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Press Release On March 27, 2024, at approximately 3:38 p.m., Troopers out of SP Malone responded to a drive-by shooting on State Route 37, in the town of Westville. Preliminary investigation determined the suspects’ vehicle to be a 2003 red Buick Le Sabre with two occupants, traveling on State Route 37.  While traveling westbound on State Route 37, the suspect shot the victims vehicle multiple times and an uninvolved vehicle causing damage to both vehicles.  The suspects’ vehicle fled the scene. No one was injured from the incident.  Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The suspect was identified as Ian M. LaRock, age 24, of Malone, NY, passenger in the vehicle .  He was arrested and transported to SP Malone for further questioning.   Investigation revealed the weapon used in the crime, to be a black and blue imitation BB handgun. LaRock was charged with Assault with intent to cause physical injury with a weapon, Menacing 2nd, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd, Reckless Endangerment 2nd, and Criminal Mischief 3rd. LaRock was arraigned in the Town of Westville Court where he was remanded to Franklin County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash/ $20,000 secured bond. This is still an active criminal investigation. SOURCES: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/state-police-investigate-drive-shooting-westville-ny

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Merrick B. Garland, the Attorney General of the United States; and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the FBI, announced that SAMUEL BANKMAN-FRIED, a/k/a “SBF,” was sentenced today to 25 years in prison for his orchestration of multiple fraudulent schemes.  The defendant, who was the founder of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX and the cryptocurrency trading firm Alameda Research, misappropriated billions of dollars of customer funds deposited with FTX, defrauded investors in FTX of more than $1.7 billion, and defrauded lenders to Alameda of more than $1.3 billion.  BANKMAN-FRIED was previously found guilty on two counts of wire fraud, two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit commodities fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering following a one-month trial before U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, who imposed today’s sentence. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Samuel Bankman-Fried orchestrated one of the largest financial frauds in history, stealing over $8 billion of his customers’ money.  His deliberate and ongoing lies demonstrated a brazen disregard for customers’ expectations and disrespect for the rule of law, all so that he could secretly use his customers’ money to expand his own power and influence.  The scale of his crimes is measured not just by the amount of money that was stolen, but by the extraordinary harm caused to victims, who in some cases had their life savings wiped out overnight.  As a result of his unprecedented fraud, Bankman-Fried faces 25 years in prison and forfeiture of over $11 billion.  Today’s sentence will prevent the defendant from ever again committing fraud and is an important message to others who might be tempted to engage in financial crimes that justice will be swift, and the consequences will be severe.” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said: “There are serious consequences for defrauding customers and investors.  Anyone who believes they can hide their financial crimes behind wealth and power, or behind a shiny new thing they claim no one else is smart enough to understand, should think twice.  I am grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI for their outstanding work in bringing Mr. Bankman-Fried to justice.” FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “Sam Bankman-Fried was justly sentenced to significant time behind bars for his multibillion-dollar defrauding of FTX customers.  The FBI will remain relentless in our efforts to ensure the perpetrators of fraud—no matter the nature—face appropriate punishment in the criminal justice system.” According to the allegations contained in the Indictment, the evidence offered at trial, and matters included in public filings: BANKMAN-FRIED was the founder and chief executive officer of FTX, an international cryptocurrency exchange.  From 2019 to 2022, BANKMAN-FRIED was the leader and mastermind of a scheme to defraud customers of FTX by misappropriating billions of dollars of those customers’ funds.  BANKMAN-FRIED took FTX customer funds for his personal use, to make investments and millions of dollars of political contributions to candidates from both parties, and to repay billions of dollars in loans owed by Alameda Research, a cryptocurrency trading fund that BANKMAN-FRIED also founded.  BANKMAN-FRIED also defrauded lenders to Alameda and equity investors in FTX by providing them false and misleading financial information that concealed his misuse of customer deposits. BANKMAN-FRIED repeatedly told his customers, his investors, and the public that customer deposits into FTX were kept safe and were held in custody for the customers, that customer deposits were kept separate from company assets, and that customer deposits would not be used by FTX.  