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Click here for Inner City Press' weekday news reports, from the United Nations and elsewhere. Click here for a recent BBC piece on Inner City Press' reporting from the United Nations Search This Site Click for March 1, 2011 BloggingHeads.tv re Libya, Sri Lanka, UN Corruption by Inner City Press. Click here for Inner City Press front page
ICP has published a (double) book about
a variety of Bronx-relevant topics -- a review in
Commonweal magazine of Dec. 5, 2003, opines that
"Predatory Bender... is as vivid an account of life in
the Bronx as you are likely to read" -- click here for
sample chapters, here for
an interactive map,
here
for fast ordering
and
delivery, and here for
other ordering
information. See
also, "City
Lit: Roman a Klepto [Review of ‘Predatory Bender’],"
by Matt Pacenza, City Limits, Sept.-Oct. 2004. CBS
MarketWatch of April 23, 2004, says the
the novel has "some very funny moments," and that the
non-fiction mixes "global statistics and first-person accounts."
The Washington
Post
of March 15, 2004, calls Predatory Bender: America in
the Aughts "the first novel about predatory lending;" the
London
Times of April 15, 2004, "A Novel Approach," said it "has
a cast of colorful characters." The Pittsburgh
City Paper of Dec. 11, 2003, wrote that it "may, in fact,
be the first great American lending malfeasance novel" including
"low-level loan sharks, class-action lawyers, corporate bigwigs,
hired muscle, corrupt politicians, Iraq War veterans, Wall
Street analysts, reporters and one watchdog with a Web
site." And all in The Bronx! Click
here
for that
review; for more information, contact us.
See, in Nov 2021, Inner City Press' book "Belt and Roadkill,"
here
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
July 17 – A man previously convicted of having a
gun was stopped in The Bronx while driving near
East Tremont and Crotona Avenues, with a gun.
There was also marijuana being smoked in the
car, the Complaint says, a car that no one in it
owned.
On July 17 the defendant was presented in the
yellow jumpsuit of the Essex County Correctional
Facility, before U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge
Jennifer E. Willis. Inner City Press was there,
the only media in the SDNY Mag
court.
Amid
consent to detention, defense counsel spoke of
access to Essex law library, and the need for a
medical order. Judge Willis said she would email
to an MDC email box.
The
case is USA v. Jones, 1:25-mj-2192 (Willis)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY EXCLUSIVE,
July 9 – A Republican District Leader in the
81st Assembly District in The Bronx has been
indicted for accepting bribes to give out poll
worker jobs, as an employee of the Board of
Elections.
On August 27 at 2 pm, Nicole Torres was
brought by U.S. Marshals before U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. Inner City
Press was there, the only media in the SDNY Mag
court.
The Assistant US Attorney agreed to release on
unsecured $50,000 bond, with a next conference
before District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil set for
September 10 at 3 pm. The now
unsealed indictment alleged that Torres
"illegally demanded payments from Bronx
residents to herself and a local organization in
exchange for selecting individuals as poll
workers." Full indictment on Patreon here
On
September 10, Torres was arraigned by Judge
Vyskocil in a nearly empty courtroom. Inner City
Press was there, thread
On
December 9 the US Attorney's Office wrote in to
cancel the December 17 appearance.
And on March 13 the US Attorney's Office submitted a joint letter to schedule a guilty plea proceeding for April 16.
Inner
City Press went, thread
Judge:
Are there victims in this case, and if so have
they been notified? AUSA: Yes and yes. [A person
emailed Inner City Press that he intends to try
to speak at this hearing, we'll see]
Judge:
Do you take any drugs or medications? Nicole
Torres: Medical marijuana, twice a day. Judge:
For anxiety? Torres: And pain. Judge: Do you
wish to change your plea to guilty? Torres: I
do.
Judge:
You were charged in seven counts, but I
understand the Government has you pleading
guilty only to Counts 1 and 5, conspiracy to
commit mail fraud, 18 USC 1341. And they have
agreed to a sentencing guideline of 70 to 87
months
Sentencing
was set for July 8.
Then
sentencing was pushed back to August 19, at 2:30
pm; her Federal Defender cited her client's
medical concerns and a late pre-sentencing
report.
More
on X for Subscribers here and on Substack here
The case is USA v. Torres, 1:24-cr-499 (Vyskocil / Aaron)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
June 26 – Two days after the mixed jury verdict
in US v. Kevin Perez, the Bronx-based drill
rapper known as Kay Flock, a book was published
about the trial, "Courthouse Rap." On Amazon here.
Two weeks later, Kay Flock's lawyer filed a motion for acquittal, including arguing that "The individual in the 4646 Park Avenue Surveillance footage wearing a blue jacket was not Mr. Perez; The assailant in the RPT shooting was the indiTeacher Hit in Head at and Fired by Bronx Urban Assembly Dismissed in SDNY Can NYS
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell
book
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, June 27 – Melissa
Samuels was
working as a
teacher at a
charter school
in The Bronx,
Urban
Assembly, when
a hardball
thrown by a
student hit
her in the
head, injuring
her.
She had a
concussion
which
"impacted her
ability to
care for
herself."
She
said the
school and its
founder David
Noah told her
not to report
it to the
police,
"asking if she
really wanted
to get a kid
involved with
the criminal
justice
system."
When the
police report
was filed,
Samuels was
cut off from
the school's
email system,
allegedly so
she wouldn't
share student
information.
Noah
emailed
Samuels that
"you were not
assaulted.
[Student]
accidentally
hit you with a
nerf ball
while he was
throwing it at
[Student] in a
raucous
classroom."
Then she was
fired. She
sued.
The
complaint,
filed in the
U.S. District
Court for the
Southern
District of
New York on
February 17
when Inner
City Press
found it in
the dockets,
asserts a
dozen causes
of action.
Perhaps
ironic, Noah
is a Yale Law
School
graduate who
previously
"advised
clients on
employment and
labor
compliance
matters."
On
May 8, Noah
and the
Charter School
filed a
pre-motion
letter with
the assigned
District
Judge, Ronnie
Abrams,
arguing among
other things
that
"Plaintiff's
claim of
retaliation
under the
First
Amendment
should be
dismissed as
the filing of
a police
report is not
an activity
protected by
the First
Amendment."
On May 10 Judge Abrams docketed an order "denying without prejudice Letter Motion for Conference.
Jump
cut to August
5, 2024 when
there was a
conference in
the case, held
by Magistrate
Judge
Katharine H.
Parker. Inner
City Press
covered it.
Urban Assembly
and David Noah
are seeking
the CVS
records of the
plaintiff,
saying she's
claiming IBS
from the
stress of
being fired.
Judge Parker
set a
mediation for
October 8 at 2
pm.
On
June 27, 2025,
this order:
"Defendants
are entitled
to summary
judgment with
respect to
Samuels's ADA
claims the
only federal
claims in this
case. Samuels
has not
established
that she was
disabled
within the
meaning of the
ADA, and the
record makes
clear that
UACS
terminated her
in large part
for filing a
police report
against a
student and
thereafter
failing to
communicate
with the
School but not
for requesting
ADA
accommodations.
Accordingly,
the motion for
summary
judgment is
granted with
respect to the
ADA claims.
The Court
declines to
exercise
supplemental
jurisdiction
over Samuels's
state and city
law claims,
which are
dismissed
without
prejudice. It
will be for
the New York
courts to
determine
whether
Defendants'
conduct is
actionable
under New York
law.
(Signed by
Judge Ronnie
Abrams on
6/26/2025)
(rro)
The case is Samuels v. The Urban Assembly, Inc., et al, 1:23-cv-1379 (Abrams / Parker)
***
vidual
wearing a blue jacket in the [4]6[4]6 Park
Avenue surveillance footage; There is no
evidence in the record, however, which would
lead a rational juror to reasonably infer that
Defendant brandished or discharged a firearm in
connection with the RPT Shooting." Full filing
on Patreon here.
On
April 17, the US Attorney's Office opposed the
motion: " The Court properly instructed the jury
on those theories, and the evidence
overwhelmingly supported Perez’s guilt on both
counts. Accordingly, the Motion
should be denied" - full US filing
here.
On
June 25, with the motion still not ruled on, the
US Attorney's Office wrote it to Judge Liman
that it had gotten a grand jury indictment of
defense witness Ashanti Washington after finding
her DNA on the gun - and charging perjury. Will
the new case, assigned to Judge George B.
Daniels, be consolidated with Perez' before
Judge Liman?
On
June 26, Judge Daniels set an arraignment:
"SCHEDULING ORDER as to Ashanti Washington: An
arraignment and initial conference for this case
is hereby scheduled for July 16, 2025 at 9:30
a.m. (Signed by Judge George B. Daniels on
6/26/2025)."
The
new case is USA v. Washington, 1:25-cr-287
(Daniels)
For now, the book compares this 2025 trial to
the previous trial involving Tekashi 6ix9ine as
a cooperating witness, before U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Judge Paul A. Engelmayer. Inner City
Press covered both cases, as it is covering that
of Sean Combs and others. The book begins:
In outlaw music there is always the question of
authenticity. Daniel Hernandez became Tekashi
6ix9ine and hooked up with the Nine Trey Gangsta
Bloods to shoot a video. Then he became their
cash cow, and some of them became his muscle,
shoot-out in a Barclay's Center hallway.
They turned on Tekashi and he
became a cooperator against them, returning to
SDNY on violations of supervised release then
back out on the concert tour. [And now
back in SDNY later in April]
For drill rapper Kay Flock it
was different. He really was from Sev Side,
187th Street. He wasn't an appendage to his
group: he was central to it. When with seven he
was indicted, he did not cooperate. He took it
to trial.
Now this.
Book and audiobook on Amazon here
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
CHINATOWN,
June 13 – How will the empty Federal jail in
Lower Manhattan be used? NYC Mayor Eric Adams in
2023 floated the idea of using it to house
migrants. Inner City Press asked Legal Aid about
the idea, which they roundly criticized.
On
June 12, NYC Comptroller candidate Justin
Brannan campaigned in Chinatown's Confucius
Plaza, two blocks from the still empty
Metropolitan Correctional Center. He was asked
about closing the Rikers Island jail and said he
continues to favor the closure.
But,
he said, the idea of reopening the MCC for state
prisoners "makes a lot of sense," rather than
devoting the now empty lot on Baxter Street to
the so-called Chinatown Jailscraper.
The event moved on to other questions, and
heckling by a Brooklyn constituent who seems to
follow Brannan around (to his credit, Brannan
seemed to largely accept this exercise of the
First Amendment). Inner City Press was there
until, afterward, Brannan began a foot-tour of
Chinatown, as Mayoral candidate Brad Lander
recently did.
Manhattan
Borough President Mark Levine, Brannan's
competition for Comptroller (Brannan referred to
him only indirectly on June 12) has been in and
around Chinatown for years. Inner City Press
does not yet know his views on the future use,
if any, of the empty MCC. Watch this site
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
June 9 – For a shooting in front of 974 Prospect
Avenue in The Bronx on October 26, 2023, in the
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
New York on February 26, 2025 defendant Rolle
pled guilty as to Count 1. Inner City Press is
covering the cases.
The
complaint, sworn out by Magistrate Judge Robyn
F. Tarnofsky, has ten photos, including one with
the BX17 bus pulling up to the scene of the
shooting.
On
June 9 the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking
for 121 months, noting a Fatico hearing on June
12.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 26.
The case is USA v. Rolle, 1:24-cr-672 (Vyskocil)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
June 2 – For days Inner City Press had heard
from its sources there would be a "takedown" on
February 6, each SDNY Magistrate Judge would
handle seven to 10 defendants.
Arrests
happen at 6 am. So at 5:55 am Inner City Press
tweeted it, first to X subscribers with the
spoiler alert: the expectation was that each of
the current or former NYCHA employees would be
released on bond the same day.
And
then hours later at 9:39 am the prosecutors
announced it. Media rushed around reporting
it. Inner City Press had it first, and
after discretely waiting, published it first.
Then this thread of presentments, here
On
October 9, NYCHA defendant Joy Harris was on
trial, the first trial. On the stand was an
immunized witness, Mr. Singh, who said he twice
paid bribed to Joy Harris. He described her
saying, I need something; Judge Lewis A. Kaplan
said for the record, rubbing his index finger
and thumb together.
On
October 17, Harris was found guilty by the jury
of bribery and extortion under color of official
right.
On
February 26, 2025, Harris was sentenced to 41
months in prison.
That
trial was USA v. Harris, 1:24-cr-00207 (Kaplan)
Now
teed up for another NYCHA trial is Roberto
Cartagena, initially charged with taking $12,500
in bribes, with the Johnson Houses cited. The
trial is set for May 27 - and on May 9, the US
Attorney's Office wrote it was providing 3500
material that night, "well in advance of trial."
But
on June the AUSA wrote in, noting the request
for a suppression hearing and proposing to push
trial back to October 6.
This
trial is USA v. Cartagena, 1:24-cr-516
(Gardephe)
Watch
this site - and these feeds: X
and X
for subscribers.
And
Substack here
***
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, April 14 – ATAX, a tax preparer at
5536 Broadway in Marble Hill, The Bronx, and
Rafael Alvarez have been sued by the
government.
On
April 14, U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of New York Judge Jed S. Rakoff held a
proceeding. Inner City Press covered it.
The US says 90% of ATAX' customers claim
refunds, using head of household fraud and other
tricks it ascribes to Alvarez.
Jump
cut to May 29, 2025, criminal case: "RAFAEL
ALVAREZ, a/k/a “the Magician,” was sentenced
today by U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken to
four years in prison in connection with his
orchestration of a decade-long, $145 million tax
fraud scheme."
The
civil case was United States of America v.
Alvarez et al., 21-cv-1930 (Rakoff)
The
criminal case is USA v. Alvarez, 1:24-cr-221
(Oetken)
***
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, May 21 – Angel Villafane, previously
convicted of a felony, was arrested for having a
gun in incidents starting at 97th Street and
Second Avenue then 110th Street and the FDR
(long barrel firearm)
On May 20, 2022 U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York Judge Victor
Marrero held a conference. Inner City Press
covered it, the only media there.
Jump
cut to March 6, 2024 - now it was grown to a 16
defendant indictment: "As alleged, day in and
day out, this crew distributed fentanyl, heroin,
and crack along several blocks on Valentine
Avenue."
Inner
City Press went to arraignments including that
of Christopher Meadows, who the prosecutor
described as an enforcer for the lead named
defendant (who was detained on consent).
Based on medical conditions named in court but
which Inner City Press will voluntarily not
report, he was ordered bailed on $50,000 bond to
his mother's residence in Soundview by
Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo. On the day
of appeal, the US agreed to release.
On
March 20, co-defendant Damel Marcus asked for
release on bail, in Magistrates Court. Inner
City Press was there, thread
Late
in the day came notice that the defense has
appealed to Part I, for March 21. Inner City
Press was there, thread
On
October 4, a bail review and a full-case
proceeding, thread
On
March 20, counsel filed a critique of slow
production of discovery, and of the scope of the
alleged conspiracy, now back to 1993, "when many
of the defendants either were not born, were in
diapers or had never even been to The Bronx."
On
March 21, Inner City Press went, from the thread:
Here
in 15th floor hallway, at least 50 family
members. Defendants were brought from MDC
Brooklyn by bus, not van.
All
the family members who have come can't fit in
courtroom 15B. Defendants will be split into two
groups...
On
April 2, referring back to the March 21
conference, Paramus-based retained counsel to
co-defendant Calderone wrote in that she opposed
Speedy Trial Act time exclusion on his behalf,
not of another co-defendant she was also
standing in for.
On
April 23 co-defendant Banks was presented and
detained on consent; the next conference is set
for May 16.
On
May 15 the US Attorney's Office wrote in that
two trials should be set, March 2 and May 4,
2024, saying "should the Government be directed
to seek the death penalty," motions would ensue.
Directed from Main Justice?
Inner
City Press went to the 15th floor courtroom on
May 16. The courtroom was entirely full, with
defendants in the jury box, CJA lawyers at the
tables and in the front row. They spoke in term,
some more recently in the case. Judge Marrero
floated the idea of having another judge preside
over one of two trials. The AUSA was feisty,
saying one of the defense lawyers were verging
on being "disruptive." She joked back, as to
pushing back a trial date, "I wish I was that
busy." Several defendants laughed. Ultimately,
this: " Defense counsel was ordered to submit a
letter indicating their respective positions on
a motions schedule and other outstanding
scheduling matters by July 15, 2025. The Court
adjourned the matter until August 14, 2025, at
12:00 PM."
On
May 21 Judge Marrero denied a loosening of home
detention for co-defendant Reynoso, noting the
racketeering conspiracy (RICO) charge.
Watch
this site.
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, May 6 – Derian Del Carmen was
charged with six counts in a narcotics
conspiracy in The Bronx.
On
December 16, he pleaded guilty to two counts, 9
and 12.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
New York Judge J. Paul Oetken held the change of
plea proceeding. Inner City Press covered
it.
Judge
Oetken asked his age and education. 24, one year
at Monroe College.
[Update:
Monroe College wrote in calling the above
summary an "error." Here is the formal now
docketed transcript:
THE
DEFENDANT: I went to my third semester in
college.
THE
COURT: Where was that?
THE
DEFENDANT: Monroe College in The Bronx.]
Jump
cut to May 6, 2025 when the US Attorney's Office
filed opposition with Judge Oetken to a request
for bail in Del Carmen's new case, denying his
allegations of mistreatment in the MDC.
Del Carmen's lawyer wrote in on April 10 that
"on April 5, Derian was assaulted by multiple
guards. Early in the morning, Derian's cellmate
was informed that guards would be coming to take
him to the SHU because of rumors that other
inmates intended to fight him... They also
ordered Derian to dress and come with him.. He
was then pepper-sprayed and assaulted."
The
US Attorney's Office denies it.
The
first case was US v. Del Carmen, 18-cr-669
(Oetken). This new was is USA v. Del Carmen,
1:24-cr-601 (Oetken)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, April 30 – A man charged with being
the getaway driver for a man who robbed a smoke
shop in The Bronx sought and got conditions of
release on bail on October 19 in the US.
District Court for the Southern District of New
York Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was the
only media there and live tweed, thread here
OK -
now at bail fight in US v Rumph for armed
robbery of a Bronx smoke shop. Federal Defender
wants him released.
Judge:
But Rumph was driving the getaway car, right?
Rumph:
Thank you for paying attention, your Honor.FD:
Rumph did not know that his acquaintance who
jumped in his car had just robbed a smoke shop.
AUSA:
The acquaintance had on a ski maskAUSA shows
surveillance video of Rumpf's car speeding off
before "Robber-1" even closed door behind him.
[Unlike
SBF Capitol Hill testimony video, Inner City
Press does not expect to be able to get this
video]
Judge
took a long break to deliberate in robing room
with others. Rumpf said, Take all the time you
need, your Honor. Judge is back - all rise!
Judge:
It's a close call. I am assuming the defendant
knew his masked passenger was fleeing. But can
he be released? I say yes, once $100,000 bond
co-signed by 3 financially responsible people.
GPS, and no driving.
On
November 16, Rumph was formally indicted and the
case wheeled out to District Judge Andrew L.
Carter.
Jump
cut to July 26, 2024 when the US Attorney's
Office wrote in about the August 7 suppression
hearing on the search of the car, saying they
will call Detective Kenneth Ayala to testify.
Jump
again to December 3, 2024, when Rumph pled
guilty.
On
March 17 the US Attorney's Office wrote in
arguing that the firearm and physical restraint
enhancements in 2B3.1(b) should be applied.
On
April 10 the US Attorney's Office wrote in
asking for 60 months.
On
April 30, he was sentenced to 31 months.
The
case is USA v. Rumph, 1:23-cr-603 (Carter)
***
Your support means a lot. As
little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access
to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here
to become a patron.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, April 21 –
Two men were
presented and
detained in
Manhattan
Federal court
on August 9,
2023 for a
shooting of an
11-month-old
baby in
January 2022.
The baby was
in the
courtroom -
and so was
Inner City
Press. Thread:
OK
- now
presentment of
AHMED ALTOREI
& SAMUEL
BAUTISTA after
a street
shooting on
Jan 19, 2022,
targeting a
rival drug
dealer but
shot an
11-month-old
baby in the
face.
Courtroom
filling.
Deputy:
Mr Lazzaro,
are you
consenting?
[To detention]
A:
Yes. [This
could be a
short one]
In
the gallery, a
couple with a
baby...
All rise!
Lance
Lazzaro, for
Ahmed Altorei
(he i$
retained)
Federal
Defender for
Samuel
Bautista, with
financial
affidavit.
Judge:
Cocaine base
aka crack
sales, using
guns,
brandished and
discharged.
Bautista is a
felon, with
.380
ammo
Judge:
Both consent
to detention
without
prejudice.
Medical order
as to Mr
Bautista.
AUSA: Next is
Sept 8 at 11
am in the U.S.
District Court
for the
Southern
District of
New York.
Afterward,
the couple and
the now older
than a year
baby went out
together down
the hall.
On
September 8,
the two were
back in court,
before SDNY
Chief Judge
Laura Taylor
Swain. Inner
City Press was
there. Beyond
setting the
next
conference for
Novemver 15 at
11:30 am,
Bautista asked
to be released
on bond.
The
AUSA responded
with a
narrative of
the background
to the
shooting: a
feud with
Tyrone Handley
a/k/a Smokey,
in and around
2860 Grand
Concourse and
198th Street
in The Bronx.
The baby's
parents spoke,
and urged that
detention be
continued. As
docketed on
September 12,
it was.
On
October 5,
docketed
October 6, a
superseding
indictment,
with Altorei,
Bautista and
Ronald Coradin
a/k/a
Scrappy...
On February 16, 2024 there was a hearing; Inner City Press went, the only media there.
AUSA:We
will complete
discovery in a
month, and
return to
court May 14.
