The parents of Andrew McMorris vowed to continue fighting for justice for their son, who was killed last September by an alleged drunken driver, as the case now heads to trial.

Faced with a deadline to accept a plea deal, the driver charged with striking five Boy Scouts, Thomas Murphy, 60, of Holbrook, instead opted for a trial at Thursday’s court appearance in Central Islip.

“This is the road that’s been chosen for us and we’re ready to walk it,” said Andrew’s mother, Alisa.

The case will now move to a pre-trial hearing set for June 4.

Mr. Murphy appeared before Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho for what turned out to be a brief court appearance. 

The parents of Andrew McMorris vowed to continue fighting for justice for their son, who was killed last September by an alleged drunken driver, as the case now heads to trial.

Faced with a deadline to plead guilty, the driver charged with striking five Boy Scouts, Thomas Murphy, 60, of Holbrook, instead opted for a trial at Thursday’s court appearance in Central Islip.

“This is the road that’s been chosen for us and we’re ready to walk it,” said Andrew’s mother, Alisa.

The case will now move to a pretrial hearing set for June 4.

Mr. Murphy appeared before Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho for what turned out to be a brief court appearance, lasting barely a minute.

Judge Camacho had urged Mr. Murphy to plead guilty to spare Andrew’s family from additional pain and suffering by recounting the events at trial. And Mr. Murphy had said in several statements since his arrest that he planned to accept responsibility for the tragedy.

After Mr. Murphy left the courtroom, assistant district attorney Brendan Ahern addressed the large group there to support the McMorris family and Troop 161, many of whom carried photos of Andrew.

“Today we reach a fork in the road,” he said. “There is no plea. That’s OK. We told you all along that if you look up here and to my left, you have a team that’s been preparing since day one that if this case needed to be tried, we would try it, we would try it correctly and secure justice.”

Prosecutors did not offer Mr. Murphy a plea deal, where he could plead guilty to lesser charges, a spokesperson for District Attorney Timothy Sini confirmed. Mr. Murphy’s choice was to plead guilty to the full indictment or face a trial.

Mr. Sini spoke briefly about the case Thursday afternoon.

“We made it clear that we were going to seek the maximum sentence if the defendant pleaded guilty to the indictment,” Mr. Sini said. “He went back on his promise that he was going to accept responsibility for his crime and that he was going to spare the family, the Boy Scout community and all of the victims’ loved ones and supporters the trauma of going to trial.”

If convicted of the top charge, he faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison, the DA said when he was indicted.

Andrew’s father John said Thursday the family is focused on healing, strength and justice.

• Prior Coverage: Cabin to be named for Andrew McMorris
• Prior Coverage: Mothers urge Riverhead to add drunk-driving program

What happened on Sept. 30 was 100 percent avoidable,” he said. “[Mr. Murphy] drank all day, he got into the vehicle and he crashed into five boys. That was 100 percent avoidable.”

Andrew, 12, was killed Sept. 30 while on a hike with fellow scouts in Manorville. Four other boys were injured in the crash. Mr. Murphy is facing a top charge of aggravated vehicular homicide. He remains free on bond after pleading not guilty. Mr. Murphy and his attorney, Steven McCarthy Jr., left the courthouse once the brief proceeding ended, passing the TV cameras set up outside the courtroom without giving comment.

At the prior court appearance in March, Mr. McCarthy read a statement on behalf of his client saying: “I ask respectfully that those who come to court allow myself and my family the time to fully evaluate my case and my role in this tragic accident.”

Mr. Ahern told the courtroom that he was sorry the case now must head to trial, but his team is prepared.

“We’re going to do it shoulder to shoulder,” he said. “We’re going to do it to secure justice.”

Ms. McMorris remembered her son as an “honorable, wonderful little boy.”

“I have been without him for 215 days, more than seven months,” she said. “He’s missed Thanksgiving, he missed Christmas, he missed his birthday.”

Mr. McMorris continued: “He’ll never have the chance to grow up, to graduate high school, college. He’ll never have the chance to be a pilot he always dreamed of being. He’ll never have a family of his own and we’re going to fight for Andrew and all the boys that were affected by this horrible tragedy.”

They then thanked all the supporters who have attended each court appearance.

“Justice will be served,” Ms. McMorris said. “I am not fearful.”

CORRECTION: An earlier version described Mr. Murphy’s action as declining a plea deal. Prosecutors did not offer a plea deal. His choice was to plead guilty to the full indictment or face a trial. He opted for trial.

Top caption: The McMorris family speaks with the media outside the courtroom Thursday. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

joew@timesreview.com

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A Smithtown man described as a ringleader in an illegal dumping scheme that targeted East End homeowners has accepted a plea deal, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office announced at a press conference Thursday.

Anthony Grazio, 54, was among 30 individuals and nine corporations charged in a 130-count indictment in an alleged conspiracy to illegally dispose of solid waste at 24 locations on Long Island, according to District Attorney Timothy Sini.

Mr. Grazio pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of second-degree criminal mischief and two counts of third-degree endangering public health, safety or environment, all felonies. He also pleaded guilty to a pair of misdemeanors: fifth-degree conspiracy and operating a solid waste management facility without a permit.

