Dear Friends and Neighbors, |
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This week, I announced that a defendant has been indicted and arraigned on sex trafficking charges and other crimes for allegedly forcing his 17-year-old girlfriend to engage in prostitution activity for his own financial gain. Once the young victim refused to cooperate, the defendant allegedly became physically violent. Thankfully, she was able to escape, along with their infant child, and the defendant is now in custody.
Within the first six months of taking office, I created the Human Trafficking Bureau to combat this very type of scenario. The Bureau aggressively investigates and prosecutes all sex and labor trafficking crimes while also connecting survivors with meaningful services, support, and tools to enable them to safely escape their situations.
This Office is a safe haven for all victims of human trafficking regardless of their social, economic, or immigration status. If you or anyone you know may be a victim of trafficking or commercial exploitation, or if you need information, or would like to be connected to social, legal, or immigration services, we want to help.
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In Friendship,
Melinda Katz
Queens District Attorney
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Queens man charged with criminal mischief and other crimes for slashing over 40 tires in Bayside
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Queens man sentenced to up to life in prison for 2011 murder in South Richmond Hill
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Queens man indicted on sex abuse charges for attack on teen inside building stairwell
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Little Neck man convicted for kidnapping wife and evading police in high speed chase
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Trial Advocacy Student Program |
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We were glad to recently host high school students from the tri-state area as part of the Columbia University Trial Advocacy summer course. The program provides mock trial experience to interested students as part of a comprehensive overview of the U.S. legal system.
During their tour of my Office, the students watched an Assistant District Attorney give a summation in a criminal trial and spoke to ADAs about their work experience.
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Next week marks the two year anniversary since the death of NYC Corrections Officer John Jeff, shot and killed in Jamaica, Queens.
As part of our regular call for help, we are seeking any information regarding this incident. If you have any details to report, I urge you to contact NYPD Crimestoppers. All tips are confidential and a cash reward is being offered!
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Several Bureaus within my Office recently attended a career day event at the NYPD Training Center in College Point.
Members of the Youth Empowerment Unit, as well as Homicide, Hate Crimes and Criminal Court Bureaus were on-site to speak to job seekers about the benefits of working as a criminal law professional.
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Queens County is home to wonderful non-profit and faith-based organizations that work tirelessly on behalf of their communities. I was pleased to attend a Community Fun Day event, hosted by Praise Tabernacle, Inc.
Local residents enjoyed a day of free food, field games, children's entertainment, health screenings and giveaways. I thank Bishop Caesar R. Cabiness and Evangelist Denise Taylor for their leadership in the community.
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The Chief of my Office's Special Victims Bureau, Eric Rosenbaum, and the Director of the Elder Abuse Project, Laurie Woods, visited the Woodhaven Houses to speak to seniors about our efforts to prevent and combat instances of elder fraud and abuse.
If someone 60 years or older becomes a victim of abuse, neglect, or sexual misconduct, contact our Elder Abuse Project at ElderAbuse@queensda.org or 718-286-6562
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Hyatt Regency's Anniversary |
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Executive ADA for Community Partnerships Division, Colleen Babb, was pleased to join Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer-Amato, community members and local leaders for the one-year anniversary of the opening of the Resorts World Casino’s Hyatt Regency JFK Airport Hotel.
Resorts World New York has been a great partner in providing travelers from around the world with a world-class resort experience. We thank them for contributing to the local economy of this great Borough.
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