He also repeatedly claimed that his trading company, Alameda, did not have any privileged access to FTX and did not receive special treatment from FTX.  Those statements were false, and BANKMAN-FRIED in fact channeled billions of dollars in customer deposits from FTX to Alameda, and then used those funds to make investments for his own benefit, to make political contributions, and to spend on real estate, among other expenditures.  He employed a variety of fraudulent means to perpetrate this fraud. For instance, BANKMAN-FRIED directed co-conspirators to alter FTX’s computer code to allow Alameda to withdraw effectively unlimited amounts of cryptocurrency from the exchange and made false statements to financial institutions to conceal his misuse of customer dollar deposits.  He also directed the creation of false financial statements for Alameda’s lenders, inflated FTX’s revenues and profits in numbers provided to investors, and backdated contracts and other documents to conceal his fraudulent conduct. * In addition to the prison term, BANKMAN-FRIED, 32, of Stanford, California, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and over $11 billion in forfeiture.  Judge Kaplan authorized the Government to use the funds recovered through the forfeiture process to provide compensation to victims of BANKMAN-FRIED’s crimes. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force, with assistance from the Office’s Illicit Finance & Money Laundering and Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Units. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicolas Roos, Danielle Sassoon, Samuel Raymond, Thane Rehn, and Danielle Kudla are in charge of the prosecution. Contact Nicholas Biase, Lauren Scarff, Shelby Wratchford(212) 637-2600 Updated March 28, 2024

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that federal inmate DANIEL V. SMITH was charged with the murder of a fellow inmate.  SMITH was presented this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern. According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and statements made in court:[1] On or about October 26, 2021, SMITH murdered Patrick Deck, an inmate at FCI Otisville. * SMITH, 63, was charged with one count of murder in the first degree, which carries a maximum sentence of death. The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Coffman is in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.

On March 24, 2024, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation out of SP Amity arrested Johnathan T. Russell, 40 with no known address for Attempted Murder of a Police Officer- 3 counts, Attempted Murder – 2 counts, Robbery 1st, Burglary 3rd, Criminal Use of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd, Reckless Endangerment 1st, Assault 2nd, Resisting Arrest and Obstruction of Governmental Administration. On March 24, 2024, at approximately 2:00 P.M., Troopers out of SP Amity were conducting area interviews on State Route 275 in the town of Wirt regarding a burglary in the area. Troopers identified footprints in the snow and contacted the homeowner in Florida. No person was supposed to be at the house, and no one had permission to be on the property. Troopers approached the detached garage where the footprints led and later identified as Russell refused to exit but was communicating audibly. Troopers got permission to use forced entry and upon gaining entry to the garage, Russell fired a single gunshot from inside the garage. Troopers backed off and Russell fled into the wooded area behind the property carrying a weapon. Troopers set up a perimeter and positively identified Russell. Russell was observed on County Route 8 in a vehicle that he had just stolen at gunpoint. Troopers were able to force Russell to park the vehicle. Russell fled into the wooded area where he was taken into custody. Russell was arraigned in the town of Wirt Court and remanded to the Allegany County Jail without bail. The felony hearing has been scheduled for March 27th. Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/man-arrested-attempted-murder

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and David Gibson, the Commissioner of the Mount Vernon Police Department, announced the arrest of ILARIO CONTRERAS, JERPI DIAZ-FELIZ, a/k/a “Jorge Diaz-Feliz,” JHOAN DIAZ-FELIZ, VICTOR JIMENEZ, and JOSEPH PEREZ.  The defendants are charged with murder in connection with an attempted gunpoint robbery of a Mount Vernon warehouse that sells various unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products.  Two individuals — one employee of the warehouse and one member of the robbery crew — were shot and killed during the failed robbery attempt.  The defendants were arrested and will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Victoria Reznik. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged in the Complaint, these five defendants carried out a violent armed robbery that left two dead in Mount Vernon.  