THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | NOVEMBER 10, 2022

HER STORY MAKES HISTORY

Hochul Holds off Zeldin, GOP Push to become First Woman Elected Governor of NY

Governor Kathy Hochul may have been all smiles Tuesday night, but four-term

Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) seems to have reason to worry because as of Wednesday afternoon she was down more than 200 votes to her opponent,

Photos Courtesy of Hochul Campaign; Forum Files

Assemblywoman Stacey

Republican Tom Sullivan, for the 23rd District seat.

Hochul Beats Zeldin to become First Woman Elected Governor of NY

Hochul garnered 52 percent of the vote, while Zeldin notched 47 percent following a hard-fought cam paign.

Locally, State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) earned another term in Albany a er win ning a closer-than-ex pected contest against Republican Danniel Maio.

By Michael V. Cusenza

Governor Kathy Hochul beamed from the stage Tues day night at her race results watch party in Downtown Manha an a er learning that she had just defeated GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin to become the rst woman to be elected governor of the Empire State.

“Tonight, a glass ceiling was shattered in the State of New York,” Hochul said. “Thank you to everyone who made it happen—this victory is yours.”

“Today my team and I got to open the doors of my district o ces to once again get to work helping the people of the 15th Senate District. is honor wouldn’t be pos sible without the help of all of my supporters,” Addabbo said on Wednesday. “My work is never done and I look forward to representing my constituents up in Alba ny and here in the communities with an eye on strengthen ing our police force, protecting our coastal communities, safely expanding gaming in New York and assisting our working-class families. To everyone who has supported me, I say THANK YOU!”

ough Zeldin lost a bruising political ght, New York Republicans are excited for the future. “ is delegation will be on the front lines of ge ing

our nation back on track, and I’m proud to be joining the ranks alongside these incredible public servants,” NYGOP Chairman and Congressman-Elect Nick Langworthy said on Wednesday.

Pheffer Amato—Sullivan Race Still too Close to Call

By Michael V. Cusenza

In easily the most shocking result of Tuesday night, As semblywoman Stacey Phe er Amato (D-Howard Beach) went to bed in a virtual tie with GOP challenger Tom Sul livan.

With 105 of 105 districts reporting, Sullivan has 49.24 percent of the vote to Phe er Amato’s 48.44 percent; Sul livan is up just a couple hundred tallies as of Wednesday a ernoon.

Phe er Amato, the daughter of former Assembly woman and current Queens County Clerk Audrey Phef fer, succeeded Phil Goldfeder when she assumed o ce in January 2017. Born in Rockaway, Phe er Amato worked as an education paraprofessional for the City Department of Education and as a procurement analyst for the City Fire Department and the City Department of Sanitation prior to her foray into poli tics. She lives in Rockaway Beach with her husband, Frank, and their two chil dren.

As for Sullivan, this isn’t his rst a empt at public of ce. In 2018, Sullivan cam paigned against State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) for the 15th Senato rial District seat. Addabbo handily defeated Sullivan, a veteran and Breezy Point resident, 64 percent to 36 percent.

Sullivan describes him self as “a political outsider with 27 years of experience

in the nancial service industry, and 28 years serving (and counting) our country in the United States Army Reserve with combat tours in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. I was a small business owner for 10 years, now helping keep an 82-year-old family business going for another generation. My basic belief is before you want to represent your com munity you should have walked in their shoes in some ca pacity.”

e 23rd Assembly District serves Howard Beach, Ozone Park, the Rockaway Peninsula, and Broad Channel.

Courtesy of Hochul Campaign

New York’s 57th Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Courtesy of Addabbo Campaign Senator Addabbo has much to smile about a er earning another term representing District 15 Upstate.

File Photo

Tom Sullivan

Assemblywoman Stacey Phe er Amato

By Forum Staff

Queens District A orney Melinda Katz recent ly announced that David Bonola has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the brutal slaying of Orsolya Gaal, whose dismembered body was discovered in a sports du el bag near Forest Park in April.

Bonola, 44, of South Richmond Hill, pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter in the rst degree before Queens Supreme Court Justice Mi chael Aloise, who said he would sentence Bonola to 25 years in prison to be followed by ve years’ post-release supervision. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 16.

According to the charges, Bonola went to the victim’s Forest Hills home at approximately 12:30 am on Saturday, April 16. Gaal, 51, had just re turned to her Juno Street home from an evening out. e defendant, a handyman who had done work at the residence on several occasions, en tered the home. Bonola and the victim were argu ing when the defendant slashed Gaal’s throat and stabbed her more than 50 times.

