By MOHAMED FARGHALY | mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Parents of a 16-year-old in Queens have been sentenced for child endangerment after their son, driving illegally in a BMW, caused a fatal crash that killed 14-year-old Fortune Williams, highlighting unprecedented legal consequences for enabling underage driving. Photo courtesy of TruthinBytes Twitter 

In a groundbreaking case, the parents of a teen driver were sentenced on child endangerment charges after their son allegedly killed a 14-year-old girl in a high-speed crash. This marks the first time parents have been convicted on such charges in Queens County, and it is believed to be the first prosecution of its kind in New York State.

Fortune Williams, 14, was killed in May 2023 after being ejected from a BMW driven by the 16-year-old at over 100 miles per hour. The tragic incident occurred when the BMW collided with a UPS truck, leading to Williams’ death from severe head trauma at the scene.

“The parents of a 16-year-old gave their son a BMW when he did not

have legal authority to drive it anywhere in New York City,” DA Katz said. “We allege that because of that teenager’s actions, 14-year-old Fortune Williams is now dead after she was thrown from the car when it crashed into a UPS truck at more than 100 miles an hour. With this conviction, we have shown that the culpability in a fatal crash can go beyond the driver. Parents who provide vehicles to their children and let them drive illegally can be held responsible in the case of tragedies such as this one. We will continue to seek justice for Fortune Williams and her grieving family.”

The defendant’s father confirmed he had purchased the BMW for his son, despite knowing the legal restrictions on his driving privileges. Prior to the fatal incident, the teenager had been witnessed driving the BMW to school, received a citation for driving without a license, and had a history of traffic violations. These circumstances underscore a tragic outcome stemming from underage driving and parental oversight, prompting legal repercussions for enabling such risky behavior.

The teen’s father, Sean Smith, 40, of Springfield Gardens, pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and was sentenced to three years of probation, along with mandatory parenting classes and attendance at the Victim Impact Panel Program. 

The teen’s mother, Deo Ramnarine, 43, also pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and disorderly conduct. She will undergo the same programs, with the possibility of withdrawing her plea if she completes them successfully.

The teen driver, whose name is being withheld because of his age, now 17, faces multiple charges including manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment, and driving without a license. His case is ongoing, and he could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

According to the investigation, on May 17, 2023, the teen was driving westbound on North Conduit Avenue near 160th Street at a speed calculated at 101 miles per hour, far exceeding the 30-mile-per-hour speed limit. Losing control of the vehicle, he crashed into a parked UPS truck, resulting in the fatal ejection of Williams from the car. A UPS employee was also injured in the crash.

The investigation revealed that the teen had a junior driver’s license prohibiting him from driving in New York City. Despite this, his father admitted to buying the BMW for his son and allowing him to drive. Witnesses from the teen’s school reported seeing him driving the BMW regularly, and he had been ticketed for driving without a license prior to the crash.

Assistant District Attorneys Erin Mullins and Joseph Randazzo are prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Michael Whitney and Roni C. Piplani, with support from the Vehicular Homicide Unit.

This first of its kind case highlights the potential legal consequences for parents who enable underage and unlicensed driving, underscoring the broader implications of parental responsibility in such tragic incidents.

By MOHAMED FARGHALY | mfarghaly@queensledger.com


New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a significant indictment against five individuals accused of operating a gun trafficking ring in Queens. Courtesy of Office of New York Attorney General Letitia James

New York Attorney General Letitia James on July 17 unveiled a 625-count indictment against five individuals accused of running a gun trafficking operation that distributed numerous ghost guns, assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in Queens.

The investigation, spearheaded by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF), resulted in the recovery of 86 firearms – including 55 ghost guns and 25 assault weapons – as well as over 90 high-capacity magazines and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The suspects transported 3D-printed ghost guns assembled in Nassau County and serialized firearms purchased in Indiana into Queens, where they were stored and sold.

The investigation, conducted jointly by state and federal agencies, led to the seizure of 86 firearms, including ghost guns and assault weapons. The investigation led to the seizure of 86 firearms, including ghost guns and assault weapons. Courtesy of Office of New York Attorney General Letitia James

The takedown resulted from a collaborative investigation between OCTF, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York, and the New York City Police Department (NYPD). The probe included controlled firearms purchase operations, covert video surveillance, social media monitoring, and analysis of financial and telephone records.