It
was November
13 when Inner
City Press was
back in the
courtroom on
the case, the
three
defendants -
one with a
foot issue -
in the jury
box, from the
thread:
One
of the three
detained
defendant
needs to be
seen by
outside
doctor; AUSA
says OK but
date will not
be given.
Three
week trial in
3 to 6 months.
On
April 21, 2025
it got more
specific: "as
to Ahmed
Altorei,
Ronald Coradin
the trial in
this case is
hereby
scheduled to
begin with
jury selection
on February 9,
2026, at 9:30
AM. The final
pretrial
conference is
adjourned to
January 30,
2026, at 11:00
AM in
Courtroom 17C.
The Government
is directed to
confer with
the parties,
and by April
28, 2025, to
file a joint
letter
proposing a
date for the
next
conference"
Inner
City Press
will stay on
the
case(s).
The case is US v. Altorei, et al., 23-cr-407 (Swain)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY EXCLUSIVE,
April 17 – A Republican District Leader in the
81st Assembly District in The Bronx has been
indicted for accepting bribes to give out poll
worker jobs, as an employee of the Board of
Elections.
On August 27 at 2 pm, Nicole Torres was
brought by U.S. Marshals before U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. Inner City
Press was there, the only media in the SDNY Mag
court.
The Assistant US Attorney agreed to release on
unsecured $50,000 bond, with a next conference
before District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil set for
September 10 at 3 pm. The now
unsealed indictment alleged that Torres
"illegally demanded payments from Bronx
residents to herself and a local organization in
exchange for selecting individuals as poll
workers." Full indictment on Patreon here
On
September 10, Torres was arraigned by Judge
Vyskocil in a nearly empty courtroom. Inner City
Press was there, thread
On
December 9 the US Attorney's Office wrote in to
cancel the December 17 appearance.
And on March 13 the US Attorney's Office submitted a joint letter to schedule a guilty plea proceeding for April 16.
Inner
City Press went, thread
Judge:
Are there victims in this case, and if so have
they been notified? AUSA: Yes and yes. [A person
emailed Inner City Press that he intends to try
to speak at this hearing, we'll see]
Judge:
Do you take any drugs or medications? Nicole
Torres: Medical marijuana, twice a day. Judge:
For anxiety? Torres: And pain. Judge: Do you
wish to change your plea to guilty? Torres: I
do.
Judge:
You were charged in seven counts, but I
understand the Government has you pleading
guilty only to Counts 1 and 5, conspiracy to
commit mail fraud, 18 USC 1341. And they have
agreed to a sentencing guideline of 70 to 87
months
Sentencing
was set for July 8.
More
on X for Subscribers here and on Substack here
The case is USA v. Torres, 1:24-cr-499 (Vyskocil / Aaron)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
80 CENTRE STREET,
April 8 – New York City officials on Tuesday
announced the indictment of 16 people for
"allegedly committing 21 shootings over several
months. LA World operated out of the New York
City Housing Authority’s Lehman and AK Houses,
while Wuski operated out of NYCHA’s Johnson
Houses. Nine LA World defendants and seven Wuski
defendants are charged in two separate
indictments."
Inner City Press went to the press conference,
which included Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD
Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and asked if
consideration had been give to Federalizing the
case to the U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of New York, where Inner City Press is
covering for example another Upper Manhattan
gang case.
DA Alvin Bragg replied that there is a division
of labor, linking narcotics cases to the Federal
prosecutors - of which Bragg was one - and guns
to the state.
The
arraignments proceedings on the 7th floor of 111
Centre Street, where Inner City Press has
covered for example the Taxstone trial. We will
continue on these cases.
Extra/more
on X for Subscribers here
and Substack here
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
BROOKLYN NY,
April 6 – The five-count indictment of
NYC's current - and future? - Mayor Eric Adams
was unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York Magistrates Court.
Inner City Press was the first one in and live
tweeted it. City of Maybe book
On
September 17 he was arraigned and pleaded not
guilty. Thread.
Sovereign
District book here
On
February 14 after 6 pm, DOJ's Edward Sullivan
filed a nolle prosequi.
On
February 17 Inner City Press filed
an application to unseal: "On February 12, 2025
as Dkt No. 117 on PACER it was stated "SEALED
DOCUMENT placed in vault." This is a request to
unseal this and all other sealed and/or redacted
documents in this case. It is imperative there
be access to the entire docket."
Early
on February 26 Adams' lawyer Spiro filed a
motion to dismiss with prejudice, on Patreon here.
On
March 6 Paul Clement in a 26 page brief
recommended that Judge Ho dismiss the indictment
WITH prejudice.
On
March 31 Spiro wrote in asking for a prompt
decision, noting petitions due April 3, letter
on Patreon here
On
April 2, Judge Ho "dismissed this case with
prejudice."
Less than a day later, at the deadline to file
petitions to run in the Democratic primary,
Adams announced by video he will run as an
independent - and cited "Government Gangsters."
On
Sunday April 6 at a Rent Freeze rally in Sunset
Park, Adams was denounced as "working for
billionaires" - Inner City Press live
stream
Rent freeze rally in Sunset Park - Innner City Press Brooklyn Beat https://t.co/jp0B5uLcXs
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) April 6, 2025
then Andrew Cuomo was. Soon to speak: Zohran
Mamdani. Will all three, along with Curtis
Sliwa, be running in November? Watch this site.
More
on X for Subscribers here
& Substack here
The Adams case is USA v. Adams, 1:24-cr-556 (Ho)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
April 2 – In
Drake's lawsuit against UMG for Kendrick Lamar's
song "Not Like Us," a hearing was held on April
2 before U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of New York Judge Jeannette N. Vargas.
She denied UMG's motion to stay discovery. Inner
City Press was there, from the thread:
Judge
Vargas: You say there are 16 RFP [Requests for
Production] pending - any third party
discovery?
Drake's
Willkie Farr lawyer: We've served three
third-party subpoenas, and we are trying to
serve a fourth. They will go forward is
discovery is not stayed
Judge
Vargas: I cannot find on that basis that a stay
of discovery is warranted. Here there is only
one defendant, which weighs against staying
discovery. UMG can object to individual
requests. The motion to stay discovery is
denied.
More
on X for Subscribers here
and Substack here
The case is Graham v. UMG Recordings, Inc., 1:25-cv-399 (Vargas)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
April 3 – Two days after the mixed jury verdict
in US v. Kevin Perez, the Bronx-based drill
rapper known as Kay Flock, a book was published
about the trial, "Courthouse Rap." On Amazon here.
Two weeks later, Kay Flock's lawyer filed a
motion for acquittal, including arguing that
"The individual in the 4646 Park Avenue
Surveillance footage wearing a blue jacket was
not Mr. Perez; The assailant in the RPT shooting
was the individual wearing a blue jacket in the
[4]6[4]6 Park Avenue surveillance footage; There
is no evidence in the record, however, which
would lead a rational juror to reasonably infer
that Defendant brandished or discharged a
firearm in connection with the RPT Shooting."
Full filing on Patreon here.
For now, the book compares this 2025 trial to
the previous trial involving Tekashi 6ix9ine as
a cooperating witness, before U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Judge Paul A. Engelmayer. Inner City
Press covered both cases, as it is covering that
of Sean Combs and others. The book begins:
In outlaw music there is always the question of
authenticity. Daniel Hernandez became Tekashi
6ix9ine and hooked up with the Nine Trey Gangsta
Bloods to shoot a video. Then he became their
cash cow, and some of them became his muscle,
shoot-out in a Barclay's Center hallway.
They turned on Tekashi and he
became a cooperator against them, returning to
SDNY on violations of supervised release then
back out on the concert tour.
For drill rapper Kay Flock it
was different. He really was from Sev Side,
187th Street. He wasn't an appendage to his
group: he was central to it. When with seven he
was indicted, he did not cooperate. He took it
to trial.
Inner City Press covered both
cases. While the Tekashi 6ix9ine trial was
covered by other journalists, there was only one
media in the courtroom for US versus Kay Flock,
born as Kevin Perez. His mother came each day,
and three dozen supporters from the
neighborhood.
The author [Matthew Russell Lee] knows, or knew,
the neighborhood well, having lived there for
years: first car on Beaumont Avenue, first
storefront on Courtlandt then Washington
Avenues. Now after a stint at the UN ending in
UN gangsters ousting, covering the SDNY
courthouse for these trials. This book starts
with the just-completed Kay Flock trial, then
compares it to Tekashi 6ix9ine. Should music be
on trial? Should authenticity?
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, March 24 –
In New York
City when
there is a
shooting,
often the
charge is for
being a felon
in possession
of a gun or
bullet, in
order to
Federalize it.
On July 13
federal
prosecutors
announced
"charges
against AUSTIN
MORRISHOW and
CURTIS WHITE
for possessing
ammunition
after
conviction of
a
felony.
MORRISHOW and
WHITE were
congregated
outside on a
busy sidewalk
in the Bronx
the Friday
before the
July Fourth
holiday
weekend when
they fired
multiple shots
at three cars
in the Bronx,
New York,
hitting and
seriously
injuring a
five-year-old
child sitting
in the
backseat of
one of the
cars.
WHITE was
arrested this
morning in
Hazleton,
Pennsylvania,
pursuant to a
criminal
Complaint and
was presented
earlier today
in the
Southern
District of
New York
before U.S.
Magistrate
Judge Ona T.
Wang.
MORRISHOW
remains at
large."
Inner City
Press was in
the U.S.
District Court
for the
Southern
District of
New York
Magistrates
Court, the
only media
there, when
White was
presented on
July 13. He
got a Federal
Defender, who
said he
consented to
detention.
The case had
yet to be
indicted.
On
July 27, the
case was
indicted and
wheeled out to
Judge Paul A.
Crotty.
On
February 29,
2024, the
prosecutors
announced the
arrest of
AUSTIN
MORRISHOW, who
was charged
with
possessing
ammunition
after
conviction of
a
felony.
MORRISHOW and
a
co-defendant,
CURTIS WHITE,
were
congregated
outside on a
busy sidewalk
in the Bronx
the Friday
before the
July Fourth
holiday
weekend last
year when they
fired multiple
shots at three
cars...
MORRISHOW, who
had been on
the run since
June 30, 2023,
following the
shooting, was
arrested
yesterday
afternoon in
the Bronx, New
York.
MORRISHOW’s
and WHITE’s
cases are
assigned to
U.S. District
Judge Loretta
A.
Preska.
MORRISHOW was
presented and
arraigned
before U.S.
Magistrate
Judge Jennifer
E. Willis
today, and
WHITE was
previously
arrested and
arraigned
before U.S.
District Judge
Paul A.
Crotty.
Then
in the docket:
"BAIL
DISPOSITION:
Detention on
consent
without
prejudice.
*Conference
before
District Judge
on 3/14/24."
Jump
cut to
February 5,
2025 when
Curtis White
pled guilty to
Count 2, with
sentencing set
for May 20 at
10 am.
On
March 14 the
US Attorney's
Office wrote
in that Judge
Preska should
apply the
attempted
second degree
murder cross
reference
under Section
2A2.a of the
guidelines.
On
March 24,
Morrishow also
pled:
Defendant
Morrishow
withdraws his
previous plea
of not guilty
and enters a
plea of guilty
to Count one
of the
indictment.
Sentencing
scheduled for
June 25,
2025."
The
case is USA v.
Morrishow, et
al.,
1:23-cr-383
(Preska)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
March 20 – A multi-defendant Bronx gang case
began with the language of protective order and
now a one-defendant trial involving the meaning
of drill rap lyrics.
On
March 23, 2023 U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York Judge Lewis J.
Liman arraigned three of the defendants. Inner
City Press went and covered it.
All
three pleaded not guilty.
On
July 31, as to lead and co-defendant Kevin
Perez, the US Attorney's Office wrote in "to
inform the Court that the Government will NOT
week the death penalty against defendant Kevin
Perez in this case."
On
March 11, opening statements, police witnesses
and cooperator Vance Brockington, commenting on
music video of OYK. Thread and more on Substack
here.
Docket
photo on X for Subscribers here.
and on Patreon here
On
March 17, the defense case including the first
cooperator's sister who said she saw his
testimony on Inner City Press and concluded that
he was lying. Then his manager, and former
girlfriend - thread.
On
March 18 Inner City Press tweeted the closing
arguments of prosecutors
and defense,
which ended with it's been drill rap on trial.
On
March 19 the jury deliberated and finally sent
out a note asking for a definition of
"reasonable person." Thread.
The judge asked for letters by 6 pm and sent the
jury home at 5.
Past
6 pm the US filed a letter on Patreon
here
On March 20,
after the jury said it could not reach unanimity on one
charge, they returned with mostly - but not
all - guilty verdicts. Sentencing
was set for July 16.
More
including analysis on X for Subscribers here
and on Substack here
The
overall case is USA v. Perez, et al., 1:23-cr-99
(Liman)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
March 14 – A multi-defendant Bronx gang case
began with the language of protective order and
now a one-defendant trial involving the meaning
of drill rap lyrics.
On
March 23, 2023 U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York Judge Lewis J.
Liman arraigned three of the defendants. Inner
City Press went and covered it.
All
three pleaded not guilty.
On
July 31, as to lead and co-defendant Kevin
Perez, the US Attorney's Office wrote in "to
inform the Court that the Government will NOT
week the death penalty against defendant Kevin
Perez in this case."
On July 29, bail was denied, with video of deadly shooting - and money made from music the AUSA said was bragging about the shootings - cited.
Docketed
on January 8, delay granted: "The Jury Trial is
rescheduled to March 10, 2025."
On
March 11, opening statements, police witnesses
and cooperator Vance Brockington, commenting on
music video of OYK. Thread and more on Substack
here.
Docket
photo on X for Subscribers here.
and on Patreon here
On
March 12, before video of 4646 Park Avenue, the
first cooperating witness was cross examined, thread.
More on him on Patreon here.
On
March 13, after testimony about defrauding of
Arizona COVID unemployment, a second
cooperator testified and was cross
examined about the meaning of lyrics and
murdering a 16 year old, more on X for
Subscribers here
On
March 14 the US put on a (former) NYC Parks
Department staffer and a video a man in a mask -
but when asked on cross if the shots took place
immediately after the video, she said she could
not remember. Then video of a scooter leaving
Tiebout Avenue and reappearing in Briggs, a
shooting... More on Substack here.
The
overall case is USA v. Perez, et al., 1:23-cr-99
(Liman)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
March 7 – The five-count indictment of NYC
Mayor Eric Adams was unsealed in the U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of New
York Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was the
first one in and live tweeted it. City of Maybe book
The unsealing thread
On September 17
at noon he was arraigned and pleaded not guilty. Thread.
On February 10,
2025 DOJ's Emil Bove - a former SDNY prosecutor
- wrote to acting US Attorney Danielle Sassoon
ordering her to move to dismiss the case.
Sovereign District book here
On February 14
after 6 pm, DOJ's Edward Sullivan filed a nolle
prosequi.
On February 17
Inner City Press filed an
application to unseal: "On February 12, 2025 as
Dkt No. 117 on PACER it was stated "SEALED
DOCUMENT placed in vault." This is a request to
unseal this and all other sealed and/or redacted
documents in this case. It is imperative there
be access to the entire docket."
On February 21,
after argument, SDNY Judge Ho adjourned the
trial but did not yet dismiss the indictment,
instead appointing Paul Clement as an amicus.
Early on
February 26 Adams' lawyer Spiro filed a motion
to dismiss with prejudice, on Patreon here.
On February 28
other proposed amicus briefs went in, including
one by former Federal judges urging Judge Ho to
appoint a special prosecutor, like Judge Kaplan
did in US v. Donzinger. Brief on Patreon here
On March 6 Paul
Clement in a 26 page brief recommended that
Judge Ho dismiss the indictment WITH prejudice.
More on X for Subscribers here & Substack here
In Bronx Gang Case Disputed Over Protective Order 1 Pled Now Rap Music on Trial Briefed
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
March 5 – In a multi-defendant Bronx gang case,
the language of the proposed protective order
has given rise to a dispute with briefing to
come.
On
March 23, 2023 U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York Judge Lewis J.
Liman arraigned three of the defendants. Inner
City Press went and covered it.
All
three pleaded not guilty. One defense lawyer
disputed including in the protective order a
line about witnesses being under threat.
Judge
Liman pointed out that in bail proceedings,
Magistrate Judge often make such findings. He
directed counsel to a recent decision of his on
protective order, which he said should be on
Westlaw.
On
April 5, a co-defendant came in: "proceedings
held before Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang:Initial
Appearance as to Ervin Beamon held on 4/5/2023.
On
July 31, as to lead and co-defendant Kevin
Perez, the US Attorney's Office wrote in "to
inform the Court that the Government will NOT
week the death penalty against defendant Kevin
Perez in this case."
In
September, Judge Liman set the trial and
schedule for 2024: "A Jury Trial is scheduled
for September 9, 2024 at 9:00AM."
On
April 15, 2024, counsel for co-defendant Jossi
Castro asked for a non-custodial sentence.
On
July 25, a guilty plea in the case - with an
appeal waiver of any sentence below 212 months:
Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge
Lewis J. Liman: Plea entered by Nicholas Johnson
(4) Guilty as to Count 1.
On
July 29, Perez was in court with his retained
counsel, who asked to delay the trial from
September 9. He got November 12, but bail was
denied, with video of deadly shooting - and
money made from music the AUSA said was bragging
about the shootings - cited.
On
August 6 a co-defendant who had tried a pro se
motion to dismiss -- docketed but not acted on
-- came and pled guilty before Judge Liman, who
read out the stipulated guidelines range of 181
to 211 months.
On
October 23 the US wrote in on co-defendant
Beamon asking for 157 months on October 30.
On
December 5 counsel to co-defendant Johnson asked
for 12 years, citing the tuition policy of Leman
Manhattan Preparatory School on December 19.
On
December 12, the US Attorney's Office wrote in
asking for 181 months.
On
January 7, 2025, Judge Liman denied motions.
Docketed
on January 8, delay granted: "The Jury Trial is
rescheduled to March 10, 2025."
On
March 4, Judge Liman ordered Perez' counsel to
answer by March 7 to the US' argument that
"certain rap video excerpts should be admitted"
- "selfie-style clips, 'I really rap what I
live.'" Inner City Press is covering this.
The
overall case is USA v. Perez, et al., 1:23-cr-99
(Liman)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
NYC CIVIC CENTER,
Feb 25 – With NYC Mayor Eric Adams still under
indictment, with DOJ's motion to dismiss still
pending, Comptroller and candidate Brad Lander
held a press conference about public safety on
February 25 in front of One Police Plaza.
Lander's plan says he would "work with DAs to
scale out Manhattan DA Bragg's targeted approach
of prioritizing prosecutions of gun
traffickers."
Inner
City Press asked Lander if he thought more or
fewer gun cases should be Federalized, and about
the FBI.
Lander spoke about cooperation across states.
Many in-state gun cases are brought into SDNY,
and EDNY, under trigger-lock programs, as felon
in possession of a firearm charges. Often at the
presentments are HSI and sometimes FBI agents,
working with the so-called Sovereign District,
the title of an Inner City Press book,
along with City
of Maybe.
Lander emphasized that he would keep
Commissioner Jessica Tisch. He was asked,
off-topic, about Andrew Cuomo and spoke about
Cuomo's legal team's discovery strategy, on
which Inner City Press has reported in
SDNY.
The
legal aspects of the campaigns continue to come
into focus, and Inner City Press' coverage is
ramping up.
More
on X for Subscribers here
& Substack here
Watch this site
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Feb 21 – The five-count indictment of NYC Mayor
Eric Adams was unsealed in the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was the
first one in and live tweeted it. City of Maybe
book
The
unsealing thread
On
September 17 at noon he was arraigned and
pleaded not guilty. Thread.
On
February 10, 2025 DOJ's Emil Bove - a former
SDNY prosecutor - wrote to acting US Attorney
Danielle Sassoon ordering her to move to dismiss
the case. Sovereign District book here
On
February 14 after 6 pm, DOJ's Edward Sullivan
filed a nolle prosequi citing Damian Williams'
website and asserting Adams' need for security
clearance for immigration enforcement.
On
February 17 Inner City Press filed an
application to unseal: "On February 12, 2025 as
Dkt No. 117 on PACER it was stated "SEALED
DOCUMENT placed in vault." This is a request to
unseal this and all other sealed and/or redacted
documents in this case. It is imperative there
be access to the entire docket."
On
February 21, after argument, SDNY Judge Ho
adjourned the trial but did not yet dismiss the
indictment, instead appointing Paul Clement as
an amicus.
More
on X for Subscribers here
& Substack here
The Adams case is USA v. Adams, 1:24-cr-556 (Ho)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Feb 14 – The five-count indictment of NYC Mayor
Eric Adams was unsealed in the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was the
first one in and live tweeted it. City of Maybe
book
The
unsealing thread
On
September 17 at noon he was arraigned and
pleaded not guilty. Thread.
On
February 10, 2025 DOJ's Emil Bove - a former
SDNY prosecutor - wrote to acting US Attorney
Danielle Sassoon ordering her to move to dismiss
the indictment.
On
February 11, it was belatedly docketed that
Mohamed Bahi has signed a plea agreement.
On
February 13, with no motion to dismiss yet
filed, Inner City Press was in the SDNY
Magistrates Court amid much checking of smart
phones. Acting US Attorney Sassoon had resigned.
On
February 14 after 6 pm, DOJ's Edward Sullivan
filed a nolle prosequi citing Damian Williams'
website and asserting Adams' need for security
clearance for immigration enforcement.
More
on X for Subscribers here
& Substack here
Back
on November 1 Judge Ho heard argument, and set
the trial day for April 21, 2025 - thread
On
December 23 the prosecutors wrote in that Erden
Arkan, "Businessman-5" in the Adams indictment,
intended to plead guilty. He did.
