THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | MARCH 24, 2022

VOL. 21 • NUMBER 11 • MARCH 24, 2022

WILD CHILD Boy, 16, Charged in Vicious

Stabbing Incident outside John Adams HS

See story on page 2

The teen, whose name was not released due to his status as a juvenile, was arrested Monday along with a 20-year-old woman from Ozone Park.

Photo Courtesy of NYPD

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 11 • MARCH 24 2022 | 1

Ozone Park Woman and Teen Boy Charged in Brutal Knife Attack outside John Adams HS

By Michael V. Cusenza An Ozone Park woman and 16-year-old boy have been charged with allegedly hitting and stabbing two teenagers on Rockaway Boulevard last week. The teens sought refuge inside John Adams High School, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Tuesday.

Jamia Dean, 20, was arraigned Monday night on a 12-count complaint charging her with two counts of attempted murder, nine counts of assault in the first, second and third degree and one count of crimi-

nal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

According to the charges, at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 15, Dean and the juvenile were dressed in black attire when they allegedly approached two teenagers in front of Adams HS on Rockaway Boulevard. The juvenile said “What’s up?” to the 16-year-old victim then punched him multiple times in the face while the defendant pulled the victim’s hair. Dean continued to pull the hair of the first victim as the juvenile produced a knife and stabbed the boy causing deep

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola

Cops and community officials, including Councilwoman Joann Ariola ( far l.), quickly responded to John Adams HS last Tuesday.

lacerations to his back and leg. The second teenager, a 17-year-old accompanying the victim, attempted to intervene in the attack by jumping onto the juvenile. Dean then pulled the second victim’s hair as the juvenile punched and stabbed him. The two victims were able to escape Dean and her teen partner. Both victims fled into nearby John Adams High School seeking help.

The victims were transported to an area hospital where they were admitted for medical attention.

The 16-year-old victim had a stab wound to his back and a large laceration on one leg. He required a chest tube, sustained injury to his right lung and was admitted to the hospital for three days. The 17-year-old victim sustained seven laceration wounds to his torso, back, arm and hip including a six-inch deep wound that injured his spleen. He underwent two surgeries to his spleen and elbow and was admitted to the hospital for five days after life-threatening blood loss.

Following the attack, according to video surveillance footage, Dean and juvenile wearing black clothing headed west on Rockaway Boulevard. Both were later captured on video surveillance footage at another location near 102nd Street removing black clothing and discarding items into a trash receptacle.

Photo Courtesy of NYPD

A wanted poster featuring a screenshot of the juvenile before he was captured Monday.

“This defendant and a juvenile allegedly committed a violent attack, which is particularly brazen, in front of one of our high schools. The two teenaged victims that were stabbed were gravely wounded,” Katz said. “We will not tolerate this kind of violence and the defendants will be held accountable for their alleged actions.”

If convicted, Dean faces up to 25 years in prison. The 16-year-old’s possible punishment was unclear.

Addabbo Co-Sponsors Bills Aimed at Addressing Helicopters Flying over Area Neighborhoods

Photo Courtesy of Uber

The introduction of Uber Copter in 2019 — an initiative by the ride-sharing company Uber to offer helicopter rides between Manhattan and John F. Kennedy International Airport — has increased the number of helicopters flying over residential neighborhoods.

By Forum Staff Many area residents recently have been dealing with an increase in helicopter activity, which is why State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) said he’s co-sponsoring four pieces of legislation aimed at regulating helicopters in the Empire State.

While aircraft noise is expected in areas neighboring an airport, the introduction of Uber Copter in 2019 — an initiative by the ride-sharing company Uber to offer helicopter rides between Manhat-

tan and John F. Kennedy International Airport — has increased the number of helicopters flying over residential neighborhoods leading to more noise and air pollution in those communities.

“I’ve heard from many frustrated constituents asking if we can do anything about the growing helicopter noise in their communities,” Addabbo said.

“While much of the responsibility to regulate aircraft falls to the federal government through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there are steps we can take on the State level related to the operation of

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helicopters within New York.”

The first piece of legislation co-sponsored by Addabbo is S.7493, which would allow a person who has suffered interference with the use and enjoyment of private property or public parkland by a rotorcraft used in a manner that creates an unreasonable level of noise at ground level to have a right of action against that person who caused or contributed to the use of such rotorcraft in such manner. It also focuses on the use of certain heliports in the city of New York, and it relates to the granting of certain franchises, consents and concessions connected to the use of certain heliports as well.

