(Long Island, NY) Second Squad detectives report the arrest of Imel Castillo, 21, of North Massapequa in connection with a Burglary that occurred on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 4:30 am in Farmingdale.

According to detectives, Castillo entered the Masjid Bilal Mosque, 425 Fulton Street, through an unlocked rear window and attempted to remove two donation boxes mounted into a wall.

Nassau County Police report the arrest of Imel Castillo, 21, of North Massapequa in connection with a Burglary that occurred on Saturday, January 10, in Farmingdale. Photo Credit: NCPD.

Castillo left the scene through a glass pedestrian door. There were no proceeds.

Castillo is being charged with Burglary 3rd Degree. He was arraigned on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at First District Court in Hempstead.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

(Long Island, NY) The Major Case Bureau reports the arrest of a Manhattan woman for Forgery that occurred on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 5:10 p.m. in Greenvale.

According to Crimes Against Property Squad detectives, Kathleen S. Morrison, 54, entered the Wells Fargo Bank located at 9 Northern Boulevard where she presented a Forged Driver’s license to the teller, and signed a withdrawal slip in the victim’s name in an attempt to withdraw money from the victim’s account.

Nassau County Police reports the arrest of Kathleen S. Morrison, 54, a Manhattan woman, for Forgery that occurred on Tuesday, June 23, in Greenvale. Photo Credit: NCPD.

Nassau County police were called and a subsequent investigation determined that Morrison was in possession of a Forged California driver’s license as well as a Forged Capital One credit card. Further investigation revealed that Morrison had withdrawn $2, 500.00 from a Wells Fargo Bank in Garden City Park earlier in the day using the forged documents. The money was not recovered. Morrison was placed under arrest without incident.

Morrison is charged with Forgery 2nd degree, two counts of Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd degree, Identity Theft 1st degree and Grand larceny 4th degree. She will be arraigned on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at First District Court in Hempstead.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

West Babylon Senior High School student presented with $17,000 scholarship during pre-game awards ceremony

(Long Island, NY) Six local high school students took to the (Citi) Field last night to receive $17,000 scholarships from Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Tri-State Area (RMHC-NYTSA). As the winners of the 2015 RMHC Scholars Scholarship, the graduating seniors from New York and New Jersey were honored during a pre-game awards ceremony for their outstanding academic achievement and community involvement. Held for the first time at Citi Field, the event was attended by 150 past RMHC scholarship recipients and supporters of Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Six local high school students received $17,000 scholarships from Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Tri-State Area. Photo Credit: RMHC-NYTSA.

This year RMHC-NYTSA will be awarding $775,000 in scholarships to 44 area students across its four scholarship programs: RMHC Scholars Scholarship, RMHC/African American Future Achievers Scholarship, RMHC/Asian-Pacific Students Increasing Achievement Scholarship and RMHC/Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources Scholarship. As the largest local scholarships program in the region, RMHC-NYTSA is dedicated to supporting exemplary students in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut areas who may face difficulties paying for a higher education.

Sage Chasen, 18, of West Babylon Senior High School in Long Island. Photo Credit: RMHC-NYTSA.

The recipients of the 2015 RMHC/Scholars Scholarship are:

• Sage Chasen, 18, of West Babylon Senior High School in Long Island is the founder of the school’s a cappella group APOP (A cappella Performers Opposing Pollution), which seeks to help the environment through music. He will be attending Lehigh University and majoring in Civil Engineering
• Andrew Duffy, 17, of Spring Valley High School in Rockland County is valedictorian of his class and volunteers with the Nyack Homeless Project. He will be attending the University of Rochester and majoring in Neuroscience.
• Stacy Lin, 17, of The Bronx High School of Science in the Bronx is part of the National Honors Society and has been a member of various community organizations, such as the Chinese-American Planning Council. She will be attending St. John’s University for the 6-year Doctor of Pharmacy Program.
• Hannah Pyrzynski, 17, of Dover High School in New Jersey is a Special Olympics volunteer and has been named Morris County Scholar Athlete. She will be attending Messiah College and majoring in Special Education.
• Muniba Siddiqui, 17, of Astor Collegiate Academy in the Bronx is actively involved with Sky Vegetables, a greenhouse that grows edible, pesticide free plants. She will be attending the University of Vermont.
• Yinge Zhao, 17, of The Dalton School in Manhattan regularly volunteers at a local hospital and has done research on Alzheimer’s disease. He will be attending Brown University and majoring in Chemistry.