On
February 7 the US Attorney's Office wrote in to
consolidate Mohamed Bahi's case, saying he
intends to plead guilty, letter on Patreon here
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Feb 7 – The five-count indictment of NYC Mayor
Eric Adams was unsealed in the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was the
first one in and live tweeted it. City of Maybe
book
The
unsealing thread
On
September 17 at noon he was arraigned and
pleaded not guilty. Thread.
On
November 1 Judge Ho heard argument, including
the AUSA citing Judge Rochan's denial of a
Snyder motion to dismiss in US v Starks, one of
the NYCHA bribery cases Inner City Press has
covered - and reserved decision - on Count V,
and set the trial day for April 21, 2025 - thread
On
December 23 the prosecutors wrote in that Erden
Arkan, "Businessman-5" in the Adams indictment,
intends to plead guilty.
On
January 10 Arkan pled guilty, Inner City Press
was there and later asked his lawyer if Arkan
will testify. There was no answer, but
sentencing was put off to August 15, after
Adams' trial, with zero to six month guideline.
On
January 17 Adams' lawyer Spiro wrote in that
former US Attorney Damian Williams' website and
op-ed "all but announce that Mr. Williams is
planning to run against Mayor Adams." 4 page
letter on Patreon here
On
February 7 the US Attorney's Office wrote in to
consolidate Mohamed Bahi's case, saying he
intends to plead guilty, letter on Patreon here
More/extra
(Jan 10) on X for Subscribers here
and Substack
here
This
case is USA v. Arkan, 25-cr-13 (Ho)
The Adams case is USA v. Adams, 1:24-cr-556 (Ho)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Jan 29 – Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, depicted
taking over an apartment building in Aurora,
Colorado then arrested in a sweep this week on
Odgen Avenue in The Bronx, was presented on
January 29 before U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge
Jennifer E. Willis. Inner City Press was
there.
While Zambrano-Pacheco through his appointed
Criminal Justice Act lawyer consented to
detention, he expressed concern about his safety
in jail. His lawyer cited press coverage and
asked for an order directing the Bureau of
Prisons to take precautions.
Judge Willis after some back and forth agreed to
recommend to BOP that they be mindful of
security concerns. Inner City Press will stay on
the case(s).
This case is USA v. Zambrano-Pacheco, 25-mj-284 (Willis)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Jan 23 – For shooting a man in the head and
killing in the course of the armed robbery of a
smoke shop in the South Bronx back on November
20, 2019, Anthony Payne was up for sentencing on
January 23, 2025 before U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of New York Chief Judge
Laura Taylor Swain. Inner City Press was there,
thread:
Defense
lawyer, arguing for a 12 year sentence, tells
judge "No one is watching this case." Inner City
Press as only media here will live tweet, thread
below
AUSA
Domenic Gentile: It's the people who sold him
the gun we want to hear about this.
Defendant
Anthony Payne: I pray to God... I am truly sorry
[Victim's family member hwre in the gallery
expresses skepticism] Judge: Please stay quietly
with me as I reflect
Judge:
The sentencing guideline is 292 months to 300
months. On Nov 20, 2019 Mr Payne drove from
Brooklyn to a smoke shop in the Bronx to rob it.
He shot the victim in the head. Then he
moved to Georgia. Later he was arrested. He is
33. His mother died in 2016
Judge:
He worked at an airplane catering company at JFK
airport called SkyChef. He says he needed more
money for his family. He clearly has mental
health problems, but there has been no treatment
at the MDC.
The
government let him plead not the murder, with a
25 year cap. The victim had a daughter, who will
grow up without a father. Mr. Payne, please
rise... I sentence you to 270 months [22 and 1/2
years] in prison.
More/poem
on X for Subscribers here
and Substack here
The case is USA v. Payne, 1:23-cr-345 (Swain)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Jan 14 – For a murder in Hunts Point in the
South Bronx in 2016, Bruce Morris is on trial
before U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of New York Judge Jesse M. Furman.
Inner City Press is covering it, as it has
covered Hunts Point and The Bronx.
On January 14, the Bronx Homicide detective who
caught the case was on the witness stand,
followed by the superintendent of the building
at 848 Faile Avenue, who said he saw Morris with
a gun.
The
prosecutors put into the record the grand jury
transcript of Morris' brother, represented by
Federal Defenders, repeatedly invoking his Fifth
Amendment rights against self-incrimination.
Morris has four CJA lawyers. The trial
continues.
The case is USA v. Morris, 1:24-cr-358 (Furman)
***
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Jan 3 – Following the death of a
one-year old baby by fentanyl, on September 19,
2023 the US Attorney for the Southern District
of New York charged Grei Mendez and Carlisto
Acevedo Brito.
On
September 25, with no notice and Inner City
Press initially the only person in the courtroom
gallery, the third man was brought in: Renny
Antonio Parra Paredes. Inner City Press live
tweeted, thread
On
January 23, Paredes' lawyer argued, and lost,
before the assigned District Judge Jed S.
Rakoff: "Minute Entry for proceedings held
before Judge Jed S. Rakoff: Oral Argument as to
Felix Herrera Garcia, Grei Mendez, Carlisto
Acevedo Brito, Renny Antonio Parra Paredes held
on 1/23/2024. The trial date is adjourned to
6/10/2024
On
February 12, Inner City Press went to a possible
change of counsel hearing on lead defendant
Felix Herrera Garcia - but soon Judge Rakoff
asked everyone but Herrera Garcia and his still
counsel to leave the courtroom, "even my
favorite reporter."
On
June 10, the day of jury selection on Herrera
Garcia, his trial was canceled; he pled guilty.
On
June 13, Judge Rakoff issued a blistering order
chiding Federal Defenders and the US Attorney's
Office, and recommending that CJA counsel
henceforth be available on Saturdays: "OPINION
as to Grei Mendez: While the Court is extremely
disappointed with the conduct of the Federal
Defenders and the Government in this case, it
also recognizes the role that this District's
standing policy of not requiring CJA counsel to
be on call on Saturdays had in precipitating the
events of September 23, 2023. If this District,
instead, had a standing policy that provided for
CJA counsel to at least be on call on Saturdays,
this entire situation would never have occurred.
Accordingly, the Court has recommended to the
relevant committee of this Court that it revise
this policy so as to ensure that indigent
defendants always have immediate access to
conflict-free counsel and permanently prevent
the misconduct that occurred here from happening
again in the future. (Signed by Judge Jed S.
Rakoff on 6/13/2024)."
Back
on March 21, Grei Mendez was brought into the
Magistrates Court to be arraigned on a
superseding indictment. Inner City Press was
there, thread
the
Court severed Ms. Mendez from the jury trial of
her co-defendant set to proceed on June 10,
2024, and a new trial will be calendared in her
case."
On
July 11, another guilty plea, Inner City Press
was there, thread
On
October 8 Grei Mendez had a pre-trial conference
and Inner City Press went, thread
Inner
City Press went to a 10:30 am proceeding on
October 29. Grei Mendez cried as she said, I
have four kids myself, I never meant for this to
happen. She pled guilty.
Her
sentencing was set for March 3 at 2 pm. She
remains detained.
On
December 26 Judge Rakoff granted an undocketed
request for delay the PSR, but not sentencing:
"This Court is scheduled to sentence Ms. Mendez
on March 3, 2025, and no change in the
sentencing date is necessitated by the amendment
of the schedule for disclosure of the
Presentence Report. (Signed by Judge Jed S.
Rakoff on 12/26/2024)."
On
January 3, 2025, before sentencing, Grei Mendez
hired - retained - new counsel: "Minute Entry
for proceedings held before Judge Jed S. Rakoff:
Status Conference as to Grei Mendez held on
1/3/2025.. Present were the defendant and her
past counsel, new counsel Paul King and the CJA
Attorney on duty this date. The Court relieves
the defendant's past counsel. The defendant is
continued to be remanded."
More
on Substack here
The
case is US v. Herrera Garcia et al., 23-cr-504
(Rakoff)
Watch
this site.
***
Your support means a lot. As
little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access
to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here
to become a patron.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Dec 31 –
Salif
Ndama-Traore
and others
were indicted
for tricking
at least five
victims in
three states
including
making
payments into
bank accounts
controlled by
the defendants
rather than to
the intended
beneficiaries
of the
payments.
On June 22,
U.S. District
Court for the
Southern
District of
New York
Magistrate
Judge Barbara
C. Moses held
the
presentment of
the lead
defendant and
of Ibrahim
Bocoum. Inner
City Press was
there, the
only media in
the SDNY Mag
Court.
Judge Moses
asked if the
assigned
District
Judge, Richard
M. Berman, has
set a
conference.
Not yet, the
AUSA said -
there are four
other
defendant set
to be
extradited in
next
week.
The two were
detained.
On
July 11, Salif
Ndama-Traore
appeared again
before Judge
Berman, and
Inner City
Press was
again there. Salif
Ndama-Traore
had switched
from Federal
Defenders to a
lawyer only
recently, he
said, of
Garden City
but now of 299
Broadway.
Judge Berman
joked at this
this better or
at least
closer
location.
Another
conference was
set for
September 13.
Meanwhile
co-defendant
Ibrahim
Boccoum
switched from
a well-known
NJ-based
lawyer to one
pro hac viced
in from Texas.
Jump
cut to March
12, 2024,
status
conference
with two
defendants -
in detention -
in Judge
Berman's
courtroom with
their lawyers,
and four on
video with
theirs. One
defense
counsel asked
for 90 days;
Judge Berman
said that was
too much.
Finally a next
conference on
May 1 at 11 am
was ordered,
with counsel
to confer on a
motions
schedule.
On
May 1, Inner
City Press
again went to
cover the
case. The two
detained
defendants
were there,
one in Hudson
County green,
the other in
MDC tan, and
four
defendants in
Texas, their
lawyers
appearing
virtually. It
was agreed all
the lawyers,
at least, will
appear in
court on
September 17
at 10 am.
Inner City
Press thought,
when
defendants or
defense
counsel appear
virtually,
there should
be a
listen-only
call-in line
for the press
and public.
On
August 1
counsel to
Amadou Ba said
he is barely
involved in
the wider
alleged
conspiracy and
wants a
separate trial
- otherwise,
he says, "we
would have no
choice but to
in effect
'prosecute'
[co-defendants]
for their
involvement in
deceiving
him."
On
August 6,
co-defendant
Keith Emordi
pled guilty,
in the SDNY
Magistrates
court, with a
sentencing
control date
set at
November 4.
On
September 17
the US
Attorney's
Office wrote
in to push
back a
conference
that day to
October 29.
On
September 23,
co-defendant
Boccoum pled
guilty before
Magistrate
Judge
Katharine H.
Parker, who
continued
detention and
set a control
date of
January 27,
2025.
On
October 30,
counsel for
named
defendant
Ndama-Traore
wrote in
asking for a
sentence of 18
months on
November 12.
On
November 4,
the US
Attorney's
Office wrote
in asking for
24 months.
On
December 2,
counsel for
co-defendant
Emordi wrote
in asking for
no prison
time, instead
home
incarceration,
on December
18.
On
December 18,
Emordi got 30
months,
recommended to
be in a
facility
located in or
near Houston.
On
December 31
co-defendant
Bocoum's
lawyer wrote
in asking to
push his
January 27
sentencing to
late March,
citing an
upcoming Bronx
homicide
trial. [Since
Inner City
Press covers
the Bronx,
we'll note
it's for a
deadly 2020
shooting in a
social club on
Jerome Avenue,
killing a
19-year-old;
the defendant
was caught it
JFK airport
trying to fly
to the
Dominican
Republic.]
This
case is US v.
Ndama-Traore,
et al.,
23-cr-265
(Berman /
Willis)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Dec 27 – The City of New York's "homeless
sweeps" have been sued, and gave rise to a court
hearing on December 27 before U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Judge John G. Koeltl. Inner City Press' reporter
was the only media - the only person - in the
courtroom gallery, thread:
Judge:
I got papers at 7 on Dec 23. One of the
affidavits is from November. This is no
way to proceed. Litigation is not a game. There
are significant interests on both
sides.
Judge:
The State AG has written in asserting the 11th
Amendment. The City hasn't answered in any
way.
City's
lawyer: We give 48 to 96 hours notice for a
standard clean-up, 14 days only for "perenniel
encampments." There's been a typo in our
policy.
Plaintiffs'
lawyer: 50 people died in December a couple of
years ago - Judge: You may be preventing DHS
intervention Plaintiffs' lawyer: The City should
not be confiscating survival belongings.
[Judge
took a 15 minute break that turned into 35
minutes
More
on X for Subscribers here
and Substack here
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Dec 17 – A defendant charged with two armed
robberies in The Bronx was presented before U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of New
York Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker on
December 17. Inner City Press was there, the
only media in the SDNY Mag court.
While
his co-defendant had been detained on consent,
this defendant has voluntarily come and
surrendered at 500 Pearl Street. He has family
members including his mother in the gallery.
What the prosecutor called a knife in his hand
during the robbery, defense counsel said may
have been simply "dark metal." Accordingly, he
was released on $50,000 bond.
This case is USA v. Almanzar, et al., 1:24-mj-3900 (Parker)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY EXCLUSIVE,
Dec 9 – A Republican District Leader in the 81st
Assembly District in The Bronx has been indicted
for accepting bribes to give out poll worker
jobs, as an employee of the Board of Elections.
On August 27 at 2 pm, Nicole Torres was
brought by U.S. Marshals before U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. Inner City
Press was there, the only media in the SDNY Mag
court.
The Assistant US Attorney agreed to release on
unsecured $50,000 bond, with a next conference
before District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil set for
September 10 at 3 pm. The now
unsealed indictment alleged that Torres
"illegally demanded payments from Bronx
residents to herself and a local organization in
exchange for selecting individuals as poll
workers." Full indictment on Patreon here
On
September 10, Torres was arraigned by Judge
Vyskocil in a nearly empty courtroom. Inner City
Press was there, from the thread:
Judge:
You are charged in 7 counts. How do you plead?
Torres:
Not guilty. AUSA: We have bank records and some
body-worn camera footage, ten devices and some
iCloud accounts.
Judge:
Inform me by Dec 10 if there will be defense
motions. Conference on Dec 17.
Judge:
I anticipate that on Dec 17 I will set a trial
date, probably in February 2025.
But
on December 9 the US Attorney's Office wrote in
to cancel the December 17 appearance, asking
that it be put back to late January or early
February citing the same 10 devices - and three
iCloud accounts.
The case is US v. Torres, 24-cr-499 (Vyskocil / Aaron)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Dec 3 – Three Georgians were
arrested on November 14, 2023 on an organized
crime indictment
a longtime judge called "barebones."
They
consented to detention and don't have a next
court date until June 2024. Inner City Press
covered each step.
After
three 6:05 am arrested, the prosecutors
announced an Indictment charging VAZHA
GABADADZE, a/k/a “Natan Yusupov,” KAKHA
KATSADZE, TEIMURAZ TAVBERIDZE and DAVIT
TIKARADZE with extortion offenses.
Inner
City Press went to the U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of New York Magistrates
Court and was the only media there as all three
were presented, and then arraigned. From the thread
Now
in 14B, before Judge Rakoff who says: This is
the most barebones indictment I've ever seen.
Exactly
a year later, defendant Teimuraz Tavberidze was
scheduled to plead guilty. But it did not
happen. Inner City Press went, from the thread:
Citing
Hobbs Act and a Supreme Court decision was the
70s, US v Enmons, 410 US 396, Judge Rakoff says
" I am not going to accept the guilty plea
today." Trial also postponed, defense goes kut
into hall with prosecutors, leaving defendant
alone at defense table
They're
back - and defendant is no longer trying to
plead guilty, at least not today. No trial
Monday: defense counsel will go to MDC with
Georgian interpreter
The
plea did not go forward, trial is set for
December 2: "Oral Argument as to Teimuraz
Tavberidze held on 11/22/2024 The Court
will pick 15 jurors for this trial. The trial
will commence with colloquy between the Court
and counsel at 10:00am on Monday December 2,
2024 "
At
some point after that, Teimuraz's lawyers made a
motion to adjourn the trial, not into the
docket. The US Attorney's Office opposed it,
explaining that the Victim's dashboard video at
issue has only ten minutes of speaking and that
they turned it over as soon as aware.
The
trial started without delay on December 2, with
a professor of crime in the former Soviet Union
on the witness stand.
On
December 3, the defendant's text messages - in
Georgian script, translated into English - were
read out to the jury, replete with F-bombs and
references to The Bronx.. In the gallery row in
front of Inner City Press four women passed
around Georgian interpretation headphones.
The case is USA v. Gabadadze, et al, 1:23-cr-585 (Rakoff)
The dissed Indictment is on Patreon here
***
Your support means a lot. As
little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access
to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here
to become a patron.
by
Matthew R.
Lee, Patreon Substack
FEDERAL COURT, Dec 6 –
Sterling Bancorp, which settled with DOJ on
securities fraud, it trying to sell its Sterling
Bank & Trust including in New York, where it
has a need to improve CRA Investment Test rating
to Everbank. Fair Finance Watch with Inner City
Press on the FOIA has filed a timely first
comment on, the Applications
This is a request for a full copy of, and a
timely first comment on, the Applications of
EverBank to acquire Sterling Bank & Trust
(with a rare Needs to Improve CRA rating on
Investment Test in New York), and not scandal
plagued Sterling
Bancorp.
Sterling Bancorp was recently prosecuted by DOJ;
EverBank purports that by buying the bank
portion it is not touched by the scandal. But
what is the showing that the criminal conduct at
the Bancorp was entirely insulated from the bank
and those who work there, and its
practices? As a
CRA matter, militating for a hearing, Sterling
Bank has a rare Needs to Improve rating on the
investment test in NY.
On
December 4 Everbank's outside counsel wrote in
that FFW "selectively criticizes a single
component of Sterling Bank’s most recent CRA
performance evaluation from states in which
Sterling Bank either no longer operates, will no
longer operate upon completion of the Proposed
Transaction, or maintains only a de minimis
banking presence" -- that would be New York, no
commitment to improve on the Needs to Improve.
As to Michigan the outside counsel says, or
brags, "EverBank intends to close Sterling
Bank’s only Michigan branch following completion
of the Proposed Transaction."
The
proposal should be denied.
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Nov 27 – The five-count indictment of NYC Mayor
Eric Adams was unsealed in the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was the
first one in and live tweeted it.
The
unsealing thread
On
September 17 at noon he was arraigned and
pleaded not guilty. Thread.
At
5:58 am on October 1, Adams' lawyers filed a
motion for sanctions alleging grand jury leaks -
memo of law on Patreon here.
On
October 31, Judge Ho denied Adams' and Spiro's
bid for an evidentiary hearing on leaks. Order
on Patreon here.
On
November 1 Judge Ho heard argument, including
the AUSA citing Judge Rochan's denial of a
Snyder motion to dismiss in US v Starks, one of
the NYCHA bribery cases Inner City Press has
covered - and reserved decision - on Count V,
and set the trial day for April 21, 2025 - thread
On
November 11 Adams' lawyer at Quinn Emanuel wrote
in asking to move up the trial from April 21 to
April 1 - April Fools Day. Letter on Patreon here.
On
November 20, Judge Ho issued a 4 page ruling
including that "The parties are ORDERED to meet
and confer with respect to: (a) the feasibility
of a pretrial schedule for an April 1, 2025,
trial date [and] submit a joint status letter no
later than November 27, 2024" - full document on
Patreon here
Past
5 pm on November 27 the joint letter made clear
that Adams is no longer waiving CIPA but still
wants April 1, saying two of his lawyers have a
trial in DDC before Judge McFadden (US v. Kim,
24-cr-265, on May 6 that will not move.
More/extra
on X for Subscribers here
and Substack
here
The case is USA v. Adams, 1:24-cr-556 (Ho)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Nov 22 – For days Inner City Press had heard
from its sources there would be a "takedown" on
February 6, each SDNY Magistrate Judge would
handle seven to 10 defendants.
Arrests
happen at 6 am. So at 5:55 am Inner City Press
tweeted it, first to X subscribers with the
spoiler alert: the expectation was that each of
the current or former NYCHA employees would be
released on bond the same day.
And
then hours later at 9:39 am the prosecutors
announced it. Media rushed around reporting
it. Inner City Press had it first, and
after discretely waiting, published it first.
Then this thread of presentments, here
On
September 16, NYCHA defendant Charles Starks
moved to dismiss, noting that the indictment
provided "almost no detail on... the timing" -
and citing the Supreme Court's Snyder v. US
decision.
On
November 12, NYCHA defendant Hector Colon was
moving toward trial to start on November 18.
Inner City Press went to the final pre-trial
conference, where discussion ranged from a
Punjabi interpreter to voir dire.
On
November 18 Inner City Pres was there, from the
thread:
US v
Hector Colon. Contractor witness with immunity
agreement tells jury he bribed 20 to 25 NYCHA
employees.
AUSA:
Why did you pay? Witness ( through Punjabi
interpreter) They demanded it or they wouldn't
sign off on our work, the SOS, so we could get
paid.
On
November 21, after the jury sent out a note
including that "we are having a lot of discord,
some are more driven by bias + don't believe
some items." The US Attorney's Office wanted to
ask if anyone on the jury is refusing to
deliberate based on the Court's instructions;
the defense does not want to ask, at least not
yet.
On
November 22 Inner City Press was in the
courtroom when Juror 10 was taken into the
robing room to be questioned about having done
his own research. Unclear, at least to the press
and public, what was said. But a guilty verdict
was returned: "HECTOR COLON was convicted today
of bribery and extortion under color of official
right for taking thousands of dollars from
contractors in exchange for awarding those
contractors no-bid contracts or approving
payment on previously awarded contracts at NYCHA
developments for approximately three
years. The verdict followed a four-day
trial before U.S. District Judge Lewis J.
Liman."
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Nov 13 –
Two men were
presented and
detained in
Manhattan
Federal court
on August 9,
2023 for a
shooting of an
11-month-old
baby in
January 2022.
