Ohio and New Jersey Men Involved in Creating Monkey Torture Videos (2024)

Stafford County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a reckless driver on Chestnut Hill Drive on June 19, 2024, at 3:02 p.m. First Sergeant D.F. Purcell Jr. and Deputy D.J. Ferrell were notified by a caller about a white Jeep with a Connecticut license plate repeatedly driving into the curb.

Upon locating the vehicle, deputies observed it swerving and initiated a traffic stop. The driver, who was en route to Florida, disclosed that he had been drinking continuously for the past ten days. Signs of intoxication were evident, and notably, two children were present in the vehicle at the time.

The driver was arrested and charged with driving under the influence along with two counts of child neglect. He is currently held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $2,000 secured bond.

The name of the driver was not released by police.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reported a disturbance at the Giant grocery store located at 550 Celebrate Virginia Parkway on June 19, 2024, at 10:48 a.m. Deputies F.A. Martinez and A. De Hoyos were dispatched to the scene following reports of a customer arguing with staff and refusing to leave the premises.

Upon arrival, deputies encountered the suspect who initially provided a false identity. After further investigation, his true identity was confirmed, revealing that he was wanted on outstanding warrants from Fredericksburg. The suspect attempted to escape custody but was unsuccessful.

He was subsequently charged with providing a false identity to law enforcement and obstruction of justice. Following the arrest, he was also served with his outstanding warrants and is now being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $500 secured bond.

White Plains, NY – Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah and Westchester County Department of Correction Commissioner Joseph K. Spano announced the arraignment of several correction officers and civilian employees on charges of accepting bribe payments and smuggling contraband into Westchester County Jail in Valhalla.

The individuals charged include:

• Peter Cumberbatch, 39, of New Rochelle, a Westchester County correction officer, charged with Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree (felony) and Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree (misdemeanor) for accepting an $800 payment in March 2023.
• Shakia Smythe, 32, of Peekskill, a Westchester County correction officer, charged with two counts of Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree and Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree for accepting over $500 in payments between June and August 2022.
• Wilfredo Gonzague, 36, of Briarcliff Manor, a former correction officer, charged with three counts of Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree and two counts of Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree for accepting over $2,000 in payments between September 2022 and February 2023.
• Sadari Holt, 30, of the Bronx, a former commissary service employee, charged with five counts of Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree and five counts of Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree for accepting over $1,500 in payments between December 2021 and April 2022.
• Shardae Moore, 35, of Yonkers, a former commissary service employee, charged with Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree for accepting a $500 payment in December 2023.

Additionally, Sean Rogers, 40, of Mount Vernon, a civilian jailor with the Mount Vernon Police Department, was charged with Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree. He allegedly delivered three cylindrical objects containing a leafy substance to an incarcerated individual on March 11 and was arraigned on June 3.

DA Rocah stated, “These defendants put their own interests above the safety of incarcerated individuals, employees, civilians, and other correction officers. Our jails become less safe when correction officers and others in positions of public trust accept bribes to smuggle in contraband.”

Commissioner Spano added, “The involved correction officers have disgraced the shield that they once wore and violated the trust we put in them to uphold the law and work with integrity.”

The defendants were arraigned on June 20 in Mount Pleasant Justice Court. Investigations and arrests were conducted by the DA’s Office Criminal Investigators Squad. The Westchester County Department of Correction has suspended or terminated the involved individuals and revoked the security clearances of the former employees.

Suffolk County, NY – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Matthew Esposito, 50, of Miller Place, has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison following his conviction for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and other charges.

“We will not tolerate attacks on those who protect and serve,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that our streets belong to law-abiding citizens, not to criminals who disregard our laws and attack police officers working to keep our communities safe.”

The trial evidence revealed that on September 9, 2022, Suffolk Police responded to a shooting report at the Bellport train station. Two officers from the Emergency Services Section located Esposito emerging from the woods near the station. Esposito hid behind a parked car, where officers found a pistol. When they attempted to arrest him, Esposito resisted and attacked the officers.

Both officers sustained injuries during the arrest but managed to apprehend Esposito. One officer suffered a concussion, a head laceration, and a torn quadricep muscle, while the other broke three wrist bones, tore a wrist ligament, and sprained a shoulder. Officers recovered a high-capacity magazine from Esposito’s pocket, matching the one in the loaded pistol found under the car.

On April 2, 2024, Esposito was convicted by a jury before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei on the following charges:

• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class C violent felony)
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class D felony)
• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class D violent felony)
• Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree (Class D violent felony)
• One count of Resisting Arrest (Class A misdemeanor)

Esposito has a prior criminal history, including a 1993 conviction for Criminally Negligent Homicide and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. He was later convicted in 1998 of Assault in the First Degree and five other felonies, serving 12 years in prison.

Esposito’s sentence underscores the commitment to ensuring the safety of law enforcement officers and the community.

Utica Police released details about a shooting at the intersection of Whitesboro Street and Winner Avenue where a male was repeatedly struck by gunfire. The incident was initially reported on June 18th.

Early in the investigation, authorities developed information regarding a suspect. The following day, Randy Reyes, a 19-year-old from Rome, NY, was arrested by the NY/NJ US Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force, alongside the Utica Police Department Patrol Division.

Reyes has been charged by investigators from the Major Crimes Unit with attempted murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

On June 19th, 2024, at approximately 10:10 p.m., Wilkes-Barre City Police responded to a trespassing and theft incident at a business located at 404 South Main Street. Brian Garcia, 25, from Hazle Township, PA, was arrested following the incident.

According to store employees, Garcia refused to leave the premises after being informed that the business was closing. The employees, feeling threatened by Garcia's behavior, vacated the store and contacted the police. Garcia subsequently locked the entry doors and began placing several items into his pockets.

Police arrived at the scene and entered the business, taking Garcia into custody without further incident.