PHAGWAH PARADE MARCH 29:
The 38th Annual Phagwah Parade will be on Sunday, March 29 at 12 noon. Assemble at Liberty Avenue and 133rd Street at 10 am. Cultural Program at Phil Rizzuto Park.
WON TO HOST SUNNYSIDE YARD INFO SESSION:
New York City Council Member Julie Won invites you to learn more about the Sunnyside Yard Master Plan, its history, and current updates, April 6, from 6:30-8:00 pm at Sunnyside Community Services, 43-31 39th Street in Sunnyside. Register at: https://bit.ly/SunnysideYard
STAVISKY HOSTS NO-COST MAMMOGRAMS:
The American-Italian Cancer Foundation is sponsoring a free mammogram event hosted by the office of State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky at the Cross Island YMCA, 238-10 Hillside Avenue in Bellerose, on Friday, April 17 from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Call to schedule a no-cost mammogram, 718-445-0004. Eligibility: women ages 40-75; currently living in New York City; no mammogram in the past 12 months. No co-pays or deductibles required. Uninsured patients are welcome. Please bring a photo ID and insurance card (if insured). Medical services provided by Multi-Diagnostic Services.
CB6 UPDATES:
NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. OMNY Card van will be at district office 84-16 Jamaica Ave, Woodhaven on March 30 from 10am to 2pm.
Council Member James F. Gennaro is partnering with the American Italian Cancer Foundation to host a no-cost mobile mammogram screening in his district on Thursday, April 2, bringing lifesaving preventive care directly to the community. Women ages 40–75 who live in NYC and have not had a mammogram in the past year are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. Appointments are required. Call the Council Member’s office at (718) 217-4969 to schedule your appointment.
MAMDANI PRESS CONFERENCE AT LAGUARDIA AIRPORT:
Mayor Mamdani joined US Transportation Secretary Duffy and FAA Administrator Bedford for a press conference at LaGuardia Airport to share updates on Air Canada Express 8646 ground collision.
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani: “Good afternoon. I want to begin by echoing the words that have been shared before me, and also by thanking our partners in city, state, and federal government who are here today. As has been shared late last night, a Jazz Aviation flight operating on behalf of Air Canada struck a Port Authority aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle on runway four at LaGuardia Airport. Both pilots of the aircraft were killed in the crash. And I echo the words of the governor and those who spoke before in sending our deepest condolences to the families and to the many who are mourning their loss.
“I’m grateful for the work of dedicated first responders, including the men and women from the NYPD, the FDNY and NYCEM, who arrived on the scene within minutes, treated injuries, and handled a chaotic scene with incredible professionalism and poise. I also want to commend those who were thrust into a frightening accident and reacted not only with composure, but by extending a hand to the person next to them. Passengers who opened the emergency door and helped one another off the plane, people who kept one another calm.
“And I know that this crash has shaken New Yorkers across the five boroughs, whether they are traveling today or simply watching from home. Especially since it’s the first fatal crash at LaGuardia in more than 30 years. I want New Yorkers to know that the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of this accident and that we will not rest until the conclusion of that investigation. We’ve been coordinating closely with our partners across government since late last night, and we will continue to do so.
“Air Canada has set up a hotline for families and friends of the flight’s passengers, and I encourage those who are worried about their loved ones to call. That number is 1-800-961-7099. While LaGuardia was closed since the accident until 2 p.m. today, it has since reopened. I want to thank the many New Yorkers and visitors who had their travel plans impacted for their patience and their understanding. As well as those who work here at LaGuardia and the Port Authority for how they have not only responded to this accident, but [also] the work that they do each and every day.
“As we continue to learn information, we will share it with you. And in the meantime, let us keep those who died in our thoughts and continue to hope for a quick recovery for those who were injured. Thank you.”
SCHUMER ON THE COLLISON AT LAGUARDIA AIRPORT:
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke on the Senate floor offering condolences to the families of the two pilots who were killed in a collision at LaGuardia Airport. He also called for a full investigation into the incident. Senator Schumer’s remarks: “My deepest prayers are with the families of the two pilots who were killed in a terrible collision at LaGuardia Airport this morning. The video and audio of the collision were heart-wrenching. It is like a punch to the stomach when you listen to it. It leaves you gasping for air.