“These remarkable young men and women were selected not only for their academic achievements but also because of the leadership they have demonstrated in their communities,” said Christopher Perry, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Tri-State Area. “The RMHC scholarship program is committed to investing in young people who are making a positive difference in the world and to those around them.”

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area
For over 20 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Tri-State Area has been creating, finding and supporting programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. Their signature programs include scholarships to help provide access to a college education for students who need and earn it, and community grants to support a variety of local children’s charities in the areas of medicine, crisis intervention, civic and social services, education, and the arts. The organization also provides needed support to 5 Ronald McDonald Houses, which are “homes away from home” allowing families to be with their hospitalized children for extended periods of time. For more information, please visit www.rmhcnytristate.org or contact 732-623-8639.

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman released the following statement today on Governor Cuomo’s announcement that he would appoint the Attorney General’s office to investigate deaths of unarmed civilians at the hands of the police:

“In December, I requested that the Governor sign an Executive Order to empower my office to investigate deaths of unarmed civilians at the hands of police. This order was to remain in effect only until the Governor and the Legislature enacted statutory reforms to address this critical issue in a permanent and considered fashion. I am disappointed that, six months later, we did not see such statutory action — part of a broader failure to achieve meaningful reform on a range of issues in this legislative session. The Governor announced today that, as he was unable to enact statutory reform, he is issuing such an executive order. My office will handle these cases with the highest level of care and independence, while we continue to work with lawmakers, District Attorneys, advocates and other experts in criminal justice reform on a long-term legislative solution to this critical matter of law and policy. All of us who care about the great State of New York must redouble our efforts to strengthen the ties between communities and the police officers and prosecutors who devote themselves so honorably to public protection.”

New York Communities for Change: This Deal Was Engineered by the Governor and Billionaire Friendly Republicans

(Long Island, NY) In response to Governor Cuomo’s ‘framework’ deal, New York Communities for Change released the following statement:

“Thousands of Long Island Tenants have been ignored once more. This ‘framework’ deal has been engineered by Gov. Cuomo and his billionaire-friendly Senate Republicans, including senators Hannon, Martins and Venditto. Thousands of Long Island tenants will lose apartments to de-regulation, while the Governor and the Senate Republicans can go back to collecting large campaign checks from billionaire landlords like Leonard Litwin,” said Lucas Sánchez, Long Island Director of New York Communities for Change.

“Tenants will be more vulnerable to unscrupulous landlords who will try to harass them out of their homes. This so-called deal exposes Cuomo as a liar and a landlord-friendly politician. This will galvanize the 23,000 rent-regulated tenants on Long Island who are registered to vote and who will not forget this slap in the face when the next elections roll around.”

In Person: Harrod Blank, Executive Producer & Les Blank’s Son

(Long Island, NY) Never before released, renowned independent filmmaker Les Blank’s amazing 1974 documentary captures the brilliance of Leon Russell and the artists around him at his Oklahoma recording studio during a three-year period from 1972-1974. “A Poem is a Naked Person” screens with Harrod Blank, Executive Producer & Director Les Blank’s son, on Thursday, July 22 at 7:30 pm in the Creativity Film Series at Cinema arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington, NY. 631-423-7611 www.CinemaArtsCentre.org.

“A Poem is a Naked Person” poster. Photo Credit: Janus Films.