Hours later, at approximately 4:15 a.m., Bonola is captured on a nearby home’s security video sur veillance footage wheeling a hockey du el bag be longing to one of the victim’s sons. e bag, con

taining Gaal’s dismembered body, was found at about 8 a.m. on Metropolitan Avenue near Union Turnpike, in the vicinity of Forest Park.

Police were able to follow the trail of blood from the bag to the crime scene – the Juno Street home where the victim resided with her husband and two sons.

During the subsequent investigation, police re covered the murder weapon hidden in the victim’s home and the defendant’s jacket inside Forest Park.

Days later, Bonola o ered to speak to police and during questioning made incriminating state ments. He revealed that some time on Saturday he went to a New York City hospital for a cut on his hand. He also stated in sum and substance that he and the victim argued and confessed to stabbing her and moving her body.

District A orney Katz said, “ is heinous kill ing devastated an entire family, le two boys with out a mother, and horri ed the surrounding com munity. I want to thank my prosecutors for their exhaustive e orts in securing this plea. In pleading guilty, the defendant has accepted responsibility and is being held fully accountable for his criminal actions. We express our sincerest condolences to the victim’s family and hope that today’s plea will allow them to begin to heal.”

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

e victim’s dismembered body was found at about 8 a.m. on Metropolitan Avenue near Union Turnpike, in the vicinity of Forest Park.

Jamaica Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Killing WW I Veteran

By Forum Sta

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Monday that Martin Motta has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 1976 killing of an 81-yearold World War I veteran.

The Queens District Attorney’s Of fice Cold Case Unit solved the 46-yearold homicide case with the NYPD using forensic genetic genealogy for the first time in New York City.

District Attorney Katz said, “After 46 years, a veteran of the First World War gets justice. The successes of modern technology and forensics made it possi ble for us to not only identify the bones of the victim but also to help find any witnesses. When I became District At torney, I created the Cold Case Unit for cases such as this where time seems to be the enemy. Time allowed forensic ge netic genealogy and our investigators to catch up to this defendant.”

Motta, 75, of Jamaica, was sentenced on Monday by Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder to 20 years in prison. Motta pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree last month.

District Attorney Katz said the Of fice of the Chief Medical Examiner dis covered human remains consisting of a pelvis and partial torso buried under a concrete slab in the backyard of 87-72

115th St., Richmond Hill, on March 12, 2019. A DNA profile retrieved from the remains could not identify the deceased man at the time in local, state or nation al databases.

produced a comprehensive genealogical profile from the skeletal remains using advanced DNA testing. The genealogi cal profile was given to the FBI, which then generated leads that were turned

Through these combined efforts, investigators were able to confirm that the remains found were those of George Clarence Seitz, an 81-yearold veteran of World War I. Further investigation revealed that Seitz was last seen at approximately 10 a.m. on Dec. 10, 1976, leaving his home in Ja maica, reportedly on his way to get a haircut at defendant Martin Motta’s barbershop. After an extensive inves tigation, information was obtained that identified the victim as a regu lar customer of the barbershop and linked Motta to Seitz’s demise and its concealment.

An extensive investigation by the NYPD and the Queens DA’s Office in cluded multiple interviews of witnesses and extensive records searches through five states and various agencies. Crucial evidence revealed the defendant fatally stabbed Seitz in the head after robbing him of approximately $7,000 to $8,000 then dismembered and buried his body beneath concrete slabs in the Richmond Hill backyard where it was uncovered 43 years later.

The Queens DA’s Office and the NYPD sought the assistance of a pri vate laboratory and the FBI to generate leads to the unknown victim’s identity. In February 2021, Othram Laboratories

over to the authorities. Investigators be gan to contact potential family members of the victim and obtained DNA sam ples for comparison to the discovered remains.

“No matter how much time has passed, we will use every tool at our disposal to achieve justice,” Katz add ed. “Now [Motta] is headed to prison thanks to the collaboration between the NYPD and our Cold Case Unit.”

File Photo

On March 12, 2019, human remains consisting of a pelvis and partial torso were discovered buried under concrete in the backyard of 87-72 115th St., in Richmond Hill.

Council Votes to Improve Diversity at FDNY

By Forum Sta

e City Council on ursday voted in favor of a legislative package aimed at im proving the diversity, equity and inclusion practices at the City Fire Department.

