View as Webpage

October 10, 2023

Greetings,

The entire Bronx community and far beyond mourn the horrific, needless death of 1-year-old Nicholas Dominici, and the sickening of three other babies, due to fentanyl poisoning at a home daycare. Three people have been charged in this horrific disregard for life. We will pursue justice for little Nicholas.

On September 21, I announced the indictment of 12 alleged “5zzly” crew members who terrorized our communities with multiple shootings and robberies, including the homicide of an innocent bystander in Crotona. The defendants allegedly carried out 23 incidents and targeted elderly victims, a probation officer and cab drivers. This indictment sends a clear message to gang members: there are consequences to your actions.

Jeremiah Ryan was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the fatal shooting of Angellyh Yambo, a 16-year-old innocent bystander who was killed near her school on April 8, 2022. I stood with Angellyh’s loved ones outside the courthouse after the sentencing on September 15. It was a senseless death. She is one of too many children who have been killed by gun violence in the Bronx. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to curb the violence.

On October 7, we hosted our 6th Annual Run/Walk/Roll to End Domestic Violence, in partnership with the New York Yankees and the Bronx Borough President's Office. We are grateful to everyone for attending the event in the pouring rain. We stood strong with survivors of domestic violence and will continue to assist anyone on their healing journey.

May you have a beautiful beginning of Autumn.

 

In service,

Darcel D. Clark

Bronx District Attorney

On October 5, District Attorney Clark announced the indictment of operator of the daycare, her husband and his cousin for Murder under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life,  Assault, and other charges for allegedly exposing four babies to fentanyl stored in the daycare, leading to the death of Nicholas Dominici, 22 months old. 

“Our sorrow is matched only by outrage because these babies were shields to protect a narcotics  operation,” said District Attorney Clark.  “Nicholas’ death was entirely—excruciatingly—needless and avoidable. We will get justice for him, the other children and their families.” Watch video of the press conference here.

On September 21, District Attorney Clark and New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban announced that 12 alleged “5zzly” crew members were indicted on Murder, Attempted Murder, Conspiracy and additional charges for multiple shootings across the Bronx, many in  daylight.

“The defendants, who are between the ages of 16 and 22, allegedly carried out 23 violent crimes, including the fatal shooting of an innocent bystander, attempted murders against rival gang members, and robberies of elderly victims,” District Attorney Clark said. “These defendants terrorized the people of the Bronx, sending Bronxites, including mothers with children, running for cover.” The defendants are due back in court on November 8, 2023.

On September 15, District Attorney Clark announced that a Bronx man was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree Murder in the fatal shooting of Angellyh Yambo, 16, an innocent bystander. In April, Jeremiah Ryan, 18, got into a dispute with two men and fired at least six shots from a ghost gun outside a Bronx High School. The bullets fatally struck Angellyh in her upper back. Two other victims sustained injuries; one person was shot in the left leg, and the other teen sustained a gunshot wound to the left buttocks. Angellyh was a straight A-student who was deeply loved by her family and friends. “Since Angellyh’s death, her family members have channeled their grief into action by starting a foundation to honor her memory,” said District Attorney Clark. “They have met with elected officials and supported legislation targeting ghost guns and have attended multiple anti-violence events my Office has held. Through their work, Angellyh’s memory will live on forever.” In June Congressman Ritchie Torres’ proposed legislation, the Angellyh Yambo Gun Free Zone Expansion Act of 2023, a federal law would expand gun-free zones around schools to 5,000 feet and include early childhood education programs in the protected area, and prohibit sale and possession of ghost guns.

On September 11, District Attorney Clark announced that a Bronx man was sentenced to 13 years in prison for a gang-related shooting that killed a 17-year-old boy in a crowd that gathered for the filming of a rap music video in a McDonald’s parking lot. The defendant, Luis Cruz, 21, pleaded guilty to first-degree Manslaughter. Cruz, with the ATR Trinitarios gang,exchanged gunfire with an opposition gang, the Shooting Boys, in the McDonald’s restaurant parking lot at Clay Avenue and Belmont Street in Claremont, where a crowd had gathered for the rap music video. Cruz fired a single shot from a .380-caliber pistol which fatally struck Armanis Valdez, 17, in the chest. 

