20170615_XQC_QNE_p024

QC06152017

24 THE QUEENS COURIER • JUNE 15, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM Bayside-based 111th Precinct honors top offi cers and community members BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI smonteverdi@qns.com @smont76 Outstanding offi cers and community leaders in northeast Queens were recognized this week in Bayside. Th e 111th Precinct held its annual Awards Night at the Adria Hotel & Conference Center on Northern Boulevard on June 6. “We can’t do what we do without the support of you in the community,” Deputy Inspector William McBride said, addressing a full house. “And our guys and girls can’t do it without the support of their families. It’s incredible to see this outpouring of support.” Supervisor of the Year was awarded to Sergeant Jessica Michel. “She really does go above and beyond all the time,” McBride said. “She takes on any responsibility that we give her without hesitation.” Detective of the Year was given to Dessmond Bodon, “whose work has been particularly outstanding,” McBride said. Dealing with the precinct’s most violent crimes, one example of his dedication was in apprehending a man who robbed a local tavern at gunpoint. Noticing in surveillance video that the suspect had a unique tattoo on his hand, Bodon meticulously combed through NYPD records until he was able to identify and arrest the perpetrator. Police Offi cer of the Year was awarded to Steven Rosa, who began his career in the 75th Precinct before arriving at the 111th in 2008. His current assignment is in Crime Prevention. “As Crime Prevention offi cer, his main goal is to keep the residents of the 111th Precinct safe,” McBride said. “He can be depended on to see everything through to completion.” Civilian of the Year was awarded to Anchamma Mathews; Crossing Guard of the Year to Natalie Cepeda; Auxiliary of the Year to Brian Eco; Explorer of the Year to Joshua Feld. A special Community Service Award was also presented to Susan Seinfeld. District Manager at Community Board 11 for 13 years, the community leader is offi cially retiring from her post at the end of the month. “You are chosen for a mission, a calling, and are the guardians of our public safety,” 111th Precinct Community Council President Jack Fried said to awardees. “We appreciate all that you’ve done for us.” Awards were sponsored by the Jeff erson Democratic Club. Councilmen Paul Vallone and Barry Grodenchik were also present for the ceremony. Flushing man charged with posing as a teen girl online to solicit nude photos from boys BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI federal charges including six counts of sending sexually explicit photographs, Th ere are currently seven victims connected smonteverdi@qns.com sexual exploitation of a child, six counts according to the charges. When the victims to the case: two from Nassau @smont76 of coercion and enticement and one did, Rizo allegedly threatened to tell County, NY, four from Phoenix, AZ, count of possession of child pornography. the victim’s family, friends and social and one from Canada, authorities A Flushing man faces multiple charges He was arraigned on June 7 in Long media followers about it unless they sent said. Further, during the arraignment, aft er allegedly posing as a 14-year-old girl Island Federal Court. more. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Tierney stated on social media to coerce minors into Between June 2016 and April 2017, Rizo then would save the photos that Rizo had interaction with at least sending him explicit photos and videos prosecutors said, Rizo used Instagram and videos to his camera roll and in 50 other minors. of themselves. and Snapchat under names like “Alyssa” a Dropbox application on his phone, Prosecutors are seeking to identify further Flushing resident Kevin Rizo, 28, faces and “Ally” to pressure minors into according to the charges. victims. Photo by Suzanne Monteverdi/QNS Honorees, Deputy Inspector William McBride (center) and Councilmen Grodenchik and Vallone.


QC06152017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above