Introduction 516-A, sponsored by Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, would require the FDNY, in consultation with the Department of Citywide Administra tive Services, to develop and implement a plan for the recruitment and retention of re ghters from underrepresented groups within the department — female re ght ers and re ghters of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. FDNY would also be required to report annually on its e orts to recruit and retain underrepresented re ghters.

Introduction 519-A, sponsored by Council Member Joann Ariola, would require the FDNY to survey each fire house to determine the permanent facil ity upgrades necessary to create a work place environment that facilitates use by a mixed gender workforce, and employ interim measures, including erecting physical barriers, in locations awaiting such upgrades. Upon completing the sur vey, the Department would be required to report its findings to the Council and Mayor, specifically detailing the perma nent facility upgrades necessary at each firehouse, as well as providing informa tion related to any current or forthcom ing construction plans to make relevant upgrades, and any interim measures tak en at firehouses to accommodate a mixed gender workforce until permanent up grades are made.

Introduction 552-A, sponsored by Council Member Kevin Riley, would re quire the FDNY to produce an annual re port on the number of re ghters assigned to each re company and special operations unit, within the Department, disaggregated by the gender and race or ethnicity of such re ghters. Additionally, FDNY will be required to provide demographic informa tion of the population residing in the im

mediate service area of each re company in the City.

Introduction 553-A, sponsored by Council Member Kevin Riley, would re quire the FDNY in consultation with the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, to develop and implement a plan for providing ongoing training and educa tion to all employees regarding diversity and inclusion, including annual training on the Department’s anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies. Additional interactive training would be required at rehouses where incidents of harassment and discrimination take place on multiple occasions. e Fire Department would also be required to post a report each year on its website regarding e orts taken to imple ment such training.

Introduction 560-A, sponsored by Council Member Nantasha Williams, would require the FDNY to produce an annual report on complaints led with the Department’s Equal Employment Oppor tunity O ce regarding potential violations of the City’s Equal Employment Opportu nity Policy. e report will include infor mation on the number of complaints that were received and closed during the prior year; information on types of misconduct alleged in such complaints; and case out comes, including any corrective action taken by the Department.

“ e overall lack of diversity within the FDNY is a longstanding problem we must address,” Adams said. “As a council, we are commi ed to advancing solutions that help correct this historic injustice. By passing this package of bills today, we hope to move the FDNY forward to achieving a workforce fully re ective of rich diversity of our city. I thank the council’s Black, La tino, and Asian Caucus for its leadership on this legislation, and Fire and Emergency Management Chair Joann Ariola for shep herding it through the commi ee. I am also grateful to advocates, organizations, and re ghters who have fought for decades to win equitable representation and treatment in the FDNY.”

STAYING HEALTHY DURING THE HOLIDAYS

ere's no be er advice about main taining your holiday health than to avoid stress. It impedea your health and inter feres with having a great time.

Arguably, it's the hardest time of the year to keep things down to a low roar. Hectic schedules, social events and family gatherings to a end, shopping ventures and decorating.

At a time when you want to be at your best, stress can interfere. Holidays can have psychological consequences for some people and chronic stress can lower immunity and cause excretory, digestive and reproductive systems to stop working properly. Stress also may cause you to eat unhealthy snacks to cope, leading to un wanted weight gain.

Stress is not the only potential health hazard that can arise around the holidays. Parties can expose you to an abundance of foods and drinks you're not used to, and that can lead to a lot of mindless eating. Weight gained now is di cult to shed come January, with colder temperatures challenging many peoples’ motivation to exercise.

Also, social se ings put you in close contact with a greater number of people, potentially increasing your exposure to germs.

You can still feel your best during the

holidays. Follow these tips for maintain ing a healthy mind and body.

• Get the u vaccine. e u vaccine can protect you against various strains of the u. Get a u shot so you are ready for cold and u season.

• Carry disinfecting wipes. Germs can linger on surfaces long a er an infected person has come and gone. Wipe down surfaces with disinfecting wipes. is can help you avoid coming into contact with germs.

• Balance your activities. Don't over book. Leave days open to relax and do things you want to do.

• Keep up an exercise routine. Early morning is a good time to exercise be cause you may have to free up other time later in the day for shopping or parties. Exercise also can improve energy levels and relieve stress.

