CELEBRATE AMERICA’S 250TH WITH THE BP:
Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. is hosting America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration on Monday, July 27, from 5-8 pm at the Helen Marshall Cultural Center at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens. Enjoy food and multicultural performances as we honor our nation’s founding and celebrate the diverse communities that shape America today. RSVP required. To see all upcoming events and to RSVP, visit www.queensbp.nyc.gov
UNG TO HOST USTA RECRUITMENT EVENT:
Deputy Leader Sandra Ung is partnering with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) for the fifth consecutive year to connect local residents with seasonal employment opportunities at the 2026 U.S. Open, one of the world’s premier sporting events.
The recruitment event will take place on Wednesday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tangram, located at 133-33 39th Avenue in Flushing. During the event, USTA recruiters will conduct onsite interviews and may extend job offers to qualified applicants. Available seasonal positions include Guest Services, Player Services, Facilities Operations, Courts & Grounds, and Administrative & IT. These roles offer competitive pay and provide valuable experience working behind the scenes at a world-class international sporting event.
“The U.S. Open is one of the biggest annual events in New York City, and because it’s held right here in our community, I want to make sure local residents have every opportunity to benefit from the jobs it creates,” said Deputy Leader Sandra Ung. “Whether you’re a student looking to gain work experience, someone exploring a new career path, or simply looking to earn extra income, these seasonal positions offer a chance to build your resume while being part of one of the world’s most prestigious tennis tournaments. I’m proud to partner with the USTA for the fifth year in a row to help connect our community with these opportunities.”
The 2026 U.S. Open will once again bring the world’s top tennis players and hundreds of thousands of fans to Flushing, creating thousands of seasonal employment opportunities that support the tournament’s operations. The USTA is seeking enthusiastic and customer-focused individuals to help deliver an exceptional experience for players, guests, and spectators throughout the tournament.
Walk-ins will be accommodated as time permits, but advance registration is encouraged. To register, email D20events@council.nyc.gov, call (718) 888-8747, or register online. Applicants should provide their contact information and, if available, a resume. Candidates must be at least 18 years old.
For more information about available positions, visit careers-usopen.icims.com.
MAYOR ANNOUNCES “OPEN FOR SMALL BUSINESS”:
Mayor Zohran Mamdani today announced “OPEN for Small Business,” a package of more than 50 regulatory reforms to reduce the paperwork and bureaucratic burden facing the city’s roughly 180,000 small businesses. Alongside an Executive Order that immediately implements several reforms, the package saves time, effort, and money for the small businesses that anchor New York’s economy and the one million New Yorkers they employ.
“You cannot tell the story of New York without our small businesses, and yet our city has often made it too hard for them to open their doors and keep them open,” said Mayor Mamdani. “The owners tell us the same thing again and again. What wears them down is not simply the cost of any one fee, it is the paperwork and the inconsistency they face when dealing with their own government. Today we are not only announcing reforms, we are building the machinery to find and fix more, so that a small business owner in this city is finally treated as someone government works for, not around.”
In January, Mayor Mamdani signed Executive Order 11, which directed seven city agencies — the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Fire Department (FDNY), and Department of Buildings (DOB) — to inventory their fees and civil penalties and recommend ways to reduce them. In the six months since, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice (DMEJ) and the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) held roundtables and surveyed over 500 business owners across all five boroughs to better understand the barriers they face.
Business owners who took part in these roundtables and surveys most often pointed to delays in opening, uncertainty about compliance requirements, and inconsistent enforcement as key pain points. OPEN responds directly to those findings.
For more information: www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/?
KRISHNAN SECURED $23.3M FOR DISTRICT 25:
Shekar Krishnan, Council Member for District 25, which encompasses Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, and Woodside, secured $23.3 million in Capital investments in the 2026 City Council Budget– a history-making sum for District 25.
“The City Council passed a budget for every New Yorker– including a history-making $23.3 million for Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, and every neighborhood in District 25,” said Council Member Shekar Krishnan, District 25. “I’m proud to have worked with the Speaker to secure funding for the first in-district community pool, invest in Newtown High School’s brand-new athletic field, and support Elmhurst Hospital in building an outdoor therapeutic space for their inpatient psychiatric unit. These investments support our families and neighbors, building up the most diverse district in the world with better schools, hospitals, and public spaces.”
