Stemming the Flood of Ghost Guns Hayden Espinosa was indicted for allegedly selling illegal firearms and components to an undercover NYPD officer while he was incarcerated in federal prison. “While incarcerated, Hayden Espinosa allegedly sold guns and gun parts by using contraband electronic devices. Furthermore, we allege Espinosa operated a Telegram channel that is a hub of ethnically and racially motivated extremist ideology,” said D.A. Bragg.
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Ensuring Accountability for Gun Violence We announced the sentencings of Tom Ruiz to 32 years-to-life and Jonathan Tolentino to 25 years-to-life in prison for fatally shooting 26-year-old Michael Monclus in East Harlem. “I send my deep condolences to Mr. Monclus’s family, including his parents, brothers, former girlfriend and six-year-old son, who are continuing to mourn his devastating loss. I hope today’s sentence can provide Mr. Monclus’s loved ones a sense of comfort and closure as Tom Ruiz and Jonathan Tolentino are being held accountable for their fatal actions,” said D.A. Bragg.
Prosecuting Intimate Partner Violence Tyquane Jemmott was indicted for fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend, 29-year-old Shirley Rodriguez outside of her Washington Heights apartment. “As alleged, after waiting for hours outside of Shirley Rodriguez’s home, Tyquane Jemmott sprung from behind a car the moment she stepped outside and took her life in a flurry of stab wounds,” said D.A. Bragg.
Protecting the Public’s Trust in Law Enforcement We announced the indictment of an NYPD Deputy Inspector for allegedly covering up a drunk driving incident, in an NYPD vehicle in 2022. “This alleged behavior was incredibly dangerous, leading to injuries for one cab driver and putting the safety of many other drivers and pedestrians at risk. Furthermore, this NYPD Deputy Inspector, then a Commanding Officer, allegedly went to great lengths to cover up the incident to avoid responsibility,” said D.A. Bragg.
Seeking Accountability for Violent Crime We announced the guilty plea of Assamad Nash for fatally stabbing 35-year-old Christina Yuna Lee inside her Chinatown apartment. “Ms. Yuna Lee’s family and loved ones were deprived of a daughter, sister, and friend. My thoughts are with her family and our community as they continue healing from this tragedy,” said D.A. Bragg.
Connecting with our Community Collaboration with our partners is key to our office’s success. D.A. Bragg joined elected officials and community leaders in Washington Heights as he discussed our work driving down crime, investments in mental health services and more.
D.A. Bragg and members of our office visited the Museum of Jewish Heritage to tour its exhibits detailing Jewish life before, during, and after the Holocaust.
Standing Against Hate Crimes Gino Sozio was sentenced to 9 years in state prison for slashing a 22-year-old Muslim-American man in an anti-Muslim attack in Midtown. “The devastating impact of this hate crime on the victim goes far beyond his physical injuries and I hope this sentence offers him a sense of justice. My office is laser-focused on holding individuals accountable who commit bias-motivated violence against Manhattan’s diverse communities,” said D.A. Bragg.
Rooting Out White Collar Crime Those who partake in the illegal ivory trade will be held accountable. We indicted two individuals for illegally selling thousands of dollars’ worth of illegal elephant ivory through online auctions “harming an already endangered species by perpetuating the illicit market for ivory,” said D.A. Bragg.
Pablo Israel Ortega Cuenca pleaded guilty for posing as an immigration attorney and collecting thousands of dollars in legal fees. “His actions broke the trust of individuals who came to him for his legal counsel and put them at risk of deportation,” said D.A. Bragg.
Pablo Israel Ortega Cuenca pleaded guilty for posing as an immigration attorney and collecting thousands of dollars in legal fees. “His actions broke the trust of individuals who came to him for his legal counsel and put them at risk of deportation,” said D.A. Bragg.
Prosecuting Violent Crime We announced the indictment of a man for allegedly slashing an 11-year-old girl in the back of the head minutes after punching a woman in the face in East Harlem. “New Yorkers deserve to feel safe when walking through Manhattan and those who jeopardize their safety will be held accountable,” said D.A. Bragg.
Highlighting Common Scams June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month and we’re highlighting common scams that are increasingly targeting older New Yorkers. Stay vigilant by remembering these tips to protect yourself and your loved ones!
We hosted a Senior Safety and Wellness Fair in our Washington Heights Office providing fraud prevention tips and more for our local community members!
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Manhattan DA Newsletter
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