Your Weekly Update from

District Attorney

Michael E. McMahon

June 1st - June 7th

DA McMahon Announces Arrest, Indictment & Sets Bail Against Two Additional Defendants in Ettore Mazzei Drug Ring Case

On Thursday, District Attorney McMahon announced the arrest and indictment of two additional defendants involved in the massive and multi-faceted narcotics trafficking operation allegedly orchestrated by prominent Staten Island businessman and restauranteur Ettore Mazzei. With their identities released to the public in an unsealed indictment, the defendants, Kadeem Lewis and Pedro Hernandez, are accused of engaging in conspiracy and multiple sales of illegal narcotics, namely cocaine, to co-defendants Ettore Mazzei, Melissa Mazzei, and Gary Pulice.

The alleged supplier of this Stapleton-based drug syndicate and a resident of New Jersey, Lewis is alleged to have committed multiple A1 Felony drug sales, the only bail eligible drug crime in the state of New York. As a result, bail was requested and set against Lewis in the amount of $3 million cash. Likewise, Hernandez also supplied Mazzei with cocaine on multiple occasions, engaging in a criminal conspiracy to receive, package, and distribute cocaine on Staten Island and elsewhere, and to collect the proceeds of those narcotics transactions. A Park Hill resident, bail was set against Hernandez at $150,000 cash.

With nearly 20 defendants now charged in Mazzei's labyrinth of crime, the scope of his criminal enterprise is only outweighed by the sheer damage, pain, and suffering it wrought on our community. We once again would like to commend our partners in the NYPD and United States Postal Inspection Service for their diligent efforts to investigate and apprehend these poison purveyors and thank the men and women of our office's Narcotics-Investigations Bureau for their relentless dedication to dismantling death-dealing drug syndicates across our borough and securing justice in the courtroom.

In the News

D.A. takes historic action against tenant, landlord in smoke shop crackdown on Staten Island

D.A. announces $100k in high-tech security cameras will protect Staten Island cultural gem

Pleading to Staten Island hate crime, defendant, 19, will do jail time with chance at redemption

Alleged graffiti offender repping 'Rough Tough Huguenot' accused of North Shore incidents; arraigned on felony charges

New scam alert: Teens ask for donations, then fleece victims, NYPD warns

Unsealed indictment charges 2 more in drug scheme allegedly headed by Staten Island caterer

NYPD to ramp up enforcement efforts against illegal mopeds, scooters across NYC

Suspect, 19, in shooting on Staten Island commercial strip accepts plea deal

'You were in our house.' Father of Staten Island shooting victim faces down killer, former friend

'Criminal enterprise' involved mob soldiers, Staten Island pizza man, retired cop, officials allege

2 NYPD police officers shot during Queens traffic stop

Gambino mobsters among 17 charged in $22M illegal gambling ring on Staten Island

NYPD honors 'incredible and powerful women' in NYC; 2 from Staten Island

In the Courtroom

On Tuesday, defendants Victor Lorenzana and Kevin Soto were sentenced to 10 years and two to four years behind bars respectively for their role in the homicide of Staten Islander and father of three, Michael Evans. This week's sentence comes after Lorenzana pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree and Soto pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree earlier this year.

Just over two years ago, the pair of dangerous defendants conspired together to engage in a senseless act of gun violence against Evans. Finding the 26-year-old Graniteville resident in Stapleton during the early afternoon hours of May 9th, 2022, Lorenzana fired two shots, striking Evans in the back and taking his life at the corner of Beach Street and Union Place. Acting as an accessory to Lorenzana's heinous crime, Soto provided the shooter with a timely getaway car as the duo fled the scene.

Thankfully, NYPD officers were able to apprehend both Lorenzana and Soto three months later. However, it would take nearly two years before the duo would face accountability for their horrific criminal actions as a critical witness passed away while the case was still pending trial, removing a key piece of potential testimony. Despite these challenges, our prosecutors worked tirelessly to hold this pair of defendants accountable in the courtroom and we are proud to have secured a decade-long prison sentence for Lorenzana while ensuring Soto received significant prison time as well.

We commend our partners in the NYPD for their remarkable investigative work and successful apprehension of this dangerous duo and Deputy Chief of our Trials Bureau, Assistant District Attorney Arda Ozdinc and ATI Unit Chief, Assistant District Attorney Jason Cohen for their incredible efforts to ensure justice was served in this harrowing case.

Protecting Quality of Life & Public Safety, DA McMahon, Mayor Adams & NYPD Crush Hundreds of Illegal, Unregistered Scooters & Mopeds

DA McMahon alongside Mayor Eric Adams, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell, and NYPD Patrol Borough Staten Island Chief Joseph Gulotta during a press announcement Wednesday morning

Seemingly ubiquitous, illegal and unlicensed scooters and mopeds fly flagrantly in the face of our traffic laws, making our roadways and commercial corridors less safe and worsening the quality of life for all New Yorkers. Worse yet, these illicit vehicles have become increasingly involved in criminal activity, posing a direct threat to the public safety of both pedestrians and law-abiding motorists. In fact, earlier this week, a violent assailant and purported Venezuelan gang member in Queens used an illegal moped to commit a brazen act of gun violence which sent two brave members of New York’s Finest to the hospital.