• Don’t focus on food. Focus more on enjoyable activities. Save indulgences for holiday treats and eat sensibly otherwise.

• Talk to someone. If the holidays have you feeling blue, talk to a friend or fam ily member. If you need more professional support, nd a social worker or psycholo gist that can help you work through stress and other feelings.

Now go on and ENJOY!

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.

Ariola Hails Scooter Battery Bill

A er learning that a re in a Manhat tan high-rise building on Saturday that required heroic rescue e orts by City re ghters was caused by a lithium ion ba ery, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (ROzone Park) on Sunday touted a council bill that would prohibit the sale of bat teries for e-bikes or scooters unless such ba eries are listed and labeled by a recog nized testing lab or other approved orga nization.

A person who violates the proposed local law, which is co-sponsored by Ariola, would be subject to a civil penalty, which would range from no monetary penalty for a rst violation to $1,000 for each sub sequent violation within two years.

In September 2021, a 9-year-old boy died and 11 people were injured in an all-hands re in Ozone Park (pictured) that was caused by the charging of ba eries for an e-bike/scooter.

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

File Photo

“ e overall lack of diversity within the FDNY is a longstanding problem we must address,” Council Speaker Adams said.

Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty in Fatal Belt Parkway Crash

By Forum Sta

Queens District A orney Melinda Katz on ursday announced that a Brooklyn man has pleaded guilty to driving 92 mph on the Belt Parkway when he struck and killed a fellow motorist in December 2020.

Jason Bical, 36, was under the in uence of cocaine, marijuana and alcohol at the time of the incident.

Bical pleaded guilty Wednesday before Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael B. Aloise to vehicular manslaughter in the rst degree. Aloise indicated he will sentence the defendant to 5 to 15 years in prison on

Dec. 13, 2022.

According to court records, at about 12:45 a.m. on Dec. 9, 2020, the defendant was driving a white 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, registered to his family-owned business, Bi cal Chevrolet of Valley Stream, westbound on the Belt Parkway near 131st Street in South Ozone Park at 92 mph when he struck the victim, Taher Ali Hassan, also of Brooklyn. Hassan, 63, was rushed to a local hospital with severe head trauma and later died.

DA Katz said Bical’s blood alcohol level was .174 – twice the legal limit. Further toxicology results showed that the defen

dant also had signi cant amount of both cocaine and marijuana in his system at the time of the crash. Two Ziplock bags of co caine were recovered from the center con sole of the defendant’s car. e Crash Data Recorder recovered from Bical’s vehicle revealed that he was driving 92 mph just ve seconds before striking the victim. e posted speed limit on the Belt Parkway is 50 mph. Bical was the Service Department manager at Bical Auto Mall in Brooklyn at the time of the incident.

Katz said, “It is infuriating that this de fendant, who already had two prior Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol convic tions from Brooklyn in 2011 in 2015, made the deadly decision to get behind the wheel of a car while signi cantly intoxicated with drugs and alcohol. e defendant was driv ing more than 40 miles per hour above the legal speed limit with cocaine in his vehicle when he caused this horri c incident. His guilty plea cannot undo this tragedy.”

By Forum Sta

Mayor Eric Adams on ursday an nounced the return of the City’s annual “Dusk and Darkness” tra c enforcement and education campaign.

is year, Adams said, the Dusk and Darkness campaign will focus on promot ing safe practices for the carting of commer cial waste — handled by private companies — to protect workers and other road users, while the City Police Department will ex pand tra c enforcement of moving viola tions during the more dangerous evening and overnight hours.

According to Adams, during fall eve nings, rush hour occurs at a time when sunlight and visibility are dramatically and suddenly reduced, leading to some of the highest fatal crash rates of the cal endar year. In the past, this campaign has improved safety on city streets — reduc ing the average number of evening and overnight fatalities each year by 13.5 per cent over the years it has been in place as compared to the five years prior. In that time frame, the average number of pe destrian fatalities declined 21.7 percent and the average number of motor vehicle occupant fatalities dropped by 25.8 per cent.

Dusk and Darkness this year includes the following initiatives:

Increased Evening and Overnight En forcement: e NYPD is engaging in sus tained, increased enforcement that kicked o on Halloween and will continue through the fall and winter. NYPD o cers will be deployed on highways and local streets, with an increased focus on driving behav ior that endangers vulnerable road users.

