Category Archives: Victimless Crimes

Auto theft is often thought of as a victimless crime, but in reality everyone is a victim when vehicles are stolen, because people ultimately pay for it through higher insurance rates.

Earlier this month, Bloomberg News published a story identifying the top 10 cities in the United States with the highest per-capita rate of vehicle thefts in 2016. Pueblo was second on the list, which used the National Insurance Crime Bureau report as its source.

"The bottom line is that auto theft going up in Pueblo does contribute ultimately to what we pay in car insurance and higher rates," said Carol Walker, a spokeswoman for the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association.

Walker said stolen vehicles are one of the factors that can contribute to higher insurance rates.

"When you think of your car insurance, there are different coverages. Comprehensive coverage is what covers you if your car is stolen," Walker said.

"However, at the same time it also covers you for hail and flooding. So, unfortunately, the state also is ranked second in the nation for hail insurance claims, and Southern Colorado has been hit very hard."

Walker said the spike in auto theft across the state adds up to about $100 million in value of property.

"So there is a dollar value unfortunately to stolen vehicles. Of course there also is a public safety concern to see Pueblo ranked second on a list like that. At the same time, we all pay for it," Walker said.

Walker said the state is on a collision course with what people are paying for car insurance and seeing it spike so dramatically.

"It's Mother Nature unleashing hail year after year and auto theft going up 50 percent, and it's also that cars are more expensive to repair than they were before because of all the technology," she said.

"We are also at a very litigious lawsuit environment where it is very easy to sue insurance companies, and so insurance companies at this point are really trying to keep up with those high costs to pay claims and those increased claims."

Pueblo had a rate of approximately 900 auto thefts per 100,000 residents, according to Bloomberg.

Walker said while the state is seeing auto theft increasing, there are resources being put toward preventing it.

She is a part of the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority; Pueblo is part of the southern task force.

"Every insurance company is required to collect a dollar on every insured vehicle every year, and it goes into the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority. It's a granting authority that is set up to combat auto theft through the state Legislature," Walker said.

"That money goes toward multijurisdictional task forces. So law enforcement efforts increase to combat auto theft. There is also prevention and education training."

One of those preventions is to not leave keys in your automobile. Walker said comprehensive insurance still covers vehicle owners in those situations, but it is highly encouraged not to do it.

Pueblo reached a record for auto theft reports in 2016, recording 1,216 -- which equates to roughly three a day and about 102 a month. That number marked a 35 percent increase from 2015, when there were 899 auto thefts reported. Through May 31, there had been 463 auto thefts in Pueblo.

"Auto theft is part of the drug crime increase and the homicide increase, because usually there is a stolen vehicle involved with those other crimes," Walker said.

Pueblo police have said that the majority of auto thefts in Pueblo consist of individuals stealing cars across town and using them for a variety of reasons, including to transport crime suspects or drugs.

Walker said the state is always looking at trends in an effort to determine why auto theft is on the rise.

"One of the biggest things we are seeing is the relationships to other crimes," she said.

"From an insurance perspective, what they are looking at is claim trends. They are looking at not just one year, but over a period of time."

Walker said insurance companies analyze what they are paying out in claims, "Whether those are stolen vehicles, whether those are hail claims or whether those are increased car crashes. Unfortunately, CDOT is also reporting that fatalities are up 24 percent over a two-year period.

"It really is the perfect storm and, unfortunately, auto theft is a part of that."

anthonym@chieftain.com

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Stolen vehicles in Pueblo contribute to higher insurance rates - Pueblo Chieftain

A MAN has been jailed for 12 months after police found more than 130 indecent images of children photos and videos on his mobile phone.

Maxwell Djan, 30, was arrested at work at a supermarket distribution depot, on April 10 this year, after police had earlier raided his home at The Courtlands, Greenmeadow, Cwmbran.

No indecent images were found on any of the computer equipment seized there, but on the mobile phone Djan had with him when he was arrested, police found 132 indecent images of children.

Eighty-seven of these were in the form of videos, and 52 of these fell into the most serious category A.

There were 34 video deemed to be category B, and one in category C.