The dedication, bravery, and expertise of our law enforcement partners led to the swift arrest of this dangerous crew.  This was an outstanding coordinated effort to uphold the law and keep the public safe.  This Office is determined to ensure that these defendants now face justice.” FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “These five subjects allegedly orchestrated an attempted armed robbery of a warehouse that sells to smoke shops, which quickly turned deadly as a shootout ensued, culminating in the death of both an employee and one robbery crew affiliate.  The defendants’ alleged brazen actions demonstrated extreme disregard for public safety and posed a significant threat to the community.  The FBI will not cease its relentless pursuit of those who choose violence, especially using firearms, to further their criminal behavior.  We urge the public to contact us at 1-800-Call-FBI or at tips.fbi.gov with any additional information related to this case.” Mount Vernon Police Commissioner David Gibson said: “I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, and the New York Police Department for their partnership, assistance, and continued support in this investigation.  I would also like to thank the Westchester County Police Department and the Westchester Real Time Crime Center for their vital assistance and teamwork.  The Mount Vernon Police Department and the Patterson-Howard administration takes crime in our City seriously.  We want to send a message to those who seek to commit heinous crimes in our community.  We will partner with local, state, and federal partners to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. ” As alleged in the Complaint filed today in White Plains federal court:[1] On or about March 19, 2024, ILARIO CONTRERAS, JERPI DIAZ-FELIZ, JHOAN DIAZ-FELIZ, VICTOR JIMENEZ, JOSEPH PEREZ, and others known and unknown attempted to rob at gunpoint a warehouse in Mount Vernon that sells various unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products.  As employees of the warehouse were assisting customers, approximately 10 to 15 people, including the defendants, approached the employees and customers with weapons and forced them back into the warehouse at gunpoint.  A still image from video surveillance outside the warehouse is depicted below: Shortly after the defendants and others approached the employees and customers with firearms, a gunfight between the warehouse employees and defendants broke out.  As a result, one of the employees and one of the robbers were killed. If you have any information about this case, please contact the FBI at 1-800-Call-FBI or tips.fbi.gov. * CONTRERAS, 23; JERPI DIAZ-FELIZ, 25; JHOAN DIAZ-FELIZ, 23; JIMENEZ, 35; and PEREZ, 26, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, one count of conspiracy to engage in drug trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, one count of possessing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activity, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and murder through the use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a maximum sentence of the death penalty or life imprisonment. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge. Mr. Williams praised the work of the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and the Mount Vernon Police Department.  Mr. Williams also thanked the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the Westchester County Police Department, the New York City Police Department, and the Westchester Real Time Crime Center for their invaluable assistance. This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared D. Hoffman and Justin L. Brooke are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. Contact Nicholas Biase, Lauren Scarff(212) 637-2600 Updated March 20, 2024

March 7, 2024 Theater Includes Two New Flexible Performance Arts Spaces Managed by the Apollo Theater Foundation Reopening Represents the Final Centerpiece of Broader Mixed-Use Cultural, Residential, Hotel, and Retail Development Creating more than 350 Permanent Jobs Photos of the Theater Available Here Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the reopening of the historic Victoria Theater after an extensive, decade-long restoration, returning grandeur back to the century-old Harlem landmark. Today’s ribbon-cutting formally unveils the cultural arts centerpiece of a broader State-led mixed-use retail and residential redevelopment project at the site on 125th Street in Manhattan, which includes construction of nearly 200 units of housing, more than 100 of which are affordable, and a 211-room hotel – the first full-service hotel opened in Harlem in nearly a century and the tallest building north of Central Park. The cultural component, Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theater, features two new performance spaces with a combined seating capacity of nearly 300, that will be managed by the legendary Apollo Theater Foundation, whose landmark home is located on the same block as the Victoria. “One of Harlem’s historic crown jewels shines brighter today thanks to New York State’s investment in its overdue and much-deserved restoration,” Governor Hochul said. “The Victoria Theater is not only a symbol of Harlem’s past grandeur, but also a testament to its current vibrancy, and a guarantee that this legendary New York neighborhood will continue to be a cultural force – and with Apollo’s support – launch the careers of some of the world’s most talented artists and performers.” Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The reopening of the Victoria Theater – and the broader mixed-use revitalization project – sets the stage for Harlem’s continued renaissance as a world-renown cultural destination drawing visitors from around the globe. This project successfully utilized Harlem’s historic legacy and transformed it into a modern, dynamic, thriving development that will drive local job creation and economic growth on 125th Street for years to come.” New York State’s investment in the restoration of the Victoria Theater ensured it retained its distinctive features, including its 125th Street façade, front entryways, vertical blade sign, lighted marquee, ticket booth, lobby, and foyer. The lobby will house ongoing education exhibits promoting the history of the Theater and its role as part of Harlem’s “Opera Row.” The launch of The Apollo Stages at The Victoria expands the legacy, prestige, and programmatic experience of the world-famous Apollo Theater into a new home on 125th Street. Victoria’s 27,000-square-foot cultural space includes two new venues, that add 300 additional seats for Harlem-based performances and artistic offerings featuring an array of diverse voices, including local artists, artist collectives, and small and mid-size Harlem and NYC-based arts organizations. The cultural area of the project also includes back of house, rehearsal, gallery, and office space for Apollo and other cultural organizations, which will be owned by Harlem Community Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Empire State Development. Read the full press release here.

The New York State Police are working alongside other state agencies in preparation for a rare solar eclipse that will occur on Monday, April 8, 2024, at approximately 3 p.m. Eastern time. The solar eclipse will trace a narrow path of totality across 15 U.S. states, including much of Western and Upstate New York. Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Watertown, Lake Placid, and Plattsburgh are directly in the path of totality. New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven G. James said, “The New York State Police is committed to keeping New Yorkers safe and is prepared for any potential increase in traffic the eclipse may bring. Viewing the eclipse from designated areas and preparing for unpredictable weather are some safety tips individuals should keep in mind. We want all New Yorkers and those who visit our great state to have a safe and unforgettable eclipse viewing experience.” The New York State Police is working closely and coordinating with local and state partners to prepare for any potential increase in traffic and large gatherings. We will enhance patrol coverage throughout these areas and deploy additional Troopers, with a focus on roadways that may be impacted by the eclipse. We remind motorists to be prepared for large volumes of traffic and plan accordingly. Motorists who must travel in the areas impacted by the eclipse are asked to allow for extra travel time to ensure a careful drive to their destination as we do anticipate large volumes of traffic. We also remind the public to watch the eclipse from designated viewing areas and to avoid stopping on controlled-access highways unless there is an emergency. Eclipse viewers are also reminded to be prepared in the event of unpredictable weather, especially in the higher elevations. Being prepared with warm clothing, blankets, water, non-perishable food, and a flashlight can reduce safety risks in case of a weather emergency. Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/new-york-state-police-join-state-agencies-prepare-rare-solar-eclipse

On March 20, 2024, the New York State Police Troop K Violent Gangs and Narcotic Enforcement Team and the Troop K Community Stabilization Unit K9 in conjunction with the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, the New York City Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor arrested Juan Rondon, age 60, of Bronx, NY, for Operating as a Major Trafficker, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 1st degree, both class A-I felonies, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree, a class B felony. Members of the Troop K VGNET developed information that led to the Bronx and the application of a search warrant by the New York City Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor.  Upon execution of the warrant, approximately 12 kilograms of cocaine and 3 million dollars in U.S. Currency were found hidden in the residence. New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven G. James said, “A cumulative effort among law enforcement partners has once again resulted in a massive seizure of deadly drugs.  Not only did this interception save lives, but it also put an end to the violence that is often associated with drug trafficking.  The New York State Police will continue to work vigilantly alongside our partners to put dangerous individuals like Mr. Rondon behind bars.” Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/major-trafficker-taken-down

