Driving Forward our Legislative Priorities Tackling Money Laundering and Crypto-Driven Crimes Together with State Senator Zellnor Myrie, we announced the introduction of the CRYPTO Act to create a new law that makes operating a virtual currency business without a license a crime in New York State. “Crypto is the go-to means for bad actors to move and hide the proceeds of crime. It is long past time for businesses that operate without a virtual currency license and flout due diligence requirements to face criminal penalties,” said D.A. Bragg.
Cracking Down On Ghost Guns D.A. Bragg joined Governor Kathy Hochul to announce new proposals to crack down on the proliferation of cheap, easy-to-make, 3D-printed firearms. We thank the Governor for her outstanding leadership and urge the legislature to take action and help us stay ahead of this rapidly changing technology. “3D-printed gun are not just emerging, they’re here and they are a real problem for us in law enforcement and the proposals that we’re setting forward now will save lives,” said D.A. Bragg.
Since 2018, the number of 3D-printed and ghost guns the NYPD recovers citywide has increased significantly. As technology evolves, so will the prevalence of this public safety threat.
Protecting New York Tenants New York’s housing crisis exacerbates power imbalances between landlords and tenants. With the inclusion of our aggravated tenant harassment bill in the State of the State, Governor Hochul is leading the way to protect New Yorkers from systemic tenant harassment.
Modernizing Our Grand Jury Process New York is the only remaining state in the U.S. that still requires an in-person witness to authenticate regularly generated business records in the grand jury. We thank Governor Hochul for prioritizing grand jury reforms that will ensure a fairer and more efficient justice system.
Pursuing Systemic Accountability We are pursuing both individual and systemic accountability to combat crimes ranging from gun violence to money laundering and keep New Yorkers safe. D.A. Bragg joined New York Law School to discuss his term-two focus on dismantling the corporate, legal and societal structures “that are enabling crime to happen and leaving victims vulnerable,” said D.A. Bragg.
Daniel Hyden was sentenced to 24 years-to-life in state prison for driving while intoxicated and crashing into a crowd of people celebrating the Fourth of July in Corlears Hook Park, killing four people, and injuring seven others. Ana Morel, Lucile Pinkney, Herman Pinkney and Emily Ruiz went to the celebration not knowing that Daniel Hyden would end their lives that day with his pickup truck. While this prison sentence will not reverse the fatalities, injuries, and trauma, I hope this sentencing brings a measure of comfort for those who were impacted by this mass casualty event,” said D.A. Bragg.
Julio Cachago was indicted for allegedly killing 76-year-old Yong Li in a fatal hit-and-run on the Lower East Side. “Hit-and-runs are incredibly serious matters, and we are committed to prosecuting this type of callous vehicular violence,” said D.A. Bragg.
We announced the guilty plea of Angel Melendez for fatally striking Nadjari Reid and injuring a pedestrian in 2024 after driving recklessly and running a red light. “This type of reckless driving– swerving in and out of traffic lines at high speeds – can have deadly consequences. As today’s guilty plea demonstrates, we will hold drivers accountable when they endanger public safety and harm New Yorkers,” said D.A. Bragg.
Jimmy Connors also pleaded guilty for killing two people after driving the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. “The defendant now faces a significant state prison term for his extraordinarily reckless conduct and extensive efforts to evade accountability. I thank our prosecutors for their hard work to prevent this defendant from fleeing the country and securing this strong measure of accountability,” said D.A. Bragg.
Prosecuting Violent Crime We announced the indictment of Kerri Ahern for allegedly stabbing a 39-year-old woman who was changing her baby’s diaper inside a bathroom at Macy’s Herald Square. “This tourist was attacked inside one of the city’s largest and most frequented department stores, posing public safety implications for employees, visitors, and New Yorkers alike. I wish the victim a swift recovery,” said D.A. Bragg.
James Rizzo was indicted for allegedly assaulting a 68-year-old tourist in November 2025 before attacking a 20-year-old college student a week later. “Unprovoked, seemingly random assaults on strangers are deeply disturbing, and will remain a focus for our office in 2026,” said D.A. Bragg.