The baby was
in the
courtroom -
and so was
Inner City
Press. Thread:
OK
- now
presentment of
AHMED ALTOREI
& SAMUEL
BAUTISTA after
a street
shooting on
Jan 19, 2022,
targeting a
rival drug
dealer but
shot an
11-month-old
baby in the
face.
Courtroom
filling.
Deputy:
Mr Lazzaro,
are you
consenting?
[To detention]
A:
Yes. [This
could be a
short one]
In
the gallery, a
couple with a
baby...
All rise!
Lance
Lazzaro, for
Ahmed Altorei
(he i$
retained)
Federal
Defender for
Samuel
Bautista, with
financial
affidavit.
Judge:
Cocaine base
aka crack
sales, using
guns,
brandished and
discharged.
Bautista is a
felon, with
.380
ammo
Judge:
Both consent
to detention
without
prejudice.
Medical order
as to Mr
Bautista.
AUSA: Next is
Sept 8 at 11
am in the U.S.
District Court
for the
Southern
District of
New York.
Afterward,
the couple and
the now older
than a year
baby went out
together down
the hall.
On
September 8,
the two were
back in court,
before SDNY
Chief Judge
Laura Taylor
Swain. Inner
City Press was
there. Beyond
setting the
next
conference for
Novemver 15 at
11:30 am,
Bautista asked
to be released
on bond.
The
AUSA responded
with a
narrative of
the background
to the
shooting: a
feud with
Tyrone Handley
a/k/a Smokey,
in and around
2860 Grand
Concourse and
198th Street
in The Bronx.
The baby's
parents spoke,
and urged that
detention be
continued. As
docketed on
September 12,
it was.
On
October 5,
docketed
October 6, a
superseding
indictment,
with Altorei,
Bautista and
Ronald Coradin
a/k/a
Scrappy...
On February 16, 2024 there was a hearing; Inner City Press went, the only media there.
AUSA:We
will complete
discovery in a
month, and
return to
court May 14.
It
was November
13 when Inner
City Press was
back in the
courtroom on
the case, the
three
defendants -
one with a
foot issue -
in the jury
box, from the
thread:
One
of the three
detained
defendant
needs to be
seen by
outside
doctor; AUSA
says OK but
date will not
be given.
Three
week trial in
3 to 6 months.
Next is Jan
16. Detention
continues
Inner
City Press
will stay on
the
case(s).
The case is US v. Altorei, et al., 23-cr-407 (Swain)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Nov 6 – There is more to the battle between
unlicensed tow truck companies in the South
Bronx than was first announced by prosecutors.
On October 22 they charged "CHRISTIAN LUGO with
a leadership role in a racketeering conspiracy
that used fraud and violent intimidation to run
a tow truck and auto repair shop known as
Certified Auto. On February 7, 2022, LUGO
ordered a co-conspirator who worked for him at
Certified Auto to shoot at members of a rival
tow truck company, which resulted in the death
of Gloria Ortiz."
Inner
City Press attended the presentment, then on
October 25 the arraignment before U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Judge Dale E. Ho. There were family members and
supporters of the defendant there, but no other
media. Inner City Press live
tweeted:
All
rise! Judge Ho: How do you plead? Lugo: Not
guilty.
AUSA:
They dominated the unlicensed tow truck business
in the South Bronx, Bruckner Expressway area
racketeering, then engaged in a shooting with a
rival resulting in death [Echo of fire-chaser
trial here, of Jatiek Smith] AUSA: After the
murder the defendant fled to Florida and his tow
truck company was renamed. Judge Ho: Any
superseding indictment?
AUSA:
We found a bullet, we may add a felon in
possession of ammunition charged, he has a
previous conviction in EDNY. Judge Ho: At the
very end of February I have a conflict - so, Feb
24. This case is death penalty eligible - I
received a letter from Federal Defenders today.
AUSA: The decision on seeking death is in DC,
should be made by early November
Judge
Ho: I will put the Federal Defender letter on
the docket [Doesn't do that in all cases, for
example unsealing request in Russian oligarch's
yacht seizure case.]
Judge Ho has invited or schedule a bail
application. In Magistrates Court, bail was
denied.
On
November 6, "the Government wr[ote] to inform
the Court that the Government will not seek the
death penalty against defendant Christian Lugo
in this matter."
The
more was that two unlicensed companies have
carved up the Bruckner Expressway into turf -
beyond the shooting, what about the car crash
(or break down) victims?
This case is USA v. Lugo, 1:24-cr-606 (Ho)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Nov 1 – The five-count indictment of NYC Mayor
Eric Adams was unsealed in the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was the
first one in and live tweeted it - as it will
his presentment, now set for Friday, September
27 at noon.
The
unsealing thread
On
September 17 at noon he was arraigned and
pleaded not guilty. Thread.
On
September 30, Adams' lawyers now including
William Burck did file a motion to dismiss...
Count V, on the Turkish Mission. 25 page memo of
law of Patreon here.
At
5:58 am on October 1, Adams' lawyers filed a
motion for sanctions alleging grand jury leaks -
memo of law on Patreon here.
On
October 18, the US Attorney's Office opposed
Adams' motion about Count V, recounting that
"Adams's deal with the Turkish Official
continued into 2022, when Adams was Mayor and
had direct authority over 'the FDNY approvals'
he agreed to influence." Opposition on Patreon here.
On
October 25 Adams' lawyer wrote in: "Mayor Adams
respectfully requests a trial date no later than
March 2025, in advance of the New York City
mayoral primary on June 24 (and early voting on
June 14)... Letter on Patreon here.
On
October 31, Judge Ho denied Adams' and Spiro's
bid for an evidentiary hearing on leaks. Full
Order on Patreon here.
On
November 1 Judge Ho heard argument - and
reserved decision - on Count V, and set the
trial day for April 21, 2025 - thread
More/extra
on X for Subscribers here
and Substack
here
The case is USA v. Adams, 1:24-cr-556 (Ho).
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Oct 23 – A man charged with robbing a bank on
Sedwick Avenue in The Bronx with an imitation
gun was released on $250,000 bond on October 23
in the U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of New York Magistrates Court. Inner
City Press was there, the only media in the SDNY
Mag Court. Thread:
AUSA:
We allege he also committed an armed robbery of
a pizzeria, a Papa John's on Aug 23 for $1500,
and another bank. He car-jacked a cab. The gun
turned out to be fake. But it terrified them.
AUSA:
During the robbery his hat fell off. He bought
another one. He was wearing a sleeveless hoody
showing a tattoo that can be seen right now in
the courtroom [He is in a sleeveless
T-shirt]
Federal
Defender: He requires blood thinners. He is the
home health aide for his brother who had his
legs amputated. Having once had a gun point at
me, I don't want to minimize that - but his only
conviction, in Fort Lee NJ, was long ago.
FD:
He lives in his mother's house. Judge: Does she
own it free and clear, to put it up as security?
FD: We don't know, she is traveling in the
Dominican Republic.
AUSA:
If you release him, make it home confinement
Judge: He has not been charged for any pizzeria
robbery. His gun was not real. He is a
naturalized citizen. I will release him on a
$250,000 bond; one co-signer must be his mother
Judge: No possession of a fire arm - or of an imitation fire arm. He can be released today. The case is US v. Martinez, 24-mj-3654 (Stein)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Oct 18 – A Bronx plumber who states he was
stomped by NYPD officers after they found a
plumber's blade in a tool bag in his house has
sued the City of New York and five John and Jane
Doe police officers.
On October 18, plaintiff's and the City's
lawyers appeared before new U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of New York Magistrate
Judge Henry J. Ricardo. Inner City Press covered
the case, seemingly among Judge Ricardo's
first.
The plaintiff's lawyer asked to be exempted from
the Local Rule 83.10 Plan, which he said makes
such cases move to slowly. He implored Judge
Ricardo that "minority judges" here often ignore
the plan, and that the EDNY no longer uses it.
Judge Ricardo reminded that this is the SDNY,
and denied the motion without prejudice to it
being renewed by October 30.
The City's lawyer let slip that the police visit
was "DV" - domestic violence. Her answer annex
NYPD records to that effect.
Plaintiff's counsel concluded with "Welcome to
the bench," adding, of the SDNY.
The case is Robinson v. City of New York, et al., 1:24-cv-3282 (Ho / Ricardo)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Oct 8 – NYC Mayor Eric Adams' chief liaison to
the Muslim community Mohamed Bahi was arrested
and charged with obstruction of justice and
destruction of records in connection with
alleged straw donors to Adams.
On
October 8 he was presented before U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. Inner
City Press live tweeted, thread:
[Bahi
is brought out by US Marshals in an Under Armor
shirt, is whispering with his lawyer.] All rise!
Deputy: Presentment of Mohamed Bahi, 24
Magistrate 3535. Defense: I am only on this for
the presentment Judge: Time of arrest?
AUSA:
Today at 6:20 am.
Judge:
Mr. Bahi, you are charged with obstruction of
justice and destruction of records in connection
with alleged straw donations to a candidate for,
uh, Mayor Judge: You do have
retained counsel for today. Have you reviewed
the complaint?
Counsel: Yes. Judge: Because this is a complaint
you have the right to a preliminary hearing....
We'll set a date in a bit. But now we are going
to address if you can be released.
AUSA:
We propose release on $250,000 bond co-signed by
two financially responsible person, and the
Pre-Trial conditions with the exception of
Condition 5 AUSA: No contact with
co-conspirators or witnesses in this case
outside of the presence of his counsel. Judge:
Acceptable to the defense? Counsel: They are,
Your Honor.
Judge:
These terms are acceptable to the Court. Mr.
Bahi, you will be released on those terms. If
you fail to adhere - fail to appear or violate
the conditions - a warrant will be issued for
your arrest, the bond must be bail, you can be
charged with bail jumping Judge: We are
adjourned.
The case is US v. Bahi, 24-mj-3535 (Lehrburger)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Oct 3 – The five-count indictment of NYC Mayor
Eric Adams was unsealed in the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was the
first one in and live tweeted it - as it will
his presentment, now set for Friday, September
27 at noon.
The
unsealing thread
On
September 17 at noon he was arraigned and
pleaded not guilty. Thread.
On
September 30, Adams' lawyers now including
William Burck did file a motion to dismiss...
Count V, on the Turkish Mission. 25 page memo of
law of Patreon here.
At
5:58 am on October 1, Adams' lawyers filed a
motion for sanctions alleging grand jury leaks -
memo of law on Patreon here.
On
October 2, Inner City Press live tweeted the
proceeding here;
the next day is November 1, with Adams
requesting a February or March trial
On
October 3, the US Attorney's Office wrote in
that " because the schedule for CIPA practice
may inform the overall schedule for other events
in the case, the Government respectfully
requests that the Court hold the Section 2
conference before finalizing a trial schedule in
this case." Letter on Patreon here.
More/extra
on X for Subscribers here
and Substack
here
The case is USA v. Adams, 1:24-cr-556 (Ho).
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Sept 27 – The five-count indictment of NYC Mayor
Eric Adams was unsealed in the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was the
first one in and live tweeted it - as it will
his presentment, now set for Friday, September
27 at noon.
The
unsealing thread
On
September 17 at noon he was arraigned and
pleaded not guilty. He was released on his own
signature, not to speak to witnesses (about the
case), and allowed to keep his passport, which
is rare. His lawyer Alex Spiro said that on
October 2 he will move to dismiss. Thread.
More/extra
on Substack here
& X for Subscribers here
The case is USA v. Adams, 1:24-cr-556 (Ho).
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Sept 16 – Amid the scandals swirling around NYC
Mayor Eric Adams and his inner circle, on
September 16 SDNY US Attorney Damian Williams
announced two indictments, limited to the
FDNY.
"Anthony
Saccavino and Brian Cordasco, two former chiefs
of the New York City Fire Department Bureau of
Fire Prevention, are charged with bribery,
corruption, and false statements offenses… in
connection with a scheme to solicit and accept
tens of thousands of dollars in bribe payments
in exchange for providing preferential treatment
to certain individuals and companies with
matters pending before the
BFP."
At
a press conference in 26 Federal Plaza, Williams
declined to comment on requests to City Hall; he
said one Henry Santiago Jr. is cooperation in
this investigation.
Inner
City Press covered the presentment, then
separate arraignment:
Both
defendants are being released today on $250,000
unsecured bond, 2 co-signers each, no
communications with co-defendants or Santiago Jr
without lawyers present. Turn in guns in 24
hours...
Now
at arraignment of FDNY duo before Distrct Judge.
Both plead not guilty. AUSA: There are 3
terabytes of discovery, iCloud accounts. We'd
like 2 months to produce discovery, conference
in 90 days.
Judge
Lewis J. Liman: I'll set a trial date at that
time - December 17 at 11 am.
Defense
(lawyer of Cordasco) Sounds reasonable.
(Saccavino's) Works for me
But
what about Adams and the Turkish support,
expedition for the Turkish Mission to the UN?
Inner City Press is on the case(s). Watch this
site.
This case is US v. Saccavino, et al., 24-cr-537 (Liman)
***
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
BBC
- Guardian
UK - Honduras
- ESPN
SDNY
COURTROOM Exclusive, Sept 10 – In the U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of New
York on September 9, 2021 a detention hearing
was held by Magistrate Judge Steward D. Aaron on
a former Bronx school teacher charges with
sexual abusing girls from ten to thirteen years
old.
Jesus Concepcion was arrested on August 7 in the
Western District of North Carolina on a
then-sealed indictment. In the month since,
Concepcion has retained his own New York defense
lawyer, affiliated at least in the docket with a
private investigation firm.
The
indictment says Concepcion "a/k/a Mr. C singled
out the Minor Victims for personal attention, he
gave them money, clothing, jewelry and other
gifts, and he provided them with alcohol...
inducing several of the Minor Victims to engage
in sexual activity with him."
But
no press release was put out about this case.
Judge
Aaron returned from a session with Pre Trial
Services and said he would release Conception on
a $1,000,000 bond, with travel restricted to
SDNY, EDNY and Carolina.
Jump
cut three years to September 4, 2024, when the
US Attorney's Office asked for 45 years
imprisonment on September 10. Two days
before trial, Concepcion pled guilty to 10
counts...
On
September 10, Inner City Press went, and victims
spoke. From the thread:
Victim
3: My sister, I am so sorry for not protecting
you, for bringing this horrible man into our
lives.
Victim
3: She was only 12! You are evil! If it was up
to me, I would ask for capital punishment. I'm
sorry, Your Honor.
Judge:
Take your time....
After
the victims' testimony, including written
testimony by two victims' mother, read out by
the interpreter, Concepcion was sentenced to
thirty years.
This case is US v. Concepcion, 21-cr-479 (Preska).
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Sept 5 – A man charged with two shootings in The
Bronx in February 2024 - one in an apartment
building, another in a corner deli - was brought
before U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of New York Judge Vernon S. Broderick
on September 5. Inner City Press was there, the
only media in the courtroom.
The
defendant, in an orange jumpsuit, has been
detained since March 19. Judge Broderick asked
about the proof that the apartment and room in
which the vest with the ammo in it was found
were those of the defendant, in order to
determine if an evidentiary hearing will be
necessary.
The
Assistant US Attorney, referring to a "trigger
fish" leading to the apartment, said the vest
was in plain view in the bedroom.
A
next conference was set for January 15, 2025 at
1 pm.
The case is US v. Mejia, 24-cr-212 (Broderick)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY EXCLUSIVE,
Aug 27 – A Republican District Leader in the
81st Assembly District in The Bronx has been
indicted for accepting bribes to give out poll
worker jobs, as an employee of the Board of
Elections.
On August 27 at 2 pm, Nicole Torres was
brought by U.S. Marshals before U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. Inner City
Press was there, the only media in the SDNY Mag
court.
The Assistant US Attorney agreed to release on
unsecured $50,000 bond, with a next conference
before District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil set for
September 10 at 3 pm. The now
unsealed indictment alleged that Torres
"illegally demanded payments from Bronx
residents to herself and a local organization in
exchange for selecting individuals as poll
workers." Full indictment on Patreon here
The case is US v. Torres, 24-cr-499 (Vyskocil / Aaron)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Aug 20 – A woman who was stopped in
a car with four kilos of narcotics on 180th
Street and Webster Avenue in The Bronx on July
11 appeared on August 20 before U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Judge Denise L. Cote. Inner City Press was
there.
Judge
Cote, in this initial conference, inquired about
discovery - the Complaint has photos of the
drugs found - and set a trial date: February 3,
2025.
Her retained counsel, who took over from the
Federal Defenders on July 17, has motions, for
example to suppress, due by November 15, with
the government's response due a week after
that.
The case is US v. Valdez, 24-cr-448 (Cote)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Aug 15 – A New Jersey based corporation seeking
to recoup a property on College Avenue in the
South Bronx and presumably oust its occupants
had a hearing on August 15 before U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky. Inner City
Press covered it.
A defendant insisted he had filed papers, but
Judge Tarnofsky noted that they were not in the
docket. The defendant sought to argue his
opposition orally, with mount volume.
Please let me know, the corporate lawyer from
the New Jersey plaintiff insisted. Judge
Tarnofsky said she made order the re-filing of
the papers, and allow a reply and sur-reply.
The case is College Diamond Fund, Inc. v. Davis, et al., 24-cv-4800 (Tarnofsky)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Aug 5 – For the attempted robbery of a Chase
Bank branch on Castle Hill Avenue in the Bronx
in March 2023 and the attempted robbery of a
check cashing business on Elder Avenue, also in
The Bronx, in March 2023, a man came to plead
guilty on August 5, 2024 before U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Judge Jed S. Rakoff. Inner City Press was there,
the only media - the only person - in the
courtroom gallery.
Looking
back at the complaint, an alleged robbery of
bank branch at 214 Washington Street in Hoboken,
New Jersey on March 28, 2023 was left out of the
plea.
Judge
Rakoff joked that the prosecutor, recently
married, did not yet have lines on his forehead.
He then asked the defendant his age and
educational attainment. 27 and 11th grade, were
the answers.
The
plea agreement waives the right to appeal any
sentence 71 months or less, with sentencing set
for November 14 at 4 pm.
The case is US v. Holmes, 24-cr-401 (Rakoff)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, July 27 – A man charged with being
the getaway driver for a man who robbed a smoke
shop in The Bronx sought and got conditions of
release on bail on October 19 in the US.
District Court for the Southern District of New
York Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was the
only media there and live tweed, thread here
OK -
now at bail fight in US v Rumph for armed
robbery of a Bronx smoke shop. Federal Defender
wants him released.
Judge:
But Rumph was driving the getaway car, right?
Rumph:
Thank you for paying attention, your Honor.FD:
Rumph did not know that his acquaintance who
jumped in his car had just robbed a smoke shop.
AUSA:
The acquaintance had on a ski maskAUSA shows
surveillance video of Rumpf's car speeding off
before "Robber-1" even closed door behind him.
[Unlike
SBF Capitol Hill testimony video, Inner City
Press does not expect to be able to get this
video]
Judge
took a long break to deliberate in robing room
with others. Rumpf said, Take all the time you
need, your Honor. Judge is back - all rise!
Judge:
It's a close call. I am assuming the defendant
knew his masked passenger was fleeing. But can
he be released? I say yes, once $100,000 bond
co-signed by 3 financially responsible people.
GPS, and no driving.
On
November 16, Rumph was formally indicted and the
case wheeled out to District Judge Andrew L.
Carter.
Jump
cut to July 26, 2024 when the US Attorney's
Office wrote in about the August 7 suppression
hearing on the search of the car, saying they
will call Detective Kenneth Ayala to testify.
The
case is US v. Rumph, 23-cr-603 (Carter)
***
Your support means a lot. As
little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access
to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here
to become a patron.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
July 26 – Bruce Silva, Elijah Pough and others
were indicted in a Bronx drugs and guns
(shooting) case.
On
July 19, 2024 Bruce Silva's motion to suppress
the search of the blue iPhone he had on him at
the time of his arrest was granted, on the
ground that the warrant did not show any nexus
between the phone and the indicted
crimes.
With
the case set for trial beginning October 7, on
July 26 co-defendant Pough appeared before U.S.
District Court Judge Paul G. Gardephe. Inner
City Press was there.
Judge
Gardephe had appointed Pough his third CJA
lawyer, who said he will be ready to go on
October 7 (and might write it seeking a second
chair).
Then
the prosecutor put on the record that his Office
is considering an interlocutory appeal of the
decision to suppress. "We'd have to ask Main
Justice," he said.
Judge
Gardephe reminded the prosecutor that he had
been Chief of the Appeal unit.
He
asked to be told soon if there will be an
appeal.
The overall case is US v. Silva, et al., 23-cr-204 (Gardephe)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
July 18 – For days Inner City Press had heard
from its sources there would be a "takedown" on
February 6, each SDNY Magistrate Judge would
handle seven to 10 defendants.
Arrests
happen at 6 am. So at 5:55 am Inner City Press
tweeted it, first to X subscribers with the
spoiler alert: the expectation was that each of
the current or former NYCHA employees would be
released on bond the same day.
And then hours later at 9:39 am the prosecutors announced it. Media rushed around reporting it. Inner City Press had it first, and after discretely waiting, published it first. Then this thread of presentments, here
Now
in Courtroom on 9 Charles Starks, 57, of
NYCHA70 with a Big Law CJA lawyer argues for no
bond, release on own recognisance. He's accused
of $7000 in bribes over 3 years. He's already
fired. "This is not Bernie Madoff."
Judge: $50,000 bond; wife can co-sign
On
March 5, this defendant's case was indicted and
assigned to District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon.
On
July 18, Judge Rochon held a status conference
with Starks; Inner City Press was there. Starks'
lawyer said he might be moving to dismiss under
the Supreme Court's decision on June 2024 in US
v. Snyder. Judge Rochon gave him until September
16 to make that motion. We will be covering it -
as it has implications for the other NYCHA
cases, many of which are already pled out. Watch
this site.