Twenty-four of the 45 photographs were classed as category A, 17 were in Category B, and four in category C.

Prosecuting counsel Sarah Waters told Newport Crown Court that Djan admitted to police that he accessed an internet chat room group, people would send him links, and he would open them and the images would be there.

He had been adamant that he had never looked for such images, and had no interest in it, but was conscious that they had been downloaded and, added Ms Waters, he had made no attempt to delete them or dissociate himself from the group.

Defence counsel Gareth Williams told the court that Djan, who was born in Ghana but had been living in South Wales for 20 years, had a huge amount of regret over the matter.

But he added that it must be tempered by the fact that he had not deleted the images.

Djan pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to three charges of possession of indecent still images, three charges of possession of indecent moving images, and one charge each of possession of extreme pornography and possession of a prohibited image of a child.

Judge Jeremy Jenkins sentenced Djan to 12 months in prison on the category A image offences, with a range of shorter sentences for the other offences to run concurrently.

He told Djan that he had not committed victimless crimes, and it is people like him who are prepared to download such images who contribute to the pain and suffering of the children involved.

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Cwmbran man had 132 indecent images of children on his mobile ... - South Wales Argus

16 Jun 2017, 9:33 a.m.

Coffs Harbour Council has said senseless vandalism of Richardson Park in Sawtell has left local sports clubs reeling and they are counting the cost of repairing the playing fields.

Coffs Harbour Council has said senseless vandalism of Richardson Park in Sawtell has left local sports clubs reeling and they are counting the cost of repairing the playing fields.

Richardson Park damage.

Over the long weekend, vandals forced their way into the ground and then used a vehicle to totally destroy the playing surface, councils Section Leader for Stadium and Major Events,said Daniel Heather said.

Joining in on the lament is Sawtell/Toormina AFL president Alex Pearson.

We are very angry and upset atthe repeateddestruction and vandalismto the playing surfaceat Richardson Park over the long weekend, Alex said.

We are somewhat fortunate that we have an away game this weekend. Howeverthe damage to the playing surface affectsour home games in the followingweeks and will most definitelyaffect our ability to train.

These actions by reckless individualsshow a lack of respect, not only to the Sawtell/ Toormina AFL club, but to allSawtell sporting groups that use Richardson Park and the local community that use the ground for recreational activities.

Sawtell Cricket Club president, Rod Buckle said his members were also very disappointed.

The fact they had to take the effort to remove a fence to do it and then to come back and do it again makes it even less understandable, Mr Buckle said.

I am sure these people would know someone they have affected in either the cricket club or the local AFL club. The fact they are old enough to hold a licence and still have the lack of judgement to think this would be a good idea in a small community beggars belief.

They seem to think these are victimless crimes, but they affect more than just the clubs. It affects the community, the players, the supporters, the sponsors and all the volunteers that put time into making what are great local clubs.

Council is urging any residents who witnessed the damage to the Park to report it to police.

What people dont realise is that this sort of reckless behaviour causes more than just damage to the grass, MrHeather said.

The fields at Richardson Park now require significant remediation work, which is ultimately paid for by the community. It takes resources off other community projects and, most significantly, the damage leaves local sports and other users - including local schools without grounds.

Vandalism across the Coffs Coast, particularly at public sport facilities, is a problem and council is grateful for the support of the local Police command in helping tackle and deal with this behaviour.

Anyone that witnesses vandalism should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, Coffs Harbour Police Station on 6652 0299 or 131 444 (after hours).

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Vandalism at Sawtell sporting field - Bellingen Courier Sun

In the United States, citizens have the constitutional right to armed defense. However, the limits of that right vary greatly from state to state, city to city and even campus to campus.

Some sexual assault victims have been outspoken in recent years about the fact that if they had been allowed to carry a weapon at their college or university, they might have been able to prevent their attacks. In the decade since it happened, some survivors of the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007 have argued that if students or faculty were allowed to carry firearms they could have stopped the shooter and saved lives.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, in the decade since the 2007 Virginia Tech tragedy, a number of states have passed legislation allowing carry-conceal on campus. Because of recent state legislation and court rulings, 10states now have provisions allowing the carrying of concealed weapons on public postsecondary campuses, notes NCSL.org.These states are Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Texas, Utahand Wisconsin.

