced today to two to four years in prison by Bronx Supreme Court Justice James McCarty. The sentence will run concurrently with a prison term of up to 15 years the defendant is serving for his underlying cases. Cargill pleaded guilty to Attempted Assault in the second degree on September 4, 2019. 

 According to the investigation, on August 8, 2018 in the Anna M. Kross Center, the defendant was in the facility’s yard and asked the victim, a Department of Correction Officer, if he could go back inside. The DOC Officer refused his request because of security risks. Cargill became angry and hit the Officer in the face with the walking cane the defendant was using. Cargill ran away

  District Attorney Clark thanked her Detective Investigators Timothy Gernon and Monisara Brahm, as well as Investigators Daniel Monaco and Scott Frank from the Correction Intelligence Bureau.

D.A. VANCE: ALL DEFENDANTS CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTER FOR EAST VILLAGE BUILDING EXPLOSION

Defendants Constructed Illegal Gas Delivery System, Causing Deadly Inferno

 Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the trial conviction of MARIA HRYNENKO, 59, ATHANASIOS “JERRY” IOANNIDIS, 63, and DILBER KUKIC, 44, for their roles in causing a fatal gas explosion at 121 Second Avenue on March 26, 2015, which resulted in the deaths of 23-year-old Nicholas Figueroa and 26-year-old Moises Locon, and seriously injured 13 other victims. A New York State Supreme Court jury found the defendants guilty of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Assault in the Second and Third Degrees, among other charges.The defendants are expected to be sentenced on January 10, 2020.

  “This is a big win for public safety in New York,” said District Attorney Vance. “As construction and development continues to boom, today’s guilty verdict puts property owners, contractors, and managers on notice: my Office will pursue criminal charges against those who place expediency and financial gain over life and limb. I thank the jury and the tireless prosecutors in our storied Rackets Bureau for holding these defendants accountable for the tragic and preventable losses of Moises Locon and Nicholas Figueroa. I also want to thank the Figueroa and Locon families, who demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience through the duration of this trial. While today’s result will not bring these young New Yorkers back, I hope the Figueroa and Locon families take a measure of comfort in knowing that this case will change the way that landlords and contractors do business in New York.”

 DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett said, “These convictions deliver a definitive message that safety comes first and those individuals who intentionally compromise it, endangering the lives of New Yorkers, will face arrest and criminal prosecution. In this case, a Manhattan Supreme Court jury clearly saw the criminal misconduct of these defendants that led to the tragic death of two people and injury of 13 others. DOI thanks the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, our law enforcement partners, and the City Department of Buildings for their collaboration and dedication on this important investigation.”

District Attorney Vance thanked the NYPD, FDNY, DOI, and DOB for their assistance with the investigation.

Defendant Information: 

MARIA HRYNENKO, D.O.B. 11/26/1959 Rockland, NY 

Convicted: 

• Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 2 counts 

• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 9 counts 

• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 4 counts 

• Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count

ATHANASIOS “JERRY” IOANNIDIS, D.O.B. 6/15/1956 Queens, NY

Convicted: 

• Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 2 counts 

• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 9 count • Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 4 counts 

• Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count 

• Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 2 counts

DILBER KUKIC, D.O.B. 6/9/1975 Bronx, NY

Convicted: 

• Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 2 counts 

• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 9 count 

• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 4 counts 

• Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count

NYPD Latent Print Section is Granted Accreditation by Leading National Institute

Decade-long Process Culminates with Accreditation under International Standards

  The NYPD announced today that the Latent Print Section has received accreditation from the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the largest multi-disciplinary accreditation body in North America. This achievement – approximately 10 years in the making – recognizes that the Latent Print Section has demonstrated full compliance with International Organization of Standardization (ISO) requirements. This makes the NYPD’s Latent Print Section one of the largest accredited latent print analysis units in the world.

The Latent Print Section is responsible for analyzing, comparing and identifying latent prints, as well as photographs, submitted by the Crime Scene Unit, the Evidence Collection Team, the Police Lab and other NYPD units. Members of the Latent Print Section also provide expert courtroom testimony, as needed, and produce forensic sketches to aid investigations.

"This accreditation is a significant accomplishment and I want to thank the members of the Forensic Investigations Division, including the Commanding Officer, Deputy Chief Emanuel Katranakis, for their work to secure this important seal of approval on behalf of the Latent Print Section," said NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill. "The NYPD’s Latent Print Section reliable, accurate, impartial and objective results play a critical part of our work to ensure public safety."

