Rockland County District Attorney's Office

Meet the RCDAO’s 2020 Santa Claus After our holiday video, we noticed a lot of buzz about our Santa. In true 2020 form, Santa is masked up and ready for Christmas. Please continue to practice social distancing and wear a mask when in the public. Working together, we will get through this even stronger. Have a Merry Christmas !

On behalf of District Attorney Tom Walsh and the staff of the Rockland County District Attorney's Office, we wish you a safe and merry Christmas.

What a special day for all us at the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office! This year, lead by ADA Rosibel Ventura, we partnered with the Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network and sponsored Christmas presents for 17 families in Rockland County. For weeks the RCDAO have been collecting toys from staff and county personnel. Yesterday, District Attorney Walsh, Chief ADA Patrick Frawley, Chief of Detectives Walker, Investigator Smith, and ADA Ventura personally delivered t...he presents to the families. We would like to thank everyone who donated. Special thanks to the Vincent Crotty Memorial Foundation, Clarke Osborn, and Pat Withers. Merry Christmas!

DRUG BUST NETS GUNS, DRUGS AND MONEY Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced the execution of two search warrants in a drug investigation coordinated by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force. The three (3) month long investigation netted four (4) handguns, large amounts of narcotics and more than $19,000 in cash. The narcotics task force initiated this case in September and has been working with multiple police agencies throughout Rock...land County since its inception. As a result of the investigation, two search warrants were executed yesterday in the Town of Haverstraw and within the Town of Clarkstown. Based upon the safety concerns executing these high risk search warrants it was deemed essential to utilize the Clarkstown Critical Incident Response Team and the Rockland County REACT team for the respective locations. These highly trained and professional teams were able to execute both of these high risk warrants without injury to anyone involved. Rashaad Harcum, 32, of Central Nyack, NY, was taken into custody at the site of the second search warrant and his residence. A search of the residence revealed: four loaded handguns, approximately 20 grams of cocaine, approximately 16.4 grams of heroin and $19,708.00 in United States Currency. Harcum was charged with Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd (felony), Criminal Possession of Firearm 3rd and 4th (felony) and Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd (felony). Rashaad Harcum was arraigned before Town of Clarkstown Justice Court Judge David Ascher who set $10,000.00 bail. He has a return court date of January 22, 2021.. More arrests are imminent. The Rockland County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force consists of members of the DA’s Office as well as, police officers from the Clarkstown Police Department, Orangetown Police Department, and Haverstraw Police Department. The District Attorney would like to thank Supervisor George Hoehmann (Town of Clarkstown), Supervisor Teresa Kenny(Town of Orangetown), Supervisor Phillips (Town of Haverstraw) for allowing police officers from their respective Towns to join this Countywide taskforce. Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh said: Today was a prime example of the great police work from our law enforcement partners in Rockland County. This investigations demonstrates how a united front can produce great results in combatting drug sales and removing dangerous firearms from our streets here in Rockland. I thank all of the Police Departments and Town officials who ensure that we operate as a cohesive unit. We would also like to acknowledge the great work by Supervising ADA Maria Gaston-DeSimone and Narcotic Drug Task Force Director George Lutz from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office; both of whom led this investigation. * It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This Saturday is prescription drug #TakeBackDay. Click on the link in the post to find the nearest drop off site. This program is another way we can work together as a community to reduce drug addiction and overdose deaths.

For the last 40 years, Dr. Frances Pratt has served as the President of the NYACK NAACP. Dr. Pratt announced her retirement last week to spend more time with family but will remain active in the Nyack NAACP. I have known Frances for over twenty years, I am honored to call her a friend. Her service to the Village of Nyack and County of Rockland will never matched. Frances Pratt is a civil rights advocate, community leader, proud Rockland resident, and a role model for future... generations. On behalf of District Attorney Walsh and the entire staff at the Rockland County District Attorney’s office, we thank for your service to Rockland. Your work has without a doubt made our county a better place. * Photo is from 2019.

The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office would like to wish Lt. John Murphy a very long, healthy and happy retirement. Thank you very much for your service to the citizens of Rockland County.

Today, District Attorney Tom Walsh joined with members of law enforcement, elected officials, and residents from all over Rockland to pay respects to Nyack Sgt. Edward O’Grady, Nyack Police Officer Waverly Brown, and Brink’s Guard Peter Paige. 39 years ago today, Rockland County was forever changed when domestic terrorism came to our county. Also joining District Attorney Walsh from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office was Chief ADA Patrick Frawley, Chief of Detect...ives Pete Walker, Director of the Narcotics Task Force George Lutz, and Captain Brendan Donuhue. We will never forget them.

ROCKLAND COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE ANNOUNCES SEVENTEEN INDICTMENTS DURING 10TH GRAND JURY TERM Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announces the completion of the 10th Grand Jury term of 2020. During the term that started on September 11, 2020, the Grand Jury handed up seventeen indictments. The assistant district attorneys have been working tirelessly to prepare cases for presentations and secure indictments. Since the lifting of the Governor's Execu...Continue reading

The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Town of Clarkstown and Supervisor George Hoehmann for allowing us to use town facilities to complete the 10th grand jury of 2020. Due to regulations set forth by Governor Cuomo’s Executive Orders, the grand jury had to be relocated.

Today we would like to recognize the Garcia family. The brother-sister duo are lifelong Rockland residents and graduates of North Rockland High School. Nicole, is an Assistant District Attorney in the Rockland County District Attorney's Office, and Justin, is a police officer with the Stony Point Police Department. They have dedicated their lives to serving the people of Rockland County. I can say without a doubt that our community is a better place because of the Garcia family. said District Attorney Tom Walsh.