“I spoke with Chairwoman Homendy of the National Transportation Safety Board, which has always done an outstanding job impartially in investigating these tragedies. And I spoke to her, I spoke to Chairwoman Homendy earlier today, and she told me the situation is under investigation. She told me that over 25 investigators are on their way to LaGuardia right now to get to the bottom of what happened.
“We owe it to those pilots and their families to find out exactly how this accident was permitted to happen, and I will remain in constant communication with Chair Homendy and the NTSB as well as local authorities as this investigation unfolds.
“My heart goes out to all those affected by this tragedy. My heart goes out to the two pilots who were killed and to all the passengers who were injured at LaGuardia.”
POTHOLE BLITZ UPDATE:
New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn announced a second comprehensive blitz to fill potholes across the five boroughs following a historic winter with record-setting snowfall and sustained cold weather. Eighty pothole repair crews were dispatched along city streets and highways across the five boroughs beginning at 6 a.m. for the blitz last Saturday, with additional pothole blitzes to follow in the weeks ahead. Last weekend’s pothole blitz repaired more than 7,200 potholes, roughly a week’s worth, in a single day. NYC DOT has repaired more than 66,000 potholes since January 1, with a response time of just over two days, with more than 20,000 potholes filled in the last two weeks alone. The agency’s stepped-up pothole repair is in concert with its full-scale road resurfacing efforts that begin this month with curb-to-curb repaving projects. NYC DOT expects to resurface 1,150 lane miles of roadway this year.
“New Yorkers deserve safe and smooth streets, and that’s why Mayor Mamdani and NYC DOT mobilized last weekend for a pothole blitz, repairing more than 7,200 of them last Saturday—almost as many potholes as we’d fill over an entire week,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn.
The average repair time for potholes is two days after being reported. New Yorkers should report potholes to 311 and they will be promptly addressed. Pothole season begins in New York City around the spring, when more potholes form on our roadways because of high-moisture, winter weather conditions, and the cycle of freezing and thawing conditions.
HEALTH COMMISSIONER ON REVISED CHILDHOOD VACCINE SCHEDULE:
NYC Health Department Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin issued the following statement in response to a federal judge in Boston temporarily blocking three major actions taken by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
“Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools to protect children’s health. Yesterday’s decision by the federal court to temporarily block the actions of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the direction of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a public health win. There is no new data to support the CDC’s attempts to change the longstanding childhood vaccination schedule. In the last year, the CDC and RFK Jr. have weakened the childhood vaccination schedule and sown distrust in vaccines by promoting inaccurate information and providing confusing guidance that has no basis in science.
“The NYC Health Department has held firm. We endorse the American Academy of Pediatrics childhood and adolescent immunization schedules, which recommend all vaccines previously recommended by the CDC based on rigorous review and evidence. Parents and caregivers should speak to their pediatrician if they have questions about vaccination recommendations. Health care providers in New York City should follow AAP.
“As the city’s doctor and an emergency room physician, I’ve seen firsthand how vaccines keep people out of the ER. We at the NYC Health Department remain committed to our mission of protecting the health and safety of all New Yorkers.”
GILLIBRAND CALLS FOR TAX REBATE FOR WORKING FAMILIES:
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) held a virtual press conference to call for a tax rebate for working families who are struggling amid rising prices and working-class job losses due to President Trump’s reckless tariffs. Gillibrand’s Tariff Refunds for Working Families Act would use the billions of dollars in revenue generated by President Trump’s tariffs to provide a tax rebate to working families making $180,000 or less.
“Working families are struggling amid higher prices and substantial job losses due to President Trump’s reckless tariffs,” said Senator Gillibrand. “My Tariff Refunds for Working Families Act would provide American consumers with direct tax rebates, delivering real financial relief to families across New York and putting money back directly into their pockets. This commonsense legislation would return the billions of dollars that the government has collected via illegal tariffs to hardworking families who need relief. I am committed to getting it across the finish line.”
According to a recent report from the Center for American Progress, America has lost nearly 200,000 working-class jobs in industries that are uniquely exposed to tariffs. That includes 89,000 jobs in manufacturing and 123,700 jobs in transportation and warehousing.
President Trump’s tariffs have cost New York families thousands of dollars, squeezing working families’ budgets. According to a report from Governor Kathy Hochul’s office, President Trump’s tariffs are costing New York households an estimated $4,200 annually.
GILLIBRAND CALLS TO RELEASE ENERGY ASSISTANCE FUNDING:
As working families across the country face sticker shock from their eye-popping gas and utility bills, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and a bipartisan group of senators are calling on the Trump administration to take action and provide energy assistance to those in need.