A
case is US v. Starks, 24-cr-126 (Rochon)
Watch
this site - and these feeds: X
and X
for subscribers.
And
Substack here
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, July 11 – Following the death of a
one-year old baby by fentanyl, on September 19,
2023 the US Attorney for the Southern District
of New York charged Grei Mendez and Carlisto
Acevedo Brito.
On
September 25, with no notice and Inner City
Press initially the only person in the courtroom
gallery, the third man was brought in: Renny
Antonio Parra Paredes. Inner City Press live
tweeted, thread
On
January 23, Paredes' lawyer argued, and lost,
before the assigned District Judge Jed S.
Rakoff: "Minute Entry for proceedings held
before Judge Jed S. Rakoff: Oral Argument as to
Felix Herrera Garcia, Grei Mendez, Carlisto
Acevedo Brito, Renny Antonio Parra Paredes held
on 1/23/2024. The trial date is adjourned to
6/10/2024
On
February 12, Inner City Press went to a possible
change of counsel hearing on lead defendant
Felix Herrera Garcia - but soon Judge Rakoff
asked everyone but Herrera Garcia and his still
counsel to leave the courtroom, "even my
favorite reporter."
On
June 10, the day of jury selection on Herrera
Garcia, his trial was canceled; he pled guilty.
On
June 13, Judge Rakoff issued a blistering order
chiding Federal Defenders and the US Attorney's
Office, and recommending that CJA counsel
henceforth be available on Saturdays: "OPINION
as to Grei Mendez: While the Court is extremely
disappointed with the conduct of the Federal
Defenders and the Government in this case, it
also recognizes the role that this District's
standing policy of not requiring CJA counsel to
be on call on Saturdays had in precipitating the
events of September 23, 2023. If this District,
instead, had a standing policy that provided for
CJA counsel to at least be on call on Saturdays,
this entire situation would never have occurred.
Accordingly, the Court has recommended to the
relevant committee of this Court that it revise
this policy so as to ensure that indigent
defendants always have immediate access to
conflict-free counsel and permanently prevent
the misconduct that occurred here from happening
again in the future. (Signed by Judge Jed S.
Rakoff on 6/13/2024)."
Back
on March 21, Grei Mendez was brought into the
Magistrates Court to be arraigned on a
superseding indictment. Inner City Press was
there, thread
the
Court severed Ms. Mendez from the jury trial of
her co-defendant set to proceed on June 10,
2024, and a new trial will be calendared in her
case."
On
July 11, another guilty plea, Inner City Press
was there, thread:
OK -
now in Bronx deadly fentanyl daycare case,
defendant 5 Jean Carlo Amparo Herrera is
pleading guilty to a lesser included
offense.
Judge:
Where are you from? Herrera: Dominican. Judge:
Are you satisfied with your lawyer?
Herrera:
Si. Judge: Do you wish to plead guilty? Herrera:
Si.
[it
appears family of child who died are here]
Judge: The agreement has a five year mandatory
minimum. I will hardly considered the
guidelines. I have been given a copy of a letter
agreement stipulating the guideline is 210 to
260 months
How
do you plead?
Guilty.
Sentencing
was set for October 22 at 4 pm.
More
on Substack here
The
case is US v. Herrera Garcia et al., 23-cr-504
(Rakoff)
Watch
this site.
***
Your support means a lot. As
little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access
to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here
to become a patron.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, July 1 – Joseph Otero, a
felon, was arrested in a car with a gun on St.
Ann's Avenue and 161st Street in The Bronx.
On October 24, 2023 Otero was brought from
Rikers Island for presentment before U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of New
York Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker. Inner
City Press was there, the only media in the SDNY
Mag court.
The
prosecutor said on this felon in possession
charge, they would seek detention.
Otero's
CJA lawyer said he was consenting to detention,
as Otero had been in Rikers unable to make his
(state) cash bail.
Jump
cut to March 4, 2024, when Otero was arraigned
before District Judge Jed S. Rakoff.
On
April 8, Otero in the yellow jumpsuit of the
Essex County Department of Corrections was
brought into SDNY Magistrates Court and pled
guilty, to a Pimintel letter for 30 to 37
months. The AUSA asked him to admit to a
forfeiture allegation: the gun. A control date
for sentencing was set for July 8.
On
July 1, Otero's lawyer wrote in and asked for a
sentence of 18 months.
The
case is US v. Otero, 24-cr-120 (Rakoff /
Netburn)
***
Your support means a lot. As
little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access
to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here
to become a patron.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
June 21 –A man who traveled from New Jersey with
eight pounds of methamphetamine in a backpack on
June 11, through the Port Authority Bus Terminal
then to The Bronx to sell it, HSI says, was
presented on June 21 before U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of New York Magistrate
Judge James L. Cott. Inner City Press was there,
the only media in the SDNY Mag Court.
The complaint describes a previously controlled
buy, also in The Bronx, on April 8. It contains
a photo of the defendant's Mexican voting
card.
He was assigned a Federal Defender, who
consented to his detention and waived to the
30th day for the preliminary hearing.
The case is US v. Cuatle-Coyotl, 24-mj-2311
(Cott)
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
June 18 – Ricardo Ferguson is on trial for the
murder on December 5, 2021 of Robert Brown, Sr.
on Aqueduct Walk in The Bronx.
On
June 13, 2024 before U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York Judge Richard M.
Berman, SDNY prosecutors presented the photo
identification of Ferguson. Inner City Press was
in the gallery, as were more than a dozen
Bronxites, listening intently.
An NYPD detective narrated the identification by
Luis Tejada, who reported said, "Aqueduct Walk
Park, he shot my uncle" and pointed.
But
the confidence question at the end was not
filled out. Next up was a
witness from HRA.
On
June 14 defense counsel asked for an order to be
able to reach Ferguson by phone - and got it.
On
June 18, he was convicted, with sentencing set
for October 9: "conviction of RICARDO FERGUSON,
a/k/a “Maybach,” for the December 5, 2021,
murder of Robert Brown, Sr. inside of the
Aqueduct Park walkway in the University Heights
neighborhood of the Bronx. FERGUSON shot
Brown in the head and attempted to steal crack
cocaine and money from Brown’s pockets during a
dispute over drug sales."
The
case is US v. Ferguson, 22-cr-135 (Berman)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, June 13 – Following the death of a
one-year old baby by fentanyl, on September 19,
2023 the US Attorney for the Southern District
of New York charged Grei Mendez and Carlisto
Acevedo Brito.
On
September 25, with no notice and Inner City
Press initially the only person in the courtroom
gallery, the third man was brought in: Renny
Antonio Parra Paredes. Inner City Press live
tweeted, thread
On
January 23, Paredes' lawyer argued, and lost,
before the assigned District Judge Jed S.
Rakoff: "Minute Entry for proceedings held
before Judge Jed S. Rakoff: Oral Argument as to
Felix Herrera Garcia, Grei Mendez, Carlisto
Acevedo Brito, Renny Antonio Parra Paredes held
on 1/23/2024. The trial date is adjourned to
6/10/2024
On
February 12, Inner City Press went to a possible
change of counsel hearing on lead defendant
Felix Herrera Garcia - but soon Judge Rakoff
asked everyone but Herrera Garcia and his still
counsel to leave the courtroom, "even my
favorite reporter."
On
June 10, the day of jury selection on Herrera
Garcia, his trial was canceled; he pled guilty.
On
June 13, Judge Rakoff issued a blistering order
chiding Federal Defenders and the US Attorney's
Office, and recommending that CJA counsel
henceforth be available on Saturdays: "OPINION
as to Grei Mendez: While the Court is extremely
disappointed with the conduct of the Federal
Defenders and the Government in this case, it
also recognizes the role that this District's
standing policy of not requiring CJA counsel to
be on call on Saturdays had in precipitating the
events of September 23, 2023. If this District,
instead, had a standing policy that provided for
CJA counsel to at least be on call on Saturdays,
this entire situation would never have occurred.
Accordingly, the Court has recommended to the
relevant committee of this Court that it revise
this policy so as to ensure that indigent
defendants always have immediate access to
conflict-free counsel and permanently prevent
the misconduct that occurred here from happening
again in the future. (Signed by Judge Jed S.
Rakoff on 6/13/2024)."
Back
on March 21, Grei Mendez was brought into the
Magistrates Court to be arraigned on a
superseding indictment. Inner City Press was
there, thread
the
Court severed Ms. Mendez from the jury trial of
her co-defendant set to proceed on June 10,
2024, and a new trial will be calendared in her
case."
More
on Substack here
The
case is US v. Herrera Garcia et al., 23-cr-504
(Rakoff)
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
June 5 –DOJ announced on Wednesday it was
"charging JERMAINE GREENE with firearms and
narcotics offenses in connection with a March
28, 2024, incident at the New York City subway
station located on Fordham Road and Jerome
Avenue in the Bronx. GREENE was arrested today
and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge
Stewart D. Aaron." Inner City Press
was there, the only media in the SDNY Mag Court.
OK - now at bail hearing of man arrested with loaded ghost gun, wearing the uniform of an anti-gun group, his employers. (Federal) prosecutor says NYS granted bail because can't/won't consider dangerousness. Here in SDNY, he is ordered detained. Story later. pic.twitter.com/993jqqa437
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) June 5, 2024
Greene
was detained on consent. He had dread locked
tied in a bun. And the prosecutor zeroed in on
that he wore the backpack of a Bronx anti-gun
group, his employer.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, May 24 – Following the death of a
one-year old baby by fentanyl, on September 19,
2023 the US Attorney for the Southern District
of New York charged Grei Mendez and Carlisto
Acevedo Brito.
On
September 25, with no notice and Inner City
Press initially the only person in the courtroom
gallery, the third man was brought in: Renny
Antonio Parra Paredes. Inner City Press live
tweeted, thread:
Judge
Wang: You are charged with conspiracy to
distribute narcotics. AUSA: We seek detention,
and they consent. Defense lawyer: Most of his
family is out of town. We consent.
On
January 23, Paredes' lawyer argued, and lost,
before the assigned District Judge Jed S.
Rakoff: "Minute Entry for proceedings held
before Judge Jed S. Rakoff: Oral Argument as to
Felix Herrera Garcia, Grei Mendez, Carlisto
Acevedo Brito, Renny Antonio Parra Paredes held
on 1/23/2024. The trial date is adjourned to
6/10/2024 and time is excluded in the interest
of justice, pursuant to Section 3161 of Title
18. Deft Paredes bail application is denied as a
risk of flight and danger to the community. All
deft's continued remanded."
On
February 12, Inner City Press went to a possible
change of counsel hearing on lead defendant
Felix Herrera Garcia - but soon Judge Rakoff
asked everyone but Herrera Garcia and his still
counsel to leave the courtroom, "even my
favorite reporter."
Once
back in, Judge Rakoff said the problem had been
fixed, for now, with a letter possible in two
weeks. On fingerprints he noted decisions by
Judge Pollack in his native Philadelphia, and
the Spain bombing fingerprint snafu. A Daubert
hearing on prints is possible.
On
March 21, Grei Mendez was brought into the
Magistrates Court to be arraigned on a
superseding indictment. Inner City Press was
there, thread
On
May 22, Grei Mendez got a new lawyer - and had
her trial severed: "ORDER as to (23-Cr-504-2)
Grei Mendez. On May 22, 2024, the Court held a
hearing to determine whether counsel for
defendant Grei Mendez had a conflict of interest
that required the appointment of new counsel.
Upon hearing the nature of the conflict, the
Court determined that new counsel needed to be
appointed for Ms. Mendez. The Court accordingly
relieved the Federal Defenders as counsel for
Ms. Mendez and appointed that day's CJA counsel
to represent Ms. Mendez moving forward. As a
result of the change of counsel, the Court
severed Ms. Mendez from the jury trial of her
co-defendant set to proceed on June 10, 2024,
and a new trial will be calendared in her case."
Back
on May 17, it was docketed that one of the
defendants now plans to plead guilty: "NOTICE OF
HEARING as to Renny Antonio Parra Paredes.
On
May 23, he did plead guilty: "Minute Entry for
proceedings held before Judge Jed S. Rakoff:
Change of Plea Hearing as to Renny Antonio Parra
Paredes held on 5/23/2024. Judge Rakoff held a
change of plea hearing. Defendant withdraws his
plea of not guilty, waives the public reading of
the charges and pleads guilty to the lesser
included offense in count 1 of the superseding
indictment. SENS 10/24/2024."
More
on Substack here
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, May 23 – Following the death of a
one-year old baby by fentanyl, on September 19,
2023 the US Attorney for the Southern District
of New York charged Grei Mendez and Carlisto
Acevedo Brito.
On
September 25, with no notice and Inner City
Press initially the only person in the courtroom
gallery, the third man was brought in: Renny
Antonio Parra Paredes. Inner City Press live
tweeted, thread:
Judge
Wang: You are charged with conspiracy to
distribute narcotics. AUSA: We seek detention,
and they consent. Defense lawyer: Most of his
family is out of town. We consent.
On
January 23, Paredes' lawyer argued, and lost,
before the assigned District Judge Jed S.
Rakoff: "Minute Entry for proceedings held
before Judge Jed S. Rakoff: Oral Argument as to
Felix Herrera Garcia, Grei Mendez, Carlisto
Acevedo Brito, Renny Antonio Parra Paredes held
on 1/23/2024. The trial date is adjourned to
6/10/2024 and time is excluded in the interest
of justice, pursuant to Section 3161 of Title
18. Deft Paredes bail application is denied as a
risk of flight and danger to the community. All
deft's continued remanded."
On
February 12, Inner City Press went to a possible
change of counsel hearing on lead defendant
Felix Herrera Garcia - but soon Judge Rakoff
asked everyone but Herrera Garcia and his still
counsel to leave the courtroom, "even my
favorite reporter."
Once
back in, Judge Rakoff said the problem had been
fixed, for now, with a letter possible in two
weeks. On fingerprints he noted decisions by
Judge Pollack in his native Philadelphia, and
the Spain bombing fingerprint snafu. A Daubert
hearing on prints is possible.
On
March 21, Grei Mendez was brought into the
Magistrates Court to be arraigned on a
superseding indictment. Inner City Press was
there, thread
On
May 22, Grei Mendez got a new lawyer - and had
her trial severed: "ORDER as to (23-Cr-504-2)
Grei Mendez. On May 22, 2024, the Court held a
hearing to determine whether counsel for
defendant Grei Mendez had a conflict of interest
that required the appointment of new counsel.
Upon hearing the nature of the conflict, the
Court determined that new counsel needed to be
appointed for Ms. Mendez. The Court accordingly
relieved the Federal Defenders as counsel for
Ms. Mendez and appointed that day's CJA counsel
to represent Ms. Mendez moving forward. As a
result of the change of counsel, the Court
severed Ms. Mendez from the jury trial of her
co-defendant set to proceed on June 10, 2024,
and a new trial will be calendared in her case."
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, May 17 – Following the death of a
one-year old baby by fentanyl, on September 19,
2023 the US Attorney for the Southern District
of New York charged Grei Mendez and Carlisto
Acevedo Brito.
On
September 25, with no notice and Inner City
Press initially the only person in the courtroom
gallery, the third man was brought in: Renny
Antonio Parra Paredes. Inner City Press live
tweeted, thread:
Judge
Wang: You are charged with conspiracy to
distribute narcotics. AUSA: We seek detention,
and they consent. Defense lawyer: Most of his
family is out of town. We consent.
On
January 23, Paredes' lawyer argued, and lost,
before the assigned District Judge Jed S.
Rakoff: "Minute Entry for proceedings held
before Judge Jed S. Rakoff: Oral Argument as to
Felix Herrera Garcia, Grei Mendez, Carlisto
Acevedo Brito, Renny Antonio Parra Paredes held
on 1/23/2024. The trial date is adjourned to
6/10/2024 and time is excluded in the interest
of justice, pursuant to Section 3161 of Title
18. Deft Paredes bail application is denied as a
risk of flight and danger to the community. All
deft's continued remanded."
On
February 12, Inner City Press went to a possible
change of counsel hearing on lead defendant
Felix Herrera Garcia - but soon Judge Rakoff
asked everyone but Herrera Garcia and his still
counsel to leave the courtroom, "even my
favorite reporter."
Once
back in, Judge Rakoff said the problem had been
fixed, for now, with a letter possible in two
weeks. On fingerprints he noted decisions by
Judge Pollack in his native Philadelphia, and
the Spain bombing fingerprint snafu. A Daubert
hearing on prints is possible.
On
March 21, Grei Mendez was brought into the
Magistrates Court to be arraigned on a
superseding indictment. Inner City Press was
there, thread
On
May 17, it was docketed that one of the
defendants now plans to plead guilty: "NOTICE OF
HEARING as to Renny Antonio Parra Paredes. An in
court change of plea is scheduled for Thursday,
May 23, 2024 at 4:30 PM before Judge Jed
S. Rakoff."
More
on Substack here
On
April 11 another defendant was added in an S2
indictment: Jean Carlo Amparo Herrera. He was
brought into the SDNY Magistrates Court, where
Inner City Press was the only media. His lawyer
argued that he wasn't charged as the others
were, and that she hadn't seen a video the
prosecutor mentioned. But he had driven a
co-defendant to Pennsylvania after the death,
and more. He was detained.
The
case is US v. Herrera Garcia et al., 23-cr-504
(Rakoff)
Watch
this site.
***
Your support means a lot. As
little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access
to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here
to become a patron.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, May 6 – For the murder of Atari
Felton by 1665 Topping Ave in The Bronx on March
27, 2002 two defendants were brought shackled on
September 13, 2023 before U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of New York Judge
Alvin K. Hellerstein. Inner City Press was
there, the only media in the courtroom.
But
the two defendants had supporters and family
members. A third defendant - not in the docket -
is in Jamaica from which he is unlikely to be
extradited, the AUSA said.
Judge
Hellerstein expressed frustration at the slow
pace of discovery production or processing; he
asked why the Discovery Coordinator was not
present. (They usually aren't, the AUSA
replied).
He declined to set a trial date before a motion
schedule.
Jump
cut to April 29, 2024, when Ayala's lawyer wrote
in asking for a five year sentencing on May 6,
arguing that "he did not have a gun nor was he
at the actual scene of the shooting when it
occurred."
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, April 29 – For the murder of Atari
Felton by 1665 Topping Ave in The Bronx on March
27, 2002 two defendants were brought shackled on
September 13, 2023 before U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of New York Judge
Alvin K. Hellerstein. Inner City Press was
there, the only media in the courtroom.
But
the two defendants had supporters and family
members. A third defendant - not in the docket -
is in Jamaica from which he is unlikely to be
extradited, the AUSA said.
Judge
Hellerstein expressed frustration at the slow
pace of discovery production or processing; he
asked why the Discovery Coordinator was not
present. (They usually aren't, the AUSA
replied).
He declined to set a trial date before a motion
schedule.
Jump
cut to April 29, 2024, when Ayala's lawyer wrote
in asking for a five year sentencing on May 6,
arguing that "he did not have a gun nor was he
at the actual scene of the shooting when it
occurred."
The
case is US v. Ayala, et al., 22-cr-378
(Hellerstein)
***
Your support means a lot. As
little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access
to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here
to become a patron.
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell
book
SDNY
MAG COURT Exclusive, April 24 – The gun-point robbery
of a deli / bodega on East
180th Street in The Bronx
gave rise to a lengthy bail
hearing on February 3, 2023
before U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of
New York Magistrate Judge
Jennifer E. Willis.
Inner City
Press was there until the
7:30 pm end, when an order
to release the defendant
once he obtains the
signatures of three
co-signers on a $75,000
personal recognizance
bond.
NYPD Detective Matthew
Lombardo sat next to
Assistant US Attorney
Brandon Thompson, who began
by saying that release to
the apartment right across
180th Street, where the
defendant had been living,
would not be acceptable.
He
added that residence further
away might be acceptable to
the US Attorney's Office.
Beyond the robbery of the
180th Street store, which
was caught on video,
Thompson referred to
previous armed robberies
which the Bronx District
Attorney had charged and
then dismissed - due, he
said, to witnesses being too
afraid to testify.
Judge Willis said this
information could not be
relied on, and that on the
particular offense conduct
in the complaint, the
defendant could be released
but must stay at least ten
blocks away from the bodega.
More detail and analysis
on Substack here
On February 7, the
release on bond order was
reversed by District Judge
Paul G. Gardephe.
On
March 1, James Kelly's case
was indicted and
wheeled out to Judge
Gregory
H. Woods.
On
July 5, James
Kelly appeared
again in
front of Judge
Woods, to change
lawyers for
the second
time. Inner
City Press was
there. Thread:
Judge
Woods tells
Kelly to
confer with
counsel before
speaking in
court.
But
Kelly is
trying to fire
his 2d CJA
lawyer: he
confers with
the CJA on
duty, with the
white noise
turned up. He
says he does
not want to
talk with his
current
appointed
lawyer
Update:
Judge grants
James Kelly's
request to
fire current
appointed
lawyer and
take CJA on
duty - who
asks for delay
to develop
relationship,
&
vacation.
Kelly:
I'm charged
with Hobbs Act
robbery - but
with case was
dismissed.
Judge
Woods: I
haven't seen
the discovery.
Neither
have we.
On November
9, 2023,
Kelly's lawyer
wrote in about
the trial scheduled
for
January 29,
2024,
proposing motions
due November
27 and that "the
parties
continue to work
toward a
pretrial
resolution of
this matter."
Jump cut
to February
28, 2024 when
in advance of
what is for now
a March 11
trial the US
Attorney's
Office wrote
in arguing
to
preclude
evidence of
prior
dismissals,
adding that
"the 48th
Precinct is
not on trial."
On
March 1, Judge
Woods
scheduled a
March 7 Daubert
(expert
witness)
hearing on
proposed
testimony of
Andrew
Petersohn of
DBM Engineering.