Prosecutors previously said the victims of the scheme — including property owners in Calverton, Baiting Hollow, Flanders and Greenport — had responded to advertisements for “free screened clean fill” on places like Craigslist. But ultimately the victims were left with solid waste that often contained toxic and acutely hazardous materials like arsenic, lead and mercury, prosecutors alleged.

“As I’ve stated before, we are facing an epidemic of environmental crimes in Suffolk County,” Mr. Sini said. “This case was a great first step forward in ending those crimes. The plea today, and Grazio’s pending prison sentence, will send a strong message to polluters that crime does not pay.”

Mr. Grazio is scheduled to be sentenced by Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei on July 15. He faces a sentence of two to four years in prison and a restitution judgement order of $500,000.

Prosecutors said that between January and July 2018, Mr. Grazio would act as a dirt broker by arranging for locations where trucking companies could illegally dispose of solid waste. He also solicited homeowners over the phone and in person for locations to use for dumping.

On May 14, 2018, Mr. Grazio sent a text message to Thomas St. Clair, 51, of Saint James, instructing him to dump material at a residential location on Flanders Road in Riverside. On May 29, Cesar Ivan Bermeo, 33, of Queens coordinated for three Kris Trucking Corp trucks to each dump a load of material containing solid waste at the Flanders Road site.

The indictment says $1,500 worth of damage was done to the property.

A residential site on Landing Lane in Greenport also received a delivery of material from Durante Brothers that was delivered by Mr. Melgar. That delivery included solid waste and caused $1,500 worth of damage, according to the indictment.

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Southampton Town police arrested a Northampton man Friday morning after responding to reports of several plastic trash bins on fire.

Southampton officers along with New York State police and a K-9 unit from the state police canvassed the area in Northampton and located 25-year-old Joseph Nizza. He was taken to police headquarters and questioned by Southampton detectives.

Police charged him with four counts of fifth-degree arson, a misdemeanor, stemming from the incident as well as three additional incidents that occurred on April 26 in the same area.

Mr. Nizza was held for morning arraignment at Southampton Town Justice Court.

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Aubrey Fauvell-Thomas, 39, of Riverhead, was arrested in Riverhead Monday for possession of crack cocaine, reports said.

Around 5 a.m., police allegedly found Ms. Fauvell-Thomas sleeping in the driver’s seat of a 2007 Chevrolet Impala on Zion Street. Police approached the vehicle and observed crack cocaine in the center console, a digital scale and several plastic bags inside the vehicle. 

As an officer conducted an interview with Ms. Fauvell-Thomas, he noticed a plastic bag containing cocaine protruding from her left boot. It was later revealed the vehicle did not belong to Ms. Fauvell-Thomas.

She was arrested and charged with criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree, a misdemeanor; possession of marijuana, a violation; and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third and fifth degree, both felonies.

• Police are investigating a car accident in Riverhead that involved a getaway driver. 

An individual reported that last Thursday evening, while her vehicle was parked in the southwest corner of the parking lot at 721 E. Main St., an unknown vehicle backed into the rear bumper cover of the car at 10:32 p.m.

Video surveillance captured by the individual and later reviewed by police confirmed that a food truck with the label “La China Poblana” had backed into her 2017 Acura. The front registration plate of the truck wasn’t visible. Police documented the individual’s insurance information and will continue to investigate, reports said.

• Steven Jones, 50, of Riverhead was arrested last Thursday for petit larceny at the Riverhead TJ Maxx, reports said. 

Around 1 p.m., police received a report of larceny from a TJ Maxx loss prevention associate, who claimed Mr. Jones removed items from the store without paying for them. Mr. Jones was observed leaving the area with assorted men’s clothing in a handbag. After Mr. Jones was identified by the associate, the associate signed a civilian arrest form. The individual was arrested, transported to Riverhead Police Department headquarters for processing and held, Police determined that stolen clothing was worth $262.84.

 • Two people were arrested Monday at the Holiday Inn Express for harassment, police reports said.

Police responded to reports of a domestic incident. Nicole Shoeneman, 19, of Rocky Point reported she gave her boyfriend, Devin McRae, 24, of Middle Island, her cellphone to use and he went onto her social media accounts without her permission. After he refused to return her phone, a physical altercation ensued and Mr. McRae allegedly pushed Ms. Shoeneman to the ground and punched her in the face four times. 

Mr. McRae, who was located on the third floor of the hotel, told police Ms. Shoeneman became physical with him as well. Shortly afterward, police reports said, Mr. McRae was uncooperative and left the area, fleeing to the nearby Chipotle. 

A civilian arrest form was signed by both parties for harassment in the second degree, a violation, and both were taken into custody.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

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Willow Greinke, 40, of Mattituck was arrested in Riverside last Tuesday afternoon for unlawful possession of a controlled substance, according to Southampton Town police.

Ms. Greinke was observed making a right turn onto Flanders Road when she crossed over the southbound turning lane and nearly collided with a stopped dump truck, reports said. The driver then passed two vehicles in the center turning lane at the intersection of Flanders Road and Whitebrook Drive, driving at roughly 85 miles per hour, and continued past the intersection of Flanders Road and Donald Avenue at a high speed.

Ms. Greinke was then stopped at the intersection of Flanders Road and Vail Avenue and interviewed by police. She revealed a plastic bag which contained a burnt marijuana cigarette. Police then found another bag of marijuana, a glass jar containing marijuana and a plastic bottle containing a pink liquid which the driver revealed was methadone.

