Talking About The Work, “The ultimate metric is that shootings are down during my tenure, down 70 percent in Manhattan. That’s the ultimate output,” said D.A. Bragg. Read more about D.A. Bragg’s approach to public safety and fairness in New York Magazine.
Watch D.A. Bragg’s conversation with Errol Louis last Saturday morning. They discussed his volunteer work with the Harlem Little League, our Office’s efforts to tackle gun violence, and more! “The question we ask is, What will make us safer? And sometimes that’s a traditional response, like incarceration, and sometimes that is a problem-solving court and a mental-health intervention,” said D.A. Bragg.
Cracking Down on Imposter Scams We called on Meta to take steps to stop imposter accounts from falsely posing as pro bono legal organizations offering immigration services. “This specific scam preys on the perceived vulnerability of immigrants looking for legal assistance. We hope to collaborate to develop a comprehensive approach to protect Meta’s users from fraud,” said D.A. Bragg.
FRAUD ALERT: Scammers are posing as attorneys with nonprofit/pro bono legal service providers like Catholic Charities and others.
Combatting Gun Violence We announced the sentencing of Eduardo Diaz to 15 years in state prison for shooting his former boss on the Upper West Side. “This attack significantly injured the victim who is still recovering to this day. Combatting gun violence is our top priority, and we will not tolerate the use of firearms to harm fellow New Yorkers,” said D.A. Bragg.
D.A. Bragg also gave opening remarks at the Anti-Violence panel at the National Action Network’s 2026 Annual Convention where he highlighted our work driving down gun violence through strategic prosecutions, community partnerships, and investments in prevention.
Seeking Accountability for Sex Trafficking We announced the indictment of two individuals for allegedly running a prostitution operation that involved sex trafficking a child and at least one gunpoint robbery. “This investigation is active and ongoing. We urge anyone with information to call our Human Trafficking Unit at 212-335-3400,” said D.A. Bragg.
Matthew Richardson was indicted for allegedly trafficking a young woman beginning in May 2024. “Far from helping her, as he claimed, he coerced her to continue to repay him and demanded she hand over nearly all of the money she took in. This investigation is ongoing; I urge anyone with information to call our Human Trafficking Unit at 212-335-3400,” said D.A. Bragg.
Prosecuting Sexual Violence Donovan Murphy was convicted at trial for entering a woman’s Upper East Side apartment while she slept and raping her. “A jury found that he broke into her apartment, beat her until he fractured her skull and split open her mouth, and then raped her. I thank the survivor for her fortitude and bravery taking the stand, and the members of the jury for their careful consideration of this case,” said D.A. Bragg.
We also announced the indictment of Nasir Seals for allegedly sexually abusing a 70-year-old woman inside an apartment building in Upper Manhattan. “This kind of conduct is profoundly traumatic, and my office remains committed to holding offenders accountable while centering and supporting survivors,” said D.A. Bragg.
Securing Accountability for Violent Crime Halley Tejada was sentenced to 20 years-to-life in state prison for murdering Nadia Vitels in her Kips Bay apartment. “Nadia Vitels was about to start a new chapter of her life when Halley Tejada brutally murdered her in the very apartment she was moving into,” said D.A. Bragg.
Prosecuting Vehicular Violence We announced the indictment of Kevin Crosby for allegedly driving while under the influence of drugs and crashing into two food delivery cyclists, killing Zacarias Darly and critically injuring the other cyclist. “Our streets should be safe for cyclists, and we will prosecute drivers whose dangerous driving harms New Yorkers. My thoughts are with Mr. Darly’s loved ones who are mourning his loss, as well as the second cyclist who is recovering,” said D.A. Bragg.
Protecting Manhattan Tenants All New Yorkers deserve to live in safe homes. Watch here to learn more about how to identify and report tenant harassment, rental scams and deed fraud.
We thank the group of tenant organizations who joined our push to pass a bill that would add new criminal penalties for landlords who are engaging in systemic harassment of rent-regulated tenants.
Zeroing in on Fraud Rosalind Hernandez, a building superintendent, was sentenced to 1-to-3 years in state prison for stealing from a 100-year-old man who lived in her building and granted her Power of Attorney. “Rosalind Hernandez took advantage of an older adult in her care, gaining his trust just to break it by stealing over half of his life savings, along with his personal belongings,” said D.A. Bragg.
We announced the guilty plea of Mauricio Sevilla for stealing thousands of dollars from food delivery workers by convincing them to invest in his purported food delivery company. “With today’s guilty plea, these New Yorkers will get their hard-earned money back. If you have been scammed, please call our Financial Frauds Bureau at 212-335-8900,” said D.A. Bragg.
Collaborating with our Fellow D.A.s “I think everybody’s best served when we speak to each other. It helped the state as a whole.” – Steven Wu, Chief of the Appeals Division. Read more about the collaborative work of our Appeals Division in the New York Law Journal.
Standing up to Hate We announced the sentencing of Skiboky Stora to 3-to-9 years in state prison for assaulting, stalking and harassing strangers in a series of anti-female, anti-white, and antisemitic incidents. “As made clear from today’s statements at sentencing, Stora’s attacks robbed them of their sense of safety and altered how they navigate daily life. Today’s sentence sends a clear message that this conduct is unacceptable and carries significant consequences,” said D.A. Bragg.
D.A. Bragg joined Governor Kathy Hochul as she announced new funding to help protect community-based organizations vulnerable to hate crimes. “These institutions – often the target of threats and harassment – play an essential part in the lives of our residents,” said D.A. Bragg.
D.A. Bragg joined Governor Kathy Hochul as she announced new funding to help protect community-based organizations vulnerable to hate crimes. “These institutions – often the target of threats and harassment – play an essential part in the lives of our residents,” said D.A. Bragg.
Hate Crimes Unit Chief Hannah Yu was honored at the annual Public Interest Law Students Association End-of-Year Celebration for her public service work and advocacy!
Hate Crimes Unit Chief Hannah Yu was honored at the annual Public Interest Law Students Association End-of-Year Celebration for her public service work and advocacy!
Recognizing Yom HaShoah In recognition of Yom HaShoah, we welcomed Holocaust survivors Ernie Brod and Ruth Plawner as they told their stories of hope and resilience.
Recognizing Yom HaShoah In recognition of Yom HaShoah, we welcomed Holocaust survivors Ernie Brod and Ruth Plawner as they told their stories of hope and resilience.
D.A. Bragg and other members of our office also joined the Marlene Meyerson JCC in Manhattan for the reading of the names of the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.
Connecting with our Community D.A. Bragg joined Reverand Al Sharpton and other fellow elected officials to kick off National Action Network’s 35th Anniversary Convention!
Connecting with our Community D.A. Bragg joined Reverand Al Sharpton and other fellow elected officials to kick off National Action Network’s 35th Anniversary Convention!
We joined Mayor Mamdani and other elected officials for the opening of the Outposted Therapeutic Housing Unit at Bellevue Hospital which will treat detained individuals with serious medical needs – a significant step toward closing Rikers.
We joined Mayor Mamdani and other elected officials for the opening of the Outposted Therapeutic Housing Unit at Bellevue Hospital which will treat detained individuals with serious medical needs – a significant step toward closing Rikers.
Join Us Join us this Sunday for the 41st Annual Crime Victims Candlelight Vigil to hear survivors’ stories and honor the memory of crime victims alongside their loved ones.
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