The historic investments include funding for the first-ever community pool in Elmhurst, SAYA’s Community Center in Elmhurst, Newtown High School’s athletic field, and Elmhurst Hospital’s Outdoor Therapeutic Space with $6,500,000 for the Elmhurst Hospital’s Outdoor Therapeutic Space for Inpatient Adult Behavioral Health Project; $1,355,000 for the Elmhurst Commonpoint Community Center; $3,800,000 for the SAYA Community Center; $1,200,000 for the Newtown High School Athletic Field Upgrades.
RAJKUMAR’S STATEMENT ON WOODHAVEN FIRE:
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar issued the following statement: “I have been in close contact with the Red Cross and the 102nd Precinct regarding the devastating fire today at 85-42 76th Street in Woodhaven. The three alarm fire spread to two neighboring buildings, displacing 10 of our neighbors and injuring two. To every family affected, please know you are not alone as you navigate the road to recovery. I am here to ensure that every resident affected receives the care and resources they need during this difficult time. If you or a loved one needs assistance, please contact my office at 718-805-0950, email us at rajkumarj@nyassembly.gov, or text/call us at 347-585-0327. My office is an open door, and we are here to help every family in every way we can. Thank you to the 192 brave FDNY firefighters and EMS personnel for their swift and heroic response, including three who suffered injuries while courageously containing this fire and saving precious lives.”
BLAKEMAN EXPOSES GAS BAN STALLING HOUSING CONSTRUCTION:
Nassau County Executive and candidate for Governor of New York Bruce Blakeman joined Senator Steve Chan, Assemblyman Lester Chang, Assemblyman Michael Novakhov, and Humberto “HL” Lopes, CEO of HL Dynasty and Gotham Housing Alliance, for a press conference to sound the alarm as “All-Electric Building” mandates drive up the cost of rent and utilities while stalling housing construction.
“Kathy Hochul’s energy policy is nothing short of a crime against New Yorkers. Right now, Hochul’s disastrous mandates are forcing families to pay up to 70% more for electricity than the rest of the nation. And for what? To force a ridiculous, all-electric mandate on buildings when our electric grid is nowhere near ready to handle the load. We have developers who went through the proper channels, got city approval, and drew up common-sense plans to build much-needed housing powered by reliable natural gas. Now, New York City is pulling the rug out from under them—forcing them to go all-electric, driving up construction costs, and stalling projects we desperately need. It’s unscientific, it’s unaffordable, and when I’m Governor, we are going to scrap this green energy scam, bring back natural gas, and start putting New York families first,” Blakeman said.
ADDABBO HOSTS FREE PAINTING PARTY FOR SENIORS:
Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. will be hosting a painting party for seniors aged 60 and older where they will have the opportunity to paint their own artwork, which they can then keep. The attendees will follow along with an art instructor and using water-based acrylic paints create a landscape and/or floral style painting. “It is appropriate to have this event in August since it is American Artist Appreciation Month,” Addabbo said. “Plus, the joy and relaxation of painting is a great activity at any age, but on this occasion, we are inviting seniors to participate.”
The event is completely free, with instructions and all supplies including brushes, canvases, paint, and easels provided by Frances O. Scarantino, Owner of Reach for the Stars. The painting process can get a little messy, so it is advised that the seniors bring a smock or apron to wear or an old T-shirt that they don’t mind getting dirty.
This event is open to seniors from Senator Addabbo’s district only, and anyone who wishes to attend must call his District Office to RSVP at 718-738-1111. There is limited space, so register quickly to reserve a spot. The painting party is on August 28, 2026, 12 noon – 2 p.m., at the American Legion Continental Post 1424, 107-15 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills.
STAVISKY ANNOUNCES CAPITAL GRANT FOR ST. JOHN’S:
Senator Toby Ann Stavisky today announced the Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program (HECap) awards directed to three independent colleges and universities serving students in Queens and on Long Island, part of the program’s latest competitive round administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY).
