73-YEAR-OLD CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER IN DELI SHOOTING

Faces up to 55 years in Prison Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that James Fraley was convicted of attempted murder and drug and weapon possession charges in the 2021 shooting of a deli owner in Briarwood and the subsequent discovery of a large quantity of heroin in his home. Fraley was on lifetime parole…

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GROOMER CHARGED WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY AFTER DOG DIES

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Lee Yat Sing was arraigned on animal cruelty charges in connection with the death of a 4-year-old Maltese dog that died after being abused during a grooming session. District Attorney Katz said: “When we entrust our beloved pets to caretakers, they should be returned to us in the…

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COLD MURDER CASE ENDS IN BROOKLYN MAN’S CONVICTION

Faces up to Life in Prison for 2011 Murder in Ridgewood Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Gerald Griffin was convicted of murder in the cold case killing of a 31-year-old man found naked and bludgeoned in his Ridgewood home in 2011. District Attorney Katz said: “This cold-blooded killer thought he could get away…

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LONG ISLAND MOTHER AND SON PLEAD GUILTY IN FAR ROCKAWAY SHOOTING DEATH

Each Faces More than 20 Years in Prison Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Avita Campbell and her son, Raymond Jackson, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and other charges in the September 2020 shooting death of a 27-year-old man in Far Rockaway. District Attorney Katz said: “This diabolical mother and son duo teamed up to…

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MAN EXTRADITED AND CHARGED WITH MURDER FOR FATAL STABBING

Faces 50 Years to Life in Prison Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Nathaniel Johnson was extradited to Queens where he was indicted by a grand jury and arraigned today on murder and other charges in the stabbing death of a 37-year-old man – and assault on the victim’s sister – after Johnson’s wife…

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QUEENS MAN INDICTED ON ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Paul Verite was indicted and arraigned today on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals and other crimes for allegedly repeatedly injuring his female Boston Terrier to the point the puppy could neither walk nor stand. A necropsy and review of medical records revealed that the puppy, named Espy,…

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MAN CHARGED WITH RAPE AND ASSAULT IN ATTACK ON WOMAN

Allegedly Took Victim on Motorcycle Ride, Then Attacked Her Faces Up to 25 Years in Prison Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Tony Kempsey was arraigned for allegedly raping a 49-year-old woman on an Elmhurst street after giving her a ride on his motorcycle and then beating her. District Attorney Katz said: “This kind…

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QUEENS MAN ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER IN FAR ROCKAWAY STREET SHOOTOUT

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Jeffrey Morel was arraigned on attempted murder and other charges in connection with a shooting in Far Rockaway that sent bullets flying into a nearby yeshiva and parked cars. District Attorney Katz said: “It is extremely fortunate that this brazen shooting did not lead to any injuries to…

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DISTRICT ATTORNEY KATZ HOSTS AAPI HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION AT ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, in partnership with her Asian American and Pacific Islander Advisory Council, hosted an annual celebration in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at St. John’s University in Jamaica. The program included awards honoring notable community members of Asian and Pacific Island descent and a keynote address by…

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Your Weekly Update – May 12, 2023

Unlicensed cannabis dispensaries have been the focus of numerous community complaints, including for selling hallucinogens and edible marijuana that have sickened young people and are marketed to children…(continued)

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QUEENS MAN SENTENCED TO 18 TO LIFE IN STABBING DEATH OF WIFE

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Carmelo Mendoza was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison for the fatal stabbing of his wife during an argument inside their Jackson Heights apartment in July 2020. District Attorney Katz said: “This man was responsible for a brutal murder, which he carried out in front of…

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QUEENS MAN SENTENCED IN STABBING DEATH OF ACQUAINTANCE

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Marcos Anzurez was sentenced today to 13 years in prison for manslaughter in the stabbing death of an acquaintance in 2018. District Attorney Katz said: “A simple argument escalated into the brutal killing of a young man. Unfortunately, we cannot reverse that tragedy, but we have succeeded in…

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DISTRICT ATTORNEY KATZ, NYPD ANNOUNCE EXPANSION OF BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO ASTORIA

Rollout Follows Successful Program Launches in Jamaica and Flushing Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, together with NYPD officials and members of the western Queens business community, today announced the launch of the Astoria Merchants Business Improvement Program, designed to enhance safety in and around local shops. The program focuses on the small number of individuals…

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DISTRICT ATTORNEY KATZ CHARGES OPERATORS OF UNLICENSED MOBILE CANNABIS DISPENSARIES IN ASTORIA AND OZONE PARK

Vehicles Impounded and Products Seized Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the takedown of three illegal cannabis operations resulting in the arrest of five individuals who were charged in connection with their roles in allegedly operating illegal mobile marijuana dispensaries from two trucks in Astoria, and an illegal smoke shop in Ozone Park located directly…

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QUEENS MAN INDICTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER IN SHOOTING OF NYPD OFFICER

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Devin Spraggins was indicted by a grand jury and arraigned today on two counts of attempted murder in the first degree and other charges in connection with the April 5 confrontation with NYPD officers in which rookie Officer Brett Boller was shot. District Attorney Katz said: “The brazen…

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