Ms. Greinke was arrested and charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, as well as two drug violations and five traffic and equipment violations.

• Police are investigating a report of burglary that occurred in Riverside last Tuesday, reports said.

A caller reported last Wednesday that an unknown person entered her home on Ludlam Avenue around 5:20 p.m. Tuesday and removed valuables that were locked in a bedroom and hidden in drawers. The suspect stole over $3,000 worth of jewelry from the home, reports said.

Police investigated the scene and found the suspect forced a bedroom door open with a screwdriver. The caller stated that family members often leave a bedroom window closed but unlocked in case they forget their house key.

• A Riverhead man was arrested in Flanders Sunday evening for driving with a suspended license, according to reports.

Malcolm Grigg, 63, was allegedly traveling eastbound on Montauk Highway and Springville Road around 9 p.m. when instrumentation alerted police that a nearby vehicle had a suspended registration, reports said. Mr. Grigg was stopped shortly after at the intersection of Flanders Road and Spinney Road, where police confirmed the suspension from an insurance lapse from April 5, 2019.

Mr. Grigg was charged with a misdemeanor and was released on an appearance ticket. He is due back in Southampton Town Justice Court Wednesday, May 22.

• Shah Nawaz, 21, of Riverhead was arrested in Riverside Sunday evening for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, according to reports.

Mr. Nawaz was allegedly stopped at the Valero Gas station on Peconic Avenue for driving without a front license plate. Police found the vehicle’s registration was suspended from an insurance lapse, and Mr. Nawaz’s license was suspended as well. He was arrested at 10:44 p.m. for two misdemeanors: third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and driving with a suspended registration. He is due back in justice court at a later date.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

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A vehicle crashed into Hallock’s Cider Mill in Laurel around 3 p.m. Friday.

The sedan was apparently turning into the parking lot when the driver, a man, crashed through the western end of the building.

The crash left a hole in the facade of the building that crews are expected to board up tonight, according to one of the owners, Marianne Hallock.

Andrew Smith, a Riverhead fire marshal, was on scene to assess structural damage.

“A lot of their merchandise got damaged,” he said.

The car crashed into a display where sauces are kept, including Ms. Hallock’s homemade spaghetti sauce.

It’s unclear what may have caused the accident.

Employees were clearing the area of broken glass, pieces of wood, insulation and other debris around 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Hallock’s Cider Mill recently re-opened for the season in April and will remain open for business as usual, Ms. Hallock said.

Though shaken up about the incident, she’s thankful the outcome wasn’t worse.

“Thank God no one got hurt,” she said.

tsmith@timesreview.com

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Two men were arrested outside Village Grocery in Riverhead Monday for criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to Riverhead Town police.

George Magee, 59, of Greenport and Stanley Griffin Jr., 20, of Riverhead were allegedly found with crack cocaine and marijuana around 6 p.m. near Riverhead police headquarters on Howell Avenue. Police recovered one aluminum packet containing crack cocaine, two Ziploc bags containing marijuana and a clear glass pipe. 

Both men were arrested, charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, and possession of marijuana, a violation. 

• Rose Marie Caruana, 30, of Hampton Bays was arrested last Thursday for stealing clothing from the Riverhead Walmart, reports said.

A loss prevention employee contacted police around 1:30 p.m. and reported that Ms. Caruana, wearing a pink sweatshirt and black pants, was observed placing multiple pieces of clothing in her bag. Police later determined Ms. Caruana tried to steal 54 items valued at $572. She was arrested and charged with misdemeanor petit larceny. 

• Police are investigating a reported theft at the Riverhead Lowe’s, reports said. 

On Friday, a store employee reported that two men entered the store at approximately 1:52 p.m. through different entrances. They allegedly met in an aisle, loaded over $2,000 worth of wire into two carts, and fled in an unknown direction to an unknown vehicle. 

One man was described as an older white male, bald, with glasses and wearing a striped green sweatshirt. The other was a younger white man with a mustache, green shirt and dark pants. The suspects have not been located but would be charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree, a felony. 

• Police have increased surveillance on Burman Boulevard in Calverton after an individual reported an erratic driver in the area last Thursday, police reports said. 

An Island Exterior Fabricators employee told police a white deck box truck with the label “Bono” had been driving 55 miles per hour through the 30 miles per hour zone for the past week, reports said. The driver failed to stop at stop signs and was driving in the middle lane. Police found the truck was from Bono Sawdust Company, operating in Flushing and delivering materials to Riverhead Building Supply at 962 Burman Blvd. Police will continue to monitor the area, reports said.

• Police are investigating a report of criminal mischief that occurred at the Schiff Boy Scout Reservation in Wading River Saturday evening, reports said.

A caller reported the damages around 5 p.m. Police found 11 double-panel windows and a bench were broken on the property in four separate cabins, police reports said. The property damage totals $2,250, reports said.

A suspect has not been found, but would be charged with two counts of criminal mischief in the third degree, a felony.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

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Darius Andruszkiewicz, 30, of Hampton Bays was arrested on Lincoln Street in Riverhead Friday evening for obstructing governmental administration, police reports said.

