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December 23, 2022

Happy Holidays!

It is a festive time in the Bronx, as our wonderfully diverse communities celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa.

The holiday lights generate such warmth and cheer, and I hope the brightness extends into the New Year.

I hope our less fortunate neighbors and those who have endured violence, will find peace. That would be the greatest gift for the Bronx.

May you have a Happy 2023, filled with health and prosperity and sterling moments with family and loved ones. I look forward to another year of doing what I am honored and fortunate to do: serving you, the great people of the Bronx.

In service,

District Attorney Clark

On December 15, District Attorney Clark shared her journey into the legal profession with students at The Bronx School of Law and Finance in Marble Hill. Alongside Defense Attorney Renee Hill, Judge Cynthia Isales, and Judge Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor, she reminded students that they are the future of Law in our nation, and no matter how many setbacks they experience, they can accomplish anything with hard work. 

On December 12, Bronx Assistant District Attorney Rene Aponte received the Thomas E. Dewey Medal from the New York City Bar Association. The award is given annually to an outstanding prosecutor in each of the city’s five District Attorney’s Offices and in the Office of the City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor.

“Rene, the Chief of the Complaint Room/Arraignments/DAT Bureau and a lifelong Bronxite, has been completely committed to the people of this borough both as prosecutor and community leader,” said District Attorney Clark. “His dedication to justice was exemplified during the pandemic as the complaint room continued to operate 24 hours, 7 days a week, ensuring cases were processed. He is a mentor to many ADAs as well as youth programs. Rene rightfully deserves this important award.”

On December 16, District Attorney Clark attended Mayor Adams’ Retail Theft Summit at Gracie Mansion. She joined other law enforcement officials, retail leaders and other stakeholders to brainstorm ideas on stopping retail theft across New York City.

In the Bronx, retail stores are being devastated by theft. At the meeting, District Attorney Clark expressed how theft creates a “threat of violence to store employees and leads to businesses closing and the loss of jobs.” She wants everyone to know that the Office is working with Bronx Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), the Retail Council, and loss prevention officers at big retail chains like Target, Burlington, and Rite Aid, as well as supermarket owners and smaller stores to prioritize the prosecution and treatment of the persistent recidivists.

 “We want to assure these businesses that they are welcome here and we are grateful for the services and employment they provide, and their employees should be safe. And we want to prevent people from engaging in this behavior at the outset, by getting to the root of why they steal and finding resources for them,” said District Attorney Clark.

Man who Worked in Bronx Daycare Indicted for Sexually Abusing Children

On December 2, Jamie Sanchez, 30, was arraigned on an indictment charging first-degree Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child, two counts of second-degree Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child, and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The defendant allegedly sexually abused two young girls while working at My Precious Little Angels Daycare at 1238 Reverend James A. Polite Avenue, during multiple occasions between 2015 and 2020. One of the victims was between the ages of two to five years old, the other was between the ages of eight to 10 years old. Sanchez, who had moved to Florida in 2020, was extradited to New York on November 30, 2022. 

Last Defendant in Junior Case Pleads Guilty

On December 13, Danel Fernandez, 25, a member of the “Los Sures” set of the Trinitarios gang, pleaded guilty to first-degree Manslaughter for his role in the June 20, 2018 fatal stabbing of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz. He will be sentenced to 18 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision on January 13, 2023.

“This is the last of 13 defendants who had a role in the death of Lesandro ‘Junior’ Guzman-Feliz to be held accountable,” said District Attorney Clark. “Although the defendant did not stab the victim, his actions led to the horrifying death of the innocent teen. He and the other five defendants who already pleaded guilty to Manslaughter will be sentenced to prison terms ranging from 12-18 years in January 2023. This brings an end to the case but will never bring closure for Junior’s grieving family.” Seven other defendants were convicted of Murder and are serving prison terms.

Rikers Island Inmates for Carrying Out Violence in the Jail

Three Rikers Island inmates were indicted for separate violent incidents in the jail.

On December 15, Julius Allen, 22, was arraigned on Assault and additional charges for allegedly punching a Correction Officer after a search in the cell found alleged marijuana there. The 47-year-old victim sustained broken bones surrounding his left eye socket and had to undergo surgery. He also sustained a laceration to the back of his head, which required 16 staples. He had substantial pain, bleeding and swelling to his face. The unprovoked attack happened on November 16 inside the Robert N. Davoren Complex.

On December 6, Jerry Brown, 37, was arraigned on Assault charges and additional charges for allegedly slashing an inmate, causing large lacerations to the top and left side of his head, right side of his neck and his right index finger. The incident happened after the two argued over phone usage on August 27 inside the Robert N. Davoren Complex .

On December 5, David Williams, 30, was arraigned on first-degree Assault (disfigurement) and additional charges for an unprovoked attack against an inmate. Williams took a sharp object from his waistband, approached the inmate from behind and allegedly slashed him across the face, causing a long laceration. The incident happened on October 9, 2022 in the George R. Vierno Center.

Every year, BXDA staff donate funds to help make the holiday season a little brighter for crime victims and their families through an effort called Operation Gift Giving. This year, over $7,000 was collected to purchase holiday gift cards which will be distributed among 16 families. The families will use the gift cards to purchase toys for their kids and get groceries for their holiday meal or for other needs.

On December 18, District Attorney Clark joined community members celebrating the beginning of Chanukah, at a menorah lighting at the Bronx Jewish Community Chanukah Concert in Morris Park and at Interfaith Holiday Music for Chanukah and Christmas Ceremony at City Island. 

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, community affairs coordinators, digital forensic examiner, clerical staff–we have available. Join our office!

This week, our Information Technology department is on the hunt for a certified Application Developer. If you or someone you know is excellent at planning, designing, developing and implementing custom applications, please encourage them to apply here.