New York Jury Verdicts, Settlements and Court Decisions
<h2> <center> State of New York v. Joshua Taylor </h2> </center>
Buffalo, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with felony animal cruelty. In June 2024, Joshua Taylor, also known as Moriah Taylor, age 39, was indicted on two counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (Class E felonies under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law) and one count of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals; Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance ... More...
$ (02-22-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> State of New York v. John Doe </h2> </center>
Buffalo, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class B violent felony). On Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at approximately 1:00 p.m., the adolescent offender shot the victim with an illegal gun on the 100 block of Laird Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 19-year-old Donovan M. Miller, was pronounced dead at th... More...
$ (02-22-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Victoria Afet </h2> </center>
Syracuse, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with murder. Victoria Afet, the 23-year-old murderer of a 93-year-old Connie Turoi inside the Skyline Apartments pleaded guilty to murder, robbery and assault.... More...
$ (02-22-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> State of New York v. John Hughes </h2> </center>
Albany, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. John Hughes, age 44, attacked a random person on the street with a nail-spiked wooden board. On Sept. 20, 2024, Hughes was at the intersection of Grand Street and Madison Avenue just before 9 p.m. when he pulled a wooden board from a dumpster and began swinging it at ... More...
$ (02-22-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> State of New York v. Kashawn Croswell </h2> </center>
Brooklyn, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with causing a fatal crash in Downtown Brooklyn after driving over 60 miles per hour, running three red lights and slamming into another vehicle, killing a 21-year-old woman and injuring three others. “This defendant made a series of reckless and deliberate decisions that had deadly consequences. By driving at high ... More...
$ (02-22-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> State of New York v. Randy Santos </h2> </center>
New York City, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with murder. A jury determined that Randy Santos knowingly and purposefully murdered four men with a metal bar in the span of less than 30 minutes. They were strangers to him, and simply happened to be sleeping on Chinatown sidewalks that horrific night. Two additional victims were injured in Santos’s brutal ... More...
$ (02-22-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Steven L. Ploof </h2> </center>
Buffalo, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with assaulting or threatening a federal official or family. Steven L. Ploof, 48, of Greece, NY, went to the Ogden, NY, residence of an FBI Special Agent and his family. When he arrived at the house, Ploof placed two posterboard signs on the front porch, one sign read “Corrupt FBI AGENT!” and the other sign read �... More...
$ (02-22-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Jun Wang </h2> </center>
Syracuse, New York criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to launder monetary InstrumentsJun Wang, age 63, a Chinese national and lawful permanent resident of the United States, redeemed $2,285,039.81 in gift cards originally purchased by defrauded victims throughout the United States (including in the Northern District of New York). Wang, who received the gift ... More...
$ (02-22-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Derek Hasselbrink, a/k/a "Derek Spear" </h2> </center>
New York, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with coercion or enticement of a female minor and creating sex explict dekpictions of minor from import to the US Dercl Hasselbrink, a/k/a “Derek Spear." a convicted sex offender, engaged in sexually explicit message conversations with a 15-year-old girl (“Victim-1”), and traveled to meet Victim-1 near her home ... More...
$ (02-22-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Renee Hoberman, a/k/a “Rina” </h2> </center>
Central Islip, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with receipt and distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Renee Hoberman, age 38, of Plainview, New York, used encrypted social media messaging applications to upload, receive, and trade digital videos and images depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, including seve... More...
$ (02-22-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Greg Trotter </h2> </center>
Buffalo, New York, criminal Defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with misdemeanor count of impeding or interfering with a federal officer.... More...
$ (02-19-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Andrew Warner and Kishore Vangipuram </h2> </center>
New York City, New York, criminal defense lawyers represent the Defendants charged with conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. The Government alleges that Andrew Warner and Kishore Vangipuram, inflated Mobileum’s key financial metrics in advance of the company’s 2022 sale to an investment firm at an enterprise value of $915 million. Mobileum declared bankruptcy in 2024, after the ... More...
$ (02-17-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Nikhil Gupta, a/k/a "Nick" </h2> </center>
New York City, New York criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to commit murder for hire, racketeering and money laundering. “Nikhil Gupta plotted to assassinate a U.S. citizen in New York City,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “He thought that from outside this country he could kill someone in it without consequence, simply for exercising their Ame... More...
$ (02-17-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Kevin Taylor </h2> </center>
New York City, New York criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with accepting bribes. The former commanding officer of the New York Police Department’s School Safety Division was charged with using his position to solicit and demand bribes. Mr. Taylor, 52, of Yonkers, N.Y., was charged with a series of crimes, including one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wi... More...
$ (02-12-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> State of New York v. Terrence Rogers, a.k.a. "Aura" </h2> </center>
Brooklyn, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with sex trafficking of a child. Terrence Rogers, a.k.a., Aura, 35, of Bushwick, Brooklyn, was accused of ex trafficking of a child for recruiting multiple victims, including three teenage girls, ages 15 to 17, to engage in sexual conduct for money. The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, b... More...