The second bill is S.3930, if passed into law would require helicopter pilots to have completed a helicopter safety and risk management training course utilizing a flight simulator training device certified by either the FAA or the European Aviation Safety Agency before operating a helicopter within the state.

Bill S.3911 requires a notice to be provided when selling a helicopter. That notice would contain all incidents reported within the past 10 years by the National Transportation Safety Bureau or the FAA involving the make and model, or a substantially similar make and model, of such helicopter.

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo

“It is our hope in the State Legislature that these measures, if passed into law, will alleviate some of the issues pertaining to the increase of helicopters flying over our local communities, and to make them safer for the pilots and passengers,” Sen. Addabbo said.

The fourth bill Addabbo is cosponsoring is S.3604. This bill would require helicopters be equipped with flight recorders, cockpit voice recorders and terrain awareness and warning systems.

“There are studies that show that these helicopters are adding to the city’s air pollution through more carbon emissions, as well as noise pollution for the communities in their flight path,” Addabbo explained. “It is our hope in the State Legislature that these measures, if passed into law, will alleviate some of the issues pertaining to the increase of helicopters flying over our local communities, and to make them safer for the pilots and passengers.”

Adams Lifts Mask Mandate for 2- to 4-year-olds

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“I’m going to make the right decisions for our city, so our children are safe, our families are safe, and we can get our city back up and operating ,” Mayor Adams said.

By Michael V. Cusenza If COVID numbers continue to show a low level of r isk mask s w i l l be optional for 2- to 4-year-old students in schools and in daycare star ting A pr i l 4, Mayor Er ic Adams announced Tuesday. “ We are continuing our ser ious mo ment of peeling back the mask of f the faces of our people as we star t the process of getting our c it y real ly back to the level of nor malit y that I am going to do in a ver y safe and a ver y strateg ic way so that we can get the c it y up and operating w ith no rever t ing back to the days w hen COVI D control led our lives. I always stated that we were going to fol low the numbers and fol low the sc ience,” Adams said . “So we want to see our babies’ faces. I said thi s over and over again. But the enthusiasm of seeing our babies' faces, speak ing w ith parents in the street—I kept and w i l l cont inue to say we have to do thi s r ight and get thi s r ight. A nd our chi ldren want to see the faces of their loved ones. Ever y cal l that I receive f rom parents of t wo to four-years -old s, they say, ‘Can you do it r ight away ?’ I get another cal l f rom parents w ho are in school or daycare w ith the chi ldren say ing , ‘Can you please don' t do it.’ So let ’s not think that thi s arg ument or thi s conversation i s one- sided . It i s not.

We’re getting a large number of parents

Stop worrying. Start doing.

that are say ing please don' t take the mask of f the chi ldren in school . We’re gett ing a large number that i s say ing , ‘Please take the mask of f.’ So the only way you do it r ight i s to fol low the sc ience and fol low the numbers. A nd that i s w hat we're doing.

It takes a lot of di sc ipline to do so because thi s i s a c it y w here New Yorkers are not af raid to tel l you w hat they think about you . A nd so you have to be w i l ling to be thick- sk inned enough to do w hat 's r ight for thi s c it y. A nd so since we removed the mask mandate for K-12 students, our percent of posit iv it y has remained low, w hich i s a great sign that we are mov ing at the r ight pace and doing the r ight thing. A nd so now it 's t ime to peel back another layer in thi s ent ire initiat ive.

“Many of you have heard the opinions on this conversation,” Adams added. “But we have to get it r ight. And it ’s imperative that we do so. I can’t have my cit y and our cit y closed dow n again. I cannot see the real issues around our chi ldren dealing w ith a hospitalization. We’ve had this uncer taint y, and the most pr udent, thoughtf ul, meticulous indiv iduals w ho are moving at the r ight pace, histor y is going to be kind to. And I’m going to be among them because I’m going to make the r ight decisions for our cit y, so our chi ldren are safe, our fami lies are safe, and we can get our cit y back up and operating.”

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 11 • MARCH 24 2022 | 3

MS-13 Gang Members Charged with Murder of Far Rockaway Mom

By Forum Staff

On Tuesday, a superseding indictment was unsealed in federal court in Central Islip charging 11 members of the violent transnational criminal organization La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS13, with racketeering conspiracy, including predicate racketeering acts involving murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery, witness tampering and witness retaliation, and related narcotics and firearms offenses.

