Damian Williams

UPDATE Mendez, Acevedo Brito Also Hit with Federal Charges in Death of Nicholas Dominici at Bronx Daycare Center

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Following their arrests in The Bronx on murder, attempted murder, and other serious charges, Grei Mendez, the owner/caretaker of the Kingsbridge Heights daycare center where, as reported, one-year-old Nicholas Dominici lost his life on Friday, Sept. 15, and Carlisto Acevedo Brito, her accomplice, were also hit with further federal drug trafficking charges in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, Sept. 19. 

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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Bronx Man Gets Life for Fatal Shooting of Bystander at Father’s Day BBQ

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced on Dec. 12 that Bronx man, Ralph Berry, was sentenced to life in prison for the June 2000 fatal shooting in The Bronx of innocent bystander, Caprice Jones. Jones was left paralyzed from the shooting and died from his injuries 10 years later in November 2010. Berry was convicted following a jury trial on September 30, 2021, before then-U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan. Judge Nathan, now a U.S. circuit judge, sitting by designation in Manhattan federal court, imposed the sentence.   Reacting to the announcement, Williams said,


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Yonkers Doctor Pleads Guilty to Illegal Distribution of 100,000+ Oxycodone Pills

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Yonkers doctor, Marc Laruelle, has pled guilty to one count of distributing oxycodone, among other narcotics, without a legitimate medical purpose while acting outside the usual course of professional practice. Laruelle pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Denis L. Cote, on Thursday, Oct. 20, as announced by Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.   In the context of the announcement, Williams said, “Marc Laruelle abused his medical license and violated the oath of his profession when he prescribed more than 100,000 doses of a highly potent and addictive opioid without a legitimate medical need.” He


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Former Bronx High School Teacher Gets 15 Years for Possession of Child Pornography

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  A 40-year-old Bronx man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for enticing minor children to send him nude and sexually explicit photographs and videos of themselves over the internet. On April 5 of this year, Jonathan Skolnick, 40, of The Bronx, pled guilty before U.S. Judge Colleen McMahon, who imposed the sentence. Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, made the announcement on Oct. 6, when Skolnick was sentenced.   In the context of the announcement, Williams said, “For approximately seven years, Jonathan Skolnick abused his position of trust as an associate principal


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Two Bronx Men Arrested for Multiple Kidnappings, Carjackings & Robberies

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Two Bronx men, Diante Fernandes and Mark Francis, have been arrested in connection with a series of recent carjackings in The Bronx and Yonkers, New York. Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York shared the announcement on Wednesday, Sept. 28, adding that that the two appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy on Wednesday and were ordered detained in custody. According to the allegations in the complaint, and statements made in court, between Sept. 26 and 27, the defendants, Fernandes and Francis, allegedly carjacked, robbed, and kidnapped multiple victims in The Bronx and Yonkers.


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Man Gets 21 Years for Bronx Gunpoint Cocaine Robbery & Gun Smuggling into Federal Prison

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced on Thursday, Sept. 22, that Deejay White was sentenced to 21 years in prison for his participation in a May 29, 2019, gunpoint robbery in The Bronx. The incident involved the targeting of more than 150 kilograms of cocaine; his participation in a conspiracy to smuggle contraband, including narcotics and a firearm, into a federal detention facility; and his possession of the firearm while incarcerated. On July 23, 2021, White pled guilty before U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel, who imposed the 21-year sentence.   In the context


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Bronx Man & Alabama Woman Plead Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced on Wednesday, Sept. 12, that James Bradley, a/k/a “Abdullah,” and Arwa Muthana pled guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Bradley, 21, of The Bronx and Muthana, 30, of Hoover, Alabama, pled guilty on Sept. 12, both before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, in Manhattan federal court.   In the context of the announcement, Williams said, “Husband and wife, James Bradley and Arwa Muthana, admitted today to their support of ISIS, a violent extremist


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