$78K Welfare Scheme Lands Port Jefferson Station Social Worker In Cuffs: Prosecutors
A Suffolk County social services employee swiped $78,000 from the national food stamps program, authorities said Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Kevin Hernandez Meza, 23, of Port Jefferson Station, distributed SNAP benefits to at least seven people who never applied for them, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said.
Hernandez Meza worked in the Suffolk County Department of Social Services as a Social Services Examiner, prosecutors said. His job was to review existing food stamps recipients to see if they still qualified for SNAP, according to authorities.
But instead, Hernandez Meza opened t…
Babylon Man Drowns In Backyard Pool As Family Member Makes Tragic Discovery: Police
A Long Island man drowned in his backyard pool Tuesday morning, Oct. 6, police said.
David Astarita, 60, of Babylon, was reported unresponsive around 6:40 a.m. Tuesday at his home on Bacon Lane, the Suffolk County Police Department said.
A family member had called 911 after finding Astarita unconscious in an above-ground pool, police said. First responders arrived at the scene and pronounced him dead.
Astarita’s death is believed to be “non-criminal,” Suffolk County police said.
For 20 years, Astarita worked as the manager at Gino's Pizza on Deer Park Avenue, next to the Babylon LIRR stop…
LI Coke, Fentanyl Traffickers Hauled In $2M While On Parole For Drug Convictions: Investigators
Two major drug traffickers on Long Island who made more than $2 million from their operation have been arrested, authorities said Thursday, Oct. 1.
Shamiek Porter, 34, and Branden Harris, 36, are both accused of being major narcotics distributors, according to court documents filed in Suffolk County.
Porter and Harris also have previous drug trafficking convictions and were on parole prior to their arrests on Wednesday, Sept. 16, according to state prison records and county prosecutors.
While Porter and Harris worked together throughout the scheme, Porter was the initial provider of cocain…
Blue Point Man Turned Supposed Romance Into Drug-Fueled Sex Trafficking Nightmare: Authorities
An accused Long Island sex trafficker has been hit with additional charges for controlling and raping a second victim, authorities said Friday, Oct. 2.
Torrey Brown, 36, formerly of Blue Point, gave the second victim drugs and kept her hooked, then threatened her with violence when she tried to leave, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said.
Brown, also known as “Smiley,” was arrested in the first case in April and indicted in June, authorities said. After his first case was publicized, a second victim reported his additional actions to the Suffolk DA’s office, prosecutors said. …
Serial Kings Park Bank Robber With ‘No Funny Business’ Demand Note Headed Back To Prison: DA
A serial Long Island bank robber who hit two more banks in December 2025 was sentenced Thursday, Oct. 1 to more prison time, authorities said.
Brian Blackford, 52, of Kings Park, got five and a half to 11 years in prison after admitting to the heists, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said. The sentence was consistent with his plea deal in August.
Blackford’s name, age, hometown, and general appearance match a man who was charged in seven bank robberies and arrested in 2014, according to prior reports. Blackford spent seven years in state prison before his release in November 20…
Oakdale Father Of Three Faces Multiple Surgeries After Being Ejected In Terrifying Crash
A Long Island man is facing multiple surgeries after he was ejected in a one-car crash, his loved ones said.
Michael Schmid, 51, of Oakdale, was hospitalized in critical condition following the Friday, Aug. 21 wreck on Riverview Court, the Suffolk County Police Department said.
“He has suffered multiple injuries and will need multiple surgeries as he begins what we know will be a long and challenging recovery,” organizer Evangeline Dowd wrote in a GoFundMe for Schmid and his family.
“His wife, Kelly, and their children, Michael, Kennedy, and Leighton, are standing by his side through all …
Thief Hits Sayville Target For $4,600 In Tech Gear, Including Tablet And VR Headset: Police
A man stole $4,600 worth of merchandise from a Target on Long Island, and while he was caught on camera at the store, police are seeking the public’s help to identify him.
The man took an Apple iPad, a Nintendo Switch, and Meta Quest VR headsets from the store in Sayville on Saturday, June 27, the Suffolk County Police Department said.
Around 10:30 a.m., the man walked out of the store at 5750 Sunrise Highway without paying, police said. Cops asked for the public’s help on Friday, July 31, about one month after the robbery.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers are offering a cash reward for tips …
Bellport Pedestrian Killed By Tractor-Trailer Identified Days After Collision: Police
The pedestrian killed in a Long Island car crash last week was identified Tuesday, June 30 by authorities.
Denis Hernandez, 27, was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on Station Road in North Bellport, the Suffolk County Police Department said Tuesday.
Hernandez, of Bellport, was standing in the road just south of Martha Avenue when a southbound tractor-trailer struck him around 10:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25, according to police.
He was taken to NYU Langone Hospital-Suffolk in Patchogue, where he was pronounced dead, police said. The accident remains under investigation.