Four of the defendants were charged with committing the April 11, 2021 murder of Nazareth Claure in Far Rockaway, whose body was recovered from the trunk of a car.

Three of the defendants – Onan GarciaLopez, also known as “Demente,” David Alberto Orantez-Gonzalez, also known as “Carlos Rodriguez-Gonzalez” and “Casper,” and Carlos Torres-Alfaro, also known as “Solitario,” – were arrested Tuesday.

The other eight defendants, Billy AyalaPineda, also known as “Berdugo,” and Wilian Estiven Sanchez-Perez, also known as “Maniako,” who were charged in the underlying indictment, and Anander HenriquezAvila, also known as “Cara Papa” and “El Papa,” Allan Lopez-Villeda, also known as “Serio,” and “Casper,” Carlos Ramirez-Portillo, also known as “Chino” and “Siniestro,” Jose Sarmiento-Valeriano, also known

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of NY

“The significant federal charges in the superseding indictment, including the brutal murder of a mother whose body was wrapped in trash bags, underscores the cruel depravity and senseless violence of the MS-13 gang,” Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Peace said.

as “David,” Henry Vasquez-Padilla, also known as “Trece,” Rigel Yohario VelasquezMancia, also known as “E,” were already in federal and state custody.

As alleged in the superseding indictment, Ayala-Pineda, who was charged in the underlying indictment and arrested on December 15, 2021, was the highestranking member (or “First Word”) of the Surenos Locos Salvatruchas (“SLS”) clique operating in Queens and Long Island. Ayala-Pineda directed the SLS clique’s drug trafficking activity, acts of violence committed against rival gang members and against

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members and associates of the gang who Ayala-Pineda deemed to have been disloyal to the gang, and the SLS clique’s acquisition of firearms. The other ten defendants all were members and associates of the MS13 and involved in trafficking narcotics and committing acts of violence in furtherance of the gang’s objectives in conjunction with the SLS clique.

All 11 defendants are charged with racketeering conspiracy for their participation in MS-13 crimes, including murder, robbery, witness tampering, witness retaliation, drug trafficking, and related con-

spiracy, attempt and firearms offenses. In addition, Henriquez-Avila, Lopez-Villeda, Sarmiento-Valeriano, and Velasquez-Mancia, are charged with the murder of Claure, on or about April 11, 2021 in Queens.

Claure was deemed to have disrespected MS-13 and was brutally murdered with a machete.

In the early morning hours of April 13, 2021, Lopez-Villeda, Sarmiento-Valeriano, and Velasquez-Mancia were pulled over during a car stop by the NYPD and HSI in Queens, New York. Ms. Claure’s body was discovered in the trunk of the car wrapped in trash bags. In addition to the murder, the Indictment charges all the defendants with conspiring to distribute cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana, as well as their use and possession of firearms in furtherance of their narcotics trafficking. These charges stem from the MS-13 clique’s street-level sales of narcotics on Long Island, the proceeds of which were used to help finance the MS-13’s criminal operations, which is evidenced by financial records of money sent back to El Salvador and Mexico.

“The significant federal charges in the superseding indictment, including the brutal murder of a mother whose body was wrapped in trash bags, underscores the cruel depravity and senseless violence of the MS-13 gang,” Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said.

Keep Dangerous Items out of Kids’ Reach: ACS

Photo Courtesy of Columbia University

“Parents and caregivers have the power to prevent unintentional poisoning by keeping medicines, drugs and dangerous household items stored out of reach of our youngest New Yorkers” said City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan.

By Forum Staff In recognition of March 20-26 as “National Poison Prevention Awareness Week,” the NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS) Office of Child Safety and Injury Prevention is urging parents and caregivers to safely store medication, cannabis edibles and other potentially dangerous household items out of children’s reach. In an effort to help prevent unintentional injuries among children, ACS will highlight a medicine safety campaign as part of its commitment to children, youth and families. The campaign will include an animated safety video to help caregivers understand the risks to children and strategies for preventing unintentional consumption of dangerous medication and products.