“When gun traffickers flood neighborhoods with untraceable firearms, they fuel violence that tears communities apart,” said Attorney General James. “This investigation successfully stopped a dangerous gun trafficking operation by removing dozens of ghost guns and assault weapons from our streets. I will continue to use every available resource to stop illegal gun trafficking and protect our communities from the dangers of gun violence. I thank our partners in this investigation for their diligent work to keep New Yorkers safe.”

Launched in late 2023, the investigation focused on the activities of Satveer Saini and his associates: Mateo Castro-Agudelo, Hargeny Fernandez-Gonzalez, Adam Youssef Senhaji-Rivas, and Milanjit Sidhu.

Saini, Fernandez-Gonzalez, and Senhaji-Rivas spent over $27,000 to buy firearms from Indiana, where gun laws are less stringent compared to New York. Early in the investigation, Saini and Castro-Agudelo were stopped for speeding by the Ohio State Highway Patrol in Medina County, Ohio, while transporting weapons from Indianapolis to Queens. This stop led to the recovery of nine unloaded serialized handguns from Saini’s rental car. Subsequently, Fernandez-Gonzalez began paying Sidhu to transport weapons from Indianapolis to Queens.

Fernandez-Gonzalez also procured 3D-printed ghost guns in Nassau County and transported them to Queens for other members of the trafficking ring to sell. Saini, Castro-Agudelo, and Senhaji-Rivas sold the trafficked firearms, high-capacity magazines, and ammunition throughout the investigation.

Saini sold these firearms at various locations in Queens, including Louis C. Moser Playground in Jackson Heights and the parking lot of Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst. Castro-Agudelo and Fernandez-Gonzalez used a garage in Elmhurst to store weapons, at one point concealing twelve firearms – including seven ghost guns – and numerous high-capacity magazines inside a guitar case. Castro-Agudelo utilized the guitar case to transport firearms and ammunition to his customers, with at least one sale occurring outside a smoke shop in Jackson Heights where he worked.

Castro-Agudelo posted pictures of these guns on social media accounts, including a publicly available X (formerly Twitter) account, displaying many of the guns and significant amounts of cash.

The five individuals charged are; Hargeny Fernandez-Gonzalez, 20, of Richmond Hill, Satveer Saini, 20, of East Elmhurst, Adam Youssef Senhaji-Rivas, 20, of Astoria, Milanjit Sidhu, 20, of Greenwood, IN and Mateo Castro-Agudelo, 21, of Long Island City. 

Each defendant faces charges of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, and/or Criminal Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree. If convicted, they face up to 25 years in prison.

“The defendants are accused of amassing a cache of illegal high-powered rifles, handguns, and semiautomatic weapons that could have undoubtedly been used to promote violence and further cause irreparable devastation,” HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo said. “They allegedly displayed sheer disregard for the public’s safety, and placed their own selfish gain above all else. HSI New York’s LaGuardia Airport Border Enforcement Security Task Force has stood at the front lines of combatting the gun violence epidemic, and utilizes every tool and resource in its arsenal to do so. I commend the New York Attorney General’s Office, the NYPD, and our law enforcement partners for ensuring the safety of New Yorkers every day.”

This case is the latest in Attorney General James’ ongoing efforts to stop illegal gun trafficking. In April 2024, she announced the indictment of four individuals for selling ghost guns and other firearms in Central New York. In March 2024, she secured a $7.8 million judgment against gun retailer Indie Guns for illegally selling ghost gun components in New York. In February 2024, she announced the takedowns of a gun trafficking network that sold ghost guns and assault-style rifles and a narcotics trafficking network in Dutchess County. 

In December 2023, she and the New York State Police indicted a Manhattan man for trafficking guns and narcotics. In March 2023, she announced the takedown of a ghost gun and narcotics trafficking operation in New York City.

“These charges highlight law enforcement’s relentless efforts to rid our streets of untraceable ghost guns and other illegal firearms, leading to New York City’s ongoing reductions in shootings and homicides this year,” said NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “Simply put, our investigators save lives when they disrupt and dismantle the dangerous networks behind the manufacture, transport, and sale of these illicit weapons. I commend and thank the New York Attorney General’s Office and all of the NYPD’s local, state, and federal partners for their hard work on this important case and their continued dedication to our shared public safety mission.”

By MOHAMED FARGHALY | mfarghaly@queensledger.com

The Port Authority and JFK Millennium Partners have chosen 18 artists for JFK Terminal 6’s art installations. Photo courtesy of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in collaboration with JFK Millennium Partners (JMP), has announced the selection of 18 artists to create permanent art installations for the new Terminal 6 at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Scheduled to open in 2026, the $4.2 billion terminal will feature a variety of artworks, including sculptures, suspended installations, wall works, and glass mosaic floor medallions. These installations, curated by the Public Art Fund, aim to encapsulate the spirit of New York and enhance the passenger experience.