In HECap Competitive Round 8, DASNY awarded $42,597,799 across 32 grants to independent, not-for-profit colleges and universities across New York State, out of $42,887,854 requested. Among the recipients are one institution in Queens and two on Long Island.
“New York’s independent colleges and universities educate nearly 500,000 students. This public/private partnership invests a dollar for every three a university raises towards capital projects including laboratories, wireless networks, and large-scale campus renovations. Students feel the difference,” said Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Senate Committee on Higher Education. “I welcome this support for our institutions, which will improve learning conditions for students throughout New York State. I was happy to fiercely advocate for this program that helps these institutions upgrade their spaces.”
Senator Stavisky was appointed by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins to serve as a trustee of the HeCap Board.
The Queens and Long Island awards are as follows: St. John’s University (Queens) received a $62,500 grant toward the purchase and installation of wireless access technology equipment, part of a $250,000 project. The grant will upgrade the campus wireless and network technology students rely on to learn and connect; Adelphi University (Garden City, Nassau County) received a $450,000 grant toward the purchase of equipment for a simulation lab, part of a $1,800,000 project. Those funds will equip a hands-on simulation lab where students train; New York Institute of Technology (Old Westbury, Nassau County) received a $1,329,253 grant toward the replacement of entranceways at nine campus buildings, part of a $5,317,015 project. With this support, the university will rebuild entrances across nine campus buildings, improving access and safety. The two Long Island awards total $1,779,253.
HECap supports capital projects at New York’s independent, private, not-for-profit colleges and universities, pairing state matching grants with institutional investment. The program is administered by DASNY.
GILLIBRAND ON OLDER AMERICANS ACT:
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, released the following statement following unanimous Senate passage of the Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization Act, which she reintroduced in 2025:
“The OAA has been a lifeline for American seniors since its passage over half a century ago, and I am proud to have successfully led the charge for its reauthorization in the Senate. This lifesaving legislation will help our nation’s older adults age with dignity by supporting programs that provide nutrition assistance, meal deliveries, transportation services, caregiver support, long-term care, and more. We owe it to seniors to strengthen and continue funding these programs, and I am proud to see this legislation pass the Senate with unanimous support. The House must take up and pass this legislation immediately.”
The OAA Reauthorization Act renews funding for the OAA and strengthens services for American seniors. The OAA has provided vital nutrition, social, and health services to millions of seniors since its passage in 1965. Last reauthorized in 2020, the OAA expired in the 118th Congress.
MORATORIUM ON NEW HYPERSCALE DATA CENTERS:
Governor Kathy Hochul today signed an Executive Order to create the nation’s first moratorium on new hyperscale data centers, establishing the strongest standards for data center development and creating a blueprint to support localities. The Governor is temporarily pausing State environmental permits for up to one year in order to build a nation-leading regulatory framework that protects ratepayers, the environment, the energy grid and communities across the state.
“New York has always been at the forefront of innovation and change but we’ve also always guaranteed that New Yorkers benefit. As data center development threatens to hike up utility bills, deplete our natural resources, and create uncertainty for New Yorkers, it’s my responsibility to take action and lead,” Governor Hochul said. “New York will lead the way in creating the strongest standards in the nation for data center development, ensuring that when companies succeed because of New York, New Yorkers succeed too.”
New York State is experiencing unprecedented growth in demand for data center development driven by artificial intelligence and other computing operations. The increase in demand has led to proposals across the state for the construction and operation of data centers that could require massive amounts of energy and water to run and cool thousands of computer servers.
Earlier this year, the Governor directed the Department of Public Service (DPS) to begin the Energize NY proceeding, which will require data centers to either pay more for their energy or supply their own, allowing the state to keep energy more affordable for New Yorkers. As part of that proceeding, the Governor is now also directing DPS to develop a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for data centers to ensure new data centers coming online are being held to consistent standards. During the development of this GEIS, which will take up to a year, a moratorium will be in place and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will not issue any discretionary permits not already deemed complete. The state will use the GEIS to assess the potential environmental impacts of the construction and operation of data centers in the state, including their effect on energy demand, water use and quality, and air quality. Once the State finalizes these standards, the moratorium will be lifted, allowing new data center projects to proceed as long as they follow state, zoning code and other local approvals.