On March
11, the day of
trial, James
Kelly "refused
to appear for the
jury trial."
Judge
Woods urged
prosecution
and defense to
confer about
how to
evaluate the
defendant's competency.
On April 24 the
US Attorney's
Office wrote
in to say that
Kelly had
refused to
meet with Dr.
Cheryl
Paradis, on
April 11,
April 21 and
April 23. They
requested "a
conference
this week or
next week, so
that the Court
can advise
the defendant
of the
competency
evaluation
that has been
ordered."
The
case is US v.
Kelly, 23-cr-113
(Woods)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, April 10 – Deron
Boone was
arrested in
1924 Webster
Avenue in The
Bronx on
February 14,
2023 for
having a gun -
in a safe -
while a
felon.
On
August 22,
2023 Boone
appeared
before U.S.
District Court
for the
Southern
District of
New York Judge
Paul G.
Gardephe.
He
pleaded not
guilty to the
indictment,
and was
seeking a
change of
counsel.
Judge
Gardephe, who
had asked the
day's CJA
counsel to be
present in the
gallery where
Inner City
Press also
was, explained
to Mr. Boone
that the state
and federal
systems work
differently.
Separate
sovereigns, he
said. Was
Boone sure he
wanted to
change
counsel?
After some
whispering, he
was not. He
said he just
wanted to go
home. He
already served
more than a
decade for a
gun-related
parole
violation.
He
was given
until
September 29
to make
motions - was
there probably
cause to
search his
safe? - and
Speedy Trial
Act was
excluded.
Jump
cut to
December 26,
when the US
submitted a
post-hearing
brief opposing
Boone's
counsel's
motion to
suppress. The
prosecutors
say the
housing
project
apartment's
leaseholder
Benjamin
Fortune had
authority to
let NYPD
search Boone's
room - and
that Boone
"did not
object to
Fortune's
authority to
consent to the
search."
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, April 11 – Following the death of a
one-year old baby by fentanyl, on September 19,
2023 the US Attorney for the Southern District
of New York charged Grei Mendez and Carlisto
Acevedo Brito.
On
September 25, with no notice and Inner City
Press initially the only person in the courtroom
gallery, the third man was brought in: Renny
Antonio Parra Paredes. Inner City Press live
tweeted, thread:
Judge
Wang: You are charged with conspiracy to
distribute narcotics. AUSA: We seek detention,
and they consent. Defense lawyer: Most of his
family is out of town. We consent.
On
January 23, Paredes' lawyer argued, and lost,
before the assigned District Judge Jed S.
Rakoff: "Minute Entry for proceedings held
before Judge Jed S. Rakoff: Oral Argument as to
Felix Herrera Garcia, Grei Mendez, Carlisto
Acevedo Brito, Renny Antonio Parra Paredes held
on 1/23/2024. The trial date is adjourned to
6/10/2024 and time is excluded in the interest
of justice, pursuant to Section 3161 of Title
18. Deft Paredes bail application is denied as a
risk of flight and danger to the community. All
deft's continued remanded."
On
February 12, Inner City Press went to a possible
change of counsel hearing on lead defendant
Felix Herrera Garcia - but soon Judge Rakoff
asked everyone but Herrera Garcia and his still
counsel to leave the courtroom, "even my
favorite reporter."
Once
back in, Judge Rakoff said the problem had been
fixed, for now, with a letter possible in two
weeks. On fingerprints he noted decisions by
Judge Pollack in his native Philadelphia, and
the Spain bombing fingerprint snafu. A Daubert
hearing on prints is possible.
On
March 21, Grei Mendez was brought into the
Magistrates Court to be arraigned on a
superseding indictment. Inner City Press was
there, thread:
Federal
Defender: Ms. Grei Mendez' mother and daughters
are here in the gallery. Judge: This is an
arraignment on a superseding indictment? AUSA:
Yes. This adds a count and changes the time
frame of the conspiracy.
Judge:
You are charged with conspiracy to distribute
fenanyl and an analog, and heroin, to September
2023, deadly. In Sept 2023 you and others
possessed with intent to distribute, resulting
in death. Count 3 charges serious bodily injury
to another individual
Judge:
How do you plead?
Grei Mendez: No culpable [Not guilty] AUSA: We to exclude time under the Speedy Trial Act. Judge: Any objection? Federal Defender: No. Judge: Granted.
Afterward
Ms Mendez barely looked at the courtroom gallery
as she was led back to the holding cell.
More
on Substack here
On
April 11 another defendant was added in an S2
indictment: Jean Carlo Amparo Herrera. He was
brought into the SDNY Magistrates Court, where
Inner City Press was the only media. His lawyer
argued that he wasn't charged as the others
were, and that she hadn't seen a video the
prosecutor mentioned. But he had driven a
co-defendant to Pennsylvania after the death,
and more. He was detained.
The
case is US v. Herrera Garcia et al., 23-cr-504
(Rakoff)
Watch
this site.
***
Your support means a lot. As
little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access
to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here
to become a patron.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, March 30 – Nick Laguna was arrested
in front of 751 Dawson Street in the South Bronx
in April 6, 2023 with a .25 caliber pistol.
He had
previously been convicted of, and was sentenced
to 16 years in prison for, manslaughter.
On August
24, 2023 Laguna was arraigned before U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of New
York Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. Inner City
Press was there, the only media in the SDNY Mag
court.
A woman and an
8-year old girl were the only other people in
the Mag court gallery. Both waved at Laguna when
he was brought in by US Marshals, in the tan
jail uniform of the MDC in Brooklyn (where Sam
Bankman-Fried is also detained, although OK-ed
to leave daily to meet with his lawyers).
Laguna
pleaded not guilty; his Federal Defender did not
make or renew a bail application.
He was
scheduled to be seen by the assigned District
Judge Jennifer H. Rearden on September 7, the
AUSA said.
Inner City
Press attended on September 7. The Federal
Defender previewed motions, mention the Second
Amendment (the Bruen case?) and asking for a
trial date in May 2024. Judge Rearden set a next
conference for November 9, at 11:30 am.
At that time,
Judge Rearden set a trial date of May 7, 2024,
and motions in March.
And on March 30
Laguna's Federal Defenders reiterated his motion
to dismiss (and to suppress) citing the Supreme
Court's Bruen decision.
The case is US v. Laguna, 23-cr-436 (Rearden / Netburn)
***
Your support means
a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants
you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here
to become a patron.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
March 27 – Ten defendants are charged with
conspiracy to kidnap a minor, following a
robbery of a marijuana business in The
Bronx. On March 27 they appeared,
most of them in custody, before U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain. Inner City Press
was there.
The
Assistant US Attorney said that some of the
phones have yet to be "cracked" for purposes of
discovery. A next conference was set for June 18
at 2:30 pm.
One
defense lawyer said there is an interest in a
co-defendants' meeting, but that he doubted
MDC-Brooklyn would agree to host it. Chief Judge
Swain asked the Marshals if it would be possible
in the courthouse.
By the proceeding's end, she was told that the
Marshals could try to arrange it, if given
advance notice.
The case is US v. Castillo, et al., 23-cr-279 (Swain)
***
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, March 21 – Angel Villafane,
previously convicted of a felony, was arrested
for having a gun in incidents starting at 97th
Street and Second Avenue then 110th Street and
the FDR (long barrel firearm)
On May 20, 2022 U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York Judge Victor
Marrero held a conference. Inner City Press
covered it, the only media there.
Jump
cut to March 6, 2024 - now it was grown to a 16
defendant indictment: "As alleged, day in and
day out, this crew distributed fentanyl, heroin,
and crack along several blocks on Valentine
Avenue."
Inner
City Press went to arraignments including that
of Christopher Meadows, who the prosecutor
described as an enforcer for the lead named
defendant (who was detained on consent).
Based on medical conditions named in court but
which Inner City Press will voluntarily not
report, he was ordered bailed on $50,000 bond to
his mother's residence in Soundview by
Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo. On the day
of appeal, the US agreed to release.
On
March 15, another co-defendant had a bail
hearing before Magistrate Judge Stewart D.
Aaron. Inner City Press was there, here
OK -
now at bail hearing in Bronx Valentine Ave 16
case - 10 supporters of detained defendant here.
Defense: My client could move out of The Bronx,
to his mother's on Staten Island, or to a
suretor's in Orange County. He's charged with
aiding & abetting the use or brandishing of
a firearm in connection with narcotics sales
AUSA:
We are appealing one order to release: we agreed
to release Meadows ["The Enforcer," Inner City
Press live tweeted that too]. Defense: My client
manages a musician, sells clothing at clubs. He
used to be a porter at Tracy Towers [in The
Bronx]
AUSA:
He possessed a loaded weapon, and sold fentanyl.
He faces 360 months to life in prison. Four
cooperating witnesses will testify against him,
one of them a rival. Another will testify to
selling him a gun.
AUSA:
He was arrested with a gun and hollow point
bullets, in a bedroom shared with a two year old
autistic child. He is a clear and present danger
to the community
Judge:
I'm focusing on danger to the community. A gun
was found at your residence. I'm ordering
detention.
On
March 20, co-defendant Damel Marcus asked for
release on bail, in Magistrates Court. Inner
City Press was there, thread
Late
in the day came notice that the defense has
appealed to Part I, for March 21. Inner City
Press was there, thread:
AUSA:
As we put on the record yesterday, there are
multiple cooperating witnesses that this
defendant was involved in drugs and guns. He
joined the crew in 2018. 3 will testify to 2
discharges [of a gun] He fired back at a rival,
and another time after a fight
Judge:
When was that?
AUSA:
2020. In a third incident, a crew member was
ambushed and knocked to the grounds. Metal
chains that had been heated on a space heater
were used to beat him. This defendant
participated, this beating with heated chains in
2021
Defense:
They didn't take that to the grand jury. So this
is hearsay, not thought sufficient to take to a
grand jury. Judge: The AUSA says they have
cooperating witnesses AUSA: For the VICAR
charges we seek, we need approval outside our
office
Defense:
This is ipsi dixit! Judge: We have a proffer
from the Government. Defense: 49 year olds
rarely cut their GPS bracelet, or those with
passport issues
Judge:
I am ordering him to continue to be detained. I
am concerned about the firearms discharge, and
the wielding of the chains, that he was present.
Adjourned
Watch
this site.
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, March 15– Angel Villafane,
previously convicted of a felony, was arrested
for having a gun in incidents starting at 97th
Street and Second Avenue then 110th Street and
the FDR (long barrel firearm)
On May 20, 2022 U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York Judge Victor
Marrero held a conference. Inner City Press
covered it, the only media there.
Jump
cut to March 6, 2024 - now it was grown to a 16
defendant indictment: "As alleged, day in and
day out, this crew distributed fentanyl, heroin,
and crack along several blocks on Valentine
Avenue."
Inner
City Press went to arraignments including that
of Christopher Meadows, who the prosecutor
described as an enforcer for the lead named
defendant (who was detained on consent).
Based on medical conditions named in court but
which Inner City Press will voluntarily not
report, he was ordered bailed on $50,000 bond to
his mother's residence in Soundview by
Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo. On the day
of appeal, the US agreed to release.
On
March 15, another co-defendant had a bail
hearing before Magistrate Judge Stewart D.
Aaron. Inner City Press was there, here
OK -
now at bail hearing in Bronx Valentine Ave 16
case - 10 supporters of detained defendant here.
Defense: My client could move out of The Bronx,
to his mother's on Staten Island, or to a
suretor's in Orange County. He's charged with
aiding & abetting the use or brandishing of
a firearm in connection with narcotics sales
AUSA:
We are appealing one order to release: we agreed
to release Meadows ["The Enforcer," Inner City
Press live tweeted that too]. Defense: My client
manages a musician, sells clothing at clubs. He
used to be a porter at Tracy Towers [in The
Bronx]
AUSA:
He possessed a loaded weapon, and sold fentanyl.
He faces 360 months to life in prison. Four
cooperating witnesses will testify against him,
one of them a rival. Another will testify to
selling him a gun.
AUSA:
He was arrested with a gun and hollow point
bullets, in a bedroom shared with a two year old
autistic child. He is a clear and present danger
to the community
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
March 7 – For days Inner City Press had heard
from its sources there would be a "takedown" on
February 6, each SDNY Magistrate Judge would
handle seven to 10 defendants.
Arrests
happen at 6 am. So at 5:55 am Inner City Press
tweeted it, first to X subscribers with the
spoiler alert: the expectation was that each of
the current or former NYCHA employees would be
released on bond the same day.
And
then hours later at 9:39 am the prosecutors
announced it. Media rushed around reporting
it. Inner City Press had it first, and
after discretely waiting, published it first.
Then this thread of presentments, here.
On
March 7, less than a month after the take-down,
the first guilty plea, by Michael Johnson for
taking at least $53,800 in bribes for no-bid
contracts worth $283,000.
The
case is US v. Johnson, 24-cr-135 (Furman)
Watch
this site - and these feeds: X
and X
for subscribers.
And
Substack here
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTROOM EXCLUSIVE, Feb 29 – Law enforcement
announced the arrest in The Bronx, NY of VIRGIL
WARDLOW for paying for sex with a minor with
fentanyl-laced pills, saying he "will be
presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge
Valerie Figueredo." Inner City
Press was there. Thread here:
Prosecutor
says defendant left fentanyl loose in 110 East
177 Street in the Bronx, used anonymized VOIP
TextPlus, killed a 19-year-old. Withdrew $40
from TD Bank with CashApp to "date" Victim-2,
also paying with (deadly) pills
Wardlow's
girlfriend Ms Casanova is here - his Federal
Defender says she works at Nordstrom in "asset
protection." They have a 7 year old daughter.
Also his mother, who work at the Post Office.
Federal
Defender says Wardlow has an entrepreneurial
spirit - but the deal for the 16 year old was
someone else's fault, "other people went to that
hotel."
Federal Defender asks for a photo of the minor,
says another john may be responsible.
AUSA:
The next one paid in cash. It's strict
liability, as long as they have contact...
Federal Defender: He could stay with his mother
in Brooklyn. Judge: Are there any children
there?
Seems
not. Stepfather also works for post office.
Federal Defender: He has pills because of 2 car
accidents. He wouldn't get therapy in jail.
Prosecutor: He sells drugs and buys sex in
wherever he lives. Federal Defender: It
was just tobacco leaves
19 year old died: 16 year old passed out but
revived. Judge has stepped out to
decide. Judge is back. Orders
detention, danger to community.
Jump
cut to October 19, 2023. The case was assigned
to District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil, who took
Wardlaw's guilty plea to Count 1. Inner City
Press was there, the only media in the
courtroom. Wardlaw's plea deal has a guideline
of 188 to 235 months; he has agreed to pay
restitution of $17,000 for the 19 year old's
funeral costs. Sentencing is set for March 13,
2024 at 11 am.
On
February 29, Wardlow's Federal Defender wrote in
saying a 60 month sentence is sought, that
Wardlow throught he had bought sex with an
eighteen year old, not a sixteen year old, and
that his pills did not have fentanyl. His father
was shot and killed in a robbery in 1998.
More
including
analysis on
Substack here
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Feb 20 – A multi-defendant narcotics
conspiracy prosecution centered on the James
Monroe Houses in The Bronx now features charges
dropped due to a cooperating witness not
complying with his cooperation
agreement.
The
overall case is known as US v. Spencer, et al.
and Inner City Press has reported on it at every
stage, here
and here.
On
August 30, 2022 lead defendant Nyshiem Spencer
before Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Willis pled
guilty to Count 1 of the S3 Superseding
Information, "Firearm Offense," with a control
date of March 7, 2023.
After
Inner City Press published the above, U.S.
Attorney Damian Williams said: “On October
31, 2017, Nyshiem Spencer opened fire in the
courtyard of the Soundview Houses and killed
Luis Vargas, who was 16 years old. Spencer
also shot and injured two other people in the
courtyard, including a 15-year old child.
Today’s guilty plea shows that we will
vigorously investigate and hold accountable
those who are responsible for shootings and acts
of gang violence in our community."
Back
on March 25 the U.S. Attorney's office for the
Southern District of New York wrote to SDNY
Judge Analisa Torres:
"In
light of evidence indicating that a cooperating
witness (“CW-1”) breached CW-1’s cooperation
agreement, the Government has determined that it
will not call CW-1 at trial in this case. The
Government will provide this evidence, including
notes of CW-1’s meetings with the Government, to
defense counsel by April 2, 2021.
"Given
the foregoing, the Government no longer intends
to proceed with respect to Counts Two and Three
of the 20 Cr. 78 (AT) Indictment. The Government
also no longer plans to proceed on Count Nine of
the Indictment with respect to Defendants
Nyshiem Spencer, Shalik Jenkins, Nasir Vincent,
Allan Gonzalez, and Jonell Danforth. With
respect to Defendants Malik Tunstall and Price
Tunstall, the Government intends to proceed on
Count Nine, but without seeking findings by the
jury with respect to drug weight. The Government
is evaluating whether there is sufficient
evidence to proceed at all with respect to
Defendant Shalik Jenkins."
Earlier
in the case, nearly a year ago on March 30,
2020, Inner City Press reported
that Assistant US Attorney Justin Rodriguez
repeatedly cited a video of which he wrote he
would "arrange with the Court's Chambers for the
transmission of an electronic version of the
video montage, rather than a physical copy." The
video was and is as of this writing not in the
case's docket on PACER. Judge
Torres relied on this video in denying bond,
finding a danger to the community. Minutes
later, she approved a switch to CJA lawyer James
Branden for co-defendant Lafone Eley.
On
October 20, 2021, Lafone Ely came to plead
guilty to a single count of attempted bank
fraud. When asked to allocute, he said he had
gotten the password to a bank account not his
own, raised the limit but still hadn't been able
to get the money. He got a plea deal with a
guideline of nine to 15 months, with a speedy
sentencing set for November 9.
On
June 7, 2022 Judge Torres imposed time served
sentences in the case on Shalik Jenkins and on
Ashanae McLaughlin, noting her past as "a
Bronx-born basketball star" and relatively
lesser role.
On
November 1, 2023, Eley got 180 months: "JUDGMENT
IN A CRIMINAL CASE as to Stefvon Eley (3). THE
DEFENDANT: pleaded guilty to counts lesser
included offenses of counts 5 and 7.
IMPRISONMENT: 180 months' imprisonment.
The Court recommends that the Defendant serve
his sentence at Federal Correctional Complex,
Butner (FCC Butner) in Butner, North Carolina."
On
November 17 Judge Torres authorized filming in
the courthouse: "ORDER as to Nyshiem Spencer:
The United States Marshal Service is hereby
directed to bring Defendant Nyshiem Spencer to
the United States Courthouse, located at 500
Pearl Street, New York, NY, 10007 for the
purpose of facilitating a meeting, which will be
recorded, with his mitigation expert, Katherine
Carter. Mr. Spencer shall be placed in a room
where Mr. Spencer can be recorded for at least
two hours, without any barriers between himself
and Ms. Carter. The date and time of this
meeting is to be coordinated with defense
counsel and the United States Marshal Service
within one week of the date of this order, and
shall take place before December 8,
2023.Katherine Carter will be allowed to enter
the United States Courthouse with the computer
and video equipment necessary to record Mr.
Spencer. This includes: 1. One backpack that
includes: a. One DSLR Camera; b. One small pouch
that includes two small lavalier microphones,
one small receiver microphone, and one audio aux
cable; c. Two small light panels; d. Two
batteries for camera; e. Two SD cards; f. One
pair of headphones; 2. One shoulder bag that
includes: a. One camera tripod; b. Two light
panel tripods; 3. One MacBook Air computer and
Velcro computer case. (Signed by Judge Analisa
Torres on 11/17/2023)."
Spencer's
father, in Sing Sing, has already been filmed.
BOP said filming will not be allowed in the MDC.
Hence, in SDNY at 500 Pearl...
On
February 6, the US Attorney's Office in a
sentencing submission that starts with photos of
the murdered Luis Angel Vargas asks for 25 years
on Spencer.
On
February 20, after Vargas' father spoke, Spencer
got 10 years, threadette:
Victim's
father: He was shot in the back of the head.
This heartless monster wears my son's death as a
badge of honor.
AUSA:
Ten years is not enough. Luis was going to play
Hamlet in the school play. He never will. Mr
Vargas also seeks $12,000 restitution.
Spencer:
None of this was supposed to happen. I'm not
that person. Luiz Vargas was not the target.
Judge:
You shot 6 bullets and hit 3 people including 16
year old Luiz Vargas... I sentence you to 10
years
Judge
Torres also congratulated Spencer for getting
his GED, noting he wants to work in the food
industry. She quoted SDNY Judges Oetken and
Furman (US v. Chavez) on prison conditions, and
Judge Rakoff on the youthful brain.
The
case is US v. Spencer, et al., 20-cr-78 (Torres)
***
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
BBC
- Guardian
UK - Honduras
- ESPN
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Feb 10 – The Bronx Conservatory of
Music has sued The Bronx School For Music and
Philip Kwoka for copyright violation.
In
a complaint filed on February 26 and dug up that
day in the docket by Inner City Press at the
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
New York, Bronx Conservatory of Music says it
hred Kwoka as its Executive Director in October
2015.
He
left in the summer of 2020 with proprietary
information, according to the complaint.
This
included lists of people and donors who he then
contacted to set up a new School. The demand is
for return of the information, disgorgement and
injunction.
In
January 2024, the defendant's motion for summary
judgment was granted.
And
on February 9, the defendant wrote in seeking to
reopen the case on the issue of attorney's fees,
saying "this matter is a textbook example of bad
faith litigation."
The case is The Bronx Conservatory of Music, Inc. v. Philip Kwoka and The Bronx School for Music, Inc., 21-cv-1732 (Torres / Moses)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Feb 6 – For days Inner City Press had heard from
its sources there would be a "takedown" on
February 6, each SDNY Magistrate Judge would
handle seven to 10 defendants.