Police arrived at the location after a caller reported a civil dispute. The reporting individual, a male, said he entered a verbal dispute with Mr. Andruszkiewicz’s father. The man told police that several pieces of wood that belonged to him were missing from his property. Shortly after, Darius Andruszkiewicz arrived and began yelling at the individual, claiming he owned the property. 

He was later arrested for obstruction of governmental administration, a misdemeanor, and harassment in the second degree, a violation. He was searched, processed and released after paying a $200 bail. 

• Felix Flores Martinez, 47, of Flanders was arrested last Sunday for driving while intoxicated, police reports said.

Mr. Flores Martinez was pulled over on Flanders Road near Bellows Pond Road in Hampton Bays around 3:50 p.m. for a vehicle violation, reports said. 

Upon further investigation, Mr. Flores Martinez was found to be intoxicated, with a BAC of .11 percent. He was charged with one count of DWI and was released on an appearance ticket for Southampton Town Court.

• Jonathan Gee, 26, of East Northport was arrested in Northampton, April 25 for criminal possession of marijuana, police reports said.

Mr. Gee was allegedly driving on County Road 51 near Lake Avenue around 5:40 p.m. when police stopped him for a vehicle and traffic violation. 

Police later discovered Mr. Gee was in possession of marijuana and concentrated marijuana. He was arrested and charged with two misdemeanors: criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of marijuana. He was released on an appearance ticket for Southampton Town Court.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed sweeping criminal justice reforms into law last month that will eliminate cash bail and pretrial detention for most low-level offenses.

Under the new law, those arrested for misdemeanor crimes and nonviolent felonies will be issued a desk appearance ticket rather than face a judge for an arraignment, where bail is traditionally set.

Judges may still use cash bail and detain those who commit violent felonies including sexual misconduct offenses and domestic incidents. In some instances, judges can opt for non-monetary ways to ensure court appearance, such as electronic monitoring or the supervision of a pretrial services agency.

Statewide, there are 16,000 people being held on bail as they await trial.

Advocates of the new law say it addresses policies that have disproportionately impacted minorities. “Today’s legislation is a critical step in addressing the systemic injustice and cruelty that was responsible for Kalief Browder’s death and has taken an enormous toll on black and brown New Yorkers,” New York Civil Liberties Union executive director Donna Lieberman said in a statement.

In 2010, then-16-year-old Kalief Browder was accused of stealing a backpack and spent the next three years in jail on Rikers Island awaiting trial because his family couldn’t afford the $3,000 bail set by a judge.

Ultimately, the case was dropped and Mr. Browder committed suicide in 2015, shortly after his release.

“That shouldn’t happen,” said Riverhead Town Justice Lori Hulse in an interview last week. “If there are judges who are inappropriately setting bail or setting excessive bail routinely, those bails should be appealed,” she said, noting that she does not think the system should be abandoned.

In her courtroom, Ms. Hulse said bail is set solely to ensure a defendant’s return to court and is set after reviewing the person’s relation to the community and risk of flight. “It acts as collateral. It’s not intended to be punitive,” she said.

State Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk), a former prosecutor, debated against the measure in the state legislature and said Tuesday that it goes “too far.”

Among his concerns are that manslaughter, a charge that results from many drunk driver cases, and many drug charges, are not considered violent felonies. “If I sell enough fentanyl to kill the entire town of Southold, I must be released. It’s scary because this is the unintended consequence,” he said. “Removing discretion from the court is always dangerous.”

Mr. Palumbo would have rather have seen a pilot program implemented with misdemeanor crimes in place of the sweeping legislation.

The new law also requires the local justice court to remind defendants of upcoming court appearances via phone call, text message, email or first class mail, which Ms. Hulse said will put further strain on the court system.

“It creates a burden on the taxpayers of Riverhead because of arrest warrants,” she added. “The police are going to have to look for those people and bring them in — presumably the ones we would have set bail on. But it remains to be seen whether or not this is something that will result in many less people returning to court.”

Riverhead Police Chief David Hegermiller has several concerns about the new law, but seemed relieved that cash bail can still be used for violent felony offenses. “If we know we’re dealing with a violent person or a dangerous person, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure there is cash bail put on that person and hopefully our hands won’t be tied in that case,” he said.

New York is the third state to pass cash bail reform after California and Alaska abolished the system in 2018.

Both Mr. Palumbo and Ms. Hulse agree with other aspects of the legislation.

Along with new measures in place to ensure a defendant’s right to a speedy trial, the laws set new deadlines on criminal discovery that will require prosecutors to share evidence against criminal defendants within 15 days of their arraignment. “That’s good, because my objective is always to move the case along as expeditiously as possible,” Ms. Hulse said. “You certainly don’t want anyone languishing in custody … You want justice to be served, not some kind of surprise.”

Currently, there is no deadline for evidence being shared with the defense, which reform advocates say has led to “trial by ambush,” where defendants accept deals or go to trial without knowing what evidence has been brought against them.

“Prosecutors were withholding material. That’s not fair play,” Mr. Palumbo said.

The new law grants defendants access to grand jury statements, witnesses statements, tapes and recordings and other types of evidence.

The new laws take effect in January 2020.

Additional legislation passed as part of the governor’s budget package could limit what “booking information,” including booking photographs, colloquially known as mugshots, can be released to the public and media.

It was passed as a reform to the state’s Freedom of Information Law and gives local law enforcement agencies the ability to withhold the photographs “unless public release of such information will serve a specific law enforcement purpose and disclosure is not precluded by any state or federal laws.”