"I want to personally thank the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Mark Imbriale, supervisors and the more than 50 members of the Latent Print Section that dedicated thousands of hours over the years to achieve this remarkable success," said Deputy Chief Emanuel Katranakis. "This was a self-initiated effort, which produced outstanding results for the department and the public at large."

The ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) is the largest multi-disciplinary accreditation body in North America. For more information, please go to https://anab.ansi.org/. For more information about the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), go to www.iso.org.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ ISSUES REPORT CALLING FOR NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY REFORM

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has issued a new report outlining a set of recommendations aimed at reforming the New York State Lottery to minimize its adverse effects on low-income communities.

The report, titled “Re-Orienting the Lottery: A Better Lotto for the Poor,” provides four recommendations that aim to prevent the lottery from further disadvantaging the poor and to instead help these communities see the most benefit from the state’s lottery system.

“The lottery has grown exponentially since its establishment and the state regulations overseeing that sector must be adapted to how it exists today. We can’t turn a blind eye to state lotteries targeting low-income and minority communities, and the systems should be changed to help limit the harm that vulnerable people experience because of them,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Recommendations discussed in the report include changing the allocation of lottery funds to further support students living in or near poverty, banning check cashers from selling lottery games, requiring the state to collect information about check cashers’ sales of lottery games and educating the public about the benefits of engaging with the traditional banking system.

Nationally, lower income individuals are more likely to play the lottery than higher income individuals, with some statistics finding that 28 percent of individuals earning under $30,000 per year play the lottery at least weekly as compared with 18 percent of those earning over $75,000. Additionally, low-income individuals spend a disproportionate proportion of their incomes on the lottery.

“Low income communities generate much of the lottery’s revenue but they don’t receive benefits proportionate to their patronage of the system,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “That money should be spent to support low-income students with specific programs in schools that are aimed at the alleviation of poverty in both the short and long terms.”

The full report can be read at https://on.nyc.gov/330OJF5.

MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS ROCKWELL CHIN, GUILLERMO CHACÓN AND REVEREND TERRY TROIA TO THE CITY COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

As longstanding and well-respected experts in their fields, the new appointees strengthen the City’s commitment to dignity and respect for all.

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced three new appointees to the New York City Commission on Human Rights: Rockwell (“Rocky”) Chin, Guillermo Chacón, and Reverend Terry Troia join the agency as commissioners.

The New York City Commission on Human Rights, which enforces the New York City Human Rights Law, is helmed by Chair and Commissioner Carmelyn P. Malalis. The Mayor appoints unsalaried commissioners to the New York City Commission on Human Rights in order to advise in addressing issues of bias, harassment, and discrimination citywide.

“The New York City Commission on Human Rights has the duty of enforcing one of the most comprehensive human rights laws in the nation,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio “These new appointments will help us continue to lead in fighting all forms of discrimination. Rockwell, Guillermo, and Reverend Troia, all hail from different backgrounds and expertise, are united in their passion for achieving justice for every New Yorker.”

“I enthusiastically welcome Rocky, Guillermo, and Reverend Terry to the Commission as true examples of community servants,” said Chair and Commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights Carmelyn P. Malalis. “Our new appointees are venerated and respected members of their communities who have worked in coalition across diverse issue areas. They will bring exactly the kind of diversity of experience and thoughtfulness the Commission relies on to tackle issues of discrimination in this City. I look forward to working with them as we continue to make the New York City Commission on Human Rights a venue for justice for all New Yorkers.”

“I am honored for this appointment by Mayor Bill de Blasio to serve on the Commission of Human Rights in our great city, particularly at this moment when our diverse communities are under threat,” said Guillermo Chacón. “I will bring my passion and commitment to ensure that our City’s Human Rights Law remains relevant and protects every single New Yorker.”

"I am fortunate to be living in New York, a city with a rich and fabled history of gutsy, visionary New Yorkers who have embraced and defended immigrants, workers, oppressed communities and marginalized people,” said Rockwell (“Rocky”) Chin. “These New Yorkers have contributed to making the New York City Human Rights Law one of the most comprehensive civil rights laws in the nation today.  It is an honor and privilege to join Commissioner Carmelyn Malalis and my fellow Commissioners in continuing New York’s history of caring and standing up for all New Yorkers."

“The protection of the rights of all peoples to live the most fully human life possible is the most sacred and most urgent of all human action,” said Reverend Terry Troia.  “If one of us is injured and their humanity diminished by discrimination in any form, the whole of us is wounded and all of us diminished.  I will serve to protect the fullness of life for every person in this city.”