Arrests
happen at 6 am. So at 5:55 am Inner City Press
tweeted it, first to X subscribers with the
spoiler alert: the expectation was that each of
the current or former NYCHA employees would be
released on bond the same day.
And
then hours later at 9:39 am the prosecutors
announced it. Media rushed around reporting
it. Inner City Press had it first, and
after discretely waiting, published it first.
Then this thread of presentments, here:
Lawyer
asks Inner City Press: Why weren't they allowed
to self-surrender? Another asks why they
couldn't / didn't go over the Complaints with
them at 26 Federal Plaza... Since no
presentments yet here, heading to another of the
6 courtrooms.
Now
in big courtrrom being used by Chief Magistrate
Judge, NYCHA 70 presentment of Vernon Chambers,
24-mj-405. Arrested 6:55 this morning [an hour
after Inner City Press broke the news of the
NYCHA70 mass arrest. Judge: You are
charged in 2 counts
AUSA:
We agree to release on $50,000 [unsecured] bond.
Defense: Can he travel to NJ as well? Judge:
Yes. No contact with. NYCHA contractors without
the presence of counsel. Adjourned.
The
rest of the #NYCHA70 cases here are moving down
to the regular Magistrates courtroom 5A. As will
Inner City Press. Thread will continue
Now
in Courtroom on 17, Orlando Pardo of #NYCHA70
with a former AUSA as his appointed lawyer, also
released today on $50,000 unsecured bond.
Now
in Courtroom on 18, Brett Owens of #NYCHA70 also
released today on $50,000 unsecured bond.
Another marvels at taking up all these
agents'time today.
Now
in Courtroom on 9 Charles Starks, 57, of
#NYCHA70 with a Big Law CJA lawyer argues for no
bond, release on own recognisance. He's accused
of $7000 in bribes over 3 years. He's already
fired. "This is not Bernie Madoff."
Judge: $50,000 bond; wife can co-sign
A
case is US v. Starks, et al., 24-mj-505 (Stein)
Watch
this site - and these feeds: X
and X
for subscribers.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
Exclusive, Jan 30 – Mohammed Kassim tried to
return marijuana he bought from a smoke shop at
1274 Castle Hill Avenue on March 13, 2023. They
refused to take it back.
He
returned on March 17 and lit the store on
fire.
On
November 17, 2023 Kassim was brought before U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of New
York Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger to
plead guilty - to possession of marijuana. While
marijuana is now level at the New York State
level, it is not at the federal
level.
This
was the SDNY prosecutors' way to finesse the
arson charge. They indicated they will agree to
a sentence of six months in a halfway house, but
successfully opposed release on bond for the
holidays.
In
the gallery, along with Inner City Press, the
only people were Kassim parents, with
interpretation headphones on.
On
November 20, the US Attorney's Office put in a
letter asking for six months in a halfway house.
More
detail and analysis on Substack here
On
November 30, Judge Lehburger gave the time
served plus seven days so that the defendant can
be transferred from BOP to RRC by December 7.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Jan 22 – On January 24 the SDNY US Attorney's
Office announced charges against Bronx-based
immigration attorney KOFI AMANKWAA and his son,
KOFI AMANKWAA, JR., for carrying out a
large-scale immigration fraud scheme exploiting
the Violence Against Women Act.
When the father was presented before U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of New
York Chief Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, Inner
City Press was there, as were two or three of
the defendant's family members in the gallery.
The Assistant US Attorney agreed that he could
be released on $250,000 bond, secured by his
residence in New Jersey (the address was given
but we are not publishing it), and no contact
withou counsel present with clients or
employees, except he can talk with his son.
The
case is US v. Amankwaa, et al., 24-mj-230
(Netburn)
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Jan 17 – A Bronx man out on supervised release
after serving 38 months in prison in a narcotics
conspiracy was arrested in The Bronx and charged
with gun possession on October 11, 2023. He had
been in Federal detention since October
13.
On November 24, his lawyer filed with U.S. District
Court for the Southern
District of New York Judge
George B. Daniels a
link to an Instagram video of the arrest,
complete with an NYPD officer repeatedly
punching him in the face. Inner City Press found
the filing and followed the link.
On
December 29 for the lead named defendant in the
case, defense counsel recounted the death in a
fight by a Kennedy Fried Chicken on Webster
Avenue in The Bronx - the defendant shot his
friend Jason Parris, counsel says, trying to
save him from a gang beat-down. He is requesting
84 months.
On
January 12 the US Attorney's Office wrote in and
asked for 20 years for Goodman.
On
January 16, Goodman was sentenced to 12 years or
144 months in prison, with Otisville requested
and recommended.
The
case is US v. Goodman, et al., 20-cr-57
(Daniels)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Jan 12 – Leandre
Barnett on
July 17, 2023
was indicted
for allegedly
robbing a
Dunkin Donuts
on 132nd
Street and
Bruckner
Boulevard in
The Bronx on
October 30,
2021. Inner
City Press is
covering the
case.
The
initial
complaints
recount that
Leandre was in
CC-1's phone
as "Dre" and
on the morning
of October 30,
2021 texted
CC-1 "Bouta
try some money
sh*t out real
quick trynna
find
something."
When
CC-1 replied,
"I was about
to rob Dunkin'
Donuts,"
Barnett
replied "I'm
wit it" and
later "Gotta
ski on u,"
which
prosecutors
says refers to
wearing a ski
mask.
They
say that
Barnett
delivered
contraband to
his inmate
brother in 1
Hallack
Street, The
Bronx on April
14, 2023 - and
there had his
phone seized
and searched,
unearthing the
evidence.
On
July 25,
Barnett
appeared
before SDNY
Magistrate
Judge Valerie
Figueredo and
was arraigned
- and ordered
released on
$100,000 bond
with father
and mother to
sign, to live
with his
grandmother in
Yonkers with
only a flip
phone, no
phone with
Internet
access.
"Defendant to
be detained
until all
conditions are
met" - with an
appearance
before Chief
Judge Laura
Taylor Swain
on August 1 at
11:30 am.
Inner
City Press
went. Chief
Judge Swain
solicited and
listened to
Barnett's
lawyer's
arguments,
including that
in fleeing the
police
precinct his
client had
panicked. (He
hastened to
add that he
was not
offering an
excuse).
The
Assistant US
Attorney said
that
Magistrate
Judge
Figueredo had
not been able
to see the
video(s) of
the Dunkin
Donut
incident.
(Neither has
the public).
An open case
in North
Carolina was
cited.
Judge
Swain told a
moment then
explained she
would detain
Barnett on
danger to the
community
groups. She
thanked
Barnett's
friends and
family in the
courtroom for
accepting it.
In
January 2024,
a guilty plea:
"Minute Entry
for
proceedings
held before
Judge Laura
Taylor Swain:
Change of Plea
Hearing as to
Leandre
Barnett (1)
held on
1/10/2024.
Defendant
sworn.
Defendant
waived reading
of the S1
Indictment and
entered a plea
of guilty as
to Count Three
(3) of the S1
Indictment.
PSI ordered.
Sentencing is
scheduled for
5/1/2024 at
11:00am.
Defendant
continued
remanded."
The case is US v. Barnett, 23-cr-353 (Swain / Figueredo)
***
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Oct 5 – There was a Federal criminal
proceeding publicly listed on PACER at 2:30 pm
on October 25, 2019 in the courtroom of Judge
Denise L. Cote of the U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of New York.
Inner
City Press went to cover it - and was
immediately told to leave the courtroom. Then
the door was locked.
When US Assistant US Attorneys Maurene Comey and
Christopher Clore exited some 20 minutes later,
Inner City Press asked them if they knew the
basis for excluding the Press. Ms. Comey shook
her head.
Some seven hours later Inner City Press
reported: Maurene Comey then had only four cases
before Judge Cote. On only one of the four is
Christopher Clore her co-chair AUSA: the 20
defendant Bronx MacBallas case named from the
initial and lead defendant, US v. Xavier Holman,
18-cr-41 (Cote).
But Holman was already sentenced to 120 months.
Keenan McFarland and Sean Jones also got 120
months. Navone Dozier got 84 month. Jafari Jones
and Francisco Torres also got 84 months; Austin
Morrishow got 60 months, described in a
sentencing submission as "one of the gang's
'shooters.'" So who's left?
Not listed as "closed" are Bo Williams, 20 of
20, Deonte Morrison 15, Nathaniel Fludd 7 and
Toshnelle Foster 2, who while not sentenced has
a sentencing date in November.
Of
these, only Bo Williams does not have an
appearance by defense lawyer, although Inner
City Press on October 25 observed who his lawyer
is.
Virtually every
filing in 18-cr-41-DLC-20 from
May through September 2019 was listed as
"Sealed Document."
As
Inner City Press has explained to judges,
executive and prosecutors, it has full respect
for any legitimate sealing and / or safety
concern. But to simply order the Press out of a
Federal courtroom without given a reason does
not comply with the letter or spirit not only of
case law but of the principles behind it. More
on Patreon, here.
Jump
cut to July 11, 2023, when a defendant in the
Holman case showed up in the SDNY Mag court,
covered daily to Inner City Press. It was Lasyah
Palmer - and AUSA Clore was there, seeking
detention and citing threats to his girlfriend.
Judge Robert W. Lehrburger, who conducted a
sealed proceeding on July 10, agreed to
detention.
Jump
again to October 5, 2023, when the AUSA wrote in
about another co-defendant, Kevon Gaither, that
he was arrested in the Bronx in connection with
a robbery and faces sentencing on that on
November 2.
On
January 5, 2024 the AUSA wrote in again that
Gaither had been sentenced to 1.5 to 3 years in
state custody and is on Rikers Island,
"unavailable for pick up by the Marshals until
January 30" - and that a writ will be required.
A date in the week of February 26 was requested.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Dec 27 – Timothy
Glover is
charged with
firing a gun
into the air,
three separate
times, in the
Bronx in
recent
months.
On
August 15,
2023 he was
before U.S.
District Court
for the
Southern
District of
New York
Magistrate
Judge
Katharine H.
Parker. Inner
City Press was
there, the
only media in
the SDNY Mag
Court.
Glover's
Federal
Defender said
he should be
released on
bond. But
Glover laughed
when asked if
he felt OK.
The Defender
noted that a
prior charge
had been
dropped due to
incapacity.
Judge Parker
said Glover
must be
detained as a
danger to the
community.
Jump
cut to
December 27:
Glover
appeared
before the
assigned
District Judge
Naomi Reice
Buchwald for a
competency
hearing. When
asked to
speak, Glover
muttered and
Judge Buchwald
asked the
Federal
Defender to
translate. "He
said, 'I'm
flesh and
blood, that's
why I
translate
Scripture,'"
the Defender
said.
Glover was
again deemed
not competent.
But what next?
The
case is now US
v. Glover,
23-cr-438
(Buchwald /
Parker)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
FOLEY
SQUARE,
Dec 21 – As the United Federation of
Teachers announced a lawsuit against NYC Eric
Adams administration for funding cuts to schools
on December 21, Inner City Press asked the UFT's
Michael Mulgrew about the timing of the lawsuit.
Is the UFT, for example, seeking a temporary
restraining order? Video here.
Their
lawyer stepped forward to say it is a
declaratory injunction action, that no TRO is
being sought at this point.
Inner City Press asked what even a win would
entail, in terms of funding.
The
answer: Restore funding to the appropriate
levels required by law.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Dec 12 – Two gentrifying buildings in the South
Bronx have been sued for failure to comply with
the Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988.
On
December 12, 2023 before U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of New York Judge Denise
L. Cote, the defendants disputed whether damages
can be awarded under the frustration of mission
theory of fair housing law that stretched back
to the Havens Realty case. Inner City Press was
there.
No decision was made, but a showdown may be
looming.
The buildings are at 25 Bruckner Boulevard in
Mott Haven; rents range from $2300 to $4300. The
claim is that the apartments are inaccessible to
disabled people. Defendants have apparently
offered to remediate in three or five years.
After the case was filed in 2019, COVID made it
difficult for the plaintiff's expert to access
the building.
But
now a mediation is scheduled for January 24, and
a status letter by January 26.
On
February 16, if the issue hasn't been settled
out in mediation, the plaintiffs are to present
case law justifying their request for damages
under the frustration of mission theory.
The case is Fair Housing Justice Center, Inc. v. Bruckner Tower LLC et al., 19-cv-8622 (Cote)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Dec 7 – On
Cromwell
Avenue in The
Bronx on
November 5,
2020 Andrew
Done shot and
killed Angel
Barreiro.
Then
NYPD officer
Gina Mestre
helped him
evade capture
for the
murder,
according to
an indictment
unsealed on
August 15,
2023. Inner
City Press had
reported on
the Done case,
resulting in a
sentence of 35
years, and
covered her
arraignment
and release on
bail on August
16, the only
media in the
courtroom.
Before U.S.
District Court
for the
Southern
District of
New York Judge
Denise L.
Cote, Mestre
appeared in a
black hooded
sweatshirt, a
tattoo visible
on her arm.
Judge
Cote set a
January 2024
trial date.
The
SDNY
prosecutors
had already
agreed that
unlike many
defendants
down in the
Magistrates
Court, she
could be
released on
bail: a
$250,000 bond
with two
so-signers.
Judge Cote
proposed that
she be barred
from any
contact with
current or
former NYPD
officers
except in the
presence of
counsel.
On
November 9,
2023, Judge
Cote set the
schedule for a
January 9,
2024 trial.
On
November 10,
the
prosecution
wrote it to
say"plea
discussions
have
progressed to
the point
where a
framework for
a possible
plea is in
place."
Motions was
put off until
November 24 -
then on
November 21, a
sealed
document was
place in the
vault. No
motion
docketed
November 24...
On
December 1
Mestre's
lawyer wrote
in, "The
parties have
reached a
negotiated
disposition in
principle...
schedule a
change of plea
hearing for
December 7."
On
December 7,
Mestre's plea
was accepted -
and the plea
agreement, to
Count 4, is to
a 70 to 87
month
guideline,
with a 15 year
maximum. Plea
agreement on
Patreon here.
Previously
the prosecutor
asked for an
exception to
the
prohibition,
saying in open
court that
Mestre's
"partner" -
boyfriend - is
a former NYPD
officer. Inner
City Press has
already
tweeted that;
more
details and
name on
Substack
here.
The
case is US v.
Mestre,
23-cr-418
(Cote)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Nov 28 – Akeba Palmer was arrested on November
22 and charged with selling a gun to a
confidential source in front of his building in
the Bronx, with a child with him.
On
November 27 he was brought before U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York
Magistrate Judge Saral L. Cave. Inner City Press
was there, the only media in the SDNY Mag
Court.
Palmer
had five supporters, including a girl, in the
gallery. The AUSA noted the defendants prior
convictions, including for armed robbery of a
food delivery person, back in the Aughts.
The CJA lawyer said that was a long time ago,
and that Palmer is himself a food delivery man
now. Judge Cave said Palmer could be
released but only after co-signers are vetted;
he cannot, she said, work as a food delivery
person.
The AUSA said his Office would be appealing to
the Part 1 Judge Victor Marrero.
Inner
City Press was there when the appeal was heard;
thread:
Defense:
This is not the most dangerous crime. If he's
jailed he will lose his apartment. Part 1
Judge
Victor Marrero: I revoke the bail package. This
involves a career criminal, allegedly selling a
gun.
Akeba
Palmer will be detained, apparently in MDC
Brooklyn.
Inner
City Press will continue to follow the case. It
is US v. Palmer, 23-mj-7289 (Cave / Marrero)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Nov 24 – A Bronx man out on supervised release
after serving 38 months in prison in a narcotics
conspiracy was arrested in The Bronx and charged
with gun possession on October 11, 2023. He had
been in Federal detention since October
13.
On November 24, his lawyer filed with the judge
a link to an Instagram video of the arrest,
complete with an NYPD officer repeatedly
punching him in the face. Inner City Press found
the filing and followed the link.
The
request now is for release on $100,000; a
hearing is set for November 28 before U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of New
York Judge George B. Daniels.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
Exclusive, Nov 17 – Mohammed Kassim tried to
return marijuana he bought from a smoke shop at
1274 Castle Hill Avenue on March 13, 2023. They
refused to take it back.
He
returned on March 17 and lit the store on
fire.
On
November 17, 2023 Kassim was brought before U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of New
York Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger to
plead guilty - to possession of marijuana. While
marijuana is now level at the New York State
level, it is not at the federal
level.
This
was the SDNY prosecutors' way to finesse the
arson charge. They indicated they will agree to
a sentence of six months in a halfway house, but
successfully opposed release on bond for the
holidays.
In
the gallery, along with Inner City Press, the
only people were Kassim parents, with
interpretation headphones on.
More
detail and analysis on Substack here
The case is US v. Kassim, 23-cr-608 (Lehrburger)
***
Your support means a lot. As
little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access
to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here
to become a patron.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Nov 9 – Tyriek Skyfield was arrested
and charged with being a felon in possession of
ammo, after a shooting in The Bronx. He has
demanded a Speedy Trial.
On
November 9, 2023 he appeared before U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of New
York Judge Lewis J. Liman for a change of
counsel. Inner City Press was there.
The
first counsel said he would be unable to
represent Skyfield in any trial in the 70 days
of the Speedy Trial Act.
The
day's CJA lawyer said the same.
Judge Liman said his deputy will try to find a
CJA lawyer who can, and set a January 16, 2024
trial date.
After
first appearing to say that the AUSA requested
"wiggle room" was no ground to exclude time, he
nevertheless excluded time for a week, to find
another lawyer.
To some, it might appear that fights under the
Speedy Trial Act are contingent on being able to
pay for counsel.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Oct 30 – Terrence Allen was arrested
and charged with shooting a gun 13 times in the
Melrose Houses in the South Bronx. In state
court he was released on $50,000 bail.
Then
the case was Federalized and he was arrested
again.
On
October 30 Allen appeared by U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of New York new
Magistrate Judge Stein Gary. Inner City Press
was there, the only media in the SDNY Mag court.
The AUSA emphasized 13 shots, and Allen's arrest
twice in the same silver Mercedes. The Federal
Defender said he works two jobs on Long Island
and could stay with his wife near the
Williamsburg Bridge.
Judge
Stein took a break to mull it, then returned and
said he had to detain Allen on danger grounds.
The preliminary hearing was set for the 14th
day.
The
case is US v. Allen, 23-mj-6928 (Stein)
***
Your support means a lot. As
little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access
to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here
to become a patron.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Oct 24 –
Two men were
presented and
detained in
Manhattan
Federal court
on August 9,
2023 for a
shooting of an
11-month-old
baby in
January 2022.
The baby was
in the
courtroom -
and so was
Inner City
Press. Thread:
OK
- now
presentment of
AHMED ALTOREI
& SAMUEL
BAUTISTA after
a street
shooting on
Jan 19, 2022,
targeting a
rival drug
dealer but
shot an
11-month-old
baby in the
face.
Courtroom
filling.
Deputy:
Mr Lazzaro,
are you
consenting?
[To detention]
A:
Yes. [This
could be a
short one]
In
the gallery, a
couple with a
baby...
All rise!
Lance
Lazzaro, for
Ahmed Altorei
(he i$
retained)
Federal
Defender for
Samuel
Bautista, with
financial
affidavit.
Judge:
Cocaine base
aka crack
sales, using
guns,
brandished and
discharged.
Bautista is a
felon, with
.380
ammo
Judge:
Both consent
to detention
without
prejudice.
Medical order
as to Mr
Bautista.
AUSA: Next is
Sept 8 at 11
am in the U.S.
District Court
for the
Southern
District of
New York.
Afterward,
the couple and
the now older
than a year
baby went out
together down
the hall.
On
September 8,
the two were
back in court,
before SDNY
Chief Judge
Laura Taylor
Swain. Inner
City Press was
there. Beyond
setting the
next
conference for
Novemver 15 at
11:30 am,
Bautista asked
to be released
on bond.
The
AUSA responded
with a
narrative of
the background
to the
shooting: a
feud with
Tyrone Handley
a/k/a Smokey,
in and around
2860 Grand
Concourse and
198th Street
in The Bronx.
The baby's
parents spoke,
and urged that
detention be
continued. As
docketed on
September 12,
it was.
On
October 5,
docketed
October 6, a
superseding
indictment,
with Altorei,
Bautista and
Ronald Coradin
a/k/a
Scrappy...
On
October 19
Coradin got
his Rule 5(f)
order before
being detained
on consent and
Lance Lazzaro
asked to make
an application
for bail for
Altorei on
October 25,
citing six
friends who
would co-sign,
from Panda
Group and
Alabama
Chicken.
On
October 24,
the bail
hearing was
set for
November 1,
before Chief
Judge Swain:
"Request for
the
Opportunity to
Make a Bail
Application.
ENDORSEMENT:
The below
request is
granted. A
bail hearing
in this case
is scheduled
to proceed on
November 1,
2023, at 3:30
PM in
Courtroom
17C." Watch
this site.
Inner
City Press
will stay on
the
case(s).
The case is US v. Altorei, et al., 23-cr-407 (Swain / Gorenstein)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
EXCLUSIVE, Oct 20 – A NYPD officer who was on
modified duty for three years was arrested and
presented on October 20 in Federal court for
trying to selling kilo-weight fentanyl. Inner
City Press was there. She was released on
$100,000 bond.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
New York Magistrate Judge James L. Cott was
presiding. Inner City Press thread:
AUSA
Amanda Weingarten: Rosa Grace Baez worked in the
NYPD precinct in the East Village, this was her
side hustle. She had a kilo press with her
boyfriend Cesar Martines. She was placed on
modified duty 3 years ago. It is eggregious. She
resigned yesterday.
CJA:
She wants bail
Defense:
She owns a house in the Bronx, has 2 children.
Her father flew up from the Dominican Republic
today to be here. Don't put a now former police
officer in the MDC...
