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Rockland DA: JURY CONVICTS SPRING VALLEY MAN ON MULTIPLE RAPE CHARGES

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11 months ago

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ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY – Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that Rigoberto Lopez Castro, 26 of Spring Valley, New York was convicted of three violent felonies following a two-week jury trial before the Honorable Kevin J. Russo, stemming from criminal acts committed by the defendant on two consecutive nights in 2022 in the Village of Spring Valley.

On September 12, 2022, the defendant forcibly raped the victim, a female previously known to the defendant. The defendant held a belt to the victim’s neck and hit her multiple times. On the following night, September 13, 2022, the defendant unlawfully broke into the victim’s home and locked bedroom, and he again forcibly raped her. He put his hands around her neck and hit her repeatedly. As a result of these attacks, the victim suffered significant pain and sustained multiple bruises about her body and a ligature mark on her neck. She received treatment at a local hospital.

Rigoberto Lopez Castro was convicted on the following charges:

• 1 count of Rape in the First Degree (Penal Law §130.35(1)) (B Felony)
• 1 count of Rape in the First Degree (Penal Law §130.35(1)) (B Felony)
• 1 count of Burglary in the First Degree (Penal Law §140.30(1)) (B Felony)

District Attorney Tom Walsh said, “This conviction reaffirms my commitment to holding perpetrators of sexual violence accountable for their actions. I commend the investigation by our partners in law enforcement and the excellent prosecution by lead counsel Senior Assistant District Attorney McNiff and Executive Assistant District Attorney Guccione. No individual should ever be held against their will or be the victim of sexual abuse, the defendant in this case will now be facing a lengthy prison term at sentencing.”

The defendant is scheduled for sentencing on June 4, 2024 and faces up to 25 years in state prison on each count. The defendant is currently incarcerated in the Rockland County Jail, where he has been held since his arraignment on these charges.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Emily McNiff and Executive Assistant District Attorney Tina Guccione prosecuted the case.

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Crime

Clarkstown Man Sentenced To 21 Years In Prison For Distributing Fentanyl

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7 hours ago

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February 23, 2025

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Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino and Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that following a 2022 investigation by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force, Clarkstown PD, and the Drug Enforcement Administration into Justin Turnick, 26 of Congers, New York, has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern to over 21 years in prison.
Turnick previously pled guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl. In his plea agreement, TURNICK took responsibility for distributing fentanyl that resulted in three fatal fentanyl poisonings and three non-fatal fentanyl poisonings of teenagers and young adults between February 2020 and April 2022 in Rockland County, New York.
According to the allegations in the federal Indictment, Court filings, and statements made in Court:
Turnick engaged in the regular distribution of narcotics to members of his community in Rockland County, New York, including his friends, partners, and acquaintances. He knowingly distributed fentanyl — a deadly and highly potent opioid — in various forms, including fentanyl that had been packaged into pills, pure fentanyl, and fentanyl-laced powder.
Turnick distributed fentanyl that resulted in three fatal and three non-fatal poisonings:
– On or about February 3, 2020, Gustaf Olsen died at age 19 as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
– On or about July 11, 2020, Jonathan Shashoua died at age 22 as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
– On or about January 5, 2021, an 18-year-old girl experienced a non-fatal poisoning as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
– On or about July 30, 2021, Ione Koenig experienced a non-fatal poisoning as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
– On or about July 31, 2021, Ione Koenig died at age 18 as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
– On or about April 19, 2022, a 23-year-old man experienced a non-fatal poisoning as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
In addition to the prison sentence, Turnick was sentenced to 5 years of supervised release.
“Today’s sentencing reflects the commitment the DEA and our law enforcement partners have in targeting those individuals who are poisoning our communities. Fentanyl is a lethal drug that dealers mix into their product knowing the harmful effects it presents to those using it, including death” stated DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “While we can never bring back those lives lost by Mr. Tunick’s reckless actions, the DEA will always continue to bring those responsible for this deadly distribution to justice.”
“The actions by the defendant in this case resulted in three individuals losing their lives and harming countless others. My Office is committed to keeping fentanyl and illegal narcotics off of our streets and our residents safe. I would like to commend the excellent work by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force, Clarkstown Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York to hold the defendant accountable. Mr. Turnick will be facing a lengthy prison sentence for his actions.” said District Attorney Tom Walsh
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan W. Allison and Kathryn Wheelock. Some information above is from the Southern District of New York.

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Crime

FBI Offers $25,000 Reward for Information Leading To A Conviction In The Murder of Nicholas Jasiel In Spring Valley

Published

3 days ago

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February 20, 2025

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The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the identity, arrest, and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the murder of Nicholas Jasiel.
At approximately 9:00 p.m., on December 7, 2019, 19-year-old Nicholas Jasiel was shot while in the street at the corner of Dwight Avenue and Mallory Road in the Hillcrest section of Spring Valley, New York, resulting in his death.
If you have any information concerning this person, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. FBI NYC Field Office can be reached at (212) 384-1000.

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