Releases by month August 2021
In compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 3.6, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Yonkers Man Found Guilty After Engaging in Bribery and Kickback Scheme with Chappaqua Central School District Employee
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Aug. 30, 2021 – A Yonkers man who paid a Chappaqua Central School District employee over $5,000 in bribes and kickbacks has been found guilty following a two-week jury trial, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced.
Ricardo Jimenez, 57, was found guilty on Aug. 26 of Bribery in the Second Degree and Rewarding Official Misconduct in the Second Degree, both felonies. Jimenez faces a sentence range from a conditional discharge to a maximum of 5 to 15 years in state prison.
Between November 2014 and August 2017, Jimenez paid a Chappaqua Central School District maintenance employee over $5,000 to ensure district-related maintenance projects were awarded to a company Jimenez owned, RJ Summit Services, Inc., and approve each invoice Jimenez sent to the school district. When the District paid RJ Summit Services, Inc., Jimenez kicked back portions of the payment to the district employee in cash and checks made out from another company.
The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office’s Investigations Division launched its investigation in 2017 after being contacted by both the Chappaqua Central School District and Johnson Controls, Inc. Jimenez was also an employee of Johnson Controls, Inc., a vendor to the school district.
“Bribery and kickback schemes like this one take money out of the hands of hardworking public employees and everyday workers and this kind of corruption won’t be tolerated here in Westchester,” DA Rocah said. “I thank the Chappaqua Central School District and Johnson Controls, Inc. for alerting the District Attorney’s Office of this fraudulent activity so justice can be served.”
The case is before Judge David Zuckerman in Westchester County Court and is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Brian Fitzgerald. Jimenez is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 29.
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Jess Vecchiarelli, Director of Communications
(914) 995-3586
jvecchiarelli@westchesterda.net
Hombre de Yonkers es Declarado Culpable Después de Participar en un Esquema de Soborno y Comisiones Ilegales con un Empleado del Distrito Escolar Central de Chappaqua
30 de agosto, 2021 – Un hombre de Yonkers que pagó a un empleado del Distrito Escolar Central de Chappaqua más de $5,000 en sobornos y comisiones ilegales ha sido declarado culpable después de un juicio con jurado de dos semanas, la Fiscal del Condado del Westchester Miriam E. Rocah anunció.
Ricardo Jiménez, de 57 años, fue declarado culpable el 26 de agosto de Soborno en Segundo Grado y de Recompensar la Mala Conducta Oficial en Segundo Grado, ambos delitos graves. Jiménez se enfrenta a una sentencia que va desde la libertad condicional hasta una pena máxima de 5-15 años de prisión estatal
Entre noviembre de 2014 y agosto de 2017, Jiménez pagó a un empleado de mantenimiento del Distrito Escolar Central de Chappaqua más de $5,000 para asegurar que los proyectos de mantenimiento relacionados con el distrito fueran adjudicados a una empresa de propiedad de Jiménez, RJ Summit Services, Inc., y aprobó cada factura que Jiménez envió al distrito escolar. Cuando el distrito pagó a RJ Summit Services, Inc., Jiménez remuneró partes del pago al empleado del distrito en efectivo y en cheques hechos por otra compañía
La División de Investigaciones de la Oficina de la Fiscalía del Condado de Westchester inició su investigación en 2017 después de ser contactada tanto por el Distrito Escolar Central de Chappaqua como por Johnson Controls, Inc. Jiménez también era empleado de Johnson Controls, Inc., como vendedor para el distrito escolar
“Los esquemas de soborno y las comisiones ilegales están quitando dinero de las manos de los empleados públicos y los trabajadores cotidianos y este tipo de corrupción no será tolerada aquí en Westchester,” dijo la Fiscal Rocah. “Agradezco al Distrito Escolar Central de Chappaqua y a Johnson Controls, Inc., por alertar a la Oficina de la Fiscalía de esta actividad fraudulenta para que se pueda hacer justicia.
