Woodhaven man arrested for allegedly dealing drugs below mom’s day care 4 The Courier sun • february 26, 2015 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com Photo by Anthony Giudice My Precious Moments day care facility in Woodhaven. BY ROBERT POZARYCKI [email protected] @robbpoz A Woodhaven man was busted for allegedly dealing drugs from his apartment below a day care center his mother owns and operates. Michael Gomez, 24, was arrested on Feb. 19 on drug possession charges after police raided his apartment located under the My Precious Moments day care facility at 85-09 88th Ave., authorities said. A friend with him at the scene, Selestino Rodriguez of Ridgewood, was also taken into custody. My Precious Moments opened in May 2009 and cares for 16 children — 12 of whom are between 6 weeks and 12 years old. Queens District Attorney Richard Brown noted that the day care center is located less than 1,500 feet from two parochial schools that serve pre-kindergarten through eighth grade: St. Elizabeth Catholic Academy at 94-01 85th St. and St. Thomas the Apostle Academy at 87-49 87th St. Both are in drug-free school zones. The NYPD Queens Narcotics Squad executed a search warrant at the 88th Avenue location following an investigation in which Gomez allegedly sold quantities of MDMA (Molly) and/or marijuana to an undercover officer on Feb. 3 and Feb. 17. Both transactions reportedly occurred at Gomez’s residence while children were inside the day care center. During the morning raid, police recovered 7 ounces of Molly, 4 ounces of marijuana and more than $2,400 in cash. Gomez and Rodriguez were charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminally using drug paraphernalia, criminal possession of marijuana and endangering the welfare of a child. Gomez was additionally charged with criminal sale of marijuana and criminal sale of a controlled substance. Both suspects were arraigned on Feb. 19 in Queens Criminal Court before Judge Toko Serita. Gomez was ordered held on $20,000 bail, while Rodriguez was released on his own recognizance. They are scheduled to return to court on March 9. The Office of Children and Family Services suspended the day care center’s operating license less than a week after the police raid, according to an agency spokesperson. The agency reportedly withheld the license for My Precious Moments following its own probe into matters unrelated to the raid. No one at the day care center responded to calls for comment. Goldfeder calls for improved safety measure under A train underpass BY SALVATORE LICATA [email protected] @Sal_Licata1 New and additional street lights are needed for a poorly lit underpass in Ozone Park that is “potentially dangerous” for residents to walk through at night, said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. “This dark and dangerous underpass poses a threat to the children and families in the community and is a welcome sign for criminal behavior,” Goldfeder said. “Our families deserve to feel safe walking in their own neighborhoods and I’m urging the Department of Transportation to immediately install lights to help give every resident the peace of mind they deserve.” The pathway Goldfeder is singling out is between 99th and 100th streets on Rockaway Boulevard, which passes under the elevated A train tracks. He said that the current fixtures that provide light do not work and that even when they do, they wouldn’t provide adequate lighting for the area. He has written to the Department of Transportation in hopes that they will fix the problem that he calls “troubling and dangerous.” “When I arrive home every night from work, I use the pathway to get to my house,” said local resident Shaki Kar. “There are no street lamps there and it’s dark and covered in litter and graffiti. I know people who have gotten robbed there in the past. I feel very unsafe.” The assemblyman encouraged the agency to work with the MTA, which owns the tracks, to perform any necessary maintenance at the site. He said that the area is home to many local businesses and is also near two public schools — M.S. 137 America’s School of Heroes and John Adams High School — making the situation particularly dangerous for students walking home from school. “No one should have to fear for their safety while walking home at night,” said Goldfeder. “We live in a great community where people feel safe to live and raise a family. When problems like this underpass arise, it’s important to address them as soon as possible and maintain the quality of life we enjoy.” As of press time the DOT did not respond for a request of comment on the situation. THE COURIER/Photo by Salvatore Licata
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