Six, Including Police Officer In Hudson Valley, Charged In Sex Trafficking, Bribery Scheme
A police officer who allegedly protected a prostitution ring in exchange for free sexual favors is among six facing a host of charges for their roles in operating a sex trafficking organization throughout New York, federal officials announced.
In Brooklyn federal court, a 14-count indictment has been unsealed for six suspects who ran the operation - which included minors - while the cop protected them from being arrested by law enforcement.
Those charged:
Wayne Peiffer, age 48, of Highland in Ulster County;
Jose Facundo Zarate Morals, age 32, of Queens.
Luz Elvira Cardona, age 33, of Que…
Passaic Prosecutor: Duo Tried To Bribe Child Sex Assault Victim, Witness With Cash, Car, More
A Passaic County man and a companion tried to bribe a child sex assault victim and a witness with cash, tuition assistance – even a car -- to change their stories, authorities said.
Sergio Bernal, 33, of Passaic was originally charged with sex assaults on the underage victim at various residences in Passaic from October 2013 to August 2020, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said Thursday.
A judge ordered that he remained held in the Passaic County Jail pending trial.
Both Bernal and Maricella Gonzalez, 52, of Garfield then tried to get the victim and witness to recant their state…
Four Ex-Employees Of Ny-based Company Admit To Bribery, Kickback Scheme
Two former employees of a New York-based utility company admitted to accepting bribes and kickbacks worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Long Island-based contractor.
On Monday, Oct. 4, Long Island residents Patrick McCrann, age 57, of Selden, and Richard Zavada, age 65, of Hicksville, pleaded guilty to accepting the illegal payments, according to Jacquelyn Kasulis, acting United States attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Michael Driscoll, assistant director-in-charge of the FBI New York Field Office.
Last week, two other former employees of the same co…
Indictment: Inmate In Burned-Body Case Got Drugs, More Into NJ Prison Through Sister, Guard
A New Jersey convict serving time for helping burn a shooting victim's body distributed drugs, mini-cellphones and other contraband to fellow inmates with help from his sister and a crooked correctional officer, authorities charged.
James "NuNu" Todd, 30, and his sister, Hassanah Todd, 32, paid the now-former officer to smuggle items that included synthetic cannabinoid -- otherwise known as "K2' -- into Northern State Prison in Newark, Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck said Tuesday.
Todd had been serving time there following his 2013 conviction for helping another man dispose of the b…