On September 7, District Attorney Clark announced that a Bronx judge has dismissed the last of 324 Bronx cases connected to former NYPD Detective Joseph Franco, whose termination from the force over making false statements about narcotics arrests spurred a long term investigation by the Conviction Integrity Bureau. “After the detective was fired by the NYPD in April 2020, my Conviction Integrity Bureau did an exhaustive review of Bronx cases hinged on the former detective’s testimony and sworn statements,” said District Attorney Clark. “Prosecutors had relied on evidence from someone with compromised credibility…” Bronx Supreme Court Justice Margaret Martin on September 6, 2023 granted the motion by defense attorneys and joined by the Bronx District Attorney’s Office to dismiss 67 cases against defendants who were charged between 2011 and 2015, when Franco was an undercover narcotics detective in the Bronx.

On September 5, 40 new Assistant District Attorneys began a career at our Office. Their commitment will help strengthen our Office’s efforts of “Pursuing Justice with Integrity” for Bronxites.

Rain did not stop hundreds of people from joining us for our 6th Annual 5k Run/Walk/Roll to End Domestic Violence. Thank you to everyone who attended and listened to the stories of survivors. They definitely felt the love and support from their Bronx community. Watch the video here.  

District Attorney Clark and staff attended the National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association’s Annual Conference at Fordham Law School. District Attorney Clark participated in a panel called “Prosecution in the 21st Century: Visions of the Minority DA” with Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Manhattan DA Bragg, and Sacramento DA Ho. Office recruiters participated in the job fair.

On September 16, District Attorney Clark addressed public safety concerns at a Town Hall alongside Congress member Ritchie Torres, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, State Senator Jose Serrano, Assemblymember Chantel Jackson, and Council member Althea Stevens. Residents of Concourse Village expressed their concerns to elected officials regarding disabled security cameras, parking lot closures, and crime.

On September 16, Students and their families gathered on Olinville Ave for the Mind-Builders Creative Art Center’s 6th Annual Street Festival. The fair paid homage to 50 years of hip-hop. Students performed various routines to hip hop hits while their classmates watched and sang long. The District Attorney enjoyed connecting with the students and cheered them on.

During National Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the wonderful contributions of the Hispanic community in the Bronx and our nation. Hispanic and Latino Americans have influenced all areas of society, including business, education, law, science and the arts. Through their diversity, rich history, and traditions, our Democracy is enriched and strengthened. In observance, we are spotlighting our staff on social media. They are sharing their stories of what Hispanic Heritage means to them and how it shapes the work that they do. Check it out here. ¡Feliz mes de la Herencia Hispana!"

On Tuesday, September 26, the Office held a Reentry Employment Resource Fair at Eastchester Gardens Community Center to assist people returning to the Bronx community from jail or prison. Attendees received information regarding resume help, job opportunities, housing assistance, business attire donated by our staff and more. We are thankful to our community partners.

Photo (left to right): Hon. Kim Wilson, Hon. Patsy Golbourne, Hon. Robert T. Johnson, Hon. Dianne Renwick, Hon. Laura Douglas and Bronx DA Darcel Clark

Congratulations to the Honorable Dianne Renwick for becoming the first African American Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, First Judicial Department for the Supreme Court of the State of New York. On September 22, District Attorney Clark attended a reception in Judge Renwick’s honor. Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals Rowan Wilson was also present. Justice Renwick is married to former Bronx DA and current Bronx Supreme Court Justice Robert Johnson.

The Bronx District Attorney’s Office is one of the largest employers in the Bronx. We are committed to pursuing justice with integrity by providing services to victims of crime and prosecuting the accused fairly. Whether you join our legal or professional staff, you will be provided with training, mentorship and opportunities for professional development. The collegial and collaborative environment will provide you with not just a job, but a home for building a career in criminal justice. Check out the wide variety of opportunities– IT, interpreters, digital forensic examiner, and clerical staff–we have available.

Are you (or someone you know) proficient in their ability to write and speak in both English and Spanish? Our Interpreters Unit is looking for a Transcriber. The person in this role will prepare transcriptions and translations from recordings. They will also prepare written translations of a variety of materials limited to legal documents, personal statements, general forms/letters, and more. If you know anyone who is qualified for this role, please have them apply here.