Members $10 / Public $15. Includes reception. Tickets can be purchased online, www.CinemaArtsCentre.org or at the box office during theater hours.

Les Blank made A Poem Is A Naked Person during 1972-74, while living at the Russell/Shelter records recording studio compound on Grand Lake Of The Cherokees in northeast Oklahoma. It offers an amazingly intimate view of the life and work of legendary musician Leon Russell, features appearances by Willie Nelson, George Jones, Eric Anderson and some amazing characters in Oklahoma, where much of it was shot. At least two major critics have declared it the best film ever made on Rock and Roll.

Les Blank. Photo Credit: Janus Films.

This film was never released and shown only with Les Blank in person at non-profit institutions. After Les Blank’s death in April of 2013, the non-profit Les Blank Films was created and his son Harrod Blank fulfilled his father’s lifelong dream to remaster and release the film. (USA, 1974/ 2015 (release), 89 min. | Dir. Les Blank)

Leon Russell. Photo Credit: Janus Films.

Since 1973, presenting the best U.S., International, Independent & Repertory films on 3 screens 365 days of the year, in a comfortable ambience including the sculpture garden & The Sky Room Café, the Cinema Arts Centre is located at 423 Park Ave (just south of 25a), Huntington, NY 11743 (25 miles east of New York City). Admission for regular programs $12. Discounts for members, seniors, students & children. CAC is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. For further information call 631-423-7610. To sign up for weekly email schedule: info@CinemaArtsCentre.org Membership and Schedule: www.cinemaartscentre.org.

The mission of the Cinema Arts Centre is to bring the best in cinematic artistry to Long Island, and use the power of film to expand the awareness and consciousness of our community.

Thanks Assembly for Standing Strong

(Long Island, NY) Today the Governor and the legislative leaders announced a deal on legislation to close out the legislative session. The Alliance for Quality Education issued the following statement in reaction.

“We saw one of the most massive spending sprees in recent history funded by hedge fund billionaires who wanted a huge increase in the number of charter schools and a sweetheart tax credit deal for donations to private schools. This campaign, which was championed by Governor Cuomo as part of his ongoing attacks on public schools, was soundly defeated. This happened due to the leadership in the Assembly and grassroots organizing and mobilization all across the state. We would especially like to recognize the leadership of Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly Education Chair Cathy Nolan, as well as the rank and file members of the Assembly, in holding firm against more school privatization,” said Billy Easton, Executive Director, Alliance for Quality Education. “Despite the Governor’s spin to the contrary there is no actual increase in the overall charter school cap.

“While we are pleased with the outcome on education, we are deeply concerned that the rent laws were not strengthened as millions of New Yorkers rely on these tenant protections to stay in their homes. Stable housing is essential to ensuring students are ready to learn. Governor Cuomo simply did not deliver on his promise to stand up for tenants.”

(Long Island, NY) A Northport man arrested in September of last year for running down two Suffolk County police officers critically injuring one during an attempted traffic stop in Huntington pleaded guilty to assault, assault on a police officer, leaving the scene of an accident, grand larceny and other charges today during a court conference in Central Islip.

Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said Chad Morizsan, 35, waived his right to appeal and will be sentenced to 25 years in state prison on July 23.

Northport man Chad Morizsan, 35, pleaded guilty to multiple charges stemming from his arrest in September of last year after running down two Suffolk County police officers during an attempted traffic stop. Photo Credit: SCPD.

On September 22, 2014, Officer Nicholas Guerrero and his partner, Heriberto Lugo, attempted to stop Morizsan and Nicholas Franzone traveling in a stolen SUV in Huntington on Partridge Lane.  Morizsan sped off, striking the two police officers as they approached the vehicle, critically injuring Officer Guerrero.

Morizsan then stole gas, colliding with another vehicle in the gas station parking lot, and fled to Commack where on Dovecote Lane he carjacked a 2005 Toyota Camry from an 87-year-old female.