Senator Gillibrand joined a bipartisan letter along with 39 Senate colleagues urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to swiftly release the approximately $400 million in remaining Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding that Congress delivered in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. “As the Trump administration pours hard-earned taxpayer dollars into endless wars abroad and hands out massive tax breaks to billionaires and giant corporations, millions of hardworking American families are struggling just to keep their homes warm as utility bills skyrocket,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This is unacceptable. The Trump administration must immediately release these essential heating assistance funds and make sure our neighbors—especially seniors and families with children—don’t have to choose between putting food on the table and staying warm.”
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay utility bills, address energy crises, and lower costs by improving home energy efficiency through weatherization. Over the last year, nearly six million households nationwide received LIHEAP assistance to help them avoid utility shut-offs or having to make impossible tradeoffs such as delaying medical care, skipping meals, or turning to high-cost payday loans that lead to a cycle of unending debt. In the face of the Trump administration’s attempt to eliminate LIHEAP, Gillibrand joined bipartisan efforts to provide a total of $4.045 billion for the program in FY 2026 – a $20 million increase over the previous year.
On November 28, at Gillibrand’s urging, the Trump administration released about $3.7 billion of that federal LIHEAP aid to states for distribution by authorized, local nonprofit organizations that deliver social services, community health, and housing assistance to low-income individuals, the elderly, and those with disabilities across the country. A nationwide cold snap, coupled with soaring home heating costs and spiking gas prices, has squeezed many Americans’ finances – with those who can least afford the energy price shocks suffering the hardest financial blow.
Now, Senator Gillibrand and her colleagues are urging HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to immediately distribute the remaining emergency LIHEAP funds. These federal funds are essential to help more Americans keep up with rising energy bills and help state-based organizations effectively budget and distribute LIHEAP aid to those in need.
“We urge you to immediately release the remaining roughly $400 million of FY26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding available under PL 119-75,” the senators wrote in their letter. “Any delay in the release of appropriated funds would set back states’ efforts to cover outstanding bills relating to unexpected delivered fuels emergencies, to weatherize low-income homes, and to plan for summer cooling programs. Our states are ready to deploy these funds to help vulnerable households as soon as they receive them from HHS.”
Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources.
MEEKS DEMANDS ANSWERS ON AMERICANS STRANDED IN MIDDLE EAST:
Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, together with Democratic Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding answers for the administration’s failure to protect Americans in the Middle East prior to President Trump launching the Iran war. The letter demands that Secretary Rubio explain in writing what planning, if any, the State Department undertook prior to the start of his Iran war to ensure for the safety of thousands of Americans now stranded in countries across the Middle East.
Cosigners of the letter include Representatives William R. Keating, Joaquin Castro, Ami Bera, Sara Jacobs, Jared Moskowitz, Gabe Amo, Madeleine Dean, Bradley Scott Schneider, George Latimer, Greg Stanton, Dina Titus, Pramila Jayapal, Johnny Olszewski, Jr, Jonathan L. Jackson, Ted W. Lieu, Kweisi Mfume, Jim Costa, Julie Johnson, Sarah McBride, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.
KIM AND RISE NOW TO SPONSOR BUSINESS WORKSHOPS:
Assemblymember Ron Kim and RISE Now announced their lead sponsorship of three upcoming Business Excellence Workshops in Flushing for local small businesses. They were joined by Assemblymember Nily Rozic and the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development CEO Seema Agnani, whose organization provided critical funding for the project. Assemblymember Kim spoke of the importance of continuing to support small businesses, especially in difficult economic times, and referenced his many efforts to do so throughout his career as an elected official.
The first workshop, Business Structure & Financial Management Fundamentals, will take place on Friday, March 27. The second, Tax Responsibilities & Compliance for Small Businesses, will be held on Saturday, March 28. The third, IRS vs State Audits: How to Prepare and Respond, will be offered on Saturday, April 18. As the different titles suggest, each workshop will focus on different aspects of entrepreneurship and fundamental business knowledge, including financial management, legal considerations, and long-term operations.
All three will be held by RISE Now’s Small Business Financial Assistance and Resources Hub (‘The Hub’). The Hub is a one-stop shop designed to help small businesses and entrepreneurs resolve business-related issues, connect with government services, and access employment resources. It provides workshops and seminars on topics such as financial education, business development strategies, credit-building, operational improvement, and access to capital and government contract opportunities.