Part of a $4.2 billion redevelopment aiming to transform JFK into a global gateway with a unique New York flair by 2026. Photo courtesy of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey 

This initiative supports the Port Authority’s broader vision of transforming JFK into a world-class gateway, with the Terminal 6 project being a key component of the airport’s $19 billion overhaul. The new terminal will seamlessly integrate with the airport’s modernized infrastructure, which includes two new terminals, expanded existing terminals, a new ground transportation center, and an upgraded roadway network.

“Public art that is inspiring and evocative of our region is an essential part of the Port Authority’s strategy to create world-class airports that are becoming destinations in their own right,”  Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said. “Just as we have done at LaGuardia and at Newark-Liberty’s Terminal A, the public art at JFK’s new Terminal 6 will dazzle travelers and help create a sense of place unique to New York.”

The featured artists, hailing from New York City and beyond, were chosen for their ability to reflect the diverse and dynamic nature of the region. The selected works will contribute to creating a distinctive New York atmosphere within the terminal, reinforcing JFK’s role as an international cultural gateway.

“These remarkable artists will bring the unique spirit of our region to the new JFK Terminal 6, welcoming international visitors and locals alike,” Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said. “We applaud the creative vision of these talented artists and look forward to seeing their creative works transform the terminal.”

The art installations are part of a comprehensive effort to elevate the overall passenger experience at JFK, mirroring successful initiatives at LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International Airports. Terminal 6 will be developed in two phases, with the first section set to open in 2026 and construction slated for completion in 2028. 

Nicholas Baume, Artistic and Executive Director of the Public Art Fund, discussed the organization’s involvement in various public art projects throughout New York City, emphasizing their mission to make art accessible to everyone since its founding in 1977. The Fund has collaborated on significant infrastructure projects, including Boston’s and LaGuardia’s Terminal B and Newark’s Terminal A, which led to their partnership with the developers of JFK’s Terminal 6.

The Public Art Fund curates exhibitions at several notable locations in New York, such as City Hall Park, Doris C. Freedman Plaza, and Brooklyn Bridge Park. They also feature art on bus shelters in New York City, Boston, and Chicago. These exhibitions range from site-specific installations to unique projects, like Ai Weiwei’s “Good Fences Make Good Neighbors” and Tauba Auerbach’s painted fireboat “Flow Separation.”

For the JFK Terminal 6 project, artists were selected to reflect the diversity and vibrancy of New York City and the United States, considering JFK’s role as a global gateway in one of the most diverse regions. The selection process involved multiple phases, where artists developed proposals, and some have already begun the fabrication process. The 18 chosen artists will create a variety of works, including floor and wall pieces, sculptures, and installations integrated into the architecture, all scheduled for completion by 2026.

“Our mission is to bring the experience of art and the city together to make that accessible to everybody throughout the city and beyond, free of charge,” Baume said. “They express the spirit of New York City, a place of creativity and invention and originality, a magnet for creative people from all over the world.” 

Baume hopes the artworks will convey the spirit of New York City, showcasing its creativity, diversity, and originality. He envisions the collection as a narrative that welcomes visitors to experience the vitality of contemporary New York, with many of the artists being local or having made New York their home, thus reflecting the city’s dynamic cultural landscape.

“I’m excited that a lot of the artists are New York-based artists, including Queens,”Baume said. “It captures a lot of the experience of many of us who are in or around New York.”

Hersh Parekh, Head of Government and Community Relations for the Port Authority, oversees operations involving government and community relations. His role focuses on collaborating with partners at various governmental levels and community organizations, ensuring the benefits of large capital projects like the JFK redevelopment reach the local community. Parekh emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication and fostering partnerships with local entities, including minority and women-owned businesses.

The Port Authority is overseeing the $19 billion redevelopment of JFK through public-private partnerships, including the $4 billion Terminal 6 project. Parekh described the collaborative effort with JFK Millennium Partners and the Public Art Fund to curate the selection of 18 artists for Terminal 6. This partnership builds on a successful precedent set at LaGuardia’s Terminal B. The selection process involved reviewing hundreds of artists to ensure a vibrant, civic presence and a unique New York sense of place in the new terminal.

“The Port Authority and JFK Millennium partners worked with the Public Art Fund to curate the artists that were selected,” Parekh said. “We reviewed hundreds of artists and narrowed it down to this group of 18.”