El caso está ante el Juez David Zucherman en el tribunal del Condado de Westchester y está siendo procesado por el Jefe Adjunto de la Oficina Brian Fitzgerald. Jiménez está programado para ser sentenciado el 11 de noviembre.
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Jess Vecchiarelli, Director of Communications
(914) 995-3586
jvecchiarelli@westchesterda.net
Westchester County District Attorney’s Office Revamps Communications Team with Female Leadership
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Aug. 25, 2021 – Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announces the appointment of marketing and communications veteran Jess Vecchiarelli as her Director of Communications and Westchester-based journalist Anna Young to serve as Public Information Officer.
“Upon becoming District Attorney, I pledged to make this office more transparent and more responsive to the needs of the community,” DA Rocah said. “This new communications team will continue to improve the way we connect with the public, and their extensive experience and dedication will help spread our mission of safety, accountability, integrity and justice.”
Vecchiarelli, who has spent over 20 years working in the public, private, education, and non-profit sectors, was the former Director of Ossining for Fair Funding. There she developed and led community advocacy efforts, which raised enough awareness among elected officials to get the most underfunded school district in New York State – the Ossining Union Free School District – on a successful path to financial stability. She previously worked as the Director of Marketing and Communications for Summit School at Nyack, and held management roles at MasterCard, where she performed in both nationwide and global markets. Additionally, Vecchiarelli has served in marketing and communications positions at Corsearch and the American Museum of Natural History.
Vecchiarelli graduated from Marist College with a B.A. in Communications.
“It’s an incredible time in our society for social justice issues as we navigate and shape a post-pandemic world,” Vecchiarelli said. “Being a community advocate, Westchester native and busy mom provides me with a unique perspective that will enhance the delivery of our Office’s message and mission. It is my privilege to work with District Attorney Rocah, and to help further her goals of bringing transparency to the work of our Office.”
Young is an award-winning journalist and the former Digital Editor for Examiner Media, a weekly publication that covered both Westchester and Putnam counties. She worked previously for The Sun News in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, providing in-depth coverage on government, politics and community news.
Young, a Yorktown Heights native, has also written for various local news outlets where she reported on community features, government, politics, crime, education and breaking news. A graduate of SUNY Purchase College where she received a B.A. in Journalism, Young has received accolades from both the New York Press Association and the South Carolina Press Association.
“Working at the forefront of local journalism in both New York and South Carolina, especially during these unprecedented times, has been an incredible experience and a true privilege,” Young said. “But I am deeply honored to join the District Attorney’s Office in this capacity with my colleague Jess Vecchiarelli to represent a dynamic and resilient trailblazer like District Attorney Mimi Rocah as she forges a path to a more equitable criminal justice system for all in Westchester County.”
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Jess Vecchiarelli, Director of Communications
(914) 995-3586
jvecchiarelli@westchesterda.net
Yorktown Man Arraigned on Charges Connected to Fatal Wrong-Way Drunk Driving Crash
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Aug. 23, 2021 – Yorktown resident Mark Cope was arraigned on Monday for a wrong-way, head-on collision he caused while intoxicated in Dec. 2020 which resulted in the death of an Ossining mother, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced.
The charges in the indictment are as follows:
- Three Counts Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a Felony
- Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Felony
- Aggravated Vehicular Assault, a Felony
- Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree, a Felony
- Assault in the Third Degree, a Misdemeanor
- Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, a Misdemeanor
- Two Counts Driving While Intoxicated, a Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving, a Misdemeanor
Cope, 41, faces a sentence ranging from a minimum of 1 to 3 years to a maximum of 8 1/3 to 25 years in state prison.
“This horrible tragedy cost a woman her life and a daughter her mother due to Mark Cope’s decision to selfishly get behind the wheel of his car while intoxicated,” DA Rocah said. “This is why the District Attorney’s Office will continue to hold accountable reckless drivers and seek justice for victims and families who suffer this terrible heartache.”