GONZALEZ ON DATA CENTER MORATORIUM:
New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Chair of the Senate Internet and Technology Committee, joined NY Governor Kathy Hochul to announce a statewide data center moratorium as part of an executive order related to the state’s development of data centers. This EO would establish the first statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data centers in the nation, and create frameworks to address the ratepayer concerns, energy demands, and community impacts of these developments.
The executive order builds off the momentum and public support of Senator Gonzalez’s bill, the Responsible Data Center Development Act (S.10462), comprehensive legislation regulating data center development in New York State. The bill included a one year moratorium on permits for hyperscale facilities (20 megawatts and above) in addition to requiring transparency, public engagement, community benefits, new rate classes for electricity and water usage, and labor protections.
This bill passed as an omnibus bill with bipartisan support and 70+ memos of support, through both houses of the New York State legislature. Assembly member Didi Barrett sponsored the legislation on the Assembly side, and legislators like Senator Liz Krueger and Assembly member Anna Kelles, played notable roles in putting the omnibus bill together.
Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, “Technology should make our lives better, not pollute our water, strain our energy grid, or drive up our utility bills. As the sponsor of the Responsible Data Center Development Act, I have heard from New Yorkers across our state who are concerned about what the rise in large data centers might mean for their communities. With this Executive Order, Governor Hochul is protecting everyday New Yorkers with a first in the nation moratorium on new large data centers. By giving our state the time to plan, we can ensure that development and innovation do not come at the expense of all of us. Thank you to the Governor for her leadership, and thank you to the coalition of environmental justice advocates who have worked tirelessly to put New Yorkers and our environment first.”
GILLIBRAND STATEMENT ON DATA CENTER MORATORIUM:
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement regarding Governor Kathy Hochul’s executive order to implement a one-year pause for hyperscale data centers to assess for environmental impact:
“I applaud Governor Hochul for taking decisive action on data center construction. Today’s executive order sends a clear message New Yorkers deserve a say in how this technology impacts their lives and communities.
“This one-year moratorium is fundamentally about trust. Right now, New Yorkers aren’t convinced these massive facilities benefit them. Before we move forward, our communities need ironclad guarantees that their energy bills won’t spike, their water will be protected, and their air will remain clean.
“At the federal level, my mission is to ensure AI innovation benefits every American, not just a powerful few. That requires establishing clear, reliable rules of the road. We must build a framework that protects our kids from harmful algorithms and social media tools; shields seniors and consumers from AI-driven scams and fraud; and safeguards American jobs and livelihoods from displacement.”
AOC INTRODUCES BILL TO IMPOSE $50 GIFT BAN ON SC JUSTICES:
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced the High Court Gift Ban Act, legislation to close a glaring ethics loophole that allows U.S. Supreme Court Justices to accept lavish gifts from wealthy benefactors and individuals with interests before the Court.
Unlike Members of Congress and executive branch officials—who are all bound by strict gift rules—Supreme Court Justices are not currently bound by any limits on the value of the gifts they can accept. Investigative reporting has shown that some Justices have exploited this loophole, taking in lavish “gifts” from wealthy benefactors and political allies worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars—benefits that, in some cases, look more like payments than presents.
The High Court Gift Ban Act would block Justices from receiving gifts valued at more than $50 in a single instance or more than $100 in aggregate over the course of a year. It would also cap gifts of personal hospitality, like free trips on billionaires’ yachts and private jets, which are currently unregulated. This brings the Supreme Court in line with similar ethical standards governing Members of Congress and Executive Branch officials.
“The Supreme Court is facing a major corruption crisis. As it stands, Supreme Court Justices are accepting gifts from wealthy benefactors and people with special interests before the Court, actively furthering the distrust between working-class Americans and our legal institutions. That is why I am proud to introduce the High Court Gift Ban Act, alongside Congressman Jamie Raskin and Senator Ben Ray Luján, to remove the influence of dark money from our nation’s highest judicial body. We must pass this commonsense proposal to safeguard the sanctity of our legal institutions and democracy,” said Representative Ocasio-Cortez.
The High Court Gift Ban Act was previously introduced by Representative Ocasio-Cortez and Ranking Member Raskin in the 118th Congress.
