White Plains, NY – Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah and Westchester County Department of Correction Commissioner Joseph K. Spano announced the arraignment of several correction officers and civilian employees on charges of accepting bribe payments and smuggling contraband into Westchester County Jail in Valhalla.
The individuals charged include:
- Peter Cumberbatch, 39, of New Rochelle, a Westchester County correction officer, charged with Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree (felony) and Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree (misdemeanor) for accepting an $800 payment in March 2023.
- Shakia Smythe, 32, of Peekskill, a Westchester County correction officer, charged with two counts of Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree and Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree for accepting over $500 in payments between June and August 2022.
- Wilfredo Gonzague, 36, of Briarcliff Manor, a former correction officer, charged with three counts of Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree and two counts of Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree for accepting over $2,000 in payments between September 2022 and February 2023.
- Sadari Holt, 30, of the Bronx, a former commissary service employee, charged with five counts of Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree and five counts of Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree for accepting over $1,500 in payments between December 2021 and April 2022.
- Shardae Moore, 35, of Yonkers, a former commissary service employee, charged with Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree for accepting a $500 payment in December 2023.
Additionally, Sean Rogers, 40, of Mount Vernon, a civilian jailor with the Mount Vernon Police Department, was charged with Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree. He allegedly delivered three cylindrical objects containing a leafy substance to an incarcerated individual on March 11 and was arraigned on June 3.
DA Rocah stated, “These defendants put their own interests above the safety of incarcerated individuals, employees, civilians, and other correction officers. Our jails become less safe when correction officers and others in positions of public trust accept bribes to smuggle in contraband.”
Commissioner Spano added, “The involved correction officers have disgraced the shield that they once wore and violated the trust we put in them to uphold the law and work with integrity.”
The defendants were arraigned on June 20 in Mount Pleasant Justice Court. Investigations and arrests were conducted by the DA’s Office Criminal Investigators Squad. The Westchester County Department of Correction has suspended or terminated the involved individuals and revoked the security clearances of the former employees.
- Search Underway for Missing 10-Year-Old in Paterson
PATERSON, NJ—The Paterson Police Department has issued an alert for 10-year-old Greisly Diaz, who was last seen on June 21, 2024, near her residence in Paterson. Authorities note that Greisly is known to frequent New York City, particularly the Queens area.
Greisly was last observed wearing a black Rolling Stones shirt and black pants. The Paterson Police are calling on the public to aid in locating her by reporting any sightings or information on her whereabouts.
Anyone with information that could assist in safely locating Greisly Diaz is encouraged to contact the Paterson Police Department's Juvenile Unit at 973-321-1126. Your help could be vital in ensuring her safe return.
- 12-Year-Old Girl Missing in Pikesville, Baltimore
BALTIMORE, MD—The Baltimore Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in locating 12-year-old Tayzha "Alona" Warren, who was last seen at 8:30 p.m. on June 20 in the Pikesville area. Tayzha is described as 4'10" tall, weighing 120 lbs. Her clothing description at the time of disappearance is unknown, though she may be wearing red “Crocs” with sparkles.
Authorities urge anyone with information about Tayzha's whereabouts to immediately contact 911 or the Baltimore Police at 410-307-2020. The community's swift response could be crucial in ensuring her safe return.
- Hackettstown Police Issue Alert for Missing Teenager
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ—The Hackettstown Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating 15-year-old Maddox Demetri Talmadge, who went missing on June 21, 2024, around 5:00 p.m. Maddox was last seen departing Marley's Gotham Grill located at 169 Main Street.
Maddox is described as a white male, 5'04" tall, weighing 115 lbs, with brown eyes, brown hair, and a distinguishing mole above his lips. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a grey Hollister t-shirt, grey jeans, white sneakers, and was sporting a red arm cast on his right arm. He was also carrying a black drawstring backpack.
Anyone with information regarding Maddox’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Hackettstown Police Department at 908-852-3300. Prompt and accurate tips could be crucial in ensuring his safe return.
- Fatal Gas-Powered Bike Accident Under Investigation in Wilmington
WILMINGTON, DE—A tragic accident involving a gas-powered bike resulted in the death of a 22-year-old Wilmington man yesterday afternoon. The Delaware State Police are currently investigating the incident.
The collision occurred at approximately 2:21 p.m. on Wednesday, on West Newport Pike near Silview Avenue. A grey 2009 Audi A4, driven by a 43-year-old Wilmington woman, was turning right into a private parking lot when it collided with the mini gas-powered bike traveling westbound along the road's shoulder. The area was marked with construction cones due to active construction, closing off the shoulder where the accident took place.
The young man operating the bike was ejected upon impact and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. His identity has not been released pending notification of his family.
The Audi driver was unharmed. The incident led to the closure of the roadway for about two hours to allow for an investigation and cleanup.
Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit is handling the investigation. Authorities are urging witnesses or anyone with information about the crash to come forward and contact Master Corporal J. Forester at (302) 365-8485, or provide information through private messaging on the Delaware State Police Facebook page or via Delaware Crime Stoppers.
- Yonkers Building Collapse: Here’s What We Know So Far
Building Collapse in Yonkers Prompts Emergency Response
YONKERS, NY—A building collapse at 9 North Broadway led to a significant emergency response this morning just before 11:00 AM. The incident involved the collapse of a floor and wall on the building's first level, which fell into the basement below.
Yonkers Police Department officers quickly secured the area as Yonkers Fire Department personnel evacuated two individuals from a third-floor apartment using a tower ladder. These residents were transported to a local hospital for evaluation and fortunately sustained no serious injuries.
Multiple agencies, including the Yonkers Office of Emergency Management, the City of Yonkers Department of Housing and Buildings, the Red Cross, and Con Edison, are on site to assess the situation and ensure public safety. Utilities have been disconnected, and the structural integrity of the building is under thorough evaluation.
Road closures are in effect around the site, with North Broadway closed from Main Street to Manor House Square and Main Street shut down from Palisade Avenue to Warburton Avenue until further notice. Updates on the building's status are expected to be provided by the involved agencies as more information becomes available throughout the day.
- Man Charged for Illegal Gun on Key Highway
BALTIMORE, MD—A 20-year-old male was arrested on handgun violations during a vehicle stop by officers in the Central District. The incident occurred around 9:09 p.m. on Wednesday in the 200 block of Key Highway.
Officers, engaged in efforts to prevent robberies in the Inner Harbor area, stopped the vehicle and discovered that the driver had an active warrant. During the stop, officers also recovered property linked to the suspect.
Following the discovery, the suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Central District Booking Intake Facility for processing.