The New York State Police has developed an emergency operation plan in collaboration with other state, local, and federal law enforcement, emergency services, and transportation agencies.  Our goal is to provide a uniform presence to ensure the safety of both visitors and residents, as they experience and travel home from the eclipse. Members of the State Police will provide security measures appropriate for large gatherings and will take all necessary actions to maintain order and the smooth flow of traffic. Reports from the 2017 solar eclipse indicated some regions experienced a 100 percent increase in their population in the days leading up to and during the eclipse. The purpose of the planning process for this event, is to address the potential impacts within the North Country and to minimize any negative effects associated with such a large influx of visitors to the local area. New York State will host a Regional Operation Center (ROC) at Troop B, State Police Headquarters in Ray Brook, which will have representation from our partner agencies. The State Police plans on doubling the number of available personnel during the event. Strike Teams will be strategically deployed to monitor traffic and respond rapidly to any issues that may interfere with the safe flow of traffic or affect the quick clearance of any incidents. Our Strike Teams will also be supplied with MREs and water for motorists that may get stranded. The State Police will have additional aviation assets on hand to assist in monitoring traffic and to perform rescue operations if needed. We will also have Marine/ATV/UTV/Snowmobile and UAS assets strategically located for use if needed. Concerns for the area due to the influx of population: -    Potential for transportation system disruptions and/or impacts. -    Potential for delayed/disrupted emergency service responses and prolonged response times. -    Potential for stranded motorists. -    Out of the area visitors and potential weather/road concerns. -    Fuel infrastructure may not be able to support an increase in vehicular traffic. -    Gridlocked traffic may result in an increased demand for fuel, food and water depending on duration. -    Cellular networks may be overloaded by high volume. -    Increase in 911 call volume. -    Untrained/unfamiliar people attempting to view the event from the high peaks or off trail without the necessary equipment/gear. -    Students stranded on buses in traffic. The New York State Police make the following recommendations based on expectations: -    Plan on staying in the region the night of the event, if possible. -    If you can’t stay, fuel up the day before the event. -    Have extra food and water in your vehicle for your trip, shop the day before. -    Local residents should avoid the roadways after the event. -    Have cellphones charged and bring chargers with you. -    Schools are recommended to have the day off or a half-day. -    Plan on being in traffic for as long as 4-12 hours to get out of the North Country. -    Plan on viewing the event from designated viewing sites. -    If you are going to view the eclipse, ensure you use the appropriate approved glasses. -    If from out of the area, don’t use vehicles that can’t travel for 10 plus hours without charging – stranded EVs in traffic will be towed, -    Unless you are an experienced hiker, do not attempt to view the event from the High Peaks or undesignated Adirondack Park areas. -    Climate and conditions will be unpredictable! No matter how nice the weather, the water temperatures will be dangerously low. IF YOU PLAN ON LEAVING AFTER THE EVENT, BE PATIENT AND RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS ON THE ROADWAYS. Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/state-police-troop-b-prepare-eclipse

Vinoth Ponmaran Was a Leader of a Technical Support Scheme That Deceived More Than 6,500 Victims Across the United States and Canada, Many of Whom Were Elderly, into Paying for Phony Computer Repair Services Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that VINOTH PONMARAN pled guilty today to participating in a conspiracy that for several years exploited elderly victims by remotely accessing their computers and convincing victims to pay for computer support services they did not need, and which were never actually provided.  In total, the conspiracy generated more than $6 million in criminal proceeds from at least approximately 6,500 victims.  PONMARAN pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to intentionally damage victims’ computers before U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick, to whom his case is assigned. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As he admitted today, Vinoth Ponmaran was a leader of a sophisticated fraud scheme that preyed on thousands of victims, including the elderly.  