$ (02-11-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> State of New York v. Larry Atkinson </h2> </center>
New York City, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with two counts of murder. LARRY ATKINSON, 67, was accused of strangling 57-year-old Sarah Roberts, who suffered from emphysema, and her 26-year-old daughter Sharon, who was disabled, in their Morningside Heights apartment in February 1994. Additional DNA testing performed in 2022 led to ATKINSON’s arrest in Ja... More...
$ (02-11-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> State of New York v. Michael Patterson </h2> </center>
New York, New York, criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with arson. Michael Patterson, age 38, allegedly committing a total of seven arsons across the Upper East Side and Upper West Side in 2025. “Michael Patterson allegedly committed a series of arsons on Manhattan’s public streets,” said District Attorney Bragg. “These dangerous fires extensively damaged publi... More...
$ (02-11-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> State of New York v. Devante Brown </h2> </center>
Brooklyn, New York, criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with repeatedly sexually abusing four young girls when they were between the ages of 5 and 9 years old. "The conduct alleged in this case shocks the conscious. Innocent children were entrusted to a teacher's care to safely learn and grow, but instead this defendant allegedly shuttered that trust in the worst way," Broo... More...
$ (02-11-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> State of New York v. Ernesto Cabrera </h2> </center>
Albany County, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with two counts of robbery, attempted robbery, two counts of menacing, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, endangering the welfare of a child, and petit larceny. On September 12, 2025, Ernesto Cabrera, 25-year-old, broke into a car parked on Clinton Avenue. He took several items from the car when he w... More...
$ (02-11-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> State of New York v. Brandy McCallops, Troy Beamon, Dominique White, Patrick Fisher, Laquan Lemon, and Keitwon Reed </h2> </center>
Malone, New York, criminal dense lawyers presented the Defendants charged wiht kidnapping. Brandy McCallops, 48, of Malone — Two counts of first-degree kidnapping, two counts of second-degree conspiracy, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and first-degree criminal nuisance. Keitwon Reed, 19, of Syracuse — Two counts of first-degree kidnapping, two counts of second-d... More...
$ (02-11-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> State of New York v. Nicholas Forehand and John Peterson </h2> </center>
Buffalo, New York, criminal defense lawyers represented the Defendants charged with one felony count of criminal possession of a controlled substance; and one misdemeanor count of criminally using drug paraphernalia. Nicholas Forehand, age 42, and John Peterson, 74, accused of robbery. Peterson was also charged with one felony count of assault.... More...
$ (02-11-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Sabrina Flores a/k/a "Notorious Marie" </h2> </center>
Buffalo, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs and unlawful transportation of a firearm. Sabrina Flores a/k/a Notorious Marie, 25, of Jamestown, NY, was accused of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl and being a user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm... More...
$ (02-11-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Jason Brundige </h2> </center>
Albany, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with distribution of a controlled substance. Jason Brundige, age 51, of Ballston Spa, admitted to distributing cocaine on multiple occasions and, during one of those drug sales, displaying a loaded firearm to his drug customer. Brundige also admitted to possessing cocaine with intent to distribute it from a hotel in Mal... More...
$ (02-11-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Braden John Karony </h2> </center>
Brooklyn, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and interstate commerce money laundering. Braden John Karony, the Chief Executive Officer of SafeMoon US LLC, a digital asset company registered in Utah (SafeMoon) lied to investors from all walks of life—including military veterans and h... More...
$ (02-11-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Christian Lugo, a/k/a "Coco" </h2> </center>
New York City, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering conspiracy and possession of a machine gun. Christian Lugo, a/k/a "Coco" on February 7, 2022, LUGO allowed and encouraged a co-conspirator who worked for him at Certified Auto to shoot at members of a rival tow truck company, which resulted in the death of Gloria Ortiz. In ... More...
$ (02-11-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Lamar Williams, a/k/a "Black," a/k/a "Little Black," a/k/a "Chase Money Marz"
New York City, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with racketerring conspiracy, racketeering murder, and possession of a machine gun where death occurred. Lamar Williams, a/k/a "Black," a/k/a "Little Black," a/k/a "Chase Money Marz," accused of murdering 28-year-old Rasheed Barton on August 11, 2013, in the Bronx, New York. From at least 2013 to 2022, WILLIAM... More...
$ (02-11-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Jalen Teague, a/k/a "Bizzie," "Too Official," Cheleia Council Sanders, a/k/a "Mercedes," and Megan Sternast, a/k/a Megal - E Village" </h2> </center>
New York City, New York, criminal defense lawyers represent the Defendants charged with racketeering an murder. Jalen Teague, a/k/a "Bizzie," "Too Official," Cheleia Council Sanders, a/k/a "Mercedes," and Megan Sternast, a/k/a Megal - E Village" with racketeering conspiracy, murder and conspiracy to distribute Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (“GHB”), resulting in death. “As alleged, Jal... More...