Activist Ethan Pritchard of Students For Liberty wants to add the University of Maryland to that growing list. The SFL chapter president doesnt understand why his university penalizes students for possessing means of self-defense, including not just firearms but weapons like knives and pepper spray.

Owning a Taser, owning a can of mace, these are all victimless crimes, said Pritchard in an interview last year. Using it, especially if youre the aggressor, thats not okay. We try to divorce the idea that just because something is legal means that its moral to use.

I just remember learning a lot that day, Pritchard told Rare. Any time we had an outing where we would talk to random people about their views, we would come out of it with a completely new perspective.

Pritchard continued:

Some people were surprised that Mace wasnt allowed because they were carrying it on them at the time. One even said that all four (guns, knives, mace and Tasers) should not be allowed on campus, even though she had a knife and Mace on her. Most of the positive feedback came from girls; one quote I remember being, My mom taught me that a gun is the great equalizer. It doesnt matter how big you are, if you have a gun, it levels the playing field.

Pritchard and SFL along with Young Americans for Liberty have created an increased libertarian presence at their university, and the push to allow students to defend themselves has appealed to a broad cross section of students beyond liberty or pro-Second Amendment circles.

But its also an uphill battle.

Though more states and schools than ever are allowing this practice, Newsweek reported in April, Even as Republican lawmakers in Washington and across the country attempt to lift gun restrictions, a new study has found that two-thirds of Americans, including many gun owners and veterans, support restrictions on the public places where legalowners can carry their firearms.

Researchers who conducted the web-based study, published Thursday in theAmerican Journal of Public Health, found that fewer than one in three respondents supported allowing guns to be carried on college campuses, in government buildings and at schools, bars, places of worship and other specified public places, Newsweek noted.

A majority of campus leaders at various levels also oppose allowing to students to carry firearms on school grounds.

This is what makes education on this issue, like that promoted by Pritchard and Students For Liberty, so important. Back in 2015, a Gallup poll showed that a majority of Americans believed that allowing carry-conceal would make the country safer.

So just two years prior, more Americans were more comfortable with this policy than they are today. That means someone is winning the messaging war, and lets face it, the anti-gun forces in media, leadership positions and certainly on campus far outweigh those who would like to see a broader interpretation of the Second Amendment by which students could better defend themselves.

Pritchard and other Students For Liberty continue to wage this battle on Americas campuses in what can often be a hostile environment, but thats nothing compared to what student assault victims will have to go through if left defenseless by harmful school policies.

Rare staff | Posted on 3:41 pm

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Students For Liberty's Ethan Pritchard wants students to have carry-conceal on campus - Rare.us

SENSELESS vandalism of Richardson Park in Sawtell has left local sports clubs reeling and the council counting the cost of repairing the playing fields.

Over the long weekend, vandals forced their way into the ground and then used a vehicle to totally destroy the playing surface.

"We are very angry and upset at the repeated destruction and vandalism to the playing surface at Richardson Park over the long weekend," Alex Pearson, President Sawtell/Toormina AFL said.

"We are somewhat fortunate that we have an away game this weekend. Howeverthe damage to the playing surface affects our home games in the following weeks and will most definitely affect our ability to train.

"These actions by reckless individuals show a lack of respect, not only to the Sawtell/ Toormina AFL club, but to all Sawtell sporting groups that use Richardson Park and the local community that use the ground for recreational activities."

Rod Buckle, President of Sawtell Cricket Club, said his members were also very disappointed.

"The fact they had to take the effort to remove a fence to do it and then to come back and do it again makes it even less understandable. I am sure these people would know someone they have affected in either the cricket club or the local AFL club," Mr Buckle said.

"The fact they are old enough to hold a licence and still have the lack of judgement to think this would be a good idea in a small community beggar's belief.

"They seem to think these are victimless crimes, but they effect more than just the clubs. It affects the community, the players, the supporters, the sponsors and all the volunteers that put time into making what are great local clubs."

Council is urging any residents who witnessed the damage to the Park to report it to Police.