Assemblyman Ron Kim stated: “Since its inception, the team at RISE Now have worked tirelessly to support our community’s mom and pop businesses and working families. I am proud to join them as one of the lead sponsors for these upcoming Business Excellence Workshops and encourage any interested New Yorkers, especially new or aspiring small business owners, to call and register with RISE Now.”
Chris Kui, President of RISE Now Inc., said, “Rise Now appreciates the support of Assemblymembers Ron Kim and Nily Rozic, as well as Councilmember Sandra Ung to enable us to respond to the small business needs of the community. In addition, we are thrilled to be recognized nationally and to receive funding support from CAPACD, a national community development intermediary headquartered in Washington, D.C., to expand our programs. Through CAPACD, we can also share our experiences and best practices for assisting small businesses and entrepreneurs in New York with other organizations facing similar needs across the country.”
“We are thrilled to welcome RISE NOW, Inc. into our Small Business Development cohort. Their work is so important to supporting the businesses of Flushing, Queens, a thriving community and an important cultural district that not only celebrates our culture and diverse communities – it also seeds entrepreneurship and opportunity,” said Seema Agnani, CEO of National CAPACD.
LIU’S OFFICE HELPS HUNDREDS OF QUEENS RESIDENTS:
State Senator John Liu today announced his office helped connect over 250 Queens residents to the application process for property tax and rent relief programs ahead of the city’s property tax payment deadlines, achieving potential savings of thousands of dollars per person.
Senator Liu’s office organized four workshops with the NYC Department of Finance over the last two months after receiving inquiries from residents about how they can lower their property taxes or secure rent relief. The workshops connected residents to one-on-one help with DOF tax professionals and Senator Liu’s staff, who offered assistance in enrolling in programs like STAR, Enhanced STAR, Senior Citizen Homeowners Exemption, Disability Homeowners Exemption, Veterans Tax Exemption, Disability Rent Increase Exemption, Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemptions, and in appealing their property tax assessments. Depending on income, residents could reduce their home’s assessed value by as much as 50 percent, or apply to freeze their rent.
State Senator John Liu stated, “Too many homeowners and renters in our community are eligible for tax relief, but get discouraged and shut out of the process due to confusing paperwork and eligibility requirements. We organized these workshops to make sure our community is getting the most out of the many city and state tax relief programs that can help save thousands of dollars, and deliver real peace of mind for homeowners and renters in our community.”
The workshops were held in partnership with Assembly Members Ed Braunstein, Ron Kim, Nily Rozic, and David Weprin, Council Members James Gennaro, Linda Lee, and Sandra Ung, BUMC Bayside United Methodist Church, KCS, Korean American Family Service Center, Bellecourt Civic Association, Northwest Bayside Civic Association, Bayside Hills Civic Association, Community Board 7, 8, 11, Bayside Village BID, Flushing BID, Bayside Business Association, Hillcrest Jewish Center, and CPC Nanshan Senior Center.
RAMOS RESPONDS TO STUDENT LETTERS:
A group of students from PS 228 recently reached out to the office of New York State Senator Jessica Ramos with a simple request: they needed headsets for their computer classes.
The students wrote letters explaining that having headsets would help them participate more fully in their lessons and improve their learning experience. Their message reached the senator’s office, where staff worked with community partners to help respond to the students’ request. Thanks to a generous donation from attorney Maria Barnett, the school was able to purchase 25 headsets, with 20 designated for classroom use and five additional units as backup. The total donation was $543.50.
“This is a powerful example of students speaking up for their education and a community coming together to support them. When young people raise their voices, we should always listen and respond. Thank you to attorney Maria Barnett for her generosity and support in making this possible,” said Senator Ramos.
“It is unacceptable that our classrooms are expected to do more with less. Failing to provide adequate funding to cover basic educational costs is not just neglect, it’s outrageous. Our students and educators deserve far better,” emphasized Senator Ramos. The new headsets will help students better engage in computer-based lessons and digital learning activities throughout the school year.