Supporters cited invasion of privacy and possibility of extortion as reasons behind the measure. In his 2018 State of the State address, Gov. Andrew Cuomo referenced websites that publish mugshots and booking information online and often make people pay fees to have them taken down.

In a memo issued before the final budget was adopted, the New York Civil Liberties Union acknowledged that arrest photos online can affect one’s personal life, job prospects and other opportunities, but also criticized the measure for sweeping data important for accountability into secrecy.

The Suffolk County Police Department is no longer issuing mugshots with press releases, a spokesperson for the department confirmed Monday. The state police are also not releasing photographs.

According to a spokesperson for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s office, they are awaiting the opinion of a county attorney on the legislation and amend policy based on that opinion. In the meantime, requests for booking photographs are being reviewed on a case-by-case basis, the spokesperson said.

Chief Hegermiller said Tuesday that the department has already stopped releasing mugshots. “If you were arrested and then proved innocent, and your photo gets sealed … does it ever really get sealed? To me, it’s always out there. You’re innocent until proven guilty,” he said.

He added that if releasing the photo would serve a “legitimate law enforcement purpose,” he may make exceptions, such as if someone is a danger to the public. “Or if there’s a horrific crime, releasing the photo might have other victims come forward,” he said.

tsmith@timesreview.com

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An attempt to defraud a Riverhead victim and thousands of others across the country by sending fraudulent prize-promotion mailings led to a guilty plea this week for one of the suspects who led the scheme, according to federal officials.

Shaun Sillivan, 37, of Merrick pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. He faces up to 20 years in prison as well as $500,000 in forfeiture and a fine of up to $250,000, officials said.

The scam targeted mostly elderly victims who believed they could claim large cash prizes in exchange for a modest fee. Mr. Sullivan and others sent fraudulent prize-promotion mailings to thousands of victims between December 2010 and July 2016, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The mailings appeared to be personally addressed to the individuals whose names were on consumer lists Mr. Sullivan obtained.

During that time period the scammers received more than $30 million from victims.

Mr. Sullivan and a co-defendant, Tully Lovisa, rented and maintained private mailboxes to receive return mailings the victims sent. They created shell companies for the purported senders of the mailings and hid their involvement in the business by using straw owners and aliases, officials said.

Mr. Lovisa, of Huntington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud last October and is awaiting sentencing.

An indictment against Mr. Sullivan was filed last July, which notes that a “Anderson, Burges & Smith prize-promotion mailing” was sent by U.S. mail to a victim in Riverhead, who’s only identified by the initials “S.H.” The mailing was sent to the Riverhead victim in February 2016, according to the indictment. The shell companies went by a variety of different names.

Mr. Sullivan was originally facing charges of money laundering, wire fraud and perjury among others.

“Sullivan preyed on consumers, many of them vulnerable and elderly, by sending fraudulent mailings designed to trick them into believing they had won a cash prize; he then lined his own pockets with the fees he extracted from the victims,” said United States Attorney Richard Donoghue in a statement.

The mailings typically contained a “Consumer Disclosure” on the back of up to two to three paragraphs that did not correct false and misleading statements. The mailings directed victims to pay a “processing” or “delivery” fee of generally $20 or $25. The mailings included pre-addressed return envelopes for the victims to send payment by cash, checks or money order, according to the indictment.

Some of the pre-addressed return envelopes listed addresses in Netherlands. The payments were then sent by a private interstate carrier to an individual in East Rockaway, who is not named in the indictment. That person then gave the packages to Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Lovisa.

Many victims received repeated fraudulent mailings.

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Police are investigating a series of reports of criminal mischief that occurred Monday evening on East Main Street.

Around 11:30 p.m., police observed three flowerpots with plants pulled from flower beds at 49 East Main St. in Riverhead. Dirt was scattered across the sidewalk and pieces of the broken pots were on the ground, reports said.

Shortly after, police found two additional flowerpots outside Blue Duck Bakery Cafe that had been knocked over and broken. Another police report noted another set of four flowerpots and plants were broken on the ground outside PeraBell restaurant. An additional report noted three broken flowerpots outside Peconic Ballet Theatre.

Police also observed a cigarette disposal container outside Cliff’s Rendezvous had been knocked over, tossing cigarette butts on the ground. The amount of damage is unknown at this time, police reports said. It’s unclear if the incidents are related.

• Shanice Woodson, 31, of Riverhead was arrested Friday evening after operating a vehicle that did not belong to her, reports said.

At approximately 3:59 p.m., Ms. Woodson was arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle in the third degree, a class A misdemeanor, reports said. Ms. Woodson was transported to Riverhead Police Department headquarters, processed and held for morning arraignment.

• Joseph Fontana, 73, of Riverhead was arrested Friday morning for petit larceny, police reports said.

A civilian complaint reported that Mr. Fontana stole a pair of slip-on shoes valued at $49 from Famous Footwear. He was arrested and charged with petit larceny and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors. Police reports did not provide additional information about the latter charge.

Following his arrest, Mr. Fontana was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment of injuries. He was later taken to Riverhead police headquarters, where he was processed and held for arraignment.

• Police received a report of a suspicious person outside BP Gas Station on West Main Street in Riverhead last Thursday evening, reports said.