HOCHUL ANNOUNCES NEW TAX CREDIT PROGRAM:
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of the Semiconductor Manufacturing Workforce Training Incentive Program, designed to connect workforce training programs to careers in the state’s rapidly growing semiconductor industry sector. The new program, administered by Empire State Development, supports eligible semiconductor manufacturers and manufacturing businesses by offsetting the costs of training employees for high-demand manufacturing careers, helping companies build the skilled workforce needed to support continued industry growth across New York State.
“New York is making historic investments to become the nation’s premier destination for semiconductor manufacturing, and that means investing in people just as much as projects,” Governor Hochul said. “This new workforce training tax credit will help manufacturers develop the highly skilled workforce they need while creating new opportunities for New Yorkers to build careers in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.”
The program supports employer-led training that addresses specific business needs, enhances employee skills, improves productivity and creates opportunities for career advancement. Eligible training may be provided directly by employers, third-party providers or New York State Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Tax credits can cover up to 75 percent of eligible training costs, including employee wages during training, curriculum development, instructor costs and qualifying wraparound services, up to $25,000 per employee receiving eligible training. Eligible semiconductor manufacturing businesses may receive up to $5 million in credits over the life of the program, while other eligible manufacturing businesses may receive up to $1 million.
To qualify, businesses must operate in New York State as eligible semiconductor manufacturing or manufacturing businesses, submit an approved workforce training plan before training begins, and demonstrate compliance with worker protection and environmental requirements. Applications are now being accepted through ESD. Additional program information, eligibility requirements and application materials are available here.
AG JAMES SECURES $29 MILLION FROM GLENMARK:
New York Attorney General Letitia James today joined a bipartisan coalition of 48 other attorneys general in securing more than $29 million from Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (Glenmark) for their role in a long running, coordinated scheme with other pharmaceutical companies to artificially inflate generic drug prices and reduce competition. The settlement is part of ongoing multistate lawsuits against dozens of companies that engaged in illegal agreements to coordinate the supply and sale of generic drugs to fix prices and boost profits. The companies in the scheme, some of which increased prices by 1,000 percent, manufactured essential medications to treat diseases ranging from diabetes to cancer to ADHD. Attorney General James is encouraging all New Yorkers who may have faced higher prices to register on the settlement website, check their eligibility, and submit a claim to seek compensation when the claims process begins.
“Affordable generic drugs are a lifeline for New Yorkers with heart conditions, diabetes, and a range of other chronic illnesses,” said Attorney General James. “Glenmark and other companies worked behind the scenes to boost their profits by illegally coordinating to raise drug prices, and now we are getting justice for the consumers who were harmed. I urge any New Yorker who may have been cheated by this scheme to find out if they are eligible for restitution and claim the money they are owed.”
New Yorkers who purchased a generic prescription drug listed here between May 2009 and December 2019 may be eligible for compensation. To determine your eligibility, call 1-866-290-0182 (toll-free), email info@AGGenericDrugs.com, or visit www.AGGenericDrugs.com.
*** CRIME BLOTTER ***
THREE DEFENDANTS SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR DOUGLASTON HOME INVASION:
Defendants, Plus Fourth Man, Pleaded Guilty; One Hostage Fled with Child to Call for Help
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Ryan Dash, Brandon Dash and Oneil Thompson were sentenced for their roles in a violent home invasion robbery. The Dashes and defendant Jone Smith broke into a Douglaston family home in August 2024, brandished weapons and threatened the residents, including a child and an elderly couple, with demands for cash. Thompson drove the trio to the home. All four defendants previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the home takeover.
District Attorney Katz said: “These defendants thought they could violate the tranquility of a family’s home, take their money and evade accountability. If not for the brave mother who escaped with her baby and called for help, they may have succeeded in their plan. Three of the defendants who terrorized this family have now been sentenced to lengthy terms in prison. Our thoughts are with the victims as they continue to recover from the harm inflicted on them.”