$ (02-11-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> State of New York v. Michael Patterson </h2> </center>
New York City, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with committing a total of seven arsons across the Upper East Side and Upper West Side in 2025. “Michael Patterson allegedly committed a series of arsons on Manhattan’s public streets,” said District Attorney Bragg. “These dangerous fires extensively damaged public and private property, including five ve... More...
$ (02-10-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> Jaylynn Dean v. Uber Technologies Incorporated, et al. </h2> </center>
Phoenix, Arizona, personal injury lawyers represented the Plaintiff on respondeat superior theory claiming that raped her. Jaylynn Dean claimed that a Uber driver raped her in November 2023 during a ride to her hotel.... More...
$ (02-05-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Tony Rodriguez </h2> </center>
Rochester, New York criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with coercion or enticement of a minor. Tony Rodriguez, 40, of Rochester, New York, engaged in graphic sexual conversations online with a person he believed to be an 11-year-old girl. Rodriguez was actually communicating with a member of the community group “Predator Poachers.” In addition to online conversations,... More...
$ (02-02-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Andrew Edick </h2> </center>
Syracuse, New York, criminal defense lawyer Danielle Neroni represents the Defendant charged with sexual exploitation of a child, transportation of achild pornography, and possession of child pornography by a registered sex offender. Andrew Edick, age 39, admitted that in in the summer of 2022, he filmed the genitalia of a female child born in 2013 and knowingly transported the video between ... More...
$ (02-02-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Steven LaBianca </h2> </center>
Brooklyn, New York, criminal defense lawyer Nora Hirozawa represented the Defendant charged with coercion or enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography. In 2017, Steven LaBianca, age 53, communicated online with a 15-year-old girl who resided in Cyprus (Jane Doe 2). LaBianca induced Jane Doe 2 to send him photographs and videos of herself nude and engaging in sexual activities,... More...
$ (02-02-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> State of New York v. Alejandro Piedra </h2> </center>
New York City, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Second Degree, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the Second Degree. Alejandro Piera, age 31, fatally stabbed 38-year-old Clemson Cockfield and injuring two others in the East Village in June 2024. “Alejandro Piedra escalated to deadly violence when he brutally stabbed three individu... More...
$ (02-02-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Anthony Curcio </h2> </center>
New York City, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the defendant charged with attept and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Anthony Curcio was accused of engaging in a scheme to defraud customers by selling them sports and Pokémon trading cards with fake grades purportedly issued by Professional Sports Authenticator (“PSA”). From at least 2022 to May 2024, CURCI... More...
$ (02-02-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Marion Cogliormella, Steven Lacaj, and Karim Jbrahim </center> </h2>
New York City, New York criminal defense lawyers Scott Leemon, Mike Farkas, andJaesm Frocearo, represented the Defendants charged with conspiracy to commit securities fraud, wire fraud, and investment adviser fraud.. Mario Goglirmella, , Steven Lacaj, and Karim Ijbrahim, a/k/a "Chris Hayes" a/k/a “Chris Hayes, engaged in a conspiracy to commit securities fraud with their management of L & G... More...
$ (02-02-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> State of New York v. Winston Nguyen </h2> </center>
New York City, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with using a child in a sexual performance and five misdemeanors. Saint Ann's school teacher Winston Nguyen was accused for soliciting nude photographs of his students, sharing the photographs with others and engaging in “a revenge porn blast with dozens of explicit pictures” of them to his own students.... More...
$ (12-31-2025 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Kwahpreme Mitchell </h2> </center>
Albany, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possessing firearms as a convicted felon. Kwahpreme Mitchell, age 34, of Watervliet, New York, admitted to receiving firearms from Jonathon Combs and Martin Taft that they had stolen from Calamity Jane’s Firearms and Fine Shoes, a federally licens... More...
$ (01-25-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> State of New York v. Nathan Ensel and Leocadio J. Espinal </h2> </center>
Albany, New York, criminal defense lawyers represented the Defendants charge with selling drugs. Albany, New York, police officers Nathan Ensel, age 45, of Rensselaer, New York, and Leocadio J. Espinal, age 46, of Astoria, New York, accused of selling drugs.... More...
$ (01-23-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Javonte Holloway </h2> </center>
Buffalo, New York, criminal defense lawyer Justin Ginter represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs.... More...
$ (01-21-2026 - NY)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Kwahpreme Mitchell </h2> </center>
Albany, New York, criminal defense lawyer John Wallenstein represented the Defendant charged with possession of a machine gun to commit a crime of violence.... More...
$ (01-21-2026 - NY)