Elmhurst father indicted in death of 3-year-old son

Allegedly killed his son at Pan American Hotel

By Alicia Venter

[email protected]

The Pan American Hotel in Elmhurst. Photo: Google Maps.

An Elmhurst man has been indicted for murder, endangering the welfare of a child and other crimes in connection with the death of his three-year-old son, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.

He has also been charged with physical abuse to a second child in an Elmhurst shelter last month.

Shaquan Butler, 26, is from Elmhurst.

According to the charges, Butler was in his apartment at the Pan American Hotel in Elmhurst  at approximately 7:40 p.m. on Nov. 13 when he struck his three-year-old son numerous times.

The son suffered lacerations to his liver and internal bleeding.

According to the charges, the child’s mother and his two younger siblings were in the apartment at the time of the alleged assault.

Responding to a 911 call, the New York Fire Department found the victim unconscious on the floor with visible bruises to the head, body and extremities.

The child was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival, and the medical examiner determined that the child died from blunt force trauma to the torso.

A medical examination of a second child, age 2, revealed physical injuries consistent with child abuse.

Butler was arraigned Dec. 20 on a eleven-count indictment, charging him with murder in the second degree, two counts of manslaughter in the first degree, manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree and six counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Butler has been ordered to return to court on Jan. 31. He faces up to 40 years to life in prison if convicted.

“As alleged, this parent failed his primary duty as a protector, killing one of his own children by callous force and allegedly injured another,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz in a statement. “We will not forget this child. The defendant will be held fully accountable for his actions.”

Rego Park man indicted for brutal subway attack

A Rego Park man was indicted and arraigned today for the alleged subway attack of a woman back in November, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced.

Abel Pita Aviles, 36, of 67th Avenue, is accused of robbing and groping a woman at knifepoint inside an M train subway car in Dutch Kills.

According to the charges, on Nov. 11, at around 8:45 a.m., Aviles approached the 24-year-old female victim inside an M train subway car approaching the 36th Street station.

The attack occurred on an M train car approaching the 36th St. Station. (Photo: Google Maps)

He’s accused of pointing a knife at the victim while demanding money and her cell phone, as well as pinning her down to the subway seat and forcibly groping her before fleeing on foot. The woman did hand over her phone and cash.

Aviles was apprehended shortly thereafter on Nov. 15.

“This shameful attack inside our subway system will not go unanswered. My office will use all tools at our disposal to protect commuters from violence inside our trains,” Katz said in a statement. “Every New Yorker should expect to be able to travel safely using public transportation. The defendant has been indicted on serious charges and is in custody.”

Aviles was arraigned before a Queens Supreme Court Judge on a four-count indictment charging him with robbery in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree, forcible touching and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

He was ordered to return to court on Jan. 17, 2023.

If convicted, Aviles faces up to 25 years in prison.

The investigation was conducted by members of the NYPD Transit Bureau’s Special Victims Division.

Jackson Heights man indicted on narcotics, weapons charges

Search of defendant’s home found cocaine, handgun and ammunition 

 

By Alicia Venter

[email protected]

 

A Jackson Heights man has been indicted on charges of criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon and other charges, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office. 

Alejandro Rodriguez, 43, was arraigned yesterday on an 18-count indictment, including 14 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the first and third degrees. He faces 20 years in prison if convicted.

According to the charges, Rodriguez is accused of supplying a large quantity of narcotics to an undercover officer over the course of five months.

The indictment states that there were a total of seven transactions Rodriguez and an undercover officer where more than 14 ounces of cocaine were sold. 

Rodriguez is of 91st Street in Jackson Heights. On Oct. 19, a search of the defendant’s home resulted in the recovery of 60 grams of cocaine, an unlicensed .45 caliber handgun and 20 rounds of ammunition.

Following this search, the defendant was arrested, and an additional 100 grams of cocaine were recovered from his person.

The defendant has been ordered to return to court on Dec. 6.

Illicit drug sales fuel addictions that destroy lives and violence that endangers  our communities,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “We will not relent in our efforts to remove this poison from our streets and hold accused dealers  accountable. I thank my Major Economic Crimes Bureau as well as our law enforcement partners for their commitment to those we serve.” 

 

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