"What people don't realise is that this sort of reckless behaviour causes more than just damage to the grass," the council's Section Leader for Stadium and Major Events Daniel Heather said.

"The fields at Richardson Park now require significant remediation work, which is ultimately paid for by the community. It takes resources off other community projects and, most significantly, the damage leaves local sports and other users - including local schools - without grounds."

Vandalism across the Coffs Coast, particularly at public sport facilities, is a problem and Council is grateful for the support of the local Police command in helping tackle and deal with this behaviour.

Anyone that witnesses vandalism should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, Coffs Harbour Police Station on 02 6652 0299 or 131 444 (after hours).

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Sporting clubs devastated by senseless vandalism - Coffs Coast Advocate

A Castle Rock man was sentenced to spend the next three years of his life in prison Wednesday for leaving the scene of an Interstate 5 collision that killed a Chehalis motorcyclist in April.

Had David L. Huisenga, 44, stayed at the scene, rather than leaving and attempting to cover up his involvement by setting fire to his truck, he likely wouldnt have even received a traffic citation, Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer said.

To me that is just telling, Meyer said. The defendant made a stupid decision.

Huisenga pleaded guilty in separate hearings Wednesday in Lewis County Superior Court for hit and run with a death and second-degree arson.

Meyers office and Huisengas attorney, Don Blair, jointly recommended a sentence of 31 months, the low end of the standard sentencing range given Huisengas limited criminal history.

After hearing arguments from both attorneys and input from the motorcyclists family, Superior Court Judge Andrew Toynbee imposed a sentence of 36 months.

This isnt just a regular hit and run involving a death, Toynbee said. I do this in part because Mr. Huisenga didnt just leave the scene. He did more than that; he tried to cover his tracks.

In a separate hearing immediately following the first, Superior Court Judge Joely ORourke imposed a sentence of 12 months in prison for the arson charge, to run concurrently with the longer sentence.

Meyer said he split the crimes into separate case numbers because he viewed the hit and run and arson as separate crimes.

The Washington State Patrol received a report just after 5 a.m. April 25 of a crash involving multiple vehicles at milepost 80 of northbound Interstate 5 in Centralia.

According to a report from the State Patrol, Michael T. Fields, 57, of Chehalis, was driving northbound when his motorcycle crashed and slid across a freeway lane into the shoulder. He was ejected and hit by a 2018 Freightliner semi truck killing him at the scene.

Several friends and family members spoke Wednesday at Huisengas sentencing hearing.

I was one of Mikes work family, said David Roose. I cannot tell you what a loss this is.

Tami Hodgins, longtime partner of Fields, described him as a kind and generous man.

Mostly my heart is broken, she said. Physically I have a hard time getting things done. Other times I just feel plain angry he was taken from me.

The State Patrol learned that a red 2001 Chevrolet Silverado truck registered to Huisenga was in some way involved in the crash after finding a license plate at the scene. Detectives asked members of the public to come forward with any information they might have about the crash.

Meyer told The Chronicle Wednesday Fields motorcycle actually hit Huisengas truck. After his arrest, Huisenga reported he was changing lanes at the time the vehicles collided, after seeing the motorcycle coming up behind him.

Meanwhile, at about 9:15 a.m. that morning, a Washington State Department of Transportation worker saw smoke coming from an area near Exit 63 of I-5 south of Chehalis.

Fire crews responded and found a vehicle on fire. While the vehicle was destroyed, crews found a license plate matching the one left at the scene of the crash, identifying it as Huisengas truck.

Fire investigators determined the truck was intentionally set on fire, according to court documents.

That afternoon, Huisenga walked into the Castle Rock Police Department to report his truck stolen. He later admitted to setting fire to it after the collision, then walking south to Castle Rock.

Toynbee and both attorneys noted that, according to state law, hit and run, even when involving a fatality, is not considered a crime against a person. Huisenga pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of the crash, not causing the other mans death.

These cases are never easy to address and this partIcular crime has been troubling to those of us who have been on the prosecution side, Toynbee said. The crime is leaving the scene.

Meyer said he plans to work to change the law classifying hit and run as a victimless crime.

