Posts by ASokol@queensda.org
QUEENS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO VEHICULAR HOMICIDE FOR CRASH THAT KILLED MOTHER AND DAUGHTER
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Tyrone Absolam, 42, has pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide for causing the death of a female motorist and her daughter during a July 24, 2021 vehicle collision on Rockaway Boulevard. District Attorney Katz said, “In pleading guilty, the defendant has taken responsibility for the vehicle collision…
Read MoreLONG ISLAND MAN INDICTED FOR STEALING QUEENS VILLAGE HOME FROM DECEASED BROTHER BY POSING AS HIS SOLE HEIR
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Wagner Recio, 51, has been indicted by a Queens County grand jury and arraigned in Supreme Court for allegedly filing fraudulent paperwork to claim full ownership of a Queens Village home that he co-owned with his brother, valued at over $500,000. The brother’s young daughter became the…
Read MoreYour Weekly Update – July 29, 2022
This week, I wrote an editorial for the New York Law Journal on the importance of strengthening our State’s animal cruelty laws to better defend our society’s most voiceless members (continued)
Read MoreGUN TRAFFICKING CREW DISMANTLED WITH 1,611-COUNT INDICTMENT OF TENNESSEE MAN AND FOUR NYC RESIDENTS FOLLOWING LONG-TERM INVESTIGATION
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, joined by New York City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell, today announced a 1,611-count indictment and the arrests of five individuals allegedly involved in a gun trafficking ring using the notorious Iron Pipeline to smuggle guns purchased in Knoxville, Tennessee, which were then sold illegally in Queens County. Law enforcement…
Read MoreYour Weekly Update – July 15, 2022
Seeking justice on behalf of victims of crime is at the heart of our work. That mission is all the more important when victims are unable to properly advocate for themselves…(continued)
Read MoreTWO DEFENDANTS CHARGED IN SCHEME TO STEAL EAST ELMHURST HOME FROM DECEASED HOMEOWNER BY POSING AS HER SON
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, along with New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda, announced today that Jorge Vasquez Jr. and Andy V. Singh – as well as “23-41 100th Street Corp” – have been indicted by a Queens County grand jury and arraigned in Supreme Court for allegedly filing fraudulent paperwork to claim ownership of…
Read MoreYour Weekly Update
Summer is in full swing and that means more time for outdoor adventures and swimming activities to beat the heat. However, I’d like to encourage everyone to practice caution whenever you are near the water… (continued)
Read MoreSTATEMENT FROM QUEENS DISTRICT ATTORNEY MELINDA KATZ ON THE U.S. SUPREME COURT’S DECISION TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE
A mere day after SCOTUS decided to put the lives of New Yorkers at risk by striking down our long-standing restrictions on guns, the majority of Supreme Court Justices have now decided to put the lives of millions of women across the entire nation at risk by overturning Roe v. Wade. This decision is beyond…
Read MoreSTATEMENT FROM QUEENS DISTRICT ATTORNEY MELINDA KATZ ON THE U.S. SUPREME COURT’S DECISION IN NEW YORK STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASSOCIATION INC. V. BRUEN
The Supreme Court’s ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen significantly hinders our ongoing efforts to keep New Yorkers safe from gun violence. I am extremely disappointed in this decision by the highest court which creates undue burden on the commonsense gun laws in this State. We remain committed to…
Read MoreYour Weekly Update
This week, we commemorated World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a time dedicated to promoting a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons… (continued)
Read MoreDEFENDANT INDICTED BY GRAND JURY FOR SLAYING OF PAWN SHOP OWNER; VICTIM WAS REPEATEDLY STRUCK WITH BLUNT OBJECT
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Rodolfo Lopez-Portillo, 48, has been indicted by a Queens County grand jury and arraigned in Supreme Court on murder charges and other crimes. The defendant allegedly struck and killed a 60-year-old pawn shop owner in broad daylight inside the Jamaica Avenue store in March 2022. District Attorney…
Read MoreQUEENS MAN WHO BABYSAT SEVEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL CONVICTED FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING VICTIM FOR THREE YEARS
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Jose Nivelo, 43, has been convicted of course of sexual conduct against a child for sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl over a three-year period starting in 2012. The defendant was babysitting the girl in his Queens home when the abuse occurred. DA Katz, when she was an…
Read MoreBROOKLYN MAN CHARGED IN SCHEME TO STEAL JAMAICA HOME FROM ELDERLY WIDOW BY CLAIMING SHE DIED AND HE WAS HER SON
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, along with New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda and New York City Finance Commissioner Preston Niblick, announced today that Christopher Williams, 41, has been charged with grand larceny, falsifying business records, identity theft, scheme to defraud and other crimes. The defendant allegedly used forged paperwork to claim ownership of a…
Read MoreYour Weekly Update – June 10, 2022
Gun violence is a disease that has tragically affected every part of our country, leaving devastation and heartache in its wake. New York State, however, has lead the way when it comes to legislation that effectuates real change… (continued)
Read MoreYour Weekly Update – May 27, 2022
Throughout this weekend, we’ll be gathering at events all across Queens to pay tribute to the heroic men and women who have served, and continue to serve, in the Armed Forces. I never lose sight of the fact that their sacrifice makes it possible for me to safely put my children to bed every night……
Read MoreYour Weekly Update – May 13, 2022
Yesterday, I announced charges against a construction foreman who allegedly used his position to take thousands of dollars in kickbacks from employees working on a NYC School Construction project in Ridgewood… (continued)
Read MoreLONG ISLAND MAN INDICTED FOR STEALING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FROM EMPLOYEES IN KICKBACK SCHEME
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, joined by the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber, announced today that Komal Singh, 52, has been charged with grand larceny and other crimes for allegedly taking thousands of dollars in kickbacks from employees working on a New York City School Construction Authority project at…
Read MoreYour Weekly Update – May 6, 2022
This week, I announced a number of charges against a family of alleged scam artists, including grand larceny, forgery, perjury, identify theft, defrauding the government and official misconduct… (continued)
Read MoreYour Weekly Update – April 29, 2022
Today is the end of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a time dedicated to supporting and empowering victims of crime and their loved ones. During this week, we celebrate the accomplishments of the victims’ rights movement and underscore the importance of helping crime survivors find justice… (continued)
Read MoreYour Weekly Update – April 22, 2022
From the beginning of my administration, my Office has worked tirelessly to investigate and prosecute drivers of crime while supporting vital treatment programs, rehabilitation efforts and diversion initiatives to help break the cycle of violence. To build upon these efforts, my Office recently launched a new 12-months’ long gun diversion program, in close partnership with the…
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