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Rockland County Man Convicted for Felony Illegal Commercialization of Ivory

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ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York County District Attorney’s (DA) Office today announced the conviction of a Rockland County man for felony illegal commercialization of elephant ivory worth approximately $70,000, concluding a joint investigation that first began in 2020. On Feb. 8, defendant Kenneth Kerner, 59, from the town of Clarkstown pleaded guilty to a class D Felony for the illegal commercialization of ivory over $25,000. The judge’s sentence mandated five years’ probation, 200 hours of community service, an obligation to donate $10,000 to a wildlife Non-Governmental Organization, relinquishing the three ivory pool cues offered during the illicit sale, and reimbursing the DA’s Office for the $15,000 cash. Kerner was also compelled to post a public statement on his social media account to increase awareness and discourage the illegal ivory trade.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “I applaud the hard work, diligence, and dedication of DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement and our partners at the New York County District Attorney’s Office in investigating this case and bringing the defendant to justice. The fight to protect the world’s wild elephant population is ongoing and New York remains on the front lines of that fight as we bust the businesses that fuel the illegal ivory trade and promote, directly or indirectly, the horrific and senseless poaching of these awe-inspiring animals.”

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said, “Kenneth Kerner illegally sold and offered for sale $70,000 in pool cues manufactured from elephant ivory. In Manhattan, we will continue to hold those accountable who attempt to take part in the illegal ivory trade. I thank our law enforcement partners for their partnership in this case.”

Investigators from the New York County District Attorney’s Office and DEC Division of Law Enforcement Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigators (BECI) began a joint investigation in summer 2020 into the illegal commercialization of billiard cues made of elephant ivory. The high-end items, with asking prices as high as $45,000, were offered for sale on social media sites. Undercover Investigators contacted the seller and arranged an in-person buy in September 2020. The seller offered three ivory cues for sale, one of them for $15,000. Once the BECI Investigator cleared the sale, Officers with the District Attorney’s Office arrested the seller.

DEC Division of Law Enforcement Director Karen Przyklek said, “A precise and coordinated effort by two elite law enforcement divisions resulted in the shutdown of another lucrative illegal ivory operation. I hope this serves as a message to other sellers of illegal ivory in New York City and beyond that my Officers will investigate these cases thoroughly and ensure lawbreakers are held accountable.”

John F. Calvelli, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) said, “We congratulate the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York County District Attorney’s Office for their continued efforts to enforce laws around the sale of elephant ivory. This effort in New York State is vital to efforts to protect elephants in Africa and Asia. We were proud to partner with DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos on our ’96 Elephants’ campaign to strengthen the law banning the sale of elephant ivory in New York State. At WCS, our teams in the elephant range countries have seen the positive effects of governments across the world taking stands to end the sale of elephant ivory.”

Wild elephant populations worldwide number fewer than 500,000 and are listed as endangered species. New York’s Environmental Conservation Law makes the sale of ivory without a permit illegal.

In 2014, New York State strengthened its laws on interstate ivory sales, increasing penalties against buyers and sellers whose actions further endanger elephant populations worldwide. Since the law took effect, DEC has focused on the illegal ivory trade and charged several corporations and individuals, including those brought down during “Operation White Gold,” an undercover operation launched by DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement from 2015 to 2018 in New York City focused on high-end antique dealers and wholesale distributors throughout the five boroughs. The ivory seized during the undercover operation weighed two tons and had a combined market value of more than $12 million. DEC destroyed most of the seized ivory in a massive crush in New York City’s Central Park in 2017.

In May, 2023, just prior to Endangered Species Day, DEC partnered with the New York State Museum to announce a new display featuring some of the remaining ivory as a reminder of the rampant and continued slaughter of the African elephant, rhinoceros, and other majestic endangered species that fuel the transnational illegal trade in wildlife. The display remains at the New York State Museum for visitors to observe. More information is on DEC’s website and at the New York State Museum website.

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Tragic Crash on I-87 in Ramapo Claims Life of 24-Year-Old Woman from Middletown

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RAMAPO, NY — A 24-year-old woman from Middletown tragically lost her life on Sunday, June 15, 2025, following a single-vehicle crash on the southbound side of Interstate 87, near Exit 14A in the town of Ramapo, according to the New York State Police.

At approximately 3:25 p.m., troopers from the Tarrytown barracks responded to a report of a serious collision on the New York State Thruway. A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2016 Honda Civic, driven by Anysah P. Nelson, had been traveling southbound when, for unknown reasons, the driver lost control of the vehicle. The car left the roadway via the right shoulder and struck a tree.

Emergency medical personnel arrived quickly and provided life-saving efforts at the scene. Nelson was then transported to Nyack Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and no additional vehicles were reported to be involved. Authorities have not yet released details regarding possible contributing factors, such as weather, speed, or mechanical issues.

Anyone with information related to the crash is urged to contact the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Haverstraw at (845) 344-5300, and reference case number NY2500527508.

Photo by Rockland Video

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Tragedy in Spring Valley: Four-Year-Old Killed, Three Others Injured in Suspected DWI Crash on Old Nyack Turnpike

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SPRING VALLEY, NY — A devastating crash in Village of Spring Valley has claimed the life of a four-year-old girl and left three others — including two young children — seriously injured after they were struck by a vehicle while walking on the sidewalk. The incident occurred on the evening of Friday, June 14, around 9:20 PM, near 142 Old Nyack Turnpike, as families were leaving a nearby park.

According to the Spring Valley Police Department, officers responded to a call reporting a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, Ramapo Police and emergency medical personnel were already on the scene providing aid. The investigation determined that multiple pedestrians were struck on the sidewalk by a car that later became disabled nearby, with the driver still wedged inside the vehicle when authorities arrived.

Four victims — a two-year-old boy, a five-year-old boy, a 31-year-old man, and a four-year-old girl — were rushed to Westchester Medical Center with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. Tragically, despite emergency medical efforts, the four-year-old girl succumbed to her injuries several hours later. The Monsey Scoop has identified her as the daughter of Spring Valley Trustee Sruly Eisenbach.

The driver, identified as 41-year-old Axel Lopez-Santiago of Spring Valley, was also injured and transported to Good Samaritan Hospital. A preliminary investigation indicated that Lopez-Santiago was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

Following the investigation, Lopez-Santiago was arrested and charged with the following:

Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (Penal Law 125.14(3)) — with a prior DWI conviction

Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (Penal Law 125.14(5)) — causing one death and serious injury to at least one other

Vehicular Assault in the First Degree (Penal Law 120.04(3))

Reckless Driving (VTL 1212)

Driving While Intoxicated (VTL 1192(3))

He was arraigned on Sunday, June 15 at 2:00 PM in Spring Valley Justice Court before Judge Mellion and held on $750,000 cash bail.

Photo by Ramapo Buffs.

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