Your Weekly Update – April 28, 2023

I was joined this week by NYPD officials, members of the Flushing business community and elected leaders to announce the launch of the Flushing Merchants Business Improvement Program…(continued)

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QUEENS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER IN STABBING DEATH OF WIFE

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Carmelo Mendoza pleaded guilty to murder in the fatal stabbing of his wife during an argument inside their Jackson Heights apartment in July 2020. District Attorney Katz said: “This argument, which turned deadly, was a horrific ordeal unfortunately witnessed by the victim’s 19-year-old daughter, who tried in vain…

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QUEENS DA MELINDA KATZ AND THE NYPD ANNOUNCE PROGRAM TO HELP FLUSHING MERCHANTS

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz joined by NYPD officials, members of the Flushing business community and elected officials today announced the Flushing Merchants Business Improvement Program to enhance safety for retailers and shoppers by discouraging unwanted activity in and around local stores. The initiative is based on a successful launch of the Jamaica Merchants Business…

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QUEENS MEN SENTENCED FOR DEADLY RICHMOND HILL SHOOTING

Defendants Killed Guyanese Man and Shot Brother During Richmond Hill Robbery Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Shakim Allen and Dreshaun Smith were sentenced to 50 years to life in prison for killing a man visiting from Guyana and shooting his brother during a Richmond Hill robbery in January 2017. District Attorney Katz said:…

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MAN SENTENCED TO 22 YEARS IN PRISON IN SHOOTING DEATH OF DELI WORKER

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Steven Cohen has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for the shooting death of a 26-year-old deli worker after a brief verbal altercation. District Attorney Katz said: “The callous actions of this defendant cost the life of an innocent man who was simply doing his job. I…

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BRONX MAN SENTENCED FOR SHOOTING INTO MTA BUS

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Melvin Adams was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for opening fire on a busy thoroughfare intending to hit a stranger and instead shooting at an MTA bus and striking two passengers. District Attorney Katz said: “A dangerous man is now off our streets and will serve…

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BROOKLYN MAN SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR 2021 SHOOTING AT QUEENS MOTEL

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Rawle Washington was sentenced to 12 years in prison for injuring a man he shot at the Surfside Motel in Howard Beach in September 2021. District Attorney Katz said, “DNA evidence was instrumental in identifying the defendant after he callously shot a man and fled. Today he faces…

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QUEENS DISTRICT ATTORNEY MELINDA KATZ APPOINTS 5 NEW ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz today announced the appointment of five new assistant district attorneys to join the Queens District Attorney’s Office. District Attorney Katz said: “I am proud to welcome this group of talented professionals into the Queens District Attorney’s office.  I look forward to working with them in support of this office’s mission…

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DISTRICT ATTORNEY KATZ APPOINTS NEW CHIEF OF STAFF WENDY ERDLY

District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the appointment of Wendy Erdly as Chief of Staff. Erdly joins the office after nearly a decade of public service experience, most recently at the New York State Department of Financial Services as Deputy Superintendent for Cybersecurity. District Attorney Katz said: “I am pleased to welcome Ms. Erdly to the…

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LONG ISLAND TEEN CHARGED WITH LEAVING SCENE OF CRASH THAT KILLED 14-YEAR-OLD

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Yaser Ibrahim, 18, was arraigned on a charge of leaving the scene of a fatal incident without reporting it, as well as driving without a license, speeding and other vehicle and traffic violations, following a crash Monday night that left a 14-year-old boy dead in Astoria. DA Katz…

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LONG ISLAND TEEN CHARGED WITH LEAVING SCENE OF CRASH THAT KILLED 16-YEAR-OLD

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Yaser Ibrahim, 18, was arraigned on a charge of leaving the scene of a fatal incident without reporting it, as well as driving without a license, speeding and other vehicle and traffic violations, following a crash Monday night that left a 16-year-old boy dead in Astoria. DA Katz…

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DEFENDANT PLEADS GUILTY TO ATTEMPTED MURDER IN OFF-DUTY COP SHOOTING

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Chad Collie pleaded guilty to attempted murder in the shooting of an off-duty NYPD officer who he was trying to carjack. The incident took place on February 1, 2022, in Far Rockaway. District Attorney Katz said: “We will not allow our communities to devolve into a state of…

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QUEENS MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE IN POLICE SHOOTING

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Devin Spraggins was arraigned today in Queens Criminal Court on two counts of attempted murder in the first degree in connection to a confrontation with NYPD officers on Wednesday during which rookie Officer Brett Boller was shot. District Attorney Katz said: “We will not allow our great city…

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ICYMI: LOWER NEW YORK’S BAC LIMIT NOW TO SAVE LIVES

Studies show that most adult drivers are too impaired to drive safely with a BAC of .05 percent because, even at that level, crucial driving skills — like coordination, and the ability to steer, track moving objects, and effectively respond to emergency situations — are diminished… (continued)

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COUPLE INDICTED FOR BASEBALL BAT AND KNIFE ATTACK ON NEIGHBORS

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Arturo Cuevas and Daisy Barrera were indicted by a grand jury and arraigned today for attempted murder and other crimes for a brutal attack on their neighbors, allegedly as revenge for a previous fight over a parking spot. District Attorney Katz said: “As alleged, the husband stabbed the…

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