This conspiracy caused pop-up windows to appear on victims’ computers — pop-up windows which claimed, falsely, that a virus had infected the victim’s computer.  Through this and other misrepresentations, this prolific fraud scheme deceived victims into paying a total of more than $6 million.” According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Information, court filings, and statements made during plea proceedings: From approximately March 2015 through July 2018, PONMARAN was a member of a criminal fraud ring (the “Fraud Ring”) based in the United States and India that committed a technical support fraud scheme targeting elderly victims located across the United States and Canada, including in the Southern District of New York.  The Fraud Ring’s primary objective was to trick victims into believing that their computers were infected with malware in order to deceive them into paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for phony computer repair services.  Over the course of the conspiracy, the Fraud Ring generated more than $6 million in proceeds from at least 6,500 victims. The scheme generally worked as follows.  First, the Fraud Ring caused pop-up windows to appear on victims’ computers.  The pop-up windows claimed, falsely, that a virus had infected the victims’ computers.  The pop-up windows directed the victims to call a particular telephone number to obtain technical support.  In at least some instances, the pop-up windows threatened victims that, if they restarted or shut down their computer, it could “cause serious damage to the system,” including “complete data loss.”  In an attempt to give the false appearance of legitimacy, in some instances, the pop-up windows included, without authorization, the corporate logo of a well-known, legitimate technology company.  In fact, no virus had infected victims’ computers, and the technical support phone numbers in the pop-up windows were not associated with the legitimate technology company.  Rather, these representations were false and were designed to trick victims into paying the Fraud Ring to “fix” a problem that did not exist.  And while the purported “virus” was a hoax, the pop-up windows themselves did cause various victims’ computers to completely “freeze,” thereby preventing these victims from accessing the data and files in their computer — which caused some victims to call the phone number listed in the pop-up windows.  In exchange for victims’ payment of several hundred or thousand dollars (depending on the precise “service” victims purchased), the purported technicians remotely accessed the victim’s computers and ran an anti-virus tool, which is free and available on the Internet. PONMARAN was an India-based leader of the Fraud Ring.  Among other things, PONMARAN managed a call center in India that was used to provide purported computer repair services to victims of the scheme.  PONMARAN also recruited co-conspirators in the United States to register fraudulent corporate entities and open bank accounts that were used to receive fraud proceeds from victims of the scheme.  PONMARAN also laundered fraud proceeds in multiple ways, including by directing co-conspirators to wire fraud proceeds to accounts in India and the United States. * PONMARAN, 35, a citizen of India, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to intentionally damage a protected computer, each of which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.  Under the terms of his plea agreement, PONMARAN has agreed to forfeit $6,110,884.51 and to pay restitution of $1,851,830.18. The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as PONMARAN’s sentence will be determined by the judge.  PONMARAN’s sentencing is scheduled for June 24, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. PONMARAN’s co-defendants, Romana Leyva and Ariful Haque, were both sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty in 2022, following their respective guilty pleas.  Leyva was sentenced to 100 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and she was ordered to forfeit $4,679,586.93 and to pay restitution of $2,707,882.91.  Haque was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to forfeit $38,886.32 and to pay restitution of $470,672.16. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the New York Office of Homeland Security Investigations’ El Dorado Task Force, Cyber Intrusion/Cyber Fraud Group.  Mr. Williams also thanked the New York City Police Department for its assistance on this case. This matter is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Neff is in charge of the prosecution. Contact Nicholas Biase, Lauren Scarff(212) 637-2600 Updated March 15, 2024 Sources: https://justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/citizen-india-pleads-guilty-tech-support-fraud-scheme-exploited-elderly