On Wednesday morning, DA McMahon joined Mayor Adams, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks, and NYPD top brass including NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, Chief of Patrol John Chell, and Patrol Borough Staten Island Chief Joseph Gulotta to announce enhanced summer enforcement actions regarding these illegal vehicles and to physically crush more than 200 unregistered mopeds and scooters seized this year. In just the past 18 months, the NYPD has seized more than 30,000 illegal two-wheeled vehicles and ATVs.

These unregistered and dangerous vehicles have no place on our streets and while the men and women of our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold these literal drivers of crime accountable, we commend Mayor Adams and the New York City Police Department for their proactive efforts and look forward to working alongside them in the weeks ahead to rid our communities of these traffic and public safety hazards and better protect all Staten Islanders.

More than 200 illegal scooters and mopeds seized in 2024 were destroyed on Wednesday morning during a press announcement led by Mayor Adams, the NYPD, and DA McMahon

From left to right: NYC Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry, NYC Deputy Commissioner Public Information Tarik Sheppard, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, Mayor Eric Adams, DA McMahon, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell, NYPD Patrol Borough Staten Island Chief Joseph Gulotta

DA McMahon Announces Massive Investment in Public Safety of Borough's Cultural Institution

& North Shore

As criminals and their nefarious schemes continue to evolve, so too must the tactics of law enforcement, and the simple fact is that 21st century crimefighting necessitates a robust arsenal of cameras and related technology to hold lawbreakers accountable and prevent crime from occurring in the first place.

On Tuesday, DA McMahon announced a $100,000 investment in nearly a dozen state-of-the-art cameras that have been installed in and around the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden to not only better protect one of our borough’s most beloved institutions and its patrons but the Staten Island community at large. Both overt and covert in nature with license plate reading technology, these cameras will not only deter crime but enhance criminal investigations and aid the NYPD and our prosecutors in identifying, apprehending, and holding dangerous criminals more accountable in the courtroom.

Ensuring the public safety of our fellow Staten Islanders will always be our office's top priority and we know that this historic investment will go a long way towards strengthening the security of our borough’s North Shore. We would like to thank Chief David Nilsen and the men and women of his Detective Investigators Unit and Tech Team for their valiant efforts and Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden President & CEO Jessica Vodoor for her partnership and continued commitment to the safety of all Staten Islanders!

DA McMahon and members of his Executive Team, Detective Investigators Unit, and Tech Team with the leadership team of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden during a meeting last month

Committed to Combatting Retail Theft & Ensuring Safety of Local Business Community,

DA McMahon Meets with Leadership Team of Walgreens

Pictured above, DA McMahon meets with the leadership team of Walgreens

In an effort to combat rampant retail theft and better protect the Staten Island business community, on Monday, DA McMahon and members of our office met the leadership team of Walgreens. A productive conversation, DA McMahon and representatives from our nation's second-largest pharmacy chain (which has 9 locations on Staten Island) focused on avenues for collaboration with each side committing to increased communication and coordination in order to beat back the scourge of retail theft recidivism in our borough.

Specifically, DA McMahon brought the cadre of Rx retailers up to speed on recent changes passed in this year's state budget to thwart retail theft and new protections afforded to retail workers. The group also strategized as to how best to issue trespass affidavits in order to ban known recidivists from their stores and limit retail crime.

We understand and appreciate the value retailers like Walgreens bring to our borough's residents and look forward to strengthening and continuing our partnership for years to come in order to improve the consumer experience, protect our retail workers, and restore public safety both here on Staten Island and across New York City!

From left to right: RCDA Community Liaison Sophie Selwood, Chief Assistant District Attorney Ashleigh Owens, Maricela Cano, Constantinople & Vallone Consulting, Donovan Pepper, Walgreens Senior Director of Government Relations and Civic Engagement, DA McMahon, Anthony Constantinople Esq., Joe Stein, Walgreens Director of Asset Protection Solutions, RCDA Executive ADA for Criminal Court Operations and Professional Development Darren Albanese, and Deputy Bureau Chief ADA Jamie Capodieci

DA McMahon Condemns Violence & Offers Well Wishes in Wake of Horrific Act of Gun Violence Which Hospitalized Two NYPD Officers

Pictured above, NYPD Officers Richard Yarusso and Christopher Abreu are applauded as they leave Elmhurst Hospital. Photo courtesy of Robert Mecea, NY Post

In an act of senseless gun violence, two brave NYPD officers were hospitalized early Monday morning in Queens after taking fire from a violent assailant and purported Venezuelan gang member. Investigating a robbery pattern involving the use of illegal mopeds, Officers Yarusso and Abreu spotted the gun-toting migrant driving a scooter without a license plate the wrong way down an Elmhurst street at approximately 1:40AM.