O cers will be on alert to enforce against hazardous driving violations to keep pe destrians and cyclists, including older

adults and children, safe in neighborhoods throughout the city. Enforcement will fo cus on speeding drivers, drivers that fail to yield, and distracted drivers using their cell phones while behind the wheel. NYPD tra c agents will increase enforcement against vehicles that are double-parked and blocking bike and bus lanes.

For-Hire Vehicle Driver Safety: TLC will visit areas frequented by for-hire ve hicle drivers to remind them of the impor tance of using extra caution during lowvisibility periods, including by driving 25

miles per hour unless otherwise posted. TLC will also reiterate this message to driv ers and passengers via social media.

Commercial Waste Industry Safety: City Business Integrity Commission (BIC) enforcement activities include evening and overnight operations in partnership with the NYPD and other partner agencies. Safety enforcement includes garage inspec tions, truck stops, and regulatory action to ensure trade waste companies comply with safety requirements that aim to protect trade waste workers and all road users. For Dusk and Darkness, BIC is sharing addi tional resources and information with trade waste companies regarding safe operations.

BIC takes a holistic approach to regu lating tra c safety in the commercial waste hauling industry, with robust driver train ing and vehicle inspection programs. Since 2016, BIC has held ve safety symposia for the industry and visited more than a dozen trade waste companies to join their safety events and trainings to connect directly with drivers and helpers. BIC is currently engaged in various education, outreach, and compliance tracking e orts to ensure the private sector installs side guards — life-saving tools that protect cyclists and pedestrians — on their vehicles by the le gally required mandate of Jan. 1, 2023.

Photo Courtesy of Google

Bical’s vehicle was registered to his family-owned business, Bical Chevrolet of Valley Stream, at the time of the incident.

File Photo

District A orney Katz called the case “infuriating,” and said that Bical’s “guilty plea cannot undo this tragedy.”

Courtesy of DOT

FDNY EMT Indicted for Swiping Debit Card from Patient

By Forum Sta

Queens District A orney Melinda Katz announced on Tuesday that City Fire De partment Emergency Medical Technician Robert Marshall has been indicted by a grand jury for allegedly taking a debit card from the purse of a 79-year-old Spring eld Gardens woman when he was working as an EMT on an Aug. 8 ambulance call. e defendant allegedly used the card to charge

champagne and food before discarding it. Marshall, 29, of 114th Street in Col lege Point, was arraigned Monday be fore Queens Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino on a 12-count indictment charging him with forgery in the second degree, fal sifying business records in the rst degree, grand larceny in the fourth degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, identity the in the second and third degree, petit larceny and unlawful

possession of personal identi cation infor mation in the third degree.

According to the charges, on Aug. 8, at approximately 9 a.m., Marshall was work ing as an EMT and entered the home of the victim Barbara Faison near Edgewood Av enue and 230th Avenue in Spring eld Gar dens. Several days a er being transported to an area hospital for medical a ention, the victim returned home and realized that a red debit card was missing from the wallet in her purse.

Katz said, according to the complaint, video surveillance footage from a liquor store on 20th Avenue in College Point shows the defendant on Aug. 8, at approxi mately 6:48 p.m., purchasing two bo les of Moet brand champagne using a red debit card. e same debit card was also used to make purchases at a brick oven pizzeria, a Bu alo Wild Wings restaurant, a Key Food grocery store and a laundromat.

If convicted, Marshall faces up to 7 years in prison.

Photo Courtesy of Google

On Aug. 8, Marshall was working as an EMT and entered the home of the victim Barbara Faison near Edgewood Avenue and 230th Avenue in Spring eld Gardens.

File Photo If convicted, Marshall faces up to 7 years in prison.

Jamaica Man Charged with Possessing and Promoting Child Porn

By Forum Sta

Queens District A orney Melinda Katz, joined by Manha an District A orney Al vin Bragg, announced on Saturday that An dre Hyman has been charged for allegedly purchasing, downloading, and possessing child sex abuse materials on his computer inside his Jamaica residence between May 2021 and November 2022.

Hyman, 27, was arraigned Friday on a nine-count complaint charging him with promoting a sexual performance by a child, forgery in the second degree, ve counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, possessing a sexual performance by a child.

According to the charges, the defen dant’s activities were initially discovered as part of a larger, international investiga tion into the proliferation of online child sexual abuse materials. Local law enforce ment partners at the Manha an District A orney’s O ce’s Cybercrime and Iden tity e Bureau were alerted to several websites selling child sexual abuse mate rial using Bitcoin addresses. One website in particular advertised access to criminal content in exchange for payment via cryp tocurrency.