BP RICHARDS IN ALBANY:
Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.: “I firmly believe that everyday New Yorkers deserve a seat at the table of government, especially when it comes to decisions around the cost of living. That’s why on Tuesday, March 17, my office led a delegation of dozens of Queens community leaders on a bus trip to the New York State Capitol in Albany, where we spent the day meeting with state legislators to discuss the many ways we can ease financial burdens on working families. One possibility we discussed was reforming our property tax assessment system, which currently sees homeowners of color in middle class neighborhoods paying more in property tax than those living in much more affluent communities. Going one step further, it’s about time that New York City’s most wealthy residents and largest corporations finally start paying their fair share in taxes. Those closest to the pain should be closest to the power, not the ones upon whose backs our city budget is balanced. After a long but successful day in Albany, I’m confident that our friends in city and state government agree with that sentiment. Thank you to everyone who came on Tuesday’s trip and I look forward to making another ride up with our neighbors in the coming months. My office is here to serve you and your family. To learn more about how we’re working to build a better Queens, contact us by phone at 718-286-3000 or by email at info@queensbp.nyc.gov.”
MAMDANI LAUNCHES $80M NYC FUTURE FUND:
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su, and Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kenny Minaya announced the citywide launch of the revamped NYC Future Fund, a loan program designed to expand access to affordable financing for seasonal and growing small businesses. The program places a particular focus on better serving immigrant-, minority- and women-owned businesses that have long faced barriers to accessing capital.
“Small businesses are the backbone of New York City’s economy and the heart of our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Mamdani. “But many entrepreneurs – especially immigrant and working-class New Yorkers – have been locked out of the affordable capital they need to grow. Our revamped NYC Future Fund will change that. By lowering costs and expanding access, we are making sure small business owners across the five boroughs have the tools they need to grow and strengthen the communities they serve.”
The NYC Future Fund has been expanded to make financing more accessible to small businesses citywide. The Mamdani Administration strengthened the program by lowering borrowing costs, expanding eligibility to include businesses with lower operating revenue and making it easier for smaller businesses to access financing. Applications are available at nyc.gov/futurefund.
Based on feedback from the pilot, the NYC Future Fund now includes:
Lower Minimum Loan Size: Minimum loan amounts have been reduced from $100,500 to $25,000.
Reduced Interest Rate: Interest rates have been lowered from 9 percent to 7.5 percent.
Flexible Repayment Terms: Monthly repayment rates have been reduced from a flat 9.5 percent of revenue to as low as 2 percent of monthly revenue, depending on loan size and business needs.
Expanded Eligibility for Smaller Businesses: The minimum annual revenue required for eligibility has been lowered from $300,000 to $50,000.
The launch also includes a targeted five-borough outreach campaign focused on communities that have historically faced the greatest barriers to affordable financing.
The NYC Future Fund is a public-private partnership between the City of New York and local Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), including Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF), Accompany Capital, Grow America and Pursuit, to support long-term growth for small business owners.
ADDABBO CONTINUES ‘JAVA WITH JOE’:
State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. is continuing with his Java with Joe events throughout the spring. These are valuable opportunities for the Senator to meet one-on-one with his constituents over a cup of coffee at a local business and listen to residents’ questions and concerns.
“I find it profoundly meaningful to meet directly with constituents and listen to their concerns,” said Senator Addabbo. “People deserve access to their leaders, and these gatherings provide a platform for candid conversation. I recognize that weekday office visits aren’t always feasible for everyone, which is why I host Java with Joe on weekends. Building personal connections within the community is vital, and I’m grateful to the local businesses that partner with me to facilitate these important discussions.”
A Java with Joe event is coming to a neighborhood near you:
Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 10 a.m. – 12 noon at The Hills Café, 107-11 Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills (Use Ascan Avenue entrance).
Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 12 noon – 2 p.m. at Atlantic Diner, 111-16 Atlantic Avenue, South Richmond Hill.
MENG ON THE RUN!
Representative Grace Meng continues to build a strong coalition of support from across the political spectrum, mobilize her supporters throughout Queens, and engage her constituents directly. Since introducing the Uniform Standards for Federal Law Enforcement Act, Rep. Meng received endorsements from progressive stalwarts New York State Senator John Liu, New York State Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, New York City Councilmember Shekhar Krishnan, and US Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey. She has also received endorsements from organizations including the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, Vote Mama, HTC AFL-CIO, and 32BJ.
QEDC HOSTS ACCESS TO CAPITAL FAIR:
Small Business Owners Can Consult with a Diverse Group of Loan Officers
The Queens Economic Development Corporation hosts the Access to Capital lender fair in Kew Gardens on Thursday, April 9, from 10 am to 1 pm.
