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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
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,