Acting Queens Supreme Court Justice Joanne Watters sentenced the following defendants: Brandon Dash, 41, and Ryan Dash, 36, both of Cambria Heights, pleaded guilty in March to kidnapping in the second degree. They were each sentenced today to 15 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision. Oneil Thompson, 46, of Cambria Heights, who pleaded guilty in March to kidnapping in the second degree, was sentenced June 16 to 12 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision. Jone Smith, also known as Conrad Harrigan, 47, of Cambria Heights, pleaded guilty in April to seven counts of kidnapping and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree in satisfaction of the indictment. He is facing a sentence of seven 17-year prison terms and five years post-release supervision and an additional 15 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision with all sentences to be served concurrently. He is due in court July 20.
DA Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, on August 17, 2024, at approximately 2:15 a.m., Thompson drove Smith and brothers Brandon and Ryan Dash in a large white van without license plates to a residence on 247th Street in Douglaston. Smith and the Dashes, all wearing masks, exited the van and two of the defendants entered the home by breaking a front window and then let in the third defendant. One of the defendants entered the homeowners’ bedroom, where the husband and wife and their 1-year-old daughter were sleeping and awakened them at gun point. He demanded to know where the family’s money was kept. The husband was taken into the home’s living room while the two other defendants entered the bedroom with a hammer and crowbar and began searching through drawers. After the two men left the bedroom, the wife and her 1-year-old daughter managed to jump out of a bathroom window and the woman called 911.
In the meantime, the husband was hit on his foot with a hammer when he refused to say where his money was located. He then grabbed cash and handed it to the intruders. At that point, the man’s sister, older daughter and 72-year-old father entered the living room. The defendants held weapons at them and told them to sit down, keep quiet and raise their arms. The defendants brought the four people to the home’s basement at gunpoint and tied up three of them with belts. The homeowner’s 72-year-old mother, who was upstairs, screamed after one of the men punched her in the right eye.
NYPD officers arrived on the scene and surrounded the home. They observed the three defendants climbing out a window at the back of the house. Ryan Dash was arrested behind an adjacent house. Brandon Dash was apprehended shortly thereafter in the driveway of a nearby residence. Smith was arrested at the intersection of 251st Street and the Grand Central Parkway Service Road. At the time he was apprehended, Smith had one of the hostage’s backpacks containing a hammer and more than $20,000 taken from the residence. A .45-caliber semi-automatic firearm loaded with nine rounds of ammunition was later found inside the pantry of the residence.
Thompson abandoned the white van, which was legally registered to him, at the crime scene. Three days after the incident, he attempted to file a stolen vehicle claim for it. Police recovered cell phones, including one belonging to Thompson, and other evidence from the van which linked Thompson to the vehicle during the incident. Thompson was arrested in October 2024.
DRIVER OF CAR IN SHOOTING DEATH OF NYPD DET. DILLER SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON:
Lindy Jones had Loaded Pistol in Glove Box When Guy Rivera Shot Police Officer Diller
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Lindy Jones was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to a weapon possession charge for a 9 mm pistol found in the glove compartment of the car he was driving. Jones was behind the wheel of the vehicle on March 25, 2024, when his passenger, Guy Rivera, shot and killed NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller using a different gun.
District Attorney Katz said: “Lindy Jones made the deliberate decision to possess a loaded, defaced and unregistered firearm in March 2024 as he drove through the streets of Far Rockaway. Tragically, Detective Jonathan Diller was killed in the line of duty when he was shot and killed with another illegal weapon possessed by co-defendant Guy Rivera. The scourge of gun violence is devastating our families and communities. Working with our law enforcement partners, we are united in our efforts to investigate, arrest and prosecute those who bring these dangerous weapons into our neighborhoods. I thank the members of my Homicide Bureau for securing this plea and sparing Detective Diller’s family and friends from having to relive that terrible day again during another trial.”
Jones, 44, of Edgemere, pleaded guilty on June 24 to criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, the top count of the indictment against him. Supreme Court Justice Michael Yavinsky sentenced the defendant today to five years in prison to be followed by five years of post-release supervision. Jones’ codefendant, Guy Rivera, 36, was convicted on April 1 of aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, attempted murder in the first degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree in connection with the killing of Detective Diller and the attempted killing of Sergeant Sasha Rosen and was sentenced to 115 years to life in prison on April 27.
Detective Diller was an officer at the time of his murder and was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective.