Attempting to stop the illegal motorist, a foot pursuit ensued before the defendant whipped out an illegal firearm and unloaded multiple shots, striking Yarusso in the chest and Abreu in the ankle. Thankfully, a bullet proof vest saved Officer Yarusso's life and Abreu's injury proved to be nonfatal. Both officers were released from Elmhurst Hospital later that day.

This type of violence against uniformed police officers is absolutely unacceptable and must be stopped. We are grateful that Officers Abreu and Yarusso will make a full recovery and we thank them and all of our courageous NYPD officers for their heroic service and dedication to keeping New York City safe.

DA McMahon Secures Guilty Conviction & Jail Time for Defendant Who Committed

Hate Crime Against Jewish

Staten Islander

On Tuesday, defendant Thomas Agoglia pleaded guilty to Menacing in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime and as a result, on August 5th, he will be sentenced to six months behind bars and five years probation with a full order of protection secured for the victim in this case.

At a time when acts of anti Semitism are on the rise both here at home and across the globe, Agoglia committed an unprovoked, insensitive and criminal act of hate against an orthodox Jewish Staten Islander last October. Using hateful language and an imitation pistol to intimidate and instill fear in his victim, this shameful defendant targeted one of our neighbors purely because of his appearance and the way he worships.

All Staten Islanders deserve to live free of fear and hatred simply because of who they are and we are proud to continue our office’s longstanding policy that once indicted on a hate crime, the defendant must plead guilty to that charge or risk facing trial. We express our sincere gratitude to our partners in the NYPD for their diligent attention and assistance on this case and to Assistant District Attorney Ahkianne Wanliss for holding this defendant accountable and ensuring that hate has no home in our borough.

On 80th Anniversary of D-Day, DA McMahon Joins Staten Islanders to Remember Bravery & Selfless Sacrifice of Nation's Heroes

DA McMahon joins the Friends of Tompkinsville Park to honor the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

On Tuesday, DA McMahon joined the Friends of Tompkinsville Park and representatives from our fellow elected offices in honor of the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. The largest land, sea, and air invasion in history, over 130,000 Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy eight decades ago, breaking through the Nazi defenses and signaling the turning point in a war against unthinkable evil.

Meeting at the Tompkinsville World War II Memorial located at the intersection of Van Duzer Street and St. Pauls Avenue, DA McMahon honored the many Staten Island residents who fought to preserve freedom and democracy across the globe and spoke to the incredible bravery and sacrifice displayed by our nation's heroes.

80 years ago, thousands of Americans, including countless Staten Islanders, gave their lives in a stand against hate and tyranny to preserve liberty and freedom. Today, it is our duty to ensure their sacrifice is not forgotten and to ensure democracy is preserved both here at home and abroad. May God bless all those we lost on that fateful day, and all our servicemen and women who served in the years that followed, and those who continue to serve in uniform today.

Joining Thousands, RCDA Kicks

Off Pride Month at Annual Festival Held in Snug Harbor

Members of RCDA pose for a picture with State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton during Saturday's Staten Island Pride Festival

Kicking off Pride Month and in furtherance of our office's commitment to supporting all Staten Islanders, on Saturday, members of RCDA tabled and participated in the Staten Island Pride Festival! Hosted by the Staten Island Pride Center and held at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, the event featured live music, food from local vendors, and fun festivities for Staten Islanders of all ages to enjoy.

Staten Island's LGBTQIA+ community will always have a staunch ally in our office and we remain committed to ensuring all Staten Islanders no matter their gender or sexual orientation are supported and protected this month and every month!

Protecting Our Pets, RCDA Partners with NYPD & ASPCA for Annual Paws & Police Community Event

RCDA Community Liaison Lisa Thompson joins ASPCA for annual Paws & Police Community Event

Working to combat animal abuse and providing free vaccinations to our borough's pets, on Tuesday, RCDA partnered with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and NYPD Patrol Borough Staten Island for our annual Paws and Police Community Event!

Held at Corporal Thompson Park in West Brighton, Tuesday's event helped to vaccinate more than 200 cats and dogs, making both our pets and borough safer as a result. Thanks to the ASPCA and NYPD for your incredible efforts and partnership and to the hundreds of Staten Island pet owners for doing your part to protect our furry friends and family members!

From left to right: RCDA Community Liaison Lisa Thompson, NYPD Officers William DeFazio, Robert Adams, Christina Bungay, George Aguilar, Duane Conner, Sgt. Quania Rios, and NYPD Community Ambassador Jermaine Williams