Addressing challenges, Parekh highlighted the difficulty of maintaining airport operations while undergoing significant construction. Ensuring the project remains on schedule and minimizes disruptions for travelers is a primary concern. 

“These pieces of art will show you that you’ve arrived in New York,” Parekh said. “Whether it’s a direct reference to New York landmarks or a subtle nod, it’ll be clear that JFK is in New York. It’s creating that sense of civic presence. This is not just a transportation facility; it’s a place where people can experience some of the finest artwork you might see anywhere in the world.”

Parekh expressed hopes that the artworks in Terminal 6 will inspire and uplift travelers, conveying a strong sense of New York’s cultural identity. The art will not only mark JFK as an entry point to the United States but also clearly establish it as a gateway to New York City. This integration of art aims to create a memorable and enriching experience for passengers, reinforcing the city’s pride and character from the moment they arrive.

“We’re very excited for when these art installations are fully built,” Parekh said. “It’ll be a fantastic experience from curb to gate, and this artwork will be a great contributing factor to that experience.”

by Mohamed Farghalhy | mfarghaly@queensledger.com 

The Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation, rooted in the American Dream’s promise, aims to empower individuals in Long Island City and Astoria through workforce development, educational attainment, and medical research. Photo courtesy of the Elmezzi Foundation 

The Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation, rooted in the American Dream’s promise, aims to equip individuals with the tools and support needed to achieve their potential. This vision, established by Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi, focuses on workforce development, educational attainment, and medical research, particularly benefiting those in the Long Island City and Astoria areas.

“We are all about helping people develop skill sets they can continue to use throughout their life,” Joshi said. “For example, teaching people how to install solar technology not only trains them in specific skills but also helps them develop career pathways.”

Founded on the belief that everyone deserves the chance to pursue their dreams, the Foundation addresses challenges including physical, medical, economic, and educational barriers. It funds programs that directly improve individual lives through innovative program design and development. 

“For years, we were funding programs in educational attainment, academic achievement, and youth development,” Joshi said. “Recently, we’ve been focusing on economic mobility for residents who haven’t had that kind of access or support.”

The Foundation’s mission emphasizes measurable impacts on the quality of life, with a commitment to the socio-economic upliftment of Western Queens neighborhoods.

“We’ve been focused on workforce development programs that benefit residents in this community,” said Pooja Joshi, Executive Director of the Foundation. “Our interest is making sure that people who graduate from these programs don’t just get any job, but get family-sustaining jobs.”

In addition to workforce initiatives, the Foundation has two notable endowments: the Jeanne Elmezzi Adult Learning Center at Queens Library in Long Island City and the Elmezzi School of Molecular Medicine at Northwell Health in Great Neck, Long Island. These initiatives reflect the Elmezzis’ dedication to giving back to their roots in Astoria.

“The whole idea of giving back to this community is about coming back to their roots and making a difference here in this space,” Joshi said.

The Foundation’s recent efforts include the Elmezzi Career Fellows Program at LaGuardia Community College, offering paid internships and dedicated academic advising to students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. This program aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, especially for low-income BIPOC youth in Western Queens and beyond.

“We’ve established the Elmezzi Career Fellows Program at LaGuardia Community College, a paid internship program supporting students, many of whom are first in their family to explore higher education,” Joshi said. “A lot of these young people don’t have the opportunity to be exposed to internships, let alone paid internships. So, we’ve been funding this program to expose students to higher education and connect their education with their work prospects.”

Through annual grants exceeding $3 million, the Foundation continues to support programs that demonstrate clear strategies for serving community needs and achieving measurable outcomes. “We want to ensure that all community members, regardless of their socio-economic status, have access to opportunities for self-sufficiency and improved quality of life,” Joshi added.

The Foundation’s commitment to the community remains steadfast amid the rapid changes and gentrification in Astoria and Long Island City. By funding programs in education, job training, and medical research, the Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation strives to uphold the founders’ vision of empowering individuals to lead independent and productive lives.

For more information, visit the Foundation’s website at elmezzi.org or explore their
latest updates in the blog section.

by Marcus Ramos

Yiatin Chu (far left), Michael O’Reilly (center left), Paul King (center right), Dwayne Moore (second from right), and Curtis Sliwa (far right) gather in Rosedale to voice their opposition for “City of Yes”. Photo by Marcus Ramos

As part of his congressional campaign, Paul King held a joint press conference in Rosedale, Queens, where he, alongside fellow public office candidates Michael O’ Reilly, Dwayne Moore, Yiatin Chu, and Curtis Sliwa voiced their opposition for Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes” housing plan. The event, which was attended by around 15-20 of the area’s local residents, brought to light concerns about the plan’s impact on the local community and the broader Queens borough.  