District Attorney Katz said that, according to the court and charges, on March 25, 2024, at approximately 5:45 p.m., Jones was walking alongside Rivera when a police sergeant noticed a gun-shaped bulge in the front pocket of Rivera’s sweatshirt. Jones entered the driver’s seat of a 2016 Kia Soul parked in front of 19-19 Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway and Rivera got into the passenger seat. Detective Diller and the other members of his team approached the vehicle. Diller issued numerous commands to Rivera to roll down his window and step out of the vehicle, which Rivera ignored. Jones also refused an order to unlock the vehicle and another officer reached into the car through an open window and unlocked the doors from the driver’s side control panel. Detective Diller then opened the passenger side door and instructed Rivera to exit the vehicle. Instead of stepping out from the vehicle, Rivera reached into his pocket with his right hand, ignored repeated commands to stop, drew a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol and fired at Detective Diller, killing him. After shooting Detective Diller, Rivera pointed his gun directly at Sergeant Rosen’s chest and pulled the trigger, but the gun jammed.
Jones and Rivera were apprehended at the scene immediately following the shooting.
The next day, as part of an ongoing investigation, members of the Queens District Attorney’s office and the 101st Police Precinct obtained a court-authorized search warrant for the car. During the warrant search, police discovered a loaded 9 mm pistol inside the glove compartment. The firearm was defaced, with the serial number scratched off.
DEFENDANT SENTENCED TO 55 YEARS TO LIFE:
Richard Dixon Shot Intended Target in Face and Killed Accomplice Raymond Francis During Chaotic Parking Lot Shootout
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Richard Dixon was sentenced to 55 years to life in prison for the June 2022 murder of his accomplice, Raymond Francis, whom he fired upon after shooting past one of the individuals he was pursuing. The incident also resulted in multiple gunshot wounds to the two intended victims. The defendant and the first intended victim grew up together in adjacent neighborhoods in the country of Jamaica.
District Attorney Katz said: “Richard Dixon used a military-grade assault weapon to turn a public parking lot in Ozone Park into a genuine war zone. He ambushed two people in that parking lot and fired at them, seriously wounding each man. He then shot and killed his own accomplice with a bullet meant for one of his targets. The defendant will now serve 55 years to life in prison for the extreme act of violence he visited upon this county, and for the devastation he has inflicted on multiple families.”
Dixon, 35, of Laurelton, was convicted by a jury in May of murder in the second degree, and two counts each of attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. Queens Acting Supreme Court Justice Gia Morris sentenced the defendant Tuesday to 25 years to life for the murder and 15 years for each attempted murder count, to be served consecutively.
District Attorney Katz said that, according to the charges and trial testimony, on June 19, 2022, at approximately 5 a.m., Dixon and Francis walked into a parking lot off Cross Bay Boulevard in Ozone Park. Dixon was holding an AR-style assault weapon and Francis had a .40-caliber pistol. The pair approached their two intended targets who had just left a party and were waiting by their respective vehicles because another car was blocking them from leaving. Dixon pointed the assault weapon at one of the victims and shot him in the face, taking off approximately half of his jaw. Dixon continued following and firing mercilessly at the victim, shooting him in the back, as he crawled for his life behind his car.
The second victim then took out a registered 9 mm pistol and began firing at Dixon. Dixon fired back at the second victim who fell backward into his own car. Dixon immediately fired again in the direction where the second victim had been standing. That bullet, however, struck and ultimately killed his accomplice, Francis, instead. Dixon fled from the scene in a vehicle later determined to be registered to his wife.
Following the shootout, emergency responders found 38-year-old Francis unresponsive and collapsed atop his .40-caliber pistol. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital from a gunshot wound to his lower abdomen. The first intended victim, who suffered extensive gunshot injuries to his face and upper back, was taken to a different hospital for emergency treatment. The second victim was treated at a third hospital for gunshot wounds to his leg.
Dixon showed up at a Nassau County hospital seeking attention for multiple gunshot injuries, including to the leg, groin, buttocks and knee. He made a false report about having been shot in Baisley Pond Park. The NYPD detectives who initially interviewed the defendant quickly determined that no shooting took place in Baisley Pond Park that day.