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Rockland County District Attorney's Office recognized 8 Rockland hispanic police officers. District Attorney Tom Walsh officiated a small ceremony at the Rockland County District Attorney's Office to thank and honor hispanic Rockland County law enforcement members who are having an impact on our community. Below is a full list of the officers honored. Full List of Honorees... P.O. Ralph Gonzalez - Orangetown Police Department Sgt. Andre Sanchez Town of Ramapo Police Department P.O. Justin Garcia Stony Point Police Department Sgt. Scott Rios Clarkstown Police Department Sgt. Omar Munoz Rockland County Sheriff's Office P.O. Ruben Berrios Haverstraw Police Department P.O. Ryan Ortiz Suffern Police Department Det. Sgt. Roxanne Lopez Spring Valley Police Department We thank them today, and everyday for their service to our community.

Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Awarded Federal Grant Providing Funding For a Victim Specialist Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh announced that The Office for Victims of Crime has awarded the Rockland County District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit a grant under the FY20 Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Grant Program. The grant award is for 270,000 to be distributed over a 3-year period and will fund a full-time Victim Specialist for the DA's Spec...ial Victims Center (SVC). 25 grants total were given out nationwide. 8 were given to small agencies (those with less than 100 full-time sworn officers) Executive Assistant District Attorney Kathleen Devlin, head of the Special Victims Unit said, With this grant, our team will be able to provide additional services to those who are victims of horrible crimes. We will never allow those most vulnerable to fall through the cracks. The RCDAO intends to utilize the grant funding to develop a victim specialist program, so a member of the RCDAO is solely dedicated to assisting victims. The program will also seek to provide victims with a person who can help them navigate the justice system and its processes. The program will be centralized within our Special Victim’s Unit, which prosecutes crimes involving domestic violence, sexual assault, physical and sexual abuse of child, as well as those crimes committed against other vulnerable members of our population. Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh said, The news of receiving this grant will be a monumental advantage for our Special Victims Unit to have a full-time victim specialist on staff. Rockland residents who are victims of sex abuse or domestic violence will be benefactors of this grant. As we all know, we can never do enough for crime victims. Pictured below is Chief Assistant District Attorney Patrick Frawley and District Attorney Tom Walsh at the District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Center. You can view a tour of the center here - https://youtu.be/uBWJxteHlnc

Judge Apotheker and 1st Assistant District Attorney of the Rockland County District Attorney's Office tells a success story about Drug Court in Rockland County. Judge Apotheker is a member of the faculty of the National Drug Court Institute where he has mentored Drug Court teams throughout the United States in best practices, and lectured at National Association conferences.

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office logo will go pink for the month of October to help raise awareness. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Screening tests can find cancer early, when chances for survival are highest. Regular screening tests (along with follow-up tests if diagnosed) reduce your chance of dying from breast cancer. Join us as we remember those taken by this disease, admire the survivors, and support those still fighting.

PRESS RELEASE: APPEALS COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF ROCKLAND COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY Court Action Protects the Identity of Sensitive Witnesses District Attorney Tom Walsh announced that the District Attorney's Office has received favorable rulings in two expedited appeals. These appeals concerned applications made by the office in County Court for orders to protect the identities of sensitive witnesses, including confidential informants and victims.... In People v Christopher Taggart, a case involving correctional staff bringing contraband into the Rockland County Jail, the District Attorney sought to protect the identities of witnesses from being exposed. Noted was the significant risk of future harm, threats, intimidation, or harassment from members of correctional staff and inmates. On September 1, 2020, a County Court denied the application, claiming that the District Attorney had failed to show particularized facts supporting good cause for a protective order. On appeal, the District Attorney noted that by failing to perform a minimal analysis, the judge had created a chilling effect thatif uncheckedcould have broken already fragile witnesses whose decision to come forward is already fraught with the potential for reprisals. On September 18, 2020, Justice Paul Wooten of the Appellate Division, Second Department held that County Court improvidently exercised its discretion in summarily denying the District Attorney’s application and ordered attorneys’ eyes only disclosure. In People v Armando Zayas, a County Court summarily denied the District Attorney’s application, this time to protect the identity a confidential informant from exposure. On September 17, 2020, the Judge effectively ordered immediate disclosure of all discovery, including, but not limited to audio/video evidence and witness information pending a suppression hearing. On appeal, the District Attorney protested that summary issuance of this Order was an improvident exercise of discretion because it unnecessarily placed the confidential informant and undercover officers under threat. On September 30, 2020, Justice Joseph J. Maltese of the Appellate Division, Second Department again held that County Court improvidently exercised its discretion in summarily denying the District Attorney’s application, ordering attorneys’ eyes only disclosure until the commencement of the trial. Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh said, These two appeals were a necessity. My office will fight to the bitter end to protect the identity of witnesses, confidential informants and undercover officers. I commend the hard work by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jacob B. Sher for his diligent and meticulous legal work on these appeals.

On Saturday, Rockland County Government unveiled a historical marker that recognizes the first African American church built in Rockland County. Clinton Street in Haverstraw was re-named HAAC Way in recognition of the Haverstraw African American Connection. Staff from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office were in attendance at this special ceremony in the Village of Haverstraw. A great job by Virginia Norfleet and Mayor Kohut!

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15-October 15 to acknowledge the history, culture, and contributions of Americans whose ancestry can be traced to over 20 countries in Latin American, including Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. We are so lucky to have such a vibrant hispanic community in Rockland County that makes it a special place to live.