Around 10 p.m., an individual from inside the gas station reported a white male in a military-style jacket was outside the establishment soliciting people. Police approached the 43-year-old Riverhead man and advised him to stop bothering patrons. Police reports stated that he told police he would comply. No additional action has been taken at this time, reports said.

• Brendan Worrell, 36, of East Quogue was arrested Friday afternoon at Home Depot for petit larceny, reports said.

A caller reported that on Thursday, May 2, an employee removed a Ryobi vacuum valued at $199 from the store without paying for it. Police later discovered the employee was Mr. Worrell.

He was arrested, charged with petit larceny, a misdemeanor, and transported to police headquarters, where he was processed and released. He’s due back in court Tuesday, May 21.

• Police are investigating a report of stolen masonry equipment that occurred last weekend at Perez Maintenance, reports said.

The business owner reported that between Saturday around 11 p.m. and Sunday around 7 a.m. an unknown suspect entered the property and stole three Redmax backpack leaf blowers valued at $1,500 and one Stihl masonry saw valued at $1,200 from the rear yard.

A suspect has not been found but would be charged with two counts of grand larceny, a felony.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

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Southampton Town police arrested a Riverside man for drunken driving last Sunday evening after he allegedly left the scene of a motor vehicle accident.

Police said Leonel Quinilla, 30, left the scene of an accident near County Road 105 and a witness observed him get out of the vehicle and run into the woods.

Police later located Mr. Quinilla on Ludlam Avenue, where he told police he had consumed “five large Coronas.”

He was charged with felony driving while intoxicated due to a prior conviction within the past 10 years, first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a felony, and several violations, officials said.

• A Hampton Bays man was arrested for driving without a valid license in Northampton last Saturday around 3 a.m.

Miguel Segoviano, 37, was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, after he was stopped on Westhampton Riverhead Road for inadequate lights on his vehicle, according to a police report.

• Police are investigating after an unknown person threw a rock at a window at the Riverside McDonald’s early last Tuesday morning, entered and stole approximately $300 from cash registers.

An employee called police to report the crime, which was captured on surveillance video, around 5 a.m., according to a report.

• Enrique Moreno-Ara, 53, of Riverhead was arrested for driving with a revoked license in Flanders last Monday around 8 p.m. He was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, several violations, and also taken in on an active warrant in Southampton Town, according to police.

• A Manorville man was arrested for driving with a suspended license in Northampton last Monday around 10:45 p.m.

Timothy Kelledy, 49, was charged with misdemeanor third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and violations for the vehicle being unregistered and uninspected, officials said.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

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A woman was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries after a two-vehicle accident in Riverhead early Wednesday afternoon, according to Riverhead Town police.

A Jeep Wrangler collided with a Nissan SUV, which flipped over, at the intersection of Osborn Avenue and Lincoln Street shortly before 1 p.m., police said. The driver of the Nissan was transported by members of the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

The other driver was not injured.

Police initially called for heavy rescue from the Riverhead Fire Department, but the additional crews weren’t ultimately needed to free the woman from the Nissan.

The road was temporarily closed as first responders were at the scene.

Photo credit: Tara Smith

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Angel Ortiz, 44, of Riverhead was arrested Friday morning in Grangebel Park for criminal possession of a controlled substance, reports said.

Around 7:44 a.m., police received a report of a male subject acting suspiciously. Upon investigation, Mr. Ortiz was found in the park with eight strips of Suboxone, a prescribed medicine used to treat opiod-dependent adults. Police also found a prior bench warrant was out for his arrest.

He was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a misdemeanor.

• Two individuals were arrested Friday morning outside People’s United Bank in Wading River for criminal possession of a controlled substance, police reports said.

Katherine Ann Fahey, 23, of Riverhead and Michael Malizia, 26, of Brookhaven were allegedly found in a 2018 Honda Accord with an unknown substance. Both were arrested at approximately 10:34 p.m. and charged with two counts of controlled substance in the seventh degree, a misdemeanor. Additional supplemental reports were not made available.

• Police received a report of human indecency on Hulse Landing Road in Riverhead last week, reports said.

Friday evening around 9 p.m., a caller reported an unknown naked male was walking northbound on Hulse Landing Road. When police arrived on the scene, the unknown male started running east through a farm field, reports said.

Officers continued to follow the male through the farm but lost sight of him. As additional officers and K-9 units searched the area, the male was found fleeing into a wooded area east of the farm. After police lost track of him again, reports said police called off the search due to darkness. No additional action was taken by police.

• Police are investigating a report of a grand larceny that occurred Friday at Wading River Nursery on North Country Road, reports said.

Around 8 a.m., police received a report of a burglary at the greenhouse. The property owner said over $1,300 worth of tools had been stolen, including two chain saws, a Boss brand jackhammer and a Stihl edge-trimmer.

A suspect has not been found but would be charged with burglary in the third degree and grand larceny in the fourth degree, both felonies.

• Police are investigating a report of petit larceny that occurred Saturday evening at the Ralph Lauren store in Tanger Outlets in Riverhead, reports said.

A caller told police two unknown women and one unknown man removed nine polo shirts valued at $498 from the store and fled in an unknown direction.

