MAN CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER AS HATE CRIME IN DEADLY ASSAULT AFTER FENDER BENDER

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Gilbert Augustin was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with manslaughter and assault as hate crimes in the death of 66-year-old Jasmer Singh, whom he is accused of attacking after a fender bender in Kew Gardens. During a dispute that preceded the fatal beating, Augustin is accused…

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Your Weekly Update – October 27, 2023

Freedom of religion and expression are foundational principles of our democracy. That is most true here in Queens, the World’s Borough, the most diverse county in the United States. I announced felony hate crime charges over the weekend against a defendant accused of taunting, punching and trying to knock off a fellow bus passenger’s turban, a…

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MAN SENTENCED IN RUFUS KING PARK SHOOTING DEATH

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Torren King was sentenced today to 19 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the shooting death of a 22-year-old man in Rufus King Park. Two others charged in the shooting, stemming from a drug deal gone bad, are awaiting trial. District Attorney Katz said: “Less…

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MANHATTAN MAN CHARGED WITH FELONY HATE CRIME AFTER TARGETING SIKH ON MTA BUS

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Christopher Philippeaux was arraigned last night, accused of taunting, punching and trying to knock off the traditional Sikh turban of a fellow bus passenger. District Attorney Katz said: “We will hold accountable those that would attack others based on their religion. Freedom of religion and expression are foundational…

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WOMAN SENTENCED ON SEX TRAFFICKING, KIDNAPPING, ASSAULT AND ROBBERY CHARGES

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Destiny Lebron was sentenced to 13 years in prison on sex trafficking, kidnapping, assault and robbery charges for three incidents in which she lured victims to a location for sex, then detained, assaulted and robbed them with the help of a male co-defendant. District Attorney Katz said: “Destiny…

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Your Weekly Update – October 20, 2023

My office works hard every day to get guns and drugs off the street and hold traffickers accountable. Our work is far from over, but we have made important progress, with Queens experiencing significant declines in major crimes that outpace the gains seen citywide… (continued)

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LONG ISLAND MAN CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING, UNLAWFUL IMPRISONMENT OF GIRLFRIEND

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Herman Brightman was charged today with threatening to kill his girlfriend with a knife, binding her wrists and taping her mouth shut. The investigation is ongoing and District Attorney Katz is urging other women Brightman dated and victimized to contact her office. District Attorney Katz said: “The defendant…

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Your Weekly Update – October 13, 2023

In one of the most brutal cases we have prosecuted, a husband plead guilty to attempted murder and was recently sentenced to 25 years in prison for plowing into his estranged wife with his SUV, climbing out of the car and then stabbing her, all in the presence of their young children. The sentencing came during…

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MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT FOR BITING OFF POLICE OFFICER’S FINGERTIP

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Lenni Rodriguez Cruz was arraigned today, accused of leading police on an extended high-speed car chase through a public park and 20 red lights, as well as injuring a motorist and a police officer whose fingertip he is alleged to have bitten off. District Attorney Katz said: “The…

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Your Weekly Update – October 6, 2023

The fentanyl crisis afflicting our city and our country demands that those of us in law enforcement do all in our power to shut down illegal narcotics manufacturers and suppliers and hold the traffickers accountable… (continued)

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