DA Katz said that through the course of the investigation, investigators tracked the movement of funds from the website to determine the buyers of the illicit im

ages and videos, pointing them to transac tions made via Square, Inc., a mobile pay ment company. Subpoenaed records from Square, Inc. indicated the defendant’s name and address as the buyer of sexually

bank accounts, enhancing the case and se curing a search warrant for the defendant’s residence.

e search, conducted by members of the Queens DA Detective Bureau, the U.S.

of an approximately 4-year-old girl being subjected to a sexual act. e search further resulted in the recovery of ve fraudulent checks and blank check stock paper.

e defendant was arrested ursday at the time of the home search. He allegedly confessed to intentionally accessing sites o ering child sexual abuse materials and at tempting to manufacture fraudulent checks for business purposes.

“ is case should serve as a warning to all those who think they can safely hide be hind their digital wallets to purchase and promote materials depicting the sexual abuse of children. We will use all tools at our disposal, including tracing illegal ac tivity through the digital marketplace, to investigate and prosecute these abhorrent actions. I’d like to thank District A orney Bragg’s o ce for their diligence in launch ing the initial query into this case. Follow ing a thorough investigation by my Major Economic Crimes Bureau, the defendant has been apprehended and faces justice in our courts,” Katz said.

explicit materials involving prepubescent girls.

Prosecutors from the Queens DA’s Ma jor Economic Crimes Bureau launched a further investigation into the defendant’s

Department of Homeland Security, and the United States Department of Labor- O ce of the Inspector General, resulted in the re covery of numerous images and videos of child sex abuse material, including an image

“We are proud that the skills and block chain expertise of our cryptocurrency ana lysts helped connect these horri c allega tions to a suspect in Queens,” Bragg added. “ ank you to District A orney Katz for her partnership and her ongoing work to protect the most vulnerable among us.”

If convicted, Hyman faces up to seven years in prison.

North Carolina Man Arrested for Trafficking Guns to Queens for Sale

By Forum Sta

Last ursday, in Brooklyn federal court, Dwayne Pick e , also known as “Waynehead,” was arraigned on a threecount indictment charging him with unlawful rearms tra cking and being a felon in possession of rearms and ammunition, prosecutors said.

e indictment relates to Picke ’s sales and a empted sales of more than 15 rearms that he tra cked from North

Carolina to New York. Picke was arrested on a complaint in September 2022. A federal grand jury returned the in dictment on Oct. 25. Picke , 27, remains detained pend ing trial.

As alleged, in September 2022, Picke traveled from North Carolina to Jamaica, where he sold 10 rearms for approximately $11,000. e rearms Picke sold were handguns of various makes and models, eight of which had been previously reported stolen from a rearms dealer in North Carolina. A er re turning to North Carolina, Picke continued to market rearms for sale, sending one potential buyer pictures of a variety of handguns and their sale prices.

In late September 2022, Picke again traveled from North Carolina and planned to meet with a purchaser for another guns-for-cash trans action. Picke was arrested upon arriving at the planned sale location, while carrying a du e bag with ve addi tional handguns and assort ed ammunition.

“Another individual who is alleged to have come into our district for the sole purpose of selling over 15

illegal rearms has been arrested and will be held account able,” Brooklyn U.S. A orney Breon Peace pledged. Picke ’s criminal history includes felony convictions that bar him from possessing rearms. He is not a licensed rearms dealer.

Photo Courtesy of Square, Inc.

DA Katz said that through the course of the investigation, investigators tracked the movement of funds om the website to determine the buyers of the illicit images and videos, pointing them to transactions made via Square, Inc., a mobile payment company.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Michael E. Cumpston

One of the guns Picke allegedly had for sale was a Smith and Wesson 32-S revolver, like the one pictured.

Photo Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice Brooklyn U.S. A orney Peace said that Picke “will be held accountable.”

Far Rockaway Man Convicted in Shooting Death Sparked by Street Fight

By Forum Sta

Queens District A orney Melinda Katz announced ursday that Joaquin Bullock has been convicted of the murder of a fel low Far Rockaway resident.

Bullock, 35, argued with the victim before fatally shooting him in the chest in 2018.

