May 27, 2022
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Throughout this weekend, we'll be gathering at events all across Queens to pay tribute to the heroic men and women who have served, and continue to serve, in the Armed Forces. I never lose sight of the fact that their sacrifice makes it possible for me to safely put my children to bed every night.

We can never repay the debt that we owe to the members of our military, but my Office is committed to ensuring that they feel valued and respected when navigating the criminal justice system. This means offering veterans who've made mistakes an opportunity to receive services and treatment rather than incarceration.

The Veterans Treatment Court Programs in Queens County work hand-in-hand with my Office, the Office of Court Administration, and the Veterans Administration to provide tailored services and treatment specifically for veterans and active duty military while working to adjudicate their criminal cases.

Since the Programs were launched in Queens, more than 200 veterans have been referred for appropriate intervention, with 93 percent of participants successfully completing mandated services.
 
Our service men and women deserve respect and gratitude for the sacrifices they've made for our freedoms. I will continue to utilize the tools at my disposal to provide support to our nation's heroes throughout the Borough.
In Friendship,

Melinda Katz
Queens District Attorney
Select Cases of Interest
  • NYPD officer indicted and charged with tampering with evidence
  • Queens man charged with murder for deadly stabbing of Flushing resident
  • Queens man sentenced to prison for threatening transgender woman with illegal firearm
  • Brooklyn man indicted on murder charges in November rock attack on woman in Corona; charges upgraded from assault following the victim's death from sustained injuries
Memorial Day Ceremony
It was a special privilege to host an annual tribute to our nation’s service men and women during a Memorial Day Observance Ceremony at the Queens Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Elmhurst Park. As we do every year, we recognized some of our local leaders who have served in the Armed Forces.

This year's honorees are:

  • Weapons Specialist Bernard L. Thompson, U.S. Air Force
  • Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Fink, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army Reserve
  • ADA Captain Bryan Kotowski, U.S. Army Reserve

I express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to those who have served, or currently serve in our military branches. Your heroism is never forgotten.
AAPI Heritage Month Celebration
The month of May marks National Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and I was pleased to host a virtual celebration to recognize the contributions of the AAPI communities to our Borough.

During the virtual festivities, several community leaders, non-profit organizations, and members of my staff were honored for the amazing work they do in Queens:

  • NYPD Detective Sumit Sulan
  • Council Member Sandra Ung
  • The Charles B. Wang Community Health Center
  • The World Journal Newspaper
  • Detective Douglas Lee, Queens District Attorney's Office
  • ADA Anna Diao, Queens District Attorney's Office

In case you missed the webinar, you can watch it in full on our Facebook page.
Israel Day Parade
The community-focused approach to prosecution that I have taken has resulted in stronger partnerships with the diverse cultures we represent and safeguard.

I was proud to take part in the Israel Day Parade last weekend to celebrate Jewish Heritage and demonstrate support for the State of Israel. I thank the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York for bringing community leaders, elected officials, non-profit organizations, educators, and residents together for this joyous parade.
Information Wanted
This week marks 13 years since the death of Justin Rivera, found shot and killed in Woodhaven, Queens. Although some cases may grow cold, they are never forgotten.

As part of our regular call for help, we are asking for any information regarding this case.

If you have any information, please contact NYPD Crimestoppers. All tips are confidential and you can submit them anonymously!
Fraud Prevention
We're committed to ensuring a safe environment for our senior citizens and public education is key to preventing fraudulent activity. Our Elder Frauds Unit recently collaborated with India Home on an important presentation for community members on scam awareness.

If you believe you've been a victim, contact ElderFraud@queensda.org or 718-286-6578. We're here to help.
Tragedy in Uvalde, TX
There are simply not enough words to express the sheer horror and the deepening heartbreak we continue to feel in the wake of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School that took the lives of 19 children and 2 teachers. No family should ever go through the devastation that is gripping Uvalde, Texas right now.

We pray for some measure of solace for everyone affected by this senseless tragedy.