Each new commissioner brings a wealth of experience from various backgrounds in human and civil rights and will help identify issues of discrimination in their communities as well as encourage and foster positive community relations. Commissioners meet quarterly with the Chair and commission staff to vote on proposed and final rules and provide recommendations to the Commission.

Meet the new CCHR Commissioners:

Guillermo Chacón

Since 2010, Guillermo Chacón has served as President of the Latino Commission on AIDS, where he is a vocal advocate of the Latinx/Hispanic and HIV&AIDS communities. Under his leadership, the Commission has invested in community mobilization programs, which encourage community-based organizations to develop agendas on the top health policy issues affecting the health of Latinos in New York City. Chacón was appointed by Mayor de Blasio to the HIV/AIDS Services Administration and the Committee on City Healthcare Services. Governor Cuomo appointed Chacón to the New York State AIDS Advisory Council and nominated him for the New York State Minority Health Council, where he was later confirmed by the New York State Senate. He also serves on various Boards, including the New York Immigration Coalition, the New York City AIDS Memorial, advisor for the Alianza Americas, and co-chairs the Latino Jewish Coalition in New York.

Rockwell ("Rocky") Chin

Rockwell (“Rocky”) Chin is a retired government civil rights attorney and a current member of the Executive Council of AARP New York since 2016. He previously served as Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity at the New York State Division of Human Rights. Before that, Rocky served in a variety of positions at the New York City Commission on Human Rights. He spearheaded language, immigrant rights and disability rights initiatives in New York as an advocate and as an attorney. Rocky is a founder of the Asian American Bar Association of New York, former Civil Rights Chair of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, past Board Member of MFY Legal Services, Leadership for Asian Pacifics, the Asian American Arts Alliance and Yale Alumni Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force (2016-2017). Rocky has a law degree from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in City Planning from Yale University, and a B.A. in Economics from Lehigh University.

Reverend Terry Troia

Reverend Terry Troia is President and CEO of Project Hospitality, an interfaith effort providing emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing & services to hungry and homeless New Yorkers, where she has worked for the last 35 years.  She is also the minister of the Reformed Church of Huguenot Park in Staten Island. The Reverend is actively involved in racial, economic and social justice work related to health, housing and educational equity, LGBT inclusion, immigrants’ rights and the right to shelter. Troia serves by appointment to the Governor’s Clergy Council, the Mayor’s Clergy Advisory Council, the NYC HIV Health and Human Services Planning Council, the NYPD Training Advisory Committee, the NYPD SI Borough Command Immigrant Task Force, The Richmond County District Attorney Hate Crimes Task Force, the NYC Council Gun Violence Task Force, the New York State Interfaith Immigration Network, and the NYC Supportive Housing Task Force. She serves on the board of directors of the Supportive Housing Network of New York, Homeless Services United, El Centro del Inmigrante, New World Prep Charter School, and Coordinated Behavioral Health. Locally she serves as President of The Staten Island Long Term Recovery Organization and is chair of the Staten Island Tackling Youth Substance Abuse Initiative and serves on the executive committees of the Staten Island Immigrants Council, Communities United for Respect and Trust, Staten Islanders Against Anti-Semitism, the Staten Island Inter-Religious Leadership, Staten Island Council of Churches,  Staten Island Family Health Care Coalition,  New Brighton Coalition of Concerned Citizens and the Port Richmond Civic Association.

The next Commissioner’s meeting will take place from11:30am -1:30pm on November 21^st, 2019, in the Eleanor Norton Holmes conference room at the New York City Commission on Human Rights, 22 Reade Street, 2FL New York, NY 10007.

Samelys López Wins Major Endorsement In Bid for Bronx Seat in U.S. Congress

Samelys López Wins Major Endorsement In Bid For Bronx Seat For U.S. Congress

López announced today that she is being endorsed by The People for Bernie Sanders, a progressive grassroots group with more than one million social-media followers nationwide.
 
Backed by a diverse coalition of community activists, López launched her campaign for New York’s 15th congressional district seat in late September. Longtime Democratic Congressman Jose Serrano is not seeking re-election due to health issues.
 
"Samely's dedication to this movement is unparalleled. There are people that say they believe in a working-class movement, Samely's has dedicated her life to building it. She is pragmatic and results-oriented. Her savvy and focus will deliver results for the district and I am humbled by the opportunity to endorse her," said Kat Brezler. "The People for Bernie Sanders has a shared history with Samely's and an emboldened vision for the future because of her."
 
López says Washington isn't doing enough about the income inequality and housing insecurity faced by countless oppressed people in the Bronx. She is pledging to fight for a Homes Guarantee, the Green New Deal, and Medicare for All.