The investigators re-interviewed Dixon at which point the defendant admitted to having been shot on Cross Bay Boulevard in Ozone Park. Based upon additional investigation involving the defendant’s cell phone, vehicle, and DNA analysis of a backpack the defendant left behind on scene prior to committing the shooting, Dixon was determined to be the shooter who killed Francis and injured the two others.
FORMER FIREFIGHTER SENTENCED TO 4 TO 12 YEARS:
Defendant Pleaded Guilty to High-Speed Collision on Northern Boulevard that Killed 23-year-old Justin Diaz
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that former FDNY firefighter Michael Pena was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison for the death of 23-year-old Justin Diaz in February 2025. Pena, who was off duty, was driving while intoxicated when he sped through an intersection and slammed his Mercedes-Benz into Diaz’s car in East Elmhurst as the victim drove to work.
DA Katz said: “Michael Pena disregarded the laws of our roads and killed an innocent young man as he traveled to work. Pena’s actions have saddled the family and friends of Justin Diaz with a lifetime of grief. This sentence will not balance the loss of the victim’s life, but we hope it provides a measure of solace for his loved ones as they continue to mourn his completely senseless loss.”
Pena, 29, of Oakland Gardens, pleaded guilty on July 1 to manslaughter in the second degree and vehicular manslaughter in the second degree before Supreme Court Justice Michael Hartofilis who sentenced him today to four to 12 years in prison on the manslaughter charge and 2 1/3 to seven years on the vehicular manslaughter charge, to run concurrently.
DA Katz said, according to the charges and the indictment, on February 26, 2025, at approximately 4:15 a.m., Pena was driving eastbound on Northern Boulevard in a silver Mercedes S63 Coupe. Without slowing or stopping, the defendant went past a steady red light at 107th Street at approximately 83 mph in a 25-mph zone. He crashed into the driver’s side of a purple BMW operated by Justin Diaz, who was on his way to work at LaGuardia Airport and was driving through the intersection with the green light in his favor. Following the crash, Diaz was taken to a local hospital with severe trauma and was pronounced dead as the result of his injuries.
Pena stayed at the scene where a police officer observed a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, watery eyes, slurred speech and he was unsteady on his feet. A court ordered blood test indicated that Pena had a blood alcohol content of .17 at the time of the collision, which is above the legal threshold of .08 percent. He also had cocaine and marijuana in his system.
FOREST HILLS MAN SENTENCED TO 19 YEARS IN PRISON:
Employee Suffered Traumatic Brain Injury and Lives with Cognitive Impairments Since Attack
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Osvel Diaz was sentenced to 19 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted murder and other crimes in the June 2024 beating of a 62-year-old deli worker inside the Sunnyside Mini Market in Woodside. The victim was viciously assaulted by the defendant until he was unconscious.
District Attorney Katz said: “A 62-year-old man, who was simply working in a Woodside bodega, was relentlessly pummeled by this defendant in an unprovoked attack. Osvel Diaz nearly killed Abdul Alshawish and left the employee with lifelong injuries. I thank my prosecutors for securing this lengthy sentence against the defendant and wish Mr. Alshawish the very best as he continues to recover from this senseless assault.”
Diaz, 31, of Forest Hills, pleaded guilty last month to attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of assault in the first degree, petit larceny and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Queens Supreme Court Justice John Zoll on Thursday sentenced Diaz to 19 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision.
District Attorney Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, on June 17, 2024, at approximately 11:17 p.m., Diaz entered the Sunnyside Mini Mart at 63-20 Broadway. He and deli worker Abdul Alshawish, who was standing in front of the counter, bumped into one another. Seconds later, Diaz began punching Alshawish multiple times in the head. Diaz threw Alshawish to the ground and repeatedly punched and kicked him in the face, body and head. While the victim was on the floor, Diaz continued to kick him in the head and knocked Alshawish unconscious. The defendant did not stop the assault and continued to kick Alshawish in the head and face. As a result of the incident, Alshawish underwent multiple surgeries and was diagnosed with a moderate traumatic brain injury and cognitive impairments.
Diaz was apprehended on June 26, 2024, in Forest Hills.
—With contributions by Augusta Luger
This column was originated by John A. Toscano.