 Held at the intersection of 149th Avenue and Hook Creek Boulevard, the press conference drew local residents interested in understanding the potential consequences of “City of Yes.”

The “City of Yes” plan, established by the NYC Department of City Planning, is an effort to solve the current housing crisis through rezoning and policy reforms. The goal is to build approximately 108,850 new housing units over the next 15 years across the city, creating new rentals for New Yorkers while driving down rent prices. The plan includes measures to streamline the development process, encourage mixed-use developments, and increase the availability of affordable housing units across the city. 

Members of the Adams administration have argued that implementing the plan would create more inclusive and sustainable neighborhoods. 

“The diversity of our neighborhoods makes New York City remarkable, but without truly affordable housing in every corner, we risk losing families, working people, and our defining vibrancy,” New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr said at a press conference on April 29. “It’s time for bold action to ensure housing equity across all neighborhoods.”

Despite these assurances, the GOP candidates in attendance oppose the plan, citing concerns of the potential negative impact it could have on the community at large.

Local resident and mother of Dwayne Moore, Kangela Moore, expressed her opinion on “City of Yes” before the speeches began.  

“I mean, they’re creating these little areas where you have high rise buildings and things of that nature,” Moore said. “And as you see, we’re like two family homes, one family homes, and that would be devastating in regards to the structure of the community. So I’m not in favor of it, and it needs to be voted down.” 

The first to speak was candidate for New York State Senate District 10, Michael O’ Reilly, stating that the housing plan is a counterintuitive plan of action that will only add on to the existing problem instead of providing a solution.  

“Now, let’s be clear, this whole ‘City of Yes’ notion came about when Mayor Adams realized that we have a housing shortage.” O’Reilly said. “On the other hand, he entices tens of thousands of people to come up and make our community their new home, tens of thousands of illegal aliens to come up here and make our community their new home. So we have his realization that we have a housing shortage, he’s inviting all these people up here.” 

Following this speech was Dwayne Moore, New York State Assembly candidate for District 29. He criticized the plan for increasing neighborhood congestion and overburdening local infrastructure.

“Who would want our neighborhood to be more congested? If a house across the street was to get knocked down, they’d be able to build a 16-unit apartment with no parking mandate, with no studies done to improve the schools for the upgraded density that we’ll be having,” Moore said. “There’s no plan to improve the sewage, the flooding, but yet they’re trying to cram this down our throat. Why? What is the purpose behind this?” 

 Next to speak was Yiatin Chu, candidate for New York’s 11th Senate District. She argued that Adams’ efforts to alter New York’s suburban communities should be redirected towards strengthening support for the city’s infrastructure and essential services.

“We need major investments in sewer lines, electrical capacity, road work, schools and more,” Chu said. “With Albany’s new class size law, we cannot even accommodate kids in our local schools today. How will we support more families moving in? Over the weekend, the mayor and the city council agreed on a budget that’s $6 billion more than last year, yet there were no provisions for infrastructure or essential services like additional police precincts or fire stations.” 

 Afterwards, congressional candidate Paul King then took to the podium, expressing his discontent for “City of Yes”, painting it the antithesis to the American dream.  

 “Now, let’s face it, more than any other place in America, Queens, New York represents the American dream, whether your family’s been here for generations, or whether you’re first generation, or whether you’re legal immigrants.” King said. “The developers know when this comes down, if it gets passed, it’s going to be the Wild West. They could scoop up a property like mine, knock down my 100-year-old two-family house and put up eight, nine, 12 units in that same space, which will ruin quality of life for the neighbors. It’ll take my neighbor’s property values down and great, the developers can scoop them up too and make even more money . . . This YIMBY movement is an unholy alliance between activists who don’t believe in the American dream and developers who want to get rich destroying our American dream.” 

Former mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa concluded the array of speeches with a call to action to fight against “City of Yes” to maintain the identity of New York.  

“Manhattan is Manhattan, we don’t need Manhattan in the Bronx,” Sliwa argued. ”We don’t need Manhattan in Queens, in Brooklyn and Staten Island . . . I believe we improve, we don’t move. We fight the powers to be at City Hall. We fight the realtors. We fight the developers because they don’t give a damn about us. They give a damn about one thing, money, profit and screw you. We’ll give you money for your home and get the hell out of here too. So we either fight for where we grew up, our birthright, what our parents brought us here to do, and grandparents or we just pack up and move out to a place where you can have a home with a front yard and a backyard.”