“Parents and caregivers have the power to prevent unintentional poisoning by keeping medicines, drugs and dangerous household items stored out of reach of our youngest New Yorkers” said City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “If you or someone you know has been potentially exposed and is alert, our NYC Poison Control Center is standing by 24/7 to take your call.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 60,000 children go to the emergency room every year after getting into medicines. Parents should ensure all prescription medications are stored out of sight and out of reach of children, make sure medications have child-proof lids, and educate children about medicines and why a parent, caregiver or a trusted adult must be the one to give it to them. Never tell children medicines tastes like candy or gum to get them to take it. In the event of accidental swallowing, call the NYC Poison Control Center and, in case of emergency, call 911 immediately.

In 2021, ACS created a brand-new office, The Office of Child Safety and Injury Prevention, which supports ongoing work to keep children safe through public awareness campaigns, trainings, and concrete support around injury prevention. This work includes promoting safe storage of prescription medications, potentially dangerous household items and, most recently, accidental ingestion of cannabis edibles, which can look identical to typical desserts, candies and chocolate bars. Parents should know the importance of storing these items “up and away” and out of sight and out of reach of children.

For more information contact the NYC Poison Control Center at 212-POISONS (212-764-7667).

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

YOUR COMMUNITY PHARMACY: We're here for the future We've noticed that many of our customers are expressing concern over the future of community pharmacies. Folks are genuinely concerned with the feasibility of our survival. Their concerns stem from the struggle against chain drug stores and the surging online presence of Internet giants, suddenly so taken with dabbling in pharmaceuticals.

What can be difficult for some customers to perceive, is that pharmacists operating community pharmacies, do so with a level of dedication and commitment which can never be matched by chains or online competitors.

For many, owning a business is primarily tied to one concept–earning money.

But for us, that is a consideration which naturally holds a place within the practical realm of life, but is relatively small when weighed against the bigger picture–– the health and well being of our customers and their entire families.

Owning a community pharmacy and serving the population at large is not merely a business. It is a pledge–to provide the best, most comprehensive care in dispensing medications, monitoring progress and constantly making sure every "i" has been dotted and every "t" crossed. It is a promise–to go to whatever extent we must, to make sure you feel secure with us managing such a critical aspect of everyday life. But most of all, it is a privilege to be entrusted with maintaining the standard of health care that saves lives and protects families.

With the advances of the medical com-

munity steering the pharmacy segment of health care to be directly involved in a patients medical care, our roles have become greatly expanded. Our responsibility has increased tremendously.

There is no denying that the competition of big retailers, shrinking profit margins, the ever decreasing reimbursement schedules from insurance providers– accompanied by consistent increase of various fees from one in the same– and the advent of online drug sales, all contribute to painting a less than a bright horizon.

But the somewhat intangible factor, that can go unnoticed, is the thing that will help bolster and maintain the community pharmacy in its present state, for the foreseeable future.

Very simply, it is the fact that you, our customers and patients, recognize the fact that we are not just the people who count pills and put them in bottles for you. We are the people that carefully note every detail of what you need to make sure you get the maximum benefit from your medication. We are the people who know your names and ask how your kids and grand kids are. We are the people who answer your questions and call to check on you.

We are the people you trust with your lives. We are the friendly faces and the personalized service you'll not find behind the counters of the state of the art, impersonal chain stores or staring back at you from a glaring computer screen. We are your community pharmacists. And we are not going anywhere!

Until next week!

For your family’s prescription needs, please call

CROSS BAY CHEMIST at 718-659-9500 or 718-880-1644 157-02 Cross Bay Blvd. in Howard Beach: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm. Sat-Sun 9am-7pm. or 96-05 101st Ave. in Ozone Park: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm. Sunday: Closed.

Councilwoman, Cops Work Together on Parking Problem

After receiving myriad complaints from staff at MS 202 and Goddard High School of Communication Arts and Technology regarding commercial vehicles taking up parking spots near the Ozone Park schools, City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (ROzone Park) reached out to the 106th Precinct for a solution to the persistent problem.

Cops on Friday ticketed, booted and towed numerous large trucks parked in residential areas.

“As a reminder: You cannot park a commercial vehicle on a residential street between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.,” 106 Commanding Officer, Capt. Jerome Bacchi, said.

Ariola thanked the 106 “for working with our office to resolve the matter.

“Freight and labor trucking companies must stop parking illegally and using our communities as junk yards and parking lots,” the councilwoman added.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Elsa Olofsson

Parents should know the importance of storing items such as cannabis edibles “up and away” and out of sight and out of reach of children.

