January 2, 2026

As I begin my seventh year as your District Attorney, it is important to reflect on the measurable results we have achieved in service of public safety, accountability and justice.

In 2025, this office continued its disciplined focus on drivers of crime and accountability. Through coordinated investigations and prosecutions, we have removed hundreds of illegal firearms from our streets, dismantled violent and organized criminal activity, worked tirelessly to identify our unnamed homicide victims and taken concrete steps to make our neighborhoods safer.

We are also meeting the young people of this borough in classrooms, playgrounds and during after-school activities. It is through early intervention that our children see that there are mentors, educators and law enforcement figures who care deeply about their future. By combining enforcement with engagement, we are helping to build pathways away from violence and toward stability.

None of this work happens in isolation. Our progress is the result of strong partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and the residents we serve. By strengthening trust and maintaining open lines of communication, we continue to respond to the challenges facing our communities.

There is always more work ahead, but I am proud of what we have achieved together this past year. Some examples:

• A 28-year prison sentence for a defendant who pleaded guilty to attempted murder for shooting two police officers in East Elmhurst in 2024. The officers attempted to stop the defendant after he was observed riding his motorcycle the wrong way on Ditmars Boulevard and driving on the sidewalk with pedestrians present.

• An indictment against an alleged sex trafficker on Roosevelt Avenue who victimized two women by allegedly forcing them to engage in prostitution and extorting money from two others.

• A prison sentence of 25 years to life for a defendant who carried out an unprovoked hammer attack on a commuter as she entered the Queens Plaza subway station in Long Island City in 2022.

• The successful prosecution of a defendant who was found guilty of killing Captain Alison Russo of the FDNY EMS, in an unprovoked knife attack that took steps away from her Astoria stationhouse in September 2022.  He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

• A guilty plea and subsequent sentencing of a doctor for rape and sexual abuse of acquaintances and female hospital patients. The defendant – a former gastroenterologist at New York-Presbyterian Queens – filmed the abuse of his unconscious victims in both his apartment and at the hospital.



• Secured two year prison sentences against two squatters in separate cases who illegally occupied a home in Flushing and one in St. Albans.

• A prison sentence for a John Doe defendant, for stealing someone else’s identity decades ago and also stole three homes in Queens through a complex deed fraud scheme with three co-conspirators.



At the same time, we have also:

Dismantled Gang Networks

A long-term investigation into gang violence in Southeast Queens, led by my office and the NYPD's Gun Violence Suppression Division, resulted in the largest single gang takedown in the history of Queens County.

A total of 32 reputed members of the Bad-Co Ballout gang were indicted for their respective alleged roles in carrying out at least 13 shootings – including three homicides — often in broad daylight, near parks, public schools and residential areas. The gang was based in Queens Village, which was referred to by members as “Shadyville.”

Seized Deadly Weapons

Members of my Major Economic Crimes Bureau, working with our partners at the NYPD and Homeland Security Investigations New York, shut down a gun trafficking ring from Georgia to Southeast Queens through a 194-count grand jury indictment against two defendants who were purchasing deadly weapons down south and bringing them to sell in our neighborhoods. 

More than 70 firearms, ammunition and drugs were recovered during the six-month joint investigation.

Hosted Queens' First Missing Persons Day

As part of our ongoing mission to restore the names of all unidentified victims, our Cold Case Unit partnered with the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner to host our first Missing Persons Day, bringing families and community members together to help uncover new leads. Congressmember Grace Meng, who generously allocated $500,000 in grant funding to support the unit’s critical work, was also in attendance.

This year, the Cold Case Unit identified two male homicide victims whose identities had remained unknown for more than three decades - an important step forward in obtaining justice for our borough's victims.

Combatted Retail Theft

For the second time in two years, I was joined by Governor Kathy Hochul in announcing the takedown of a large-scale retail theft operation. Thirteen individuals were charged in a 780-count indictment with stealing more than $2.2 million from Home Depot stores across nine different states.

The defendants systematically and repeatedly stole merchandise from 128 Home Depot stores as part of 319 individual thefts. Some locations were hit up to four times on the same day. Each of the alleged crew members face a potential maximum sentence of 15 or 25 years in prison, depending on their involvement.

Shut Down Illegal Cannabis Locations

My office continues to prioritize shuttering the illegal shops that plague our communities and sell unregulated and untested cannabis flower and gummies packaged to look like brand-name candy.

Since November 2022, joint enforcement operations lead by my office and the New York City Sheriff have resulted in the prosecution of 452 individuals for felony-level charges related to the sale and/or possession of cannabis or controlled substances in Queens County.

Since July 2024, 320 illegal cannabis shops have been padlocked and permanently closed throughout the borough.

Disrupted an Auto-Theft Organization

A three-year investigation by my office, the NYPD and the New York State Police resulted in the indictment of 20 defendants in a wide-ranging scheme to steal cars — from Hondas to Dodge Hellcats to BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes and Land Rovers — throughout New York City and its suburbs.

Some of the vehicles were stolen out of owners’ driveways, some with the keys or key fobs inside. The vehicles — valued at more than $4.6 million — were often sold including through advertisements on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

Strengthened Community Partnerships

I strongly believe that the first interaction with this office should happen in a welcoming, community setting—not in a courtroom or during a crisis.

Guided by this vision, the Community Partnerships Division has attended over 600 community events this past year, working with civic and nonprofit organizations across Queens to connect residents with resources, support and positive community involvement.

At the same time, our Crime Victims Advocacy Program serviced more than 6,000 individuals by providing safety planning and supportive counseling in 2025.

The outcomes highlighted in this newsletter reflect rigorous work, sound judgment and an unwavering commitment to the people of this borough.

As we look ahead, we look forward to continuing this work, building safer, stronger communities, and creating a brighter future for all residents of Queens.

May you all stay healthy, happy and safe.