Criminal Justice

Six “Los Sures” / Trinitarios Gang Members Sentenced in Murder Case of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Friday, Jan. 13, that six members of the “Los Sures” set of the Trinitarios gang have been sentenced to prison for their roles in the 2018 fatal stabbing of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman–Feliz, 15, bringing an end to the legal case.   In the context of the announcement, Clark said, “These six defendants, members of the Los Sures Trinitarios set, chased Lesandro ‘Junior’ Guzman–Feliz and dragged him out of [a] Belmont bodega where he was stabbed by five other defendants.” She added, “Their unconscionable actions led to the death of the 15-year-old boy.


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Off-Duty NYPD School Crossing Guard Arrested for Assault within the 52nd Precinct Catchment Area

By SÍLE MOLONEY
An off-duty, female, New York City employee was arrested in the 52nd Precinct, police said.   According to an NYPD spokesperson, on Friday, Jan. 13, at 8.19 p.m., Janet Eury, 34, an NYPD school crossing guard, was arrested and charged with assault and harassment.   The 52nd Precinct covers the neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Bronx Park, and University Heights.   A person arrested and charged with a crime is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.   Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS


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Fordham Manor: Community Gathers to Condemn Shooting of Pregnant Woman, 35

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE
Community members, clergy, law enforcement, elected officials and other leaders gathered in Fordham Manor on Jan. 5. to condemn the recent shooting of a pregnant woman on the Grand Concourse earlier this month. She is expected to survive, police said.   An NYPD spokesperson said that on on Monday, Jan. 2, at around 7.38 p.m., police responded to a call regarding a person who had been shot in the vicinity of 2535 Grand Concourse. “Upon arrival, officers observed a 35-year-old female with a gunshot wound to her leg,” the spokesperson said. “EMS responded and transported the female victim to St.


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on 2022 and Hopes for the New Year

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers their thoughts on 2022 and their hopes for the New Year.   “I did not feel safe in 2022 and I couldn’t enjoy my summer. A few people dear to me passed away. Despite the few accomplishments that we had, 2022 was filled with disappointments, empty promises, and uncertainty. I hope that in 2023 we can put an end to the reckless motorcycle and motorized bike riding on the sidewalk and the senseless loud noise coming from passenger cars and SUVs. My hopes are to raise awareness to the needs of our folks with disabilities,


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Fair Chance For Housing Act Divides New Yorkers as Mayor Hails PACT Program in Addressing Needed NYCHA Upgrades

By ARIEL PACHECO
The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.   Protestors from across the five boroughs gathered on the steps of City Hall on Dec. 7 to rally against Intro. 632, a bill that, if passed, would prohibit some building owners and landlords from conducting background checks on prospective tenants at any point during the rental process. The bill has been named the “Fair Chance for Housing Act,” and its supporters say it is needed in order to give the formerly incarcerated who have served their time the opportunity to find housing, as


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Off-Duty NYC Department of Homeless Services Employee Arrested for Menacing

By SÍLE MOLONEY
An off-duty City employee was arrested in The Bronx on Monday, police said.   According to the NYPD, Tonya Simmons, 47, an off-duty employee with NYC Department of Homeless Services was arrested on Monday, Jan.  9, at 9.24 p.m. within the boundaries of the 48th Precinct, which covers the neighborhoods of Belmont, East Tremont, and West Farms, while Fordham University’s Bronx campus is nestled in the precinct’s northern corner.   Simmons was charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon. A person arrested and charged with a crime is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.


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Meta, formerly Facebook, Required to Change Ads to Prevent Violation of Fair Housing Act

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Following the settlement of a discrimination case regarding the delivery of housing ads last year, Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, Inc., is required to change its ad delivery system to prevent discriminatory advertising in violation of the Fair Housing Act (“FHA”).   Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, along with Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general for the U.S. Justice Department’s civil rights division, announced that the department reached a key milestone in its settlement agreement with Meta Platforms, Inc. (“Meta”), formerly known as Facebook, Inc. (“Facebook”) on Jan. 9.   As required


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On-Duty NYCHA Employee Arrested in The Bronx on Assault Charges

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  A 28-year-old city employee was arrested following an incident that took place in The Bronx, police said.   An NYPD spokesperson said that following The Bronx incident on Saturday, Jan. 7, an on-duty New York City employee was arrested at around 10.01 p.m. in the 47th Precinct which covers the neighborhoods of Woodlawn, Wakefield, Williamsbridge, Baychester, Edenwald, Olinville and Fishbay, as well as Woodlawn Cemetery.   Police said Malik Fogg, a NYCHA employee, was charged with assault. No further details were provided about the incident and the location of the incident was not detailed either.   There is a


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Crotona: Two Dead, Three Injured following Two Separate Shooting Incidents

By DAVID GREENE
Five people were reported shot in two separate incidents in Crotona in late December, police said. Two have died.   As reported, an NYPD spokesperson said that on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, at approximately 4.05 a.m., at East Tremont Avenue and Marmion Avenue, officers were alerted to an incident regarding a man who had been shot.   Upon arrival at the scene, police observed a 26-year-old man unconscious and unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest. EMS responded and transported the man to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. There are no arrests and the investigation is


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