Ex-Suffolk Tutor Who 'Catfished' Minor Into Sex, Abused Second Teen Gets 65 Years In Prison
A former tutor from Long Island will spend decades behind bars for blackmailing an underage teen into having sex with him, and abusing a second victim.
Steven Cipkin, 38, of Suffolk County, was sentenced to 65 years in prison in Louisiana federal court on Wednesday, May 21, after admitting to online enticement of minors.
Cipkin admitted that from January to April 2022, he used online platforms to pose as an adolescent girl and contacted a minor in Louisiana, gaining her trust. After revealing his true identity, Cipkin continued the communication, asking her to send sexually explicit photos …
'Gladly Go To Prison:' Morris County Man Admits Threats After Commentator’s Rabbi Remarks
A Morris County man admitted to threatening to kill a political commentator in an online video and group message, federal officials said.
Haim Braverman, 47, of Morris Plains, pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to transmitting threats in interstate commerce, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced Tuesday, May 6. He entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin. Sentencing is set for Sept. 15, 2025.
According to court documents, Braverman posted a video on or about Sept. 10, 2024, in which he threatened a political commentator while holding a bat.
“You’ll get what’s coming to yo…
Ex-Library Staffer From Hawthorne Admits Embezzling $3.2M From Couple Who Trusted Him, Feds Say
A Passaic County man and former tech administrator at a Bergen County library admitted to embezzling more than $3.2 million from a local couple who had hired him as a part-time personal assistant, federal prosecutors said.
Charles Gallo, 34, of Hawthorne, pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to one count of wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said Friday, May 2.
Gallo began working for the victims in 2018, helping manage their bills, banking, emails, and tech issues, court documents say. From March 2022 to March 2023, Gallo used his access to steal millions, including making ATM withdra…
Greenwich Hedge Fund Owner Admits To Stealing $3.4M From Investors: DOJ
A Connecticut businessman who ran a hedge fund based in Greenwich has admitted to stealing millions from investors in a years-long scam.
Justin C. Murphy, 50, of Stamford, pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud and money laundering, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. He faces up to 30 years in prison.
Prosecutors say he misled clients, faked financial statements, and used their money to fund his lifestyle, including investing in a relative’s startup.
Murphy owned and operated Mara Investment Group, also known by similar names, claiming it was a hedge fund that used a smart,…
Colombian National Broke ICE Officer’s Nose, Left Her With Concussion In NJ Assault: Feds
A Colombian national has been indicted for assaulting a U.S. immigration officer during a violent arrest attempt in New Jersey, federal prosecutors said.
Hector Villegas-Alvarez, 27, was identified by ICE deportation officers on Feb. 23, as being in the United States without legal immigration status, according to U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
When officers attempted to arrest him, Villegas-Alvarez physically resisted and “forcefully elbowed one of the ICE deportation officers in the face,” according to court documents.
The officer, a woman, suffered a broken nose and a concussion, and continu…
Lake George Inventor Defrauded Investors, Dodged Taxes While Living Large, Jury Finds
A New York man who promised big returns on patented inventions defrauded investors and failed to file tax returns, a federal jury found.
Michael Conner, 56, of Lake George, was convicted on 22 counts of wire fraud and related charges following an eight-day trial in Albany federal court on Thursday, April 10.
Conner portrayed himself as a successful inventor of household products such as a heated-blade knife, a paint bucket called the “Paint Caddy,” and a rotatable refrigerator shelf. But in reality, he never sold a single patent and hadn’t earned a dime in revenue from any of them, accordin…
Climate Protester Who Defaced 'Priceless Work Of Art' In DC Museum Learns Fate In Court
A North Carolina climate activist has been convicted in the shocking 2023 defacement of a world-famous sculpture at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
Timothy Martin, 55, of Raleigh, was found guilty on Monday, April 7, by a federal jury following a four-day trial in DC’s US District Court.
Specifically, he was convicted of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and injury to a National Gallery of Art exhibit, federal prosecutors said.
The charges stem from an April 27, 2023, protest in which Martin and another activist smeared red paint on the case and…