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MENDEL ZILBERBERG was sentenced today to 30 months in prison in connection with a scheme to obtain a fraudulent $1.4 million loan from Park Avenue Bank.  The defendant was a member of Park Avenue Bank’s board of directors at the time of the offense.  ZILBERBERG was previously found guilty following a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels, who imposed today’s sentence. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Those entrusted with the stewardship of financial institutions must uphold their responsibilities with integrity, not exploit their positions.  Mendel Zilberberg’s manipulation of his roles as a legal practitioner and a director of Park Avenue Bank exemplifies a disturbing breach: one that led to a staggering loss for the institution.  Safeguarding the integrity of our financial systems is imperative, and this Office will not tire in our mission to track down those who pose threats to this vital cornerstone of stability.” According to the allegations contained in the Indictment, the evidence offered at trial, and matters included in public filings: In or about 2009, ZILBERBERG conspired with a co-defendant, Aron Fried, and others to obtain a fraudulent loan from Park Avenue Bank (the “Bank”).  Knowing that the co-conspirators would not be able to obtain the loan directly, the co-conspirators recruited a straw borrower (the “Straw Borrower”) to make the loan application.  The Straw Borrower applied for a $1.4 million loan from the Bank on the basis of numerous lies, as directed by ZILBERBERG and his co-conspirators. ZILBERBERG used his privileged position at the Bank to ensure that the loan was processed promptly.  Based on the false representations made to the Bank and ZILBERBERG’s involvement in the loan approval process, the Bank issued a $1.4 million loan to the Straw Borrower, which was quickly disbursed to ZILBERBERG and his co-conspirators through multiple bank accounts and transfers.  In total, ZILBERBERG received more than approximately $500,000 of the loan proceeds.  The Straw Borrower received nothing from the loan and ultimately defaulted, resulting in a loss to the Bank of over $1 million. On November 15, 2022, Fried pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud.  On April 10, 2023, Judge Daniels sentenced Fried to one year and one day in prison. * In addition to the prison term, ZILBERBERG, 65, of Monsey, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $1,066,853 in restitution and $506,000 in forfeiture. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Office of the Inspector General. This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dina McLeod, Daniel G. Nessim, and Kimberly Ravener, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Joseph Carbone, are in charge of the prosecution. Contact Nicholas Biase, Lauren Scarff(212) 637-2600

The TMS name has been around for over 17 years and is owned and operated by the Moyer Family. Built and developed by Brent Moyer, Trailer Marketing Services, Inc. quickly became a staple in enclosed and custom trailer sales in the Central New York area, carrying several different trailer lines. After much success, in 1995, Brent became the Regional Sales Representative for Bri-mar and soon established Trailer Marketing Services, Inc. as the largest regional sales office for Bri-mar Trailers in the Northeastern US. Brent’s youngest son, Jeff Moyer, joined the family business in 2010. Jeff’s wife, Molly, came on board a year later. Sadly, in 2012, the patriarch of the family team and President of Trailer Marketing Services, Inc., Brent Moyer, was diagnosed with cancer. A little less than a year later, Brent passed away, leaving the business to his family. Currently, Trailer Marketing Services, Inc. remains the largest regional sales office for BWise & Bri-mar trailers in the Northeastern United States with Jeff filling his father’s shoes. Jeff has worked very hard to expand his BWise & Bri-mar dealer network throughout the Northeast and also grow Trailer Marketing Services into a Distribution Center for BWise and Bri-mar trailers. The retail side of Trailer Marketing Services has also been going strong with all sales and operations managed by Jeff and his wife, Molly. In 2016, Jeff and Molly Moyer took legal ownership of the business and moved the operation to its new location, including a larger retail and distribution lot and a more efficient office building and garage. They have spent the past year updating the new property and personalizing their business model to really "make it their own." In 2023, TMS and Bwise split their partnership. TMS formed a partnership with K-Trail USA and Load Trail Trailers. After 30 years, Bwise (Bri-mar) dissolved their business partnership after Bwise was acquired by ATW. However, TMS was very fortunate to construct a partnership with two independently owned companies. K-Trail Trailers (manufactured in Quebec City, highest quality of Galvanized Dumps and Equipment Haulers) and Load Trail Trailers out of Texas, USA (high-quality I-Beam-based dumps and equipment that range from 7k GVWR up to 40k GVWR). TMS was proud to form an associate partnership with Reid Simos (Atlantic Trailer Group and K-Trail USA Equity partner). With this partnership, they opened up TMS to full dealer distribution and retail. We are also proud to have extended our employee base. The TMS team is top-notch and knowledgeable. Their Website: https://www.trailermarketingservices.com/ Call Their Office: (800) 277-4942