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…
Long Island Woman Sentenced For Conspiring To Distribute Drugs, Firearm Possession
A Long Island woman was sentenced for conspiring to distribute drugs, including fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Amber Schatz, age 33, of Wading River, was sentenced on Thursday, Dec. 9, to 10 years in prison, according to Breon Peace, United States attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
She pleaded guilty to the charges in May.
In January of 2020, Schatz and her boyfriend Curtis Prussick conspired to distribute "large quantities of narcotics," the Attorney's Office reported.
Investigators determined that Schatz and Prussick sold drugs…
Long Island Man Sentenced For Attempting To Join ISIS
A Long Island man has been sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for attempting to provide support and resources in an effort to join the terrorist organization ISIS.
Elvis Redzepagic, age 30, of Commack, was sentenced on Friday, Nov. 19, after pleading guilty in April, said Breon Peace, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York,
“With the imposition of today’s lengthy sentence, Redzepagic pays a steep price for his misguided embrace of terrorism and his attempts to join ISIS and the al-Nusrah Front in order to wage violent jihad,” stated Peace.
In early 2015, R…
New US Attorney For Eastern District Takes Command
A veteran attorney was officially sworn in to serve as the new US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
President Joe Biden appointed Breon Peace to serve as the new US Attorney in the district, where he will be responsible for all federal criminal and civil cases in a district comprised of more than 8 million people.
The Eastern District includes Kings, Nassau, Queens, Richmond, and Suffolk counties and works concurrently with the Southern District of New York.
Peace, age 50, replaces Mark Lesko, the former federal prosecutor, and Brookhaven Town Supervisor, who held the positio…
