Crime

NYC Man Pleads Guilty Following Ongoing Rockland County DA Sting Operation Targeting Online Predators

Published

1 year ago

October 22, 2023

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY – Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that Dylan Choe, a 24-year-old male from New York City has pleaded guilty to disseminating indecent material to minors in the first degree for attempting to meet a minor.

In January of 2023, Choe engaged in an online conversation with a Rockland County District Attorney’s Office undercover investigator on a social media platform. The undercover investigator claimed to be a thirteen-year-old female from Rockland County. The defendant proceeded to have a sexually explicit conversation with the investigator, whom he thought was a minor. As conversations advanced, Choe made arrangements for the two to meet at a Rockland County hotel.

On January 19, 2023, Choe checked into a Rockland hotel and waited for the individual he believed to be a thirteen-year-old girl. Choe was arrested and charged with disseminating indecent materials to minors in the first degree.

Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh said, “Our office remains committed to ensuring the safety of innocent children in our community. This case is a clear warning to all that predatory behavior will be pursued relentlessly and brought to justice.”
Today’s announced guilty plea is the latest action in an ongoing cybercrime sting operation first launched by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office in 2022. Last December, Rockland County District Attorney’s Office investigators arrested seven men for sex crimes following a separate operation called “Operation Catfish.”

The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office has been a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) since 2020. The ICAC is a national network of 61 coordinated task forces, representing over 5,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement, dedicated to investigating, prosecuting and developing effective responses to internet crimes against children.

The defendant pleaded guilty on October 16, 2023 before the Honorable Kevin F. Russo. Choe is scheduled to be sentenced on January 17, 2024. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Delohery.

Crime

RCDAO Drug Task Force Seize 2 Kilos Of Cocaine And Heroine

Published

5 days ago

October 25, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that Darryl Wright, 41 of Pearl River, New York was arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the First Degree following a six-month investigation by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force into narcotics sales in the Town of Orangetown.

On October 23, 2024, detectives from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force and the Orangetown Police Department conducted a search at the Pearl River residence of Darryl Wright which resulted in the seizure of two kilos of cocaine, a quantity of heroin, and other drug paraphernalia.

District Attorney Tom Walsh said, “This arrest sends a strong message to any individual trafficking illegal drugs in our community, you will be arrested and held accountable. The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task works tirelessly to keep dangerous substances off our streets and keep the residents of Rockland County safe.”

The investigation was conducted by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force with invaluable assistance from the Rockland County Probation Department and the Detective and Patrol Division of the Orangetown Police Department.

The defendant was arraigned on October 23, 2024, before Judge Patrick Loftus in Town of Orangetown Justice Court and was remanded to the Rockland County Jail without bail.

Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Dugandzic and Assistant District Attorney John Luongo are assigned to the case.

* It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and an individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Crime

Haverstraw Man Arrested In Connection With Firehouse Burglary

Published

2 weeks ago

October 18, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

The Haverstraw Police Department announces the arrest of David Morgenstern (38) of Haverstraw, NY in connection with a burglary from a Firehouse in Haverstraw. The defendant was charged with burglary 3rd degree (Class D Felony), criminal possession of stolen property (Class A Misdemeanor) and petit larceny (Class A Misdemeanor). The stolen proceeds have been recovered. The defendant was released on an appearance ticket returnable to the Village of Haverstraw Justice Court. It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.