Police canvassed the area but did not find the suspects. If found, the suspects would each be charged with petit larceny, a misdemeanor.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

The post Riverhead Blotter: Drug arrests in Grangebel Park and Wading River appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

A Mastic man was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Riverside  May 12, according to New York State police.

Luis Soto, 61, was driving on Route 24 around 1 a.m. and was stopped for a traffic violation. He was found to be driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of 0.12%. He was released on an appearance ticket, police said.

• A Riverhead man was found to be in possession of heroin after he was stopped for a traffic violation on Sunrise Highway in Hampton Bays last Wednesday, according to state police.

James Scagel, 39, was also driving with a suspended license, police said. He was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. He was released on an appearance ticket.

• A Flanders man was charged with felony DWI in Hampton Bays Friday. Erick Nig Soc, 26, was stopped for a traffic violation on Sunrise Highway around 8:20 p.m. Police said he had a blood alcohol content of 0.14%. He was also charged with reckless driving and was held for a morning arraignment, police said.

• Southampton Town police arrested a 23-year-old Calverton man early Saturday morning after he was found to be in possession of marijuana during a traffic stop.

• A Flanders man was arrested on an active Southampton Town warrant at the County Center in Riverside last Thursday around 6 p.m.

He was also found to be in possession of marijuana, a violation, reports said.

• Police issued an appearance ticket to a Riverhead man last Tuesday in Grangebel Park after he was found allegedly consuming a Natural Ice beer in the park.

• Southampton Town police responded to Iron Point Park in Flanders last Monday after a parks department employee reported that a plastic dog waste bag dispenser appeared “melted and burned,” according to a police incident report.

Police observed a small area of burned pine needles in close proximity to the dispenser, but did not locate a source of ignition.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

The post Southampton Blotter: DWI arrests; man found in possession of heroin appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Riverhead police arrested four Suffolk County residents Sunday morning at a sobriety checkpoint as part of Suffolk County District Attorney’s DWI Task Force, a police press release said.

Members of the Riverhead Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department and New York State Police conducted increased enforcement throughout Riverhead where several checkpoints had been established throughout the evening, the press release said.

Noe Ochoa-Morales, 30, of Riverhead was charged with a DWI; Tomasz Zalewski, 30, of Riverhead was charged with driving while under the influence of drugs, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor; Candace Calamusa, 41, of South Setauket was charged with an aggravated DWI; and Marvin Perez-Velasquez, 39, of Riverhead was charged with a DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

All four subjects were transported to the Riverhead Police Department where they were processed and held awaiting arraignment. Enforcement details are scheduled to continue throughout the year, the police press release said.

• Tasheira Horsley, 24, of Riverhead was arrested last Friday morning for driving under the influence of drugs, police reports said.

Around 7:03 a.m., a Suffolk County sheriff responded to a report of a two-vehicle accident on Middle Country Road. Police reports said Ms. Horsley had veered off the road and was found unresponsive in her vehicle with her seatbelt on. Reports described her as having “pinpoint pupils.”

Police reports said she was administered Narcan by the Wading River Fire Department and was placed under arrest for driving while ability impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a felony, and unlicensed operation, a violation.

Ms. Horsley was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where she was treated and moved to Riverhead Police Department headquarters for processing and held for arraignment.

• Elizabeth Antanaitis, 37, of Riverhead was arrested last Saturday morning for possession of marijuana, police reports said.

Around 3 a.m., Ms. Antanaitis was allegedly stopped by police on Broad Avenue for several traffic infractions and violations, including speeding, improper use of a turn signal and illegally exiting an alley, driveway, private road or building. Further investigation revealed Ms. Antanaitis was driving without a license and was in possession with drug paraphernalia: a heat-sealed plastic bag and glass bowl.

She was arrested, charged with three traffic infractions, two violations, and a misdemeanor for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

• Two Riverhead relatives were arrested last Saturday evening for petit larceny at Famous Footwear, reports said.

Police responded to a prior report from a store employee who incorrectly claimed two unknown females entered the store and removed one pair of black wedge shoes valued at $39. The individual told police they escaped the scene eastbound in a black sedan.

Shortly after, an officer located a black 1999 Lexus traveling eastbound on Middle Road that matched the description of the vehicle involved. The officer followed the vehicle northbound on Northville Turnpike and observed that the driver failed to signal when making a left turn into a driveway.

Lawrence Langhorn, 46, was arrested after police found he was driving the Lexus with a suspended license. He charged with three traffic violations, two misdemeanors for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree and theft. He was transported to Riverhead Police Department headquarters for processing, issued four summonses and released with an appearance ticket in town court.

Stacy Langhorn, 48, was in the passenger seat, admitted she stole the shoes and returned them to the officer. She was arrested for petit larceny, a misdemeanor, after a civilian arrest form was completed. Ms. Langhorn was transported to police headquarters for processing and later released with an appearance ticket in town court.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

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Southampton Town police arrested a Flanders man for driving while intoxicated just after midnight Monday evening after a  resident reported a vehicle driving erratically in the area of Quogue Avenue.

Mario Lopez-Perez, 40, was charged with a DWI and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, both misdemeanors, officials said.

• Police arrested Shanice Woodson, 31, of Riverhead Monday around 2 p.m. for driving with a suspended license.

Ms. Woodson was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, police said.