Loan officers from at least 12 banks, including Chase, Santander, and Citi, along with executives from alternative funding entities and Community Development Financial Institutions will be on hand. They will answer questions and share information on such topics as SBA loans, lines of credit, digital fundraising, and nontraditional financing.
They will also analyze individual financial situations for business owners who bring recent tax returns and other relevant documentation.
QEDC Director of Business Services Bhavna Punjwani predicted that attendees will gain the following advantages: Direct connections to lenders; Clarity on funding options; Actionable feedback on financial readiness and loan applications; and Confidence to move forward toward financing with the right partner.
Access to Capital is free and open to the public, thanks to support from Empire State Development, but please RSVP via QEDC’s website, Queensny.org (or https://tinyurl.com/ms3pzwt4). The three-hour fair will take place at the Helen Marshall Culture Center at Queens Borough Hall, whose entrance is 120-55 Queens Blvd.
“If funding your business is on your radar for the near future, this is a room you want to be in,” stated Punjwani, who has 12 years of experience in the industry. “There’s no better place to learn about what it takes to qualify for funding, strengthen financial documents, and build relationships with lenders who actively support small businesses.”
QEDC Executive Director Ben Guttmann added: “We are delighted to offer this opportunity to small businesses owners, and we’re proud of the high-quality participants we’ve recruited. I’m grateful to Empire State Development for helping QEDC offer such a valuable resource to our partners who are here to give a leg up to local entrepreneurs, and to Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. for hosting this event at Queens Borough Hall.”
*** CRIME BLOTTER **
FATHER INDICTED FOR MURDERING 2-YEAR-OLD SON:
Defendant was Allegedly Sole Caretaker When Child was Injured; Faces Up to 25 Years to Life in Prison, If Convicted
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Dayvon Morrison was indicted for murder and child endangerment for causing fatal injuries to his 2-year-old son, Maliek, inside their residence in Long Island City.
District Attorney Katz said: “A parent’s most sacred responsibility is ensuring the safety of their children. As alleged, this defendant chose to abandon that solemn duty when he inflicted life-threatening injuries on his 2-year-old son, Maliek, and then let him suffer. It was only after other people, who observed the toddler’s injuries, intervened that the child received medical treatment. Maliek tragically passed away two days after being admitted to the hospital and the defendant is now indicted on charges of murder and other crimes. Our thoughts are with the young victim’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
Morrison, 30, of Long Island City, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with two counts of murder in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child. Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant remanded the defendant and ordered him to return to court May 1. If convicted, Morrison faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
DA Katz said that, according to the charges, on January 30 and 31, Morrison was the sole caretaker of his 2-year-old son and his daughter during the time the injuries to the young boy were inflicted. On February 2, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Morrison brought his son to Manhattan where he went to drop off his other child. The boy was in the undercarriage of a stroller, a space typically used for storage, and remained there for approximately two hours before Morrison removed him to place him in the stroller seat. Witnesses then noticed the victim’s condition and called the police.
The boy was taken to a local hospital where he was placed on a ventilator. The child suffered a blown right pupil, fractured pelvis, laceration to the liver, damage to the brain stem, multiple brain bleeds and swelling to the brain, among other injuries. He died two days later.
BRONX MAN CONVICTED OF MURDER FOR SHOOTING NEAR QUEENS COURTHOUSE:
Defendant Shot Multiple People Outside Former Umbrella Hotel, Killing 20-Year-Old; Faces up to 75 Years in Prison at Sentencing
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Richard Swygert was convicted of murder and other crimes for a deadly shooting incident outside the former Umbrella Hotel in Kew Gardens in 2021. Swygert shot and killed a 20-year-old Rosedale man and shot and injured two others in a dispute that erupted between factions of young people outside the hotel.
District Attorney Katz said: “Richard Swygert turned a quiet Kew Gardens street into a shooting gallery in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day 2021. He killed Robert Williams, shot another man six times and wounded a third, before running out of bullets and fleeing the scene. It was the first homicide of the year, and the defendant showed a complete disregard for human life. Thanks to the extraordinary work of our prosecutors and partners at the NYPD, this defendant was convicted at trial of murder and related charges. We offer our condolences to the victims and their loved ones.”
Swygert, 24, of the Bronx, was found guilty by jury today of murder in the second degree, two counts of attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first and second degrees, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
Trial openings began on March 2 and closings took place March 16. The jury deliberated for approximately two days before reaching a verdict. Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant set the defendant’s return date for April 24, when he faces a sentence of up to 75 years to life in prison.