On Dec. 23, 2020, at approximately 9:07 p.m., Cope drove northbound in the southbound lane on Route 9 in Peekskill when he crashed head-on into the car driven by Ossining resident Shina McClam. Cope had a blood alcohol content above the legal limit at the time of the collision.
McClam, 32, died at the scene. McClam’s six-year-old daughter and 18-year-old niece, who were passengers in the car, suffered non-life threatening injuries from the crash and were transported to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. Both spent one-week in the hospital.
New York State Police arrested Cope the night of the crash and conducted the subsequent investigation.
The case is before Judge Robert Neary in Westchester County Court and is being prosecuted by Major Case Bureau Deputy Chief Jonathan Strongin and Assistant District Attorney Marissa Morra-Wynn.
The charges against the defendant are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Jess Vecchiarelli, Director of Communications
(914) 995-3586
jvecchiarelli@westchesterda.net
Mount Vernon Teen Arraigned in Shooting Death of Sleepy Hollow Resident
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Aug. 24, 2021 – Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced that 18-year-old Emmanuel Valentin Perez was arraigned on Monday for the shooting death of a Sleepy Hollow resident.
The charges in the indictment include Manslaughter in the First Degree, Criminal Use of a Firearm in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Attempted Assault in the First Degree, and Assault in the Second Degree, all felonies.
Perez, of Mount Vernon, faces a determinate sentence range from 5 to 25 years in state prison, with 2.5 to 5 years of post-release supervision.
On June 28, 2021, at approximately 9:32 p.m., Perez fatally shot 31-year-old Sleepy Hollow resident Manuel Salazar during an argument at Margotta Courts Park in Sleepy Hollow. Salazar was taken to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla where he was pronounced dead. A second victim, who also sustained a gunshot wound, was also taken to the hospital, treated and released.
Sleepy Hollow Police arrested Perez on June 29, 2021, after interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance video. The Tarrytown Police Department, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety and the FBI’s Westchester Safe Streets Task Force assisted in the investigation.
“These senseless acts of violence that result in loss of life, injury and residents feeling unsafe in their neighborhoods cannot become commonplace. We should not, and will not, stand for that,” DA Rocah said. “The District Attorney’s Office will continue to work vigorously with our law enforcement partners to eliminate gun violence in our communities.”
The case is before Judge David Zuckerman in Westchester County Court and is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys in the Major Case Bureau and the Violent Criminal Enterprise Bureau.
The charges against the defendant are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Jess Vecchiarelli, Director of Communications
(914) 995-3586
jvecchiarelli@westchesterda.net
Jury Finds Yonkers Man Guilty in Fatal Stabbing
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Aug. 18, 2021 – Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced that after a three-week trial, a jury on Monday found Yonkers resident Byron Stinson guilty for the 2019 stabbing death of a Yonkers man.
Stinson, 39, was found guilty of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, both felonies. Stinson, a predicate felony offender, faces a sentence ranging from a minimum of 3 to 6 years to a maximum of 7.5 to 15 years in state prison.
On April 24, 2019, at approximately 4:30 a.m., Stinson and Yonkers resident Michael Federico were sitting in a parked car on Whetstone Avenue in Yonkers using narcotics. The two men argued and Stinson fatally stabbed Federico in the neck with a kitchen knife. Stinson fled the scene, and Federico got out of the car, and collapsed on the sidewalk. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Yonkers Police identified Stinson as a suspect after interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance videos. Stinson later surrendered himself to Yonkers Police and was arrested.
“A life was needlessly lost the night of Byron Stinson’s callous attack,” DA Rocah said. “This verdict underscores the importance of holding violent criminals accountable and our commitment to getting justice for any family who has ever had to unnecessarily mourn the loss of a loved one.”
The case is before Judge George Fufidio in Westchester County Court and is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Craig Ascher and Taylor Piscionere. Stinson is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 27.
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Jess Vecchiarelli, Director of Communications
(914) 995-3586
jvecchiarelli@westchesterda.net