Bullock was convicted of murder in the rst degree, kidnapping in the rst degree

and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree following a two-week trial before Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder. Justice Holder indicated that he will sentence the defendant on De cember 5, 2022, at which time he faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

District A orney Katz said that accord ing to trial testimony, at approximately 11 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2018, the

defendant was captured on video surveil lance arguing with several men on Beach 25 Street and Brookhaven Avenue. e defen dant then punched two of the men, includ ing the victim, Dion Smith, 28, in the face. e ght ended and the defendant le .

Furthermore, said DA Katz, approxi mately 30 minutes later, surveillance video showed the defendant return to the scene, grab the victim by the arm and forcibly re move him from the location to a dark alley on Brookhaven Avenue where the defen

dant shot the victim once in the chest. e victim, who was rushed to St. John’s Hospi tal by acquaintances, later died as a result of his injuries.

District A orney Katz said, “Gun vio lence has taken too many lives in this bor ough and this verdict sends a strong mes sage that deadly shootings will never be tolerated in Queens County. We hope that the outcome of this trial provides a sense of justice to the victim’s family.”

Sanitation Department now Hiring Emergency Snow Laborers

By Forum Sta

e City Sanitation Department on Fri day announced that it is hiring emergency Snow Laborers for the 2022-2023 sea son. Snow Laborers are crucial to clearing snow and ice a er impactful winter storms, DSNY o cials said.

Emergency Snow Laborers are per-diem workers who remove snow and ice from bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants and step streets after

heavy snowfalls. Snow Laborers earn $17 per hour to start, and $25.50 per hour after 40 hours are worked in a week.

Snow Laborers must be at least 18 years of age, be eligible to work in the United States, and capable of performing heavy physical labor. Additionally, candi dates must be vaccinated against the CO VID-19 virus. All applicants must bring the following items at the time of registra tion:

• Two small photos (1 ½ square)

• Original and copy of two forms of identi cation

• Social Security card

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination ose interested in becoming a Snow Laborer must register for an application appointment at nyc.gov/snow. Registra tion appointments take place at the depart ment’s 59 garages. Applicants should not a end the appointment if they have any COVID-19 symptoms.

DSNY also reminded all residents, busi nesses, and property owners that they are still responsible for keeping sidewalks clear and accessible.

Snow and ice must be cleared from side walks within these speci c timeframes:

Snowfall ends between 7 a.m. and 4:59 p.m.: Clear within four hours

Snowfall ends between 5 p.m. and 8:59 p.m.: Clear within 14 hours

Snowfall ends between 9 p.m. and 6:59 a.m.: Clear sidewalks by 11 a.m.

Photo Courtesy of Google

District A orney Katz said that according to trial testimony, at approximately 11 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2018, the defendant was captured on video surveillance arguing with several men on Beach 25 Street and Brookhaven Avenue.

Photo Courtesy of Google e victim, who was rushed to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital by acquaintances, later succumbed to his injuries.

Photo Courtesy of DSNY

Emergency Snow Laborers are per-diem workers who remove snow and ice om bus stops, crosswalks, re hydrants and step streets a er heavy snowfalls.

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography O ce City Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch and the DSNY made the announcement last week.

HOWARD BEACH

HOWARD BEACH

HOWARD BEACH

SOLD

Hi-Rise Condo 3rd Heritage House, 5 rms, 3 bedrms, 2 new bths, huge terr, hardwd rs, new kit, totally renovated, Call Now !

HOARD BEACH

Corner 97 St &162 Ave, vacant land, 40x100, zoned for 1 family Call Now !

HOWARD BEACH

2 Fam det, 10 rms, 5 bedrms, 1 car gar pvt dr, updated kit & bath, lg yard, Call Now !

5 rm, garden co-op, 2 bedrms, 1 bth, just painted, move in cond, 2nd , Call Now !

HOWARD BEACH

Hi-Rise 2nd , 5 rm, 2 bedrm, 2 bth, formal ding rm, updated kit & bth. Call Now !

WOODHAVEN

Excel Cond, 4 bedrm Colonial, wood burning replace, pool w/deck, gar & pvt drive, perfect for entertaining, Call Now!

Low Ranch, 6 rms, 3 bedrms, full basement, private drive, Call Now !

HOWARD BEACH

1 fam, det raised ranch, 8 rms, 3 bedrms, 2 bths, pvt drive, full bsmt, Call Now !

