QUEENS RESIDENT INDICTED ON MURDER CHARGES IN BROAD DAYLIGHT SHOOTING

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Waturi Johnson, 51, has been indicted by a Queens County grand jury and arraigned in Supreme Court on murder charges and other crimes for allegedly shooting a young man in front of a car service on October 4, 2021, in Far Rockaway, Queens. District Attorney Katz said,…

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THREE MEN CHARGED WITH ROBBING WAREHOUSE ON LONG ISLAND AFTER PLANNING AND REHEARSING HEIST IN QUEENS LOCATIONS

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that three defendants have been indicted by a Queens County grand jury following a complex surveillance investigation that uncovered a warehouse break-in scheme that was planned in Queens County over a two-week period in early July 2021. As alleged, four workers at the facility were restrained and property…

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NYPD OFFICER CAUGHT SELLING STEROIDS IN UNDERCOVER STING; DEFENDANT CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL SALE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, joined by New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, announced today that Maurice Lemelin, 33, who is an officer with the New York City Police Department, has been charged with possessing and sale of a controlled substance. On two occasions, the defendant allegedly sold anabolic steroids to an undercover detective…

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JUST-RETIRED POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH RUNNING RENT SCAM; OFFERED APARTMENT HE LEASED TO RAKE IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, joined by New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, announced today that Burbran Pierre, a former NYPD police officer, has been charged with grand larceny and scheme to defraud for allegedly conning nearly a dozen would-be renters out of thousands of dollars. The defendant is accused running a scam offering…

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ACCESS-A-RIDE DRIVER CHARGED WITH E-HAIL APP SCAM FOR FAKING TRIPS, RAKING IN NEARLY $70,000

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, joined by Office of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Inspector General Carolyn Pokorny, announced today that James Laverty, 72, has been charged with grand larceny and other crimes for allegedly bilking the MTA out of nearly $70,000. The Access-a-Ride driver allegedly submitted bogus claims for rides requested using a mobile phone…

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QUEENS MAN CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER AND ASSAULT IN STABBING OF TWO MEN IN 2017

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz today announced today that Terrence Harry, 40, has been convicted of attempted murder and other crimes in the September 23, 2017, stabbing of two men inside a garage near the Van Wyck Expressway in South Ozone Park, Queens. District Attorney Katz said, “This defendant resorted to violence with a weapon…

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BROOKLYN MAN SENTENCED TO 33 YEARS IN PRISON AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO AGGRAVATED MANSLAUGHTER IN 2019 DEATH OF DETECTIVE BRIAN SIMONSEN

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Christopher Ransom, 30, has been sentenced to 33 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter and robbery for his role in the February 2019 hold up of a mobile phone store, which resulted in the death of New York City Police Department Detective Brian Simonsen.…

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QUEENS DISTRICT ATTORNEY MELINDA KATZ ANNOUNCES GRANTS AWARDED TO 28 RECIPIENTS FOR THE QUEENS COMMUNITY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz today announced grant funding to 28 community-based organizations for the implementation of her Office’s Community Youth Development and Crime Prevention Project (CYDCPP). The District Attorney’s initiative aims to provide youth activities and wrap around services to help prevent crime and keep young people out of the criminal justice system. District…

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QUEENS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MANSLAUGHTER FOR SHOOTING WOMAN TO DEATH IN 2017

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Jonel Lattore, 38, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree for shooting and killing a 21-year-old camp counselor in August 2017. The victim was walking home from a nearby store when the defendant fired multiple shots, striking the young woman once in the head. District…

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QUEENS MAN ARRAIGNED ON MURDER CHARGES FOR DEADLY SHOOTING OF MOTHER’S BOYFRIEND

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Desean McCain, 22, has been arraigned and charged with murder in the November 2 shooting death of a 47-year-old man, who was the boyfriend of the defendant’s disabled mother, in an apartment of the Pomonok Houses. District Attorney Katz said, “A domestic dispute erupted into chaos and tragedy…

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BROOKLYN RESIDENT INDICTED IN CRASH THAT KILLED MAN ON BELT PARKWAY

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz today announced that Jason Bical, 35, has been indicted by a Queens County grand jury and arraigned in Supreme Court on aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter and other charges. The defendant was allegedly driving his vehicle at 92 mph while under the influence of both alcohol and drugs when he hit…

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DOZENS OF GUNS TAKEN OFF STREETS IN LATEST GUN BUY BACK EVENT CO-HOSTED BY QUEENS DA MELINDA KATZ WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS AND THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and the New York City Police Department announced that 40 guns were collected today at First Baptist Church in East Elmhurst, Queens. The gun buy-back event was co-sponsored by The New York City Police Foundation, The New York City Police Department, First Baptist Church of East Elmhurst, New York State…

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