According to the charges and trial testimony, on January 1, 2021, at approximately 1:09 a.m., Swygert and others entered the Umbrella Hotel on 82nd Avenue and Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens where they waited for the elevator. A few minutes later, the three victims exited the elevator and Swygert and his group followed them to the main hotel lobby. Both groups left the hotel and words were exchanged between one of the victims and one of Swygert’s companions. A physical fight ensued between the two groups. Swygert took out a gun and fired multiple rounds. The defendant shot 20-year-old Robert Deandre Williams five times. He then fired at the second victim six times, striking him in the stomach, arms and legs. Swygert shot the third victim once in the leg. Williams was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead as the result of multiple gunshot wounds.
The two surviving victims were taken to local hospitals for medical treatment. One man required life-saving emergency surgery as well as additional surgeries to save his leg from amputation. The second man was treated for a gunshot wound to the thigh. Thirteen spent shell casings were recovered from the front of the Umbrella Hotel, which permanently closed for business a short time after the incident.
Swygert was arrested by members of the NYPD on October 26, 2021.
SEX TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO 44 ½ TO 52 YEARS:
Defendant Found Guilty of Forcing Victims to Engage in Prostitution, Assaulting Two Repeatedly
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Cleveland Sterling was sentenced to 44 ½ to 52 years in prison after being convicted at trial of sex trafficking, promoting prostitution, robbery and other related crimes. The defendant forced two women to repeatedly engage in prostitution, assaulted them when they refused to follow his orders and forcibly stole money from one of the victims. Sterling was also found guilty of exploiting a third woman who was compelled to have sex with strangers for money at his behest or risk abuse.
District Attorney Katz said: “This defendant preyed on three separate women using violence, intimidation and coercion to force the victims into sexual exploitation for his own profit. A jury found him guilty of these crimes and he has now been sentenced to more than four decades in prison as punishment. Sex trafficking is calculated, cruel and devastating for those who are targeted. We will continue to prosecute these crimes while working with our partner service providers to provide survivors with proper support and resources.”
Sterling, a.k.a. “Rich,” a.k.a. “Dollarz,” 38, of Uniondale, was found guilty by jury on February 13 of sex trafficking, promoting prostitution, robbery, grand larceny, assault, petit larceny and criminal mischief. Trial openings began on January 28 and closings took place February 9. The jury deliberated for two days before reaching a verdict.
Justice Peter Vallone, Jr., who presided at trial, sentenced Sterling today to 17 years in prison for crimes against the first victim, 20 years in prison for crimes against the second victim, and 7 ½ to 15 years in prison for crimes against the third victim. The terms will run consecutively for a total of 44 ½ to 52 years in prison, to be followed by five years post release supervision. Sterling will have to register as a sex offender upon release.
DA Katz said that according to the investigation and trial testimony, Sterling met the first victim, a 22-year-old woman, in 2019 and forced her to engage in sex for money at various locations in Queens through November 2022. Sterling took photographs of the victim and used them to create online ads for sex. He communicated with customers, arranged prostitution bookings and required the victim to turn over all the proceeds from the sexual encounters directly to him. Sterling struck the victim when she withheld cash or refused to comply with his orders. Sterling routinely inflicted violence on the victim, including when she did not want to have sex with customers for money. On one occasion, he broke some of her teeth. On another occasion, he struck her in the head with a glass bottle, requiring her to get staples to her head.
Sterling met the second victim, a 19-year-old woman, in August 2021. They began an intimate relationship which transitioned into the defendant instructing the victim to have sex with men in exchange for money. The defendant posted prostitution ads, arranged the encounters and collected all the proceeds from the sex acts. Sterling became violent whenever the victim expressed opposition to engaging in prostitution and assaulted her on numerous occasions. On one occasion in October 2021, the victim alerted the police when the defendant forcibly stole money from her and officers observed bruising about her body.
Sterling met the third victim, a 27-year-old woman, in July 2019 and the two began dating. After approximately two weeks, the defendant took her to the JFK Inn in Queens where he had another victim present. Sterling told the woman that she must now work for him and forced her to take naked photographs for sex advertisements. He ordered the woman to engage in prostitution, arranged the dates and collected the proceeds from the sex acts.