ACROPOLIS RENOVATIONS

LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 08/31/22. O ce: 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, 94-22 225th Street, Queens Village, NY 11428. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

T NQUIL DREAMS LLC Arts. of Org. led with SSNY on 9/25/2022. O . Loc.: Queens Co. SSNY desig. As agt. upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: CRYSTAL MOICES, 13923 227TH ST., QUEENS, NY, 11413, USA. General Purposes.

ROSE CASTLE LLC Arts. of Org. led with SSNY on 8/26/2022. O . Loc.: Queens Co. SSNY desig. As agt. upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: e LLC, 156 Maple Ave. Westbury, NY 11590. General Purposes.

HEDWIG PUBLISHING LLC

Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 03/08/2022. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: LE GALINC CORPO TE SERVICES INC.1967 WEHRLE DRIVE, SUITE 1 #086, BUFFALO, NY, 14221, USA. Pur pose: Any Lawful Purpose.

AMIR 115TH STREET LLC, Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 10/04/2022. O ce loc: Queens Coun ty. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: e LLC, 86-30 108th Street, Rich mond Hill, NY 11418. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

111-10 Owners LLC, Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 6/17/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Mohammed Hossain, 143-05 85th Dr. Briarwood, NY 11435. General Purpose

FAVORITE VEGETABLE LLC Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 09/23/2022. City: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom pro cess against may be served & shall mail process to MA HEW DURKIN, P.O BOX 2399, AASTORIA, NY, 11102, USA. General Purpose

Legal Notices

RHYTHM AND KDNNS, LLC

Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 8/17/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom pro cess against may be served & shall mail process to KIERAN DENNIS, 2735 21ST STREET, 7C, ASTORIA, NY, 11102- 4227, USA. GeneralPur pose

MBLE & ROAM CO LLC Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 09/06/2022. City: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom pro cess against may be served & shall mail process to THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMAPNY, 61W16TH RD, BROAD CHANNEL, NY, 11693, USA. General Purpose

Middle Village Enterprises, LLC, Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 10/13/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail pro cess to Eric Faulkner, 6430 69th Pl., Mid dle Village, NY 11379. General Purpose

49 NORTHERN BLVD. LLC.Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 09/30/22. O ce: Queens County.SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it maybe served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 91-10Met ropolitan Avenue, Rego Park,NY 11374. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

AHAA Management LLC, Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 8/24/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Aaron Iva torov, 211 Beach 148th St., Neponsit, NY 11694. General Purpose

76-05 113th St. LLC, Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 9/15/2022. Cty: Queens.

SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Lonnie G. Tish man, Esq., 980 Broadway, #532, ornwood, NY 10954. General Pur pose

A Notice of Formation of Jin Xin Re alty LLC, Art. of Org. led Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/1/2022. O ce lo cation: Queens County. SSNY Designat ed as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: e LLC, 27-13 Uto pia Pkwy, Flushing, NY 11358. Purpose: any lawful activity.

e Kidz Campus LLC, Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 10/27/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 134-01 89th Ave., 2nd Fl., Richmond Hill, NY 11418. General Purpose

W & C PLAZA LLC led Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/27/2022. O ce located in Queens County. SSNY has been designated for service of pro cess and shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to 10867 Roos evelt Ave Corona, NY 11368. Purpose: any lawful act.

B HARRIS CONSULTING LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/26/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: BRYAN HARRIS, 6861 YELLOWSTONE BLVD, APT 615, FOREST HILLS, NY 11375, USA.. Purpose: Any Lawful Pur pose.

Notice of formation of CONNEX ION 8 LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/3/22. Of fice location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom pro cess may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to: 77 Bowery, 6th Fl., NY, NY 10002. Purpose: any lawful act..

MATERNAL HEALTH COACH ING LLC led w/ SSNY on 10/10/22. O ce: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: THE LLC, 118-35 QUEENS BLVD, SUITE 400, FOREST HILLS, NY,11375 USA Purpose: any lawful.

Flushing 162 LLC led w/ SSNY on 9/29/22. O ce: Queens Co. SSNY des ignated as agent for process & shall mail to: P.O. Box 610026, Bayside, NY 11361. Purpose: any lawful.

CAVALIERE 6617 LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 09/20/22. O ce: Queens County. SSNY designat ed as agent of the LLC upon whom pro cess against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 6906 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

104-14 118 STREET LLC, Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 10/25/2022. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Kevin Kaly an, 86-30 108th Street, Richmond Hill, NY 11418. Purpose: Any Lawful Pur pose.