We announced the indictment of a man for allegedly fatally stabbing his 80-year-old neighbor, Lev Vayner, in his Washington Heights apartment building. “Alon Riabichev allegedly took advantage of Mr. Vayner’s hospitality in the most brutal way and repeatedly, fatally stabbed him. This ruthless murder is beyond devastating, and my thoughts are with Mr. Vayner’s loved ones as they continue to mourn his painful loss,” said D.A. Bragg.
Tyshaun Watson was sentenced to 17 years in prison for brutally attacking a 47-year-old pizzeria manager. “A 47-year-old pizza manager was doing his job when Tyshaun Watson entered the restaurant and brutally assaulted him, leaving him with a lasting traumatic brain injury,” said D.A. Bragg.
Jelani Parker was sentenced to 12 years in state prison for intentionally starting a fire that destroyed a Hamilton Heights apartment building and injured three firefighters. “New Yorkers deserve to have safe homes and shouldn’t have to fear arsonists setting their homes ablaze. I thank the heroic firefighters for responding to the scene and collaborating with our office to keep Manhattanites safe,” said D.A. Bragg.
Mitchaux Booker has been sentenced to 18 years in state prison for his role in the 2021 death of 15-year-old Jallen McConnie, his cousin. “Booker’s actions, including his decision to delay medical care and lie to authorities to cover up what happened, cruelly cut Jallen McConnie’s life short. No family should ever have to endure such unimaginable heartbreak and devastation, and now, those involved have all been held accountable,” said D.A. Bragg.
Zeroing in on Intimate Partner Violence We announced the sentencing of Geraldo Balbuena to 20 years-to-life in state prison for fatally stabbing his 80-year-old wife Leonilda Nuez Balbuena in their Hamilton Heights apartment. “Leonilda Nuez Balbuena was a cherished member of her family, and her life should not have ended in such an egregious and reprehensible act of intimate partner violence. For his actions, Balbuena will serve a lengthy prison term, and my thoughts remain with the family as they continue to grieve this devastating loss,” said D.A. Bragg.
Protecting Workers’ Wages With MTA Inspector General Daniel G. Cort, we announced the wage theft indictment of MTA HVAC contractor Rocco Mechanical, Inc., its president, and its treasurer for allegedly stealing approximately $339,000 from 13 employees. “The subway system is the backbone of New York City and the workers and contractors that keep it running deserve every dollar they earn,” said D.A. Bragg.
Protecting Workers’ Wages With MTA Inspector General Daniel G. Cort, we announced the wage theft indictment of MTA HVAC contractor Rocco Mechanical, Inc., its president, and its treasurer for allegedly stealing approximately $339,000 from 13 employees. “The subway system is the backbone of New York City and the workers and contractors that keep it running deserve every dollar they earn,” said D.A. Bragg.
Cracking Down on Financial Crime Rosalind Hernandez, a building superintendent, was convicted at trial of all-counts for stealing over $350,000 from a 100-year-old man who lived in her building. “Rosalind Hernandez stands convicted by a jury of her peers for abusing the trust of a 100-year-old, hardworking New Yorker to steal over half of his life savings as his Power of Attorney. She took advantage of his advanced age and the fact that English wasn’t his first language,” said D.A. Bragg.
We announced the sentencing of Elhadji Sene to seven years in state prison for stealing the identities of multiple individuals, making unauthorized purchases, and possessing weapons and stolen credit cards. “I hope today’s sentencing sends a message that people who steal the identities of vulnerable New Yorkers will be held accountable,” said D.A. Bragg.
Prosecuting Sexual Violence Jonathan Bean was indicted for the repeated sexual abuse of a 16-year-old boy who he patronized for prostitution. “Our Human Trafficking Unit is fully equipped to support young survivors, with dedicated prosecutors and investigators working alongside specially trained social workers,” said D.A. Bragg. “Please call us at 212-335-3400.”
Copyright © 2026 Manhattan District Attorney's Office, All rights reserved. 
Manhattan DA Newsletter
1 Hogan Place, New York, NY 10013