"I am honored to have been endorsed by People for Bernie. I have supported Bernie since 2016 and will continue to do so because he has always fought for transformational change and putting the needs of working-class communities first." said candidate Samelys López. "Bernie inspired me to get involved in building an independent grassroots movement throughout the Bronx. I am committed to fighting for a working-class revolution that centers the lived experiences of my people in the South Bronx."

The People for Bernie Sanders was founded in 2015 by participants in the Occupy Wall Street movement to back the Vermont senator’s presidential campaign and now also supports progressive candidates across the nation.

Samelys co-founded Local Democrats of NY, supporting grassroots candidates for elective office, and is a co-founder of Bronx Progressives, a local chapter of the New York Progressive Action Network and Our Revolution. She named as one of The Hispanic Coalition of New York's Rising 40 under 40 Latino Stars in 2016 and was recognized this year in City & State’s Bronx Power 100. She is a graduate of Barnard College and holds a master’s degree in urban planning from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service.

López will seek the Democratic nomination for NY CD-15 in the Party’s primary, which will be held on June 23, 2020.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

While this may seem like a certain presidential candidate is endorsing Ms. Lopez there is no mention that said presidential candidate is endorsing her. Kat Brezler who endorses Ms. Lopez is no Bernie Sanders.

Ms. Lopez we are still waiting for our interview of you which was promised by your consultants on the day you announced your candidacy. What are you afraid of Ms. Lopez, or should I say Mr. Beltzer?

Temple Hatikva Special Service:

Temple Hatikva

Please join us on Friday Nov.22 at 7:30 pm at Bronx House 990 Pelham Parkway South for our Shabbat Service. The theme for this service will be a service of Thanks in honor of Thanksgiving.

Temple Hatikva is a Reform / Conservative synagogue serving all those of the Jewish faith. We invite you to join us for our traditional, yet modern services, and regular Adult Education sessions.We promise that you will have a meaningful experience . All religious services and Adult Education sessions are FREE to attend.

On SUNDAY Nov 23 at 10:00 am at Bronx House will be our Monthly Adult Education Series with a delicious Breakfast sponsored by the Shalom Funeral Home. Please join us for BOTH community events.

What is the Truth About 2500 Williamsbridge Road, and When Did the Community Board Know the Deal Was Axed?

 There was a proposal by Carnegie Hill Institute for a drug treatment center at the vacant 2500 Williamsbridge Road site previously occupied by Eastern Abstracts. At the Community Board 11 Leadership Committee meeting of October 17th  it was determined to have a Town Hall meeting on Thursday November 7th. The place to hold the Town Hall meeting would be the nearby Institute for Special Education located at 999 Pelham Parkway North.

 On the way to the November 7th Town Hall meeting a couple of things happened. Certain people associated with one Community Board 11 member said not to worry that there would be no drug treatment center at 2500 Williamsbridge Road. Councilman Mark Gjonaj was quoted on October 25th "The Deal was killed" regarding the 2500 Williamsbridge Road site in a Bronx newspaper. Gjonaj was quoted again "Now they want to put it on Esplanade" referring to a long vacant Jewish Synagogue and community center at 2440 Esplanade Avenue. No  official agenda for the Town Hall meeting ever went out from Community Board 11. 

November 7th came with an estimate of 700 people attending on a rainy night. There had to be two sessions due to the capacity of 300 people. The outcome of the Town Hall meeting was that the 2500 Williamsbridge Road site was not going to Carnegie Hill Institute, and Councilman Gjonaj said that he wants to restore 2440 Esplanade to a community center. Since Councilman Gjonaj was quoted saying 2500 Williambridge Road was not going to happen weeks before, why was 2440 Esplanade all of a sudden added to the meeting, and why did the Town Hall happen if the property was killed weeks prior to the Town Hall. Why was the meeting not cancelled? 

Upon checking with the District Manager of CB 11 his answer was that the community board was not notified of any change in 2500 Williamsbridge Road only to find out at the Town Hall meeting. He said 2440 Esplanade was a rumor to which the DM could not remember when the board was told, adding since there was no formal notice to the board. Also that the flyer with a different CB 11 member on it which I received at the board office was from a private citizen and not the community board.

UPDATE: After the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood meeting November 12th Councilman Gjonaj told me that CB 11 knew about 2500 Wiliamsbridge Road two weeks before the town hall meeting. Members of the community want to know why Community Board 11 held the Town hall meeting when they were told the outcome by Councilman Gjonaj two weeks ahead of the meeting?