Combating gun violence We announced the indictment of 13 alleged members of the “OY” gang for allegedly committing months of violence, including a homicide and nine shootings, against rival gangs. “Combatting gun violence remains my top priority. We are committed to a holistic approach and productive solutions that have meaningful impacts on public safety,” said D.A. Bragg.
Kimond Cyrus was sentenced to 24 years-to-life in state prison for the fatal shooting of 67-year-old Sueng Chul Choi, an Upper East Side deli clerk. “Cyrus engaged in escalating turned-deadly gun violence – committing a gunpoint robbery before brazenly ending Mr. Choi’s life. Mr. Choi was a father and a hardworking person, and although we cannot bring him back, I hope that his family and loved ones can take solace knowing this defendant has been brought to justice,” said D.A. Bragg.
Prosecutors Against Gun Violence, cochaired by D.A. Bragg, filed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting Hawaii’s commonsense firearms law allowing default no-carry rules on private property open to public. “Armed individuals in public retail spaces, such as shops, restaurants, and malls, pose a significant safety threat to workers, businesses owners and customers alike. Hawaii’s commonsense law curbs this threat of gun violence while appropriately balancing the rights of property owners,” said D.A. Bragg.
prosecuting sex trafficking Along with Homeland Security Investigations New York and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, we announced the indictment of an alleged sex trafficking ring that coerced women to engage in prostitution by paying for their travel from Venezuela to the U.S., and then forcing them to pay off that ‘debt.’ “Monetary control, including predatory cycles of debt, is a common element of coercion used by sex traffickers. Together with our partners in the NYPD/HSI Task Force, we are putting a stop to this predatory cycle and horrific abuse,” said D.A. Bragg.
Walter Melvin was sentenced to 20 years in state prison for trafficking a 15-year-old girl and attempting to traffick a 16-year-old girl. “Even after he was arrested, Melvin continued to harass and bribe these young survivors in an effort to evade responsibility for his horrific actions. I thank the jury for its careful consideration of the evidence in this case, and my office’s prosecutors for ensuring accountability for those who profit off of the abuse of children,” said D.A. Bragg.
Advocating for Mental Healthcare Supportive services and mental health care are critical to long-term community safety. Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed the SUPPORT Act into law, helping ensure that New Yorkers don’t fall through the cracks of our mental healthcare safety net. We thank Governor Hochul for taking this important step and are grateful to our partners on this bill – Senator Brad Hoylman–Sigal and Assemblymember Tony Simone for their support and advocacy!
Cracking Down on Financial Crimes We announced the indictment of Jerry Genesis for allegedly stealing over $100,000 from at least eight prospective tenants in a rental scam. “As alleged, Jerry Genesis took advantage of New York’s extremely competitive housing market to steal hard-earned money from eight individuals who trusted him to find them apartments. One of the victims had already started moving into the apartment before he realized it was a scam, leaving him without a home,” said D.A. Bragg.
We announced the indictment of Brandon Kiehm for allegedly stealing approximately $272,000 from a 44-year-old woman in a romance scam. “We allege that Brandon Kiehm crafted a relationship on a web of lies, preying on his girlfriend’s trust again and again. Romance scams are all too common, and our office is here to prosecute egregious conduct like this,” said D.A. Bragg.
Analie Vargas was sentenced for diverting clients’ checks intended for immigration application fees and other legal services into her personal bank account. “Defrauding hopeful New Yorkers is unacceptable, and we will prosecute individuals who use their greed to take advantage of our immigrant communities,” said D.A. Bragg.
We announced the guilty plea of Charde Baker in connection to four indictments charging 18 defendants with a wide range of criminal conduct, including a fraud conspiracy. “Her conduct diverted funds from a vital pandemic-era program meant to support individuals during a difficult period of widespread fear and economic uncertainty. I commend our prosecutors for securing this conviction and ensuring Baker is held accountable as she faces prison time,” said D.A. Bragg.
Prosecuting Violent Crime Jelani Parker pleaded guilty for intentionally starting a fire that destroyed a Hamilton Heights apartment building and injured three firefighters. “Fire poses a major hazard to our densely populated city and this act of arson not only threatened Parker’s neighbors, but those in the surrounding area,” said D.A. Bragg.
We announced the indictment of a man for allegedly lighting a 45-year-old club promoter on fire in Times Square. “The defendant allegedly sought to evade accountability for more than eight months by immediately flying overseas to Egypt but was eventually apprehended thanks to the hard work of our prosecutors and the NYPD,” said D.A. Bragg.
Charmaine Crossman was sentenced to 23 years-to-life in state prison for fatally stabbing her roommate, Victoria Goode, in a Midtown East women’s shelter. “Shelters should be safe places for New Yorkers in need, and any violence that occurs in them will impact some of our most vulnerable residents. Ms. Goode was preparing to get her own apartment and start fresh, until her life was tragically cut short by this brutal stabbing,” said D.A. Bragg.
Securing Accountability for Sexual Violence Jancys Santiago was sentenced to 20 years in state prison for raping a 27-year-old woman in her Midtown apartment in May 2000. “After 25 years of evading accountability, Jancys Santiago was sentenced to a substantial prison term for raping a woman in her own home,” said D.A. Bragg.
Combating Hate Crimes We announced the hate crime indictment of Clive Porter for allegedly committing five anti-Asian attacks in Lower Manhattan and attacking a police officer while under arrest. “Every New Yorker deserves to live free of fear, and we will vigorously confront crimes driven by prejudice and hatred,” said D.A. Bragg.
Connecting With Our Community As we celebrated the season of giving, we joined One Hundred Black Men for their annual Food and Toy giveaway where food and toys were provided for more than 100 families!
D.A. Bragg joined the Department of Investigation for their annual Commissioner’s Awards for Excellence ceremony to congratulate all the honorees for their outstanding work rooting out fraud and corruption in city government and making a meaningful difference in the lives of New Yorkers.
D.A. Bragg joined the Department of Investigation for their annual Commissioner’s Awards for Excellence ceremony to congratulate all the honorees for their outstanding work rooting out fraud and corruption in city government and making a meaningful difference in the lives of New Yorkers. + photo We gathered with our borough’s current and incoming elected officials to update them on our Office’s work throughout the past year and to discuss ways we can work together to improve public safety in Manhattan.
Copyright © 2026 Manhattan District Attorney's Office, All rights reserved. 
Manhattan DA Newsletter
1 Hogan Place, New York, NY 10013