• Kevin Vallejo, 21, of Flanders was arrested for driving with a suspended license in Hampton Bays last Sunday around 4 p.m. He was charged with misdemeanor third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, officials said.

• Southampton Town police arrested a Hampton Bays man for driving drunk after he was stopped at a sobriety check point in Flanders last Saturday night.

Patrick Coonradt, 50, was charged with misdemeanor DWI, according to a press release.

• A Flanders man was arrested on drug charges early last Sunday morning after he was stopped for driving on the wrong side of Canal Road in Hampton Bays.

Jevohni Brown, 26, was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance as well as third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, both class A misdemeanors, officials said.

• Sandra Leon Lopez, 27, of Riverhead was arrested and charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle last Sunday around 9 p.m., according to a police report.

• A Mattituck man was arrested for driving with a suspended license last Saturday evening after he was stopped at a DWI checkpoint on Flanders Road in Riverside.

Edward Lee, 51, was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, as well as a violation for possessing marijuana, police said.

• Police arrested a 32-year-old Flanders man during a DWI checkpoint last Saturday evening after he was found to be driving while under the influence of marijuana.

Reports said that when Mauro Chunchi entered the checkpoint, officers found marijuana on his lap and an additional bag behind the drivers seat. He was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and driving while ability impaired by drugs, which are both violations.

• A Shirley man was arrested on drug charges in Northampton last Wednesday afternoon.

Police said Randall Clayton, 35, was stopped for having tinted windows on County Road 51 near Lake Avenue when an officer discovered he was in possession of “marijuana, crack cocaine and powdered cocaine,” reports said.

Police also recovered a scale from the center console of the vehicle, according to the report.

Mr. Clayton was charged with second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia, a class B misdemeanor, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, a class B felony, fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class C felony, and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony.

• Police arrested Sergio Visitacion, 47, of Riverhead, in Riverside last Wednesday afternoon after he was observed allegedly throwing a glass crack pipe into the roadway when he saw police approaching.

Officials said he was found to be in possession of crack cocaine, arrested and charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor.

• A Flanders woman contacted Southampton Police last Tuesday around 6 p.m. to report that an unknown person used a blunt object to break the glass window of her front door, reports said.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

The post Southampton Blotter: Multiple DWI arrests reported appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

The driver of a Mitsubishi sedan crashed into the entryway of a building at John Wesley Village in Riverhead Monday afternoon. The driver may have mistakenly accelerated while attempting to park at her unit, according to Riverhead Town police at the scene.

The driver was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center to be evaluated. She did not appear to suffer any serious injuries, police said.

The building sustained some damage to the siding and gutter near the unit’s front door. There were occupants on both sides of the unit who were not injured, but shaken up.

The car was towed shortly before 4:45 p.m.

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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the men who robbed a Calverton gas station in April.

The two men, both armed with handguns, robbed an employee at Exxon, located at 1 Edwards Ave. at 10:27 p.m. on April 23. Both men were wearing gloves and masks. Police said they were approximately 6 feet tall with a thin build.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, texting “SCPD” and a message to “CRIMES” (274637) or by email at www.tipsubmit.com. All calls will be kept confidential.

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A Flanders man was awarded the New York Police Department’s Medal of Valor, the third highest award given by the NYPD.

Peter Cybulski, 27, a 2009 Riverhead High School graduate, was one of 15 NYPD officers awarded the Medal of Valor in the department’s 2019 Medal Day Ceremony held at One Police Plaza. Overall, 88 officers received awards.

The Medal of Valor “is granted for acts of outstanding personal bravery performed in the line of duty and at imminent personal hazard to life, under circumstances evincing disregard for personal consequence,” according to the NYPD.

The award was give for Officer Cybulski’s role in a July 20, 2016 incident, according to Det. Sophia Mason, an NYPD spokesperson.

In that case, Officer Cybulski and his partner, Sgt. Hameed Armani (now a lieutenant), were on patrol in Times Square when a man tossed a device they believed to be an explosive into a marked NYPD van the two officers were sitting in.

As the suspect fled the scene, the two officers drove the van out of the busy Times Square area to limit the harm to pedestrians, according to police.

In doing so, they put their own lives in danger, had the device been an actual explosive.

Fortunately, the device was not explosive, and the suspect was later apprehended in Columbus Circle, following a standoff with police in which the man claimed to have explosives there as well.

Both Officer Cybulski and Lt. Armani were presented with Medal of Valor awards Tuesday.

“We knew what each other was thinking,” Officer Cybulski said at a press conference the day after the incident. “We weren’t going to let anything happen in Times Square.”

Mr. Cybulski, who has been on the force since 2013, also was awarded Suffolk County’s highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal, in October of 2016 for that same incident.

He said at the time that he immediately thought the device thrown into his police vehicle was a bomb and would cause mass casualties if it went off in Times Square.

“There were thousands of people around,” he said at the time. “People were just getting out of shows…we just thought, ‘We need to save these people’s lives.”

Officer Cybulski also was in the middle of another incident in Times Square on May 18, 2017 when he was one of the first responders after a Bronx man drove his car into pedestrians in Times Square, killing one person and injuring 22. He tended to the victims at the scene and assisted other emergency service workers.

“It was hard to see, but that’s the hardest part about being a first responder,” he told the News-Review at the time. “You have to hold your emotions in. You can’t let it take control of you.”

tgannon@timesreview.com

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