Photos Courtesy of NYPD

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 11 • MARCH 24 2022 | 5

Son of Asian Woman who Died after being Attacked in Corona Arrives in NY for Funeral

GuiYing Ma’s son Yang Gao, his father Zhanxin Gao, a translator, and Rep. Meng.

By Forum Staff Congresswoman Grace Meng (DFlushing) on Sunday joined the son of GuiYing Ma in Flushing as he talked about his mother’s death and arriving in New York from China to attend her funeral.

Ma is the borough resident who died last month after she was attacked with a rock in November while sweeping the sidewalk next to her Corona home. Last Monday, Meng and Rep. Alexandria

Photo Courtesy of Rep. Meng

Ocasio-Cortez (D-Jackson Heights and Bronx) helped secure a visa for her son, Yang Gao, so that he could enter the U.S. for the funeral, and provide emotional and physical support to his father. Her son arrived in Queens over the weekend. The funeral is scheduled to be held in Flushing on Saturday, March 26.

Ma, 62, died on Feb. 22. She was struck in the head with a rock on Nov. 26 while she was sweeping and had been at Elmhurst Hospital since the assault took place.

She died just weeks after waking up from

GuiYing Ma died in Elmhurst Hospital in February.

a coma. The suspect has been arrested and indicted for the crime. The incident is being reinvestigated as a possible hate crime, NYPD officials said.

Ma’s son’s visa application was approved after Meng and Ocasio-Cortez intervened with the U.S. State Department following the family’s request for assistance. Meng joined Ma’s husband Zhanxin Gao and the family’s pro bono attorneys on March 1 to announce her death, and also called for continued efforts to combat the rise in antiAsian hate and violence.

Photo Courtesy of Google

“I cannot imagine the pain and agony that GuiYing Ma’s loved ones are going through,” Meng said. “This was such a horrifying and senseless crime and my heart continues to ache for them. I’m pleased to have been helpful in obtaining her son’s visa so that he and his father can be together at this difficult time. The heinous attacks that we continue to see against those of Asian descent, several of which have resulted in deaths, are despicable, unconscionable and disgusting.

They must end at once.”

Manhattan Man Sentenced to 18 Years-to-Life in Prison for Robbery and Hate Crime

The attack occurred on a platform at the Jamaica LIRR station.

By Forum Staff

Photo Courtesy of Google

jury trial. Queens Supreme Court Justice John Zoll, who presided at trial, sentenced Carroll to a term of 18 yearsto-life in prison as a persistent felony offender. Carroll’s criminal history includes a 2000 conviction for attempted robbery of a 15-year-old and a 2003 conviction for the attempted aggravated assault of a police officer who approached him as he panhandled in the subway. When the cop asked him for identification, Carroll

A Manhattan man has been sentenced to 18 years-to-life in prison for the July 2020 attack of a doctor on a Long Island Rail Road platform in Jamaica, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Saturday.

Kevin Carroll, 39, was found guilty of robbery in the second degree and aggravated harassment in the second degree, a hate crime, following a two-week-long 6 MARCH 24, 2022 • Number 11 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

body-slammed her onto the platform and tried to shove her onto the tracks as a train entered the station.

According to trial testimony, on July 22, 2020, at approximately 7:20 p.m., Carroll approached the victim, a 40-year-old doctor, who was standing on the platform of the LIRR Jamaica train station and asked him for a dollar. When the victim replied that he did not have a dollar, Carroll became angry and threw a water bottle at him before temporarily leaving the area. Moments later, Carroll returned telling the victim that he found a dollar and threw it at the victim. Carroll then launched a verbal harangue yelling homophobic slurs at the victim and then punched him in the face.

The victim fell to the train platform where he lost consciousness. Carroll took the victim’s cell phone and his gym bag and then fled the scene. Video surveillance at the station captured Carroll’s movements minutes before the attack as well as afterwards.

The victim suffered a permanent injury to one of his retinas due to the incident.

Carroll was arrested two days later on

Photo Courtesy of DA Katz

“Hate has no place in Queens,” DA Katz said.

another matter and was identified by the arresting officer after viewing the surveillance video from the LIRR station.

“Our office successfully prosecuted the defendant after he targeted a man waiting for a train at the Long Island Railroad Jamaica train station in July 2020 and hurled homophobic insults and slurs and then robbed the victim,” Katz said. “Hate has no place in Queens.”