AUSA:
My understanding is that the investigation of
Baez 3 years ago was for consorting with gang
members and drug dealers. [Echo of US v Mestre
case Inner City Press first covered here
Judge:
I am setting bail for Ms Baez: $100,000 bond
with 2 co-signers. She can be released on her
own signature today, home detention in her Arnow
Ave home.
The
case is US v. Baez, 23-mj- 6893 (Cott)
***
Your support means a lot. As
little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access
to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here
to become a patron.
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Oct 12 – William Jones is on trial
for Conspiracy to Murder a Federal Informant To
Prevent Communication to Law Enforcement. Inner
City Press is covering the case, from 2021 into
2023 and beyond.
On September 23, 2021 U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of New York Judge Edgardo
Ramos held a proceeding. Inner City Press
covered it.
Judge Ramos asked if the capital decision had
been made. It has not. But the "Special Finding"
have been set forth.
The
killing was in Suffolk County, New York, after
abduction from The Bronx on December 28, 2019.
Jump
cut to June 28, 2023. In the SDNY Magistrates
Court, with Inner City Press the only media
there, Jones was arraigned on a superseding
indictment. He had three lawyers at the table.
His trial is set for October 2, 2023, and Speedy
Trial Act time was excluded until then by SDNY
Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave. Inner City Press
intends to cover the trial.
On
September 7 the US filed an additional
protective order for 3500 material citing the
violent nature of the case. The defense is
seeking to keep out the autopsy photos of
Frederick Delacruz.
On
September 21, after yet another defendant in the
case passed through the Magistrates Court,
Genaro Castro was brought in after
self-surrender in the Western District of North
Carolina. He was nevertheless detained, on
danger grounds.
In
October 2023, the trial was on - and Inner City
Press went. Cooperators Castillo and Rivera were
on the stand, testifying as to the rules of
retaliation, hand signs, meetings and dues. The
prosecution wants a Detective Jiminez to testify
about what the decedent, his CI, told him.
The defense objects, as hearsay. But the
prosecution argues that Jones made the witness
unavailable. That's what we're hear for, to
decide, the defense lawyer said.
But
apparently that finding of Jones' role can be
made on a preponderance of the evidence, not
reasonable doubt.
On
October 10 Detective Jiminez was on the stand,
testifying about getting de la Cruz out of
trouble in NJ and then Connecticut. Played for
the jury was de la Cruz' last voice mail to
Jiminez, that "they are taking me out to Long
Island."
On
October 11 Jones' lawyer in closing argument
picked up a weapon from the prosecutors table
and said it was a cooperating witness who knew
more about it. He cited Judge Ramos' "lengthy by
well done" legal instruction. Next up: a
verdict.
It
came on October 12: "WILLIAM JONES, a/k/a
“Principe,” was convicted by a jury of
racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of
racketeering, and firearms offenses for his role
in the murder of Frederick Delacruz on December
28, 2019. The defendant was found guilty
on all counts following an eight-day jury trial
..murder through the use of a firearm, which
carries a maximum penalty of life in prison."
The case is US v. Jones, 21-cr-505 (Ramos / Willis)
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Oct 7 – Cristian Eustate Espinal and
three others were arrested in a residence in The
Bronx with 50 pounds of fentalyl and pill and
kilo presses.
Cristian,
late on October 6, 2023, was released on bond,
on his own signature, in the U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of New York. Inner
City Press was there, the only media in the SDNY
Magistrates Court.
Cristian's
Criminal Justice Act lawyer argued that he had
merely been present in the drug house, and not
tied to it. The Assistant US Attorney argued it
would have been impossible for him not to have
known it was a narcotics factory, what with the
garbage bags taped over the windows.
SDNY
Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron ordered
release on bond. But the AUSA said they would
appeal to the week's Part 1 District Judge, Arun
Subramanian.
Judge
Subramanian held the appeal in the Magistrates
courtroom. Again, Inner City Press was there.
After
detailed inquiry into where the drugs had been
found -- in an alcove of the bathroom, as shown
on the AUSA's phone -- Judge Subramanian upheld
Magistrate Judge Aaron's release order, adding
that the CJA lawyer must turn in Cristian's
Dominican passport by noon on Saturday or he
would be arrested.
The
CJA lawyer replied that she would be in the MDC
jail on Saturday, until 3 at the latest - and
that if she did not have the passport by then,
she would turn Cristian in to the Marshals.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Sept 28– Following the death of a
one-year old baby by fentanyl, on September 19,
2023 the US Attorney for the Southern District
of New York charged Grei Mendez and Carlisto
Acevedo Brito.
On
September 25, with no notice and Inner City
Press initially the only person in the courtroom
gallery, the third man was brought in: Renny
Antonio Parra Paredes. Inner City Press live
tweeted, thread:
Renny
Antonio Parra Paredes is seated at defense table
with assigned lawyer and SPanish interpretation
headphones. Judge still not here but others
coming
All
rise! Mag Judge Ona T. Wang presiding. Arrest
just after midnight on Sept 23, Saturday and
waived speedy presentment. He is in a white
T-shirt. CJA defense lawyer is appointed.
Judge
Wang: You are charged with conspiracy to
distribute narcotics. AUSA: We seek detention,
and they consent. Defense lawyer: Most of his
family is out of town. We consent.
Parra
Paredes, in jean long shorts now without belt,
us led out.
His
lawyer asks,
MDC?
Yes.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Sept 19 – Following the death of a
one-year old baby by fentanyl, on September 19,
2023 the US Attorney for the Southern District
of New York charged Grei Mendez and Carlisto
Acevedo Brito.
The
charge was and is narcotics possession with
intent to distribute resulting in death and
conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in
death in connection with the overdose of four
children under the age of three, one of whom
died, at a daycare facility in the Bronx on
September 15, 2023.
Inner City Press went to the SDNY press
conference and asked US Attorney Damian Williams
if his office would be seeking pre-trial
detention (yes) and if those upstream who sold
the fentanyl would be charged with the death. No
answer, at least not yet. Video here.
The duo was set to be presented in SDNY
Magistrates Court, to which Inner City Press
next turned. It was present there for hours.
Thread here:
Brito
is brought out, already in MDC tan
uniform.
Magistrate
Judge Jennifer Willis now presiding in US v
Brito
AUSA
Thompson: We seek detention. Defense: We consent
at this time.
Brito
is led back into the holding cell [and later to
MDC, where SBF is complaining about lack of
vegan meals and fast enough laptop. Brito, it
seems clear, will not be exempted from prisoner
count like Sam is]
OK -
now fentanyl daycare Ms Mendez has been brought
out. She is crying.
Federal
Defender: Ms Mendez is a 36 year old legal
resident. She worked in a restaurant. She is a
single custodial parent, now that her husband
has fled.
Judge:
I am going to detain you. Mendez: Aye, no!
[crying]
Federal
Defender goes back on the record to say she has
diabetes. Both sides agree: she will be in MDC
More
on Substack here
Watch
this site.
***
Your support means a lot. As
little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access
to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here
to become a patron.
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
BBC
- Guardian
UK - Honduras
- ESPN
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Sept 12 – A multi-defendant
case charging narcotics conspiracy and guns,
with phone data dumps and complaints from
Valhalla and Essex County jails landed in
Federal court.
On
February 5, 2021 U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York Judge Katherine
Polk Failla held a proceeding. Inner City Press
covered it.
Assistant
US Attorney Frank Balsamello described the range
of discovery, and a parallel state case.
Defendants
cut in, complaining of bad treatment. Judge
Failla supported the idea of a discovery
coordinator.
Jump cut to June 2022 when defendant Drilon
Haxhaj, according to his lawyer, has been
engaged in extensive plea negotiations - and
therefore asks that his May 2022 suppression
motion be held in abeyance. He pled guilty on
June 27.
On
July 21, 2022 Judge Failla held a proceeding
with remaining defendants and Inner City Press
went and attended, live tweeting here:
On
March 29, counsel for Shpendi Haxhaj filed a
reply memo to sever his case, citing the risks
of a joint trial. Dkt 161. In a garbled
footnote, "the defense does not concede that the
alleged statements made by the court-defendant
are true or that they were in fact made at all.
The defense argues that if the declaration
co-defenses t's statements were omitted as
evidence that regardless of their truth they
would prejudice the defendant."
On July 24, 2023,
counsel for Shpendi Haxhaj
filed another letter with
Judge Failla, that "we
informed Mr. Haxhaj that if he
is convicted at trial of
murder in aid of racketeering,
he would face a mandatory life
sentence... Mr. Haxhaj has
informed Counsel that he has
elected to proceed to trial."
On August
9, co-defendant Ivis Perdomo's
lawyer filed a
supplemental sentencing
memo complete with DD5s
and photos of a club
shooting, objecting to the
US seeking at least 240
months.
On
August 17 Jeremy Cedeno was
sentenced, at the top
of his guideline.
Inner City Press was
there, thread.
On
September 12, co-defendant
Boris Beltran was
on trial on
Courtroom 110 of
40 Foley Square.
The gallery behind
him
was nearly full;
the right side,
empty. A 49th
Precinct sergeant
was on the
witness stand,
identifying
the drugs
seized that
night. But on
cross she was
asked if she
knew if
Beltran lived
in the raided
apartment. She
did not.
On
September 13,
the cooperator
on the witness
stand was
cross-examined about, among
other things,
getting back
into drug
dealing the
day after he
was released
from prison,
then cutting
the cooperation deal. On
January 5,
2021 he pled guilty
to conspiracy
to distribute
5 kilos or
more of
cocaine, with
a ten year
minimum,
maximum life.
But on
cross he
acknowledged
he never planned for
five kilos -- "if
I'd
managed to
stay out I
might have gotten
there," he
said. Then
why, with only
three years
left on his
state
sentence, did
he agree to
this plea to
ten to life?
It also
emerged he couldn't
say it was Beltran
who put drugs
in the jacket
passed under
the table of a
restaurant on
Fordham
Road in The Bronx,
or into the
trunk of his
car outside.
On
September 14,
with defendant
Yeltsin
Beltran
greeting those
in the gallery
behind him,
the prosecutor
put an
NYPD detective
on the stand,
to describe
the victim Ramon
Encarnacion
bloody in Lincoln
Hospital, and
the afterhours
location on 149th
Street by
Courtlandt Avenue.
On
September 15,
Beltran's
lawyer was cross
examining a
member of the
police team
which made
undercover
drug buys. He
defined
"ghosting" and
admitted that
their CI was
himself
selling crack
and so was "deactivated."
The trial
continues.
The case is US v. Haxhaj et al., 21-cr-17 (Failla)
***
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell
Book
BBC-Guardian
UK - Honduras
- ESPN NY
Mag
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Sept 6 – Kai Johnson of Soundview in
The Bronx is charged with the murder of Price
and Malik Tunstall on August 21,
2021.
On April 11, 2022 U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York Judge Lewis J.
Liman held a proceeding. Inner City Press went
and covered it. Johnson was in an orange
WDOC jumpsuit and accompanied by two U.S.
Marshals.
It
is a capital case and the prosecutor said they
are preparing to make their recommendation to
Main Justice whether to seek the death
penalty.
For
that reason, Johnson's lawyer opposed setting a
trial date or even motion schedule, insteading
asking for another status conference in 90 days.
In
January 2023 Johnson pleaded guilty, with a plea
deal for a 40 year sentence.
On
September 6, 2023 the US Attorney's Office wrote
to Judge Liman that "a sentence of 40 years'
imprisonment is necessary to comply with the
goals of sentencing." The defense is asking
for... 30 years. Johnson is 28 years old.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Aug 28 – Jonathan Laureano fired 11
shots at a crowd outside a Bronx nightclub on
September 10, 2022. He was up for sentencing on
August 28, 2023 before U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of New York Judge Valerie
E. Caproni. Inner City Press is covering the
case, and went to the sentencing, which ended in
screaming from the gallery and in the hall.
The SDNY prosecutors wanted the top of the
guideline for felon in possession of ammunition:
87 months.
The defense wanted 48 months, citing Laureano's
history. They say his mother Milagros Carrero
was drug addicted and died when he was 16.
"His father re-established contact, and moved
into the family's apartment," then moved out,
abandoning Jonathan and his brother, Carlos.
"Carlos has not survived this trauma any better
than Jonathan; he is currently incarcerated in
New Jersey."
While
that is sourced to the Pre-Sentencing Report,
the defense objects to the PSR: "his unmentioned
sister, Mayling Carrero, is 30 and lives in
Connecticut. Also, one sister is named Taisha
Laureano, not Tisha, and is 38, not 41; and his
brother, John Cruz, is 41 or 42, not 40." The
PSR is, of course, sealed.
On
August 28, Inner City Press went to the
sentencing. In the gallery were relatives,
including the mother of Laureano's son. Judge
Caproni pointed out that the shooting happened
soon after his son's birth, and sentenced him to
87 months. His son's mother shouted and ran out
into the hall. Court Security Officers were
called; a person on the elevator said, This is
exciting.
The
case is US v. Laureano, 22-cr-670
(Caproni)
More,
from Endless Sentences on Substack here
***
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by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
EXCLUSIVE, Aug 24 – Rodney Spratley, while
robbing a Bronx bodega at 1665 Topping Avenue in
May, shot a man in the hip.
At
the time, the man was expected to survive. But
he was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital on 183rd
Street.
On August 24, 2023 Spratley was presented before
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
New York Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. Inner
City Press was there, the only media in the SDNY
Mag court.
The
charge, now, included murder. The victim died,
and the case was entirely sealed until the
presentment, no announcement of which was
made.
At the time of arrest, Spratley's mother said
"He’s a good kid, maybe a little lost and
confused. I can’t say he’s had a perfect life.
None of us have. But I broke my back to give him
everything. He’s a little troubled now, I
guess.”
And
indicted for murder. The robbery yielded $1200.
The
case is US v. Spratley, 23-cr-283
***
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Aug 16 – On
Cromwell
Avenue in The
Bronx on
November 5,
2020 Andrew
Done shot and
killed Angel
Barreiro.
Then
NYPD officer
Gina Mestre
helped him
evade capture
for the
murder,
according to
an indictment
unsealed on
August 15,
2023. Inner
City Press had
reported on
the Done case,
resulting in a
sentence of 35
years, and
covered her
arraignment
and release on
bail on August
16, the only
media in the
courtroom.
Before U.S.
District Court
for the
Southern
District of
New York Judge
Denise L.
Cote, Mestre
appeared in a
black hooded
sweatshirt, a
tattoo visible
on her arm.
Judge
Cote set a
January 2024
trial date.
The
SDNY
prosecutors
had already
agreed that
unlike many
defendants
down in the
Magistrates
Court, she
could be
released on
bail: a
$250,000 bond
with two
so-signers.
Judge Cote
proposed that
she be barred
from any
contact with
current or
former NYPD
officers
except in the
presence of
counsel.
The
prosecutor
asked for an
exception to
the
prohibition,
saying in open
court that
Mestre's
"partner" -
boyfriend - is
a former NYPD
officer. Inner
City Press has
already
tweeted that;
more
details and
name on
Substack
here.
The
case is US v.
Mestre,
23-cr-418
(Cote)
***
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell
Book
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Aug 8 – A young man detained as part
of a Bronx gang case asked in mid 2022 to be
released on bail. But the US Attorney's Office
opposed it, citing among other things rap
lyrics.
On
June 24, 2022 U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York Judge Jed S.
Rakoff held an in-person bond hearing. Inner
City Press went and covered it.
The
Assistant US Attorney, beyond describing bullets
in a backpack said the defendant has appeared in
videos on YouTube with lyrics such as "they call
me war" and "I'll empty my ten round clip...
hunt you down because you rat us out."
Judge
Rakoff found a danger to the community (and did
mention songs and videos, and much else). The
defendant remained detained.
Jump
cut to February 22, 2023 when after several
delays lead defendant Andrew Done was up for
sentencing. His submission noted, among many
other things, growing up next to the Dominican
Chernobyl. But "ANDREW DONE, a/k/a “Caballo,”
the leader of the “Shooting Boys” gang, was
sentenced today to 35 years in prison for the
November 5, 2020, murder of Angel Barreiro in
the Bronx and other racketeering offenses.
DONE previously pled guilty before United States
District Judge Jed S. Rakoff, who imposed the
sentence."
On
April 10, the US asked for 154 to 171 months
imprisonment for co-defendant Moises Fontanez,
describing his stealing a car, robbing a home in
New Jersey, and shooting into a crowd at 180th
Street and Grand Concourse in The Bronx on July
31, 2020.
On
May 2, Moises Fontanez was sentenced to 132
months.
On
August 8, Federal Defenders asked for a
custodial sentence of substantially less than 42
months for Malvin Restituyo, who they say has an
IQ of 69 and whose guilty plea Magistrate Judge
Barbara Moses referred back to Judge Rakoff
"given her concerns about his competence."
Restituyo
was shot in the head as a child. In The Bronx he
delivered food for a woman named Mangu on 176th
Street. He used the basement there to fix
motorbikes - and, it turned out, to let others -
Done - store guns and call him "Puto."
The
US Attorney's Office wrote in requesting 97 to
120 months.
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, Aug 1 – Leandre
Barnett on
July 17, 2023
was indicted
for allegedly
robbing a
Dunkin Donuts
on 132nd
Street and
Bruckner
Boulevard in
The Bronx on
October 30,
2021. Inner
City Press is
covering the
case.
The
initial
complaints
recount that
Leandre was in
CC-1's phone
as "Dre" and
on the morning
of October 30,
2021 texted
CC-1 "Bouta
try some money
sh*t out real
quick trynna
find
something."
When
CC-1 replied,
"I was about
to rob Dunkin'
Donuts,"
Barnett
replied "I'm
wit it" and
later "Gotta
ski on u,"
which
prosecutors
says refers to
wearing a ski
mask.
They
say that
Barnett
delivered
contraband to
his inmate
brother in 1
Hallack
Street, The
Bronx on April
14, 2023 - and
there had his
phone seized
and searched,
unearthing the
evidence.
On
July 25,
Barnett
appeared
before SDNY
Magistrate
Judge Valerie
Figueredo and
was arraigned
- and ordered
released on
$100,000 bond
with father
and mother to
sign, to live
with his
grandmother in
Yonkers with
only a flip
phone, no
phone with
Internet
access.
"Defendant to
be detained
until all
conditions are
met" - with an
appearance
before Chief
Judge Laura
Taylor Swain
on August 1 at
11:30 am.
Inner
City Press
went. Chief
Judge Swain
solicited and
listened to
Barnett's
lawyer's
arguments,
including that
in fleeing the
police
precinct his
client had
panicked. (He
hastened to
add that he
was not
offering an
excuse).
The
Assistant US
Attorney said
that
Magistrate
Judge
Figueredo had
not been able
to see the
video(s) of
the Dunkin
Donut
incident.
(Neither has
the public).
An open case
in North
Carolina was
cited.
By
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
BBC
- Guardian
UK - Honduras
- ESPN
SDNY
COURTHOUSE, July 28 – Daniel Spiegelman
absconded from the Bronx Reentry Center half-way
house -- on October 4, 2012, more than eight
years ago.
On
November 13 U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of New York Judge John P. Cronan held a
change of plea proceeding. Inner City Press
covered it.
Spiegelman
said that back in 2012 he had a case of the
tremors and left the halfway house to get
medical attention. Then he never went back,
instead moving to Brooklyn. He had multiple
aliases.
Now
he had a Pimintel letter and awaited sentencing,
on February 19, 2021. Judge Cronan said he hoped
it would be in person.
It was not. But Inner City Press covered it -
and dug into it. While the 1999 SDNY case
against Speigelman is not a live link in PACER,
there's this: "In the spring of 1994, Daniel
Spiegelman shinnied up an abandoned book lift in
Columbia University's Butler Library, dismantled
a wall, stole books."
On
February 19 Spiegelman was sentenced to a year
and a day and then three years of supervised
release.
It
was on that supervised release that Spiegelman
sought to leave the US to renounce his
citizenship. On July 28, 2023, this was denied:
"ORDER as to Daniel Spiegelman is presently
serving concurrent five-year and three-year
terms of supervised release, the first of which
was imposed in No. 10 Cr. 339, following his
plea of guilty to three counts of bank fraud,
identity theft, and possession of false
identification documents. As a condition of each
term of supervised release, Mr. Kikabidze must
remain within the judicial district of his
residencein this case, the Southern District of
New York absent permission from the Court or
from his probation officer to leave it.
Therefore, Mr. Kikabidze's request to modify the
conditions of his supervised release imposed in
No. 10 Cr. 339 and No. 20 Cr. 609 to allow his
travel to Russia to relinquish his United States
citizenship is denied. The parties shall appear
for a status conference on August 16, 2023."
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
NYC
COURTHOUSE, July 21 – In
a Manhattan
Central
Booking
holding cell
on October 20,
2022, NYPD
then-Sergeant
Adrian DeJesus
grabbed a
detainee,
dragged him
across the
floor then hit
him in the
face.
He
was fired by
the NYPD - for
a separate
Staten Island
case.
On
July 21, 2023
Inner City
Press was in
New York
criminal court
at 100 Centre
Street to
cover DeJesus'
guilty plea
and
sentencing.
While
photos and
video were not
allowed by the
judge, Inner
City Press
live tweeted,
thread here:
We're
in NYC
Criminal Court
awaiting
appearance of
NYPD officer
charged with
assaulting a
detainee in a
holding cell.
After
wait, judge in
Desk
Appearance
Ticket court,
when Inner
City Press and
others apply,
says no photos
or videos in
the courtroom
this time. (We
got video of
arraignments
in illegal
contributions
to Adams
campaign
case). So,
will live
tweet
Defense lawyer
and arrested
NYPD (ex)
officer, with
glasses,
tattooed arms
and
sharp-lined
beard, are in
front row.
There is a
sign: Please
Do No Step
Over the Rail
- Use the
Chain.
Now
defense lawyer
is up, with
prosecutor, at
judge's bench.