Police arrested Morizsan and Franzone at a department store in Central Islip a couple of hours later when they attempted to purchase a television with the woman’s stolen credit card.

Franzone, 23, is scheduled to appear in court before State Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho on July 14.

Officer Guerrero was hospitalized with a severe head injury at Stony Brook University Hospital for more than three weeks.  His partner, Officer Lugo was treated and released.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

(Long Island, NY) NYAGV released the following statement following the NY State Police report on the number of assault weapons registrations.

NYAGV commends the 23,000 law abiding citizens who registered 45,000 military style assault weapons with the NY State Police since April 15, 2013. We also commend Federal Judge Skretny for his December 31, 2013 ruling that the NY SAFE Act was constitutional, including the provision requiring gun owners to register their weapons, and State Judge Thomas McNamara’s recent ruling requiring the release of the registration numbers. NYAGV supports transparency.

Gun owners who have failed to register their weapons are in breach of a law that is supported by a substantial majority of all New York voters. Furthermore, 75% of New York voters and 67% of gun owning households support the assault weapons provisions of the law.

Leah Gunn Barrett, NYAGV Executive Director, said, “I don’t know how SCOPE measures a handful, but I would think it would be difficult to hold 45,000 assault weapons in one hand. This is only evidence of how long overdue the SAFE Act was. The fact is, we don’t know how many of these weapons are out there. The law does not require individuals to surrender their assault weapons, merely to register them. It is in the gun owner’s interest to register their property in case of theft. We know that many guns are reported stolen every year in New York State and assault weapons are expensive and would fetch a high price on the black market, not to mention the harm they would do if they fell into the wrong hands. We need look no further than the massacre at Sandy Hook to see what carnage these weapons can cause.”

“We recognize the possibility that a number of assault rifle owners may not be able to register their rifles since a background check would render them ineligible to possess them and they would need to surrender them and answer as to how they obtained them in the first place. Because they were available on the secondary market, any number may have been purchased by persons unable to pass a background check. I’m afraid that SCOPE naively assumes that every noncompliant owner of an assault rifle is a ‘law-abiding citizen.'”

Barrett concluded, “We admire SCOPE’s zeal for openness and data transparency. We hope they will continue their efforts by pushing Congress to repeal the Tiahrt amendment that prohibits the ATF from releasing firearm trace data for use by cities, states, researchers, litigants and members of the public, requires the FBI to destroy all approved gun purchaser records within 24 hours, and prohibits the ATF from requiring gun dealers to submit their inventories to law enforcement. SCOPE should also work to help reinstate the federal funding ban on gun violence research which has been in effect since 1996. We need to determine the true costs of gun violence in America, which experts have estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars a year. We all pay this Universal Gun Tax, whether we own guns or not.”

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence is a statewide advocacy group working to reduce gun violence through advocacy and education designed to encourage action, influence public opinion and lead to policy change. With a primary focus on New York State, the organization also advocates at the local and national levels for sensible gun laws, policies and practices that protect New York State residents from gun violence.

• Web:  www.nyagv.org   
• Twitter: @NYAGV1       
• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/nyagv

(Long Island, NY) A Bridgehampton handyman is scheduled to be arraigned on an indictment tomorrow in criminal court in Riverhead, Suffolk County DA Thomas Spota said.

Brontie O’Neal, 50, was charged by East Hampton Town police with assaulting an 83 year old woman in her home on Hands Creek Road on May 30.

Bridgehampton handyman Brontie O’Neal, 50, is scheduled to be arraigned for allegedly assaulting an 83 year old woman in her home on Hands Creek Road on May 30. Photo Credit: SCPD.

O’Neal allegedly took the woman’s car after knocking her down. She suffered a head injury.

Judge John J. Toomey (third floor of the courthouse) will unseal O’Neal’s indictment tomorrow. The court calendar will be called at 9:30 am.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.