Scholars’ Academy Takes Hoops Title

Photo Courtesy of City Councilwoman Joann Ariola

The Scholars’ Academy boys squad won the Public School AthHard work on the hardwood paid letic Leag ue “B” Div ision champioff last weekend for one Rockaway Park onship.

Congratulations Seawolves! school’s basketball team.

By Forum Staff

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Beauty and the Beach: Residents Take Matters into Their Own Hands and Clean-up the Community

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

The volunteers are all smiles on Sunday in front of the Sept. 11th Memorial Mural.

By Michael V. Cusenza Area residents joined forces on Sunday to help beautify several spots across Howard Beach, including the underpass on 84th Street between 157th Avenue and Shore

Parkway that The Forum reported on in its most recent edition.

Eddie Earl’s “Howard Beach 11414” and the “Team up to Clean Up” crew filled bag after bag with food scraps left for pigeons and illegally dumped garbage. The

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

“Howard Beach 11414” volunteer Connie D’Andrea contributes to the clean-up effort on Sunday.

Even the pigeons marveled at the beautified underpass.

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

Dozens of garbage bags were filled at the site.

underpass’s sidewalk and roadway gleamed after it was power-washed.

“Eddie doesn’t just talk about making things nice—he does the work,” Howard Beach resident Connie D’Andrea noted of Earl.

Asked why she was out on a dazzling Sunday morning picking up garbage, D’Andrea answered, “Because I want to keep Howard Beach clean and beautiful, and make sure it returns to the clean and beautiful place it once was.”

The underpass’s sidewalk and roadway were power-washed.

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

Melissa Orlando (l. to r.), Gina Barillaro, and Lauren Jaeger at the site on Sunday.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 11 • MARCH 24 2022 | 9

Borough Men Indicted for Pimping Teen Girls Feb. 2, drove the girls to the Flushing Hotel and allegedly paid for a room and left the two there to have sex in exchange for money with male customers.

The following day, an undercover cop responded to one of the many online advertisements for the two teens. He went to the hotel and made a verbal agreement with the 13-year-old for sex in exchange for money. Other officers then moved in and rescued both girls from the Flushing Hotel

The victims were rescued from the Flushing Hotel.

By Forum Staff Two Queens residents have been indicted for pimping the same two teenage girls—a 13-year-old and a 16-year-old— between November 2021 and February 2022, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday.

Mario Serrano, 23, of Fresh Meadows, and Shaquille Lopez, 23, of Corona, were arraigned last Wednesday on an indictment charging them with sex trafficking of

room.

“The victims in this case were just 13 and 16 years old when these two defendants allegedly offered the girls for sex in online advertisements and then lined their own pockets with the cash the two teens were paid to have sex,” Katz said. “Both men are now charged with very serious crimes for their alleged actions.”

If convicted, Serrano and Lopez face up to 25 years in prison.

Photo Courtesy of Google

a child, promoting prostitution in the first, second and third degree, and endangering the welfare of a child.

According to the charges, Serrano and Lopez drove the victims to various hotels, rented rooms at these establishments, and then left the underage girls there to engage in sex for money with customers. The older teen collected the cash and allegedly gave the proceeds to Serrano and Lopez.

DA Katz said that Lopez, who was an ex-boyfriend of the 16-year-old victim, on Queens DA Katz said that Serrano and Lopez “are now charged with very serious crimes…”

File Photo

ACS Announces Nine Awards Selected for First Phase of Family Enrichment Center Expansion Plan

By Forum Staff The City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) on Tuesday announced the nine awards selected for the first phase of New York City’s “Family Enrichment Center” (FEC) expansion plan. Launched in 2017, FECs are home-like walk-in centers that are codesigned with local families and community members. Families and children can connect with neighbors, volunteer their time, and access resources and supports they feel they need to thrive at the centers. Last year, ACS announced that it would be expanding the FECs from three sites to thirty sites over the next three years. The new centers will be located in the hard-hit neighborhoods identified by the city’s Taskforce on Racal Inclusion and Equity (TRIE) based on their equity burdens and the impact of COVID-19. Since then, ACS has been seeking local community-based providers, with deep ties to their communities, to run the new sites.

On Tuesday, ACS announced that the first nine awards selected to run these expansion sites include: • The Reggio Emilia Montessori Center in Mott Haven/Melrose • Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice in Soundview/Parkchester • Little Flower Children’s and Family Services in Bedford Stuyvesant • Riseboro Community Partnership in Brownsville

Forestdale in Forest Hills is among the first nine awards selected to run FEC expansion sites.

