A Message from the District Attorney...

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

Last week, I returned to a familiar place – the Westchester County courtroom where I spent nearly two decades on the bench, presiding over thousands of cases involving sex crimes, including those committed against children. 


I walked into that courtroom not as a judge, but as your District Attorney, and sat in the gallery alongside members of my Special Prosecutions Division and Criminal Investigators Squad. Together, we watched as Mount Vernon youth basketball coach Dwayne Murray pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a child over the course of five months. 


In open court, he admitted that, between October 2023 and March 2024, he repeatedly subjected a young girl under the age of 13 to two or more acts of sexual conduct, including at least one act of oral sexual conduct.

In that moment, I felt relief for our young victim, knowing she would be spared the pain of facing her abuser and reliving the trauma she has already endured by testifying at trial.


I was also outraged. 


No child should ever be subjected to the sickening sexual abuse and manipulation that Dwayne Murray inflicted on this young girl. He violated her safety, exploited her trust, and shattered her innocence, leaving her to bear the lasting impact of his actions and lies.

But Dwayne Murray didn’t just betray this young girl – he deceived the very community that entrusted him with a position of authority.

After committing horrific acts of sexual abuse, word of his depraved conduct began to spread throughout the community. Rather than take responsibility, he used his public platform to repeatedly deny the allegations on social media – going so far as to publicly challenge my office to question him.

So, we did, and during that interview with my criminal investigators, he confessed to his involvement in the crime.

Further, an analysis of electronic devices belonging to both the defendant and the victim revealed that he had exchanged sexually inappropriate text messages with the victim.

My office arrested Dwayne Murray on May 14, 2025, and he has remained incarcerated ever since.

And it will remain that way, as he is expected to be sentenced on Nov. 17, 2026, to 18 years in state prison, with 20 years of post-release supervision. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

There is no crime I take more seriously than offenses committed against children, especially those of a sexual nature.

Dwayne Murray’s substantial prison sentence should serve as a clear warning and promise that my office will always pursue justice on behalf of child victims and hold accountable anyone who abuses a position of authority, regardless of their standing in the community.

If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual abuse, I encourage you to contact your local police department or the DA’s Office multilingual tips line at (914) 995-TIPS (8477).



We are here for you, and we are here to help. 


In friendship,

District Attorney Susan Cacace

Opportunity Youth Part (OYP)

District Attorney Cacace and members of our office joined Judge Jared Rice and community partners in New Rochelle on Sept. 18 to highlight the Opportunity Youth Part (OYP), an innovative diversion program for emerging adults ages 18 to 24. 


OYP connects young adults facing criminal charges with mentoring, behavioral health services, workforce development, academic support and more. These valuable resources provide an alternative to incarceration while helping participants get back on the right track and strengthening public safety. 


We're honored to be part of this important program and its work to provide young adults with a second chance and an opportunity to build a bright future.

Westchester Black Bar Association Annual Gala

A special congratulations to Sen. Jamaal T. Bailey, Retired Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson, and the Hon. Edwina G. Richardson, who were honored by the Westchester Black Bar Association on Sept. 17.


District Attorney Cacace was privileged to join friends, colleagues, and members of the legal community at the WBBA's annual gala in New Rochelle to celebrate these distinguished honorees and their outstanding contributions to the legal profession.

Thank you Regional Crime and Security Initiative

Special thanks to the Regional Crime & Security Initiative (RCASI) for fueling our Criminal Investigators Squad with this hearty spread through its Shift Meal Program, which provides catered meals to law enforcement, firefighters, and other first responders across the region. We are grateful for their support and generosity!

Arab-American Heritage Festival

Bureau Chief Jamie Fair and ADAs Randy Goldson and Lianna Khader represented our office at the Arab-American Heritage Festival in Hartsdale, where they connected with residents, answered questions, and shared valuable resources.


We are proud to celebrate the cultural diversity that makes Westchester County so special. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello!

Internet Safety Presentation at Bronxville School

Criminal Investigator Autumn Edwards and Bureau Chief Kevin Griffin visited Bronxville Middle School to speak with students across all grades about internet safety. They discussed a range of important topics, including how to recognize potential dangers and ways to protect themselves on social media, gaming platforms, messaging apps, and more. 


CSAM Bureau Chief Laura Forbes also met with parents, sharing vital information, resources, and guidance to help them monitor red flags and protect their children and households online.


Interested in bring a FREE internet safety presentation to your school? Contact our Community Affairs Office at 914-995-3317!

September 11th Remembrance at Kensico Dam Plaza

District Attorney Cacace joined Westchester County leaders and members of law enforcement to honor the local residents we lost 25 years ago on September 11 and those who have since passed away from 9/11-related illnesses.


Their stories and sacrifices are etched into history, and it’s incumbent upon us all to remember them, say their names, honor their lives, and remain forever grateful for their profound heroism and service.

We are thrilled to welcome Assistant District Attorneys Shannon Spada Russell and Charles Pollak to the Westchester County District Attorney's Office!


ADAs Russell and Pollak took their oaths of office before District Attorney Cacace, members of our executive staff, and their new colleagues. ADA Russell will serve our community at our Rye Branch, while ADA Pollak will join our Appeals and Special Litigation Division.

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