During the course of being trafficked, two of the victims received tattoos bearing a form of the defendant’s name that was used to brand them. Sterling told the first victim that she would first have to cut off her own foot because his name was tattooed on it and that it belonged to him. The second victim – who while getting tattooed believed that she was getting a different tattoo – was tattooed with Sterling’s street name and told that she was now his property.
18-YEAR-OLD CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER:
Victim Stabbed Multiple Times in Back and Arm While Waiting to Cross Street to Bus Stop; Defendant Faces up to 25 Years in Prison, if Convicted
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Luis Emmanuel Valencia Ponce was arraigned on charges of attempted murder, assault and weapon possession for the unprovoked stabbing of a 30-year-old woman on her way to the bus in East Elmhurst Monday morning. Ponce allegedly followed the victim and stabbed her repeatedly with a knife just as the victim was about to cross the street at the intersection of 23rd Avenue and 94th Street. The defendant then fled without saying a word or taking any of the victim’s belongings.
District Attorney Katz said: “The random and senseless nature of this attack is deeply unsettling to every New Yorker. As alleged, this defendant followed a 30-year-old woman before stabbing her multiple times without any prior interaction. This was a calculated act of violence, and my prosecutors will aggressively seek justice for the victim of this unprovoked stabbing.”
Ponce, 18, of East Elmhurst, was arraigned last night on a criminal complaint charging him with attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Criminal Court Judge Maria T. Gonzalez remanded the defendant and ordered him to return to court on March 24. If convicted, Ponce faces up to 25 years in prison.
District Attorney Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, on March 16, at approximately 6:17 a.m., the victim was crossing the street at the intersection of 23rd Avenue and 94th Street to get to a bus stop when she was approached from behind by the defendant. Ponce allegedly had a knife in his hand and stabbed the victim repeatedly, paused, and stabbed her repeatedly again. The attack was completely unprovoked. Ponce did not say a word before, during or after the stabbing and immediately left the scene. The victim was taken to a local hospital with a punctured lung and four stab wounds requiring 11 stitches. Detectives recovered a bloody knife from the ground approximately 15 feet away from the intersection. Ponce surrendered at the 115th Precinct yesterday morning.
FLUSHING MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO LIFE:
Defendant Stabbed to Death 45-year-old Victim, a Stranger
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Jason Schuler was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the stabbing death of Elliott Christopher Ortiz, a stranger the defendant encountered at a Flushing bar in September 2023. He attacked Ortiz with a large kitchen knife while both were on the bar’s patio.
District Attorney Katz said: “This defendant roamed the streets of Queens while drunk and armed with a kitchen knife before he mercilessly attacked and killed Elliott Christopher Ortiz without provocation. This type of senseless violence will always be met with swift and decisive action by my office. I thank members of my Homicide Bureau for prosecuting this case and securing a murder conviction. The court has now sentenced the defendant to 25 years to life in prison. We hope this sentence provides a measure of solace to the victim’s loved ones as they continue to grieve.”
Schuler, 41, of Flushing, was convicted in February by a jury of murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Trial openings began February 19 and closing arguments took place on February 27. The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before reaching a verdict the same day. Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder sentenced Schuler on March 18 to 25 years to life in prison.
DA Katz said that, according to the charges and trial testimony, on September 24, 2023, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Schuler, who possessed a kitchen knife concealed in his pants, purchased alcohol at a Flushing liquor store while appearing intoxicated. He returned to the same store about an hour later and bought a second bottle of alcohol. At approximately 9:15 p.m., Schuler was drinking with a companion on Main Street in Flushing and then walked toward Kelly’s Pub on 41st Avenue and went inside. Ortiz and a friend arrived at the bar around 9:25 p.m. that evening. Approximately 10 minutes later, a bar employee observed Schuler drinking from his own liquor bottle and asked the man to leave. The defendant then went to the pub’s rear patio at the same time that Ortiz and his friend went to the patio. Schuler, without provocation, removed the kitchen knife from his pants and stabbed Ortiz in the face, just below his temple, causing a 7.5-inch-deep wound and severing his carotid artery. In the ensuing struggle, Ortiz’s friend stabbed Schuler and disarmed him. Immediately following the attack, Schuler fled the bar and met his companion around the corner on Main Street. As patrol officers approached Schuler, he was observed asking his companion to take a photo of him while he posed covered in Ortiz’s blood.
The victim remained at Kelly’s pub awaiting medical attention before being transported to a local hospital where he died from the stab wound to his head and neck.
—With contributions by Augusta Luger
This column was originated by John A. Toscano.