• Living Redemption Community Development Corporation in Central Harem • Union Settlement Association in East Harlem • Forestdale in Jamaica/Hollis/ Queens Village • Ocean Bay Community Development in Rockaway/Broad Channel • Fund for the City of New York with the Staten Island Justice Center in George/Stapleton According to ACS officials, FECs are built on trust, positive relationships and making real, the dreams held by commu-

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Photo Courtesy of Google

nity members for their future. They are welcoming, safe, and accessible home-like environments, open to all, where neighbors can connect, contribute and access the information they feel they need. ACS entrusts provider agency staff with co-designing experiences with the community, that help deepen child and family wellbeing and parental resiliency, build new connections and develop lifelong bonds.

Alongside FEC staff, community members may join advisory boards and help to build inclusive FEC experiences that are as unique as the communities in which FECs operate. Members may include in-

dividuals whose experiences with community resources or public systems, make them well positioned to support their neighbors.

ACS officials also said the agency is committed to ensuring that community members are equal partners in the design and implementation of FEC offerings.

Examples of past and current FEC offerings include: movie nights (for families to meet in a safe space and allow children to make new friends); a therapist-led Healing Through the Arts offering for families recovering from community violence; cultural activities; and Café con Amiga (Coffee with Friends) facilitated

by Spanish speaking parent leaders to provide support to parents and caregivers. In particular, the FECs proved crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing critical supports to families in need, including food, clothing, and technology, as well as social supports to parents and caregivers.

“Family Enrichment Centers are an incredible resource and I am thrilled to see them expand. FECs foster direct parent involvement, community relationships, and grass roots connections while offering a safe and supportive environment. I’ve heard directly from parents and children who have had their lives positively impacted thanks to FECs and I believe this is a model we should continue to expand,” said Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (DForest Hills), chairman of the Children and Families Committee.

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Legal Notices Notice of formation of WOK N’ STAPLE LLC, a domestic LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/14/2022. Office location: Queens.

SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: 136-31 41ST AVENUE SUITE 5A, FLUSHING, NY, UNITED STATES, 11355 .

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Parsons One Capital LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 1/18/2022. Cty: Queens.

SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 142-38 37th Ave., #12B, Flushing, NY 11354. General Purpose.

Tywit Group LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 02/07/22. Off. Loc.: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 4923 Cloverdale Blvd, Oakland Garden, NY 11364. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

QUANTAM BRICKS LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 01/06/22.

Off. Loc.: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: QUANTAM BRICKS LLC, 9753 85TH STREET, OZONE PARK, NY, 11416 USA. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

FARRINGTON 3354 LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/18/21.

Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 3354 Farrington Street, #3A, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Tangram Hotel Team LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/14/22. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 39-16 Prince St., #11B, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: any lawful activities.

GLENDALE RE HOLDING LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/18/22. Office: Queens County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 61-04 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

URBAN FOUNDATION CONTRACTORS, LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/28/2022.

Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 32-33 111th Street, East Elmhurst, NY 11369. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

WHS 163, LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 02/09/22. Office Location: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 41-28 Haight St #1A, Flushing, NY 11355. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of SOS ENDEAVORS LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/28/21. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Legalinc Corporate Services Inc., 1967 Wehrle Dr., Ste. 1 #086, Buffalo, NY 14221. Purpose: any lawful activities.

CIMPLY, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/13/22. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 8 THE GREEN, STE B, DOVER, DE, 19901, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

JD INNOVATIVE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/09/21. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the JODENS DESVARIEUX, 143-33, 253RD ROAD, ROSEDALE, NY 11422, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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CITYMADENEWYORK LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/19/22.

Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ABIEL SOARES, 92-11 35TH AVE 2P, JACLSON HEIGHTS, NY, 11372, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Liberty Essentials LLC Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 12/07/2021. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 37-76 62nd St., APT C4, Woodside, NY 11377. General Purpose

HAYES & J ENTERPRISES LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/28/22.

Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to JONATHAN HAYES, 1340 GIPSON ST. APT #2, FAR ROCKAWAY, NY, 11691, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

ROOSEVELT 7004 LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/17/22.

Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 70-04 Roosevelt Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

SUMAITAT ETY & RUHUL KAHN LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/10/21. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to SUMAITAT ETY & RUHUL KHAN LLC, 9832 57TH AVENUE APT 18H, CORONA, NY, 11368, USA Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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