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Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Crash That Killed Chehalis Motorcyclist - Centralia Chronicle

Local News

Jun 13, 2017

Wilcox

The four arrests made June 6 culminated a joint state police and Fulton County Sheriffs Department operation.

Christopher L. Wilcox, 49, of Gloversville, was charged with one felony count of second-degree attempted rape, second-degree attempted criminal sexual act and felony first-degree disseminating indecent materials to a minor. A sheriffs news release indicated he allegedly attempted sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old female. The release said Wilcox was communicating with a member of state police, who he thought was a 14 years old girl.

Thomas Gordon, 59, of Fonda, was charged with second-degree attempted sexual act with a 14-year-old male. He communicated by electronic device with a person he believed was a 14-year-old boy, deputies said.

Both male suspects were arraigned before town Justice Wayne McNeil and sent to the Fulton County Jail.

Gordon

Bail was set at $15,000 cash or $30,000 insurance bond, as requested by Fulton County District Attorney Chad Brown.

Laura Law, 35, of Fort Plain, and Shitiqua Williams, 28, of Albany, were each charged with one misdemeanor count of prostitution.

The woman were also arraigned before McNeil, who set an unspecified amount of bail for each.

The operation was jointly conducted by state police members of the Fonda and Mayfield Bureaus of Criminal Investigation and the sheriffs office Investigative Unit. Members of both agencies uniform divisions participated, as well as the New York state Computer Crimes Unit, Investigations Unit and Electronics Unit.

Giardino and state police Sr. Inv. Walter Hadsell stated that from the standpoint of sharing resources and removing two alleged child predators from the street, the operation was a success.

Williams

The sheriff said anyone with information involving efforts by individuals trying to exploit children or reaching out to young children through social media should contact the sheriffs office at (518) 736-2100; or state police BCI.

Anyone with information about women being exploited by handlers, or pimps, to be used as prostitutes should report that as well, Giardino said.

The sheriff said in the release that while many consider prostitution a victimless crime, it is sometimes much worse.

Giardino said a trial currently going on in Schenectady County involves a pimp accused of murdering a prostitute because she wasnt making enough money for him.

Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at manich@leaderherald.com.

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Child porn, prostitution sting nets 4 | News, Sports, Jobs - Leader ... - Gloversville Leader-Herald

The legalization of marijuana in Canada has brought about many questions throughout the process. What will the final age limit be? Where will marijuana be sold? And will there be restrictions on advertising for pot companies?

The only aspect of this enigmatic experience that we have been able to predict is where the political party lines have been drawn on the issue.

The Liberals, of course, want to pass their bill and make marijuana legal for all adults. The New Democrats (NDP) want to do the same, but also eliminate arrests and convictions for possession immediately. The Conservative Party has been historically predictable, not wanting to legalize at all.

That goes for all Conservatives except one.

During the second reading of Bill C-45, Conservative MP Scott Reid was the only outlier among the group, voting in favour of legalization. This change is a refreshing outlook amongst a sea of unsurprising dissension from Reids party on the issue.

We have a policy as a party that possession of marijuana should be a ticket offense, said Reid in an interview with Marijuana.com. Theres what the party supports, and there are my own views, which are two separate things.

Reid goes on to explain that he has been of the mind for quite some time that marijuana should be legal for adults. Ive been an advocate of marijuana legalization since before the beginning of my political career. My own view is based on being a libertarian and believing that we should not have victimless crimes. Also, having a safe supply and ending the existence of revenue sources for organized crime is a good thing.

Regardless of Reids difference in opinion with his party, he has never received any pressure from them to change his mind and join their ranks on the issue. This is not new for me, I published a paper in 2001. Within a year of my first election, it was widely known that I was an advocate of marijuana legalization. Not decriminalization but of full legalization. People have respectfully disagreed, but [other than that]it has never been a problem.

Now that the bill has passed the second reading with the help of Reid, he will be developing a questionnaire for his constituents to ask how they feel he should vote in what will be the third and final reading of the bill. In the third reading, you have the bill in its final form. That is the appropriate point at which to say to your constituents, is it what you want, is it good enough?

Even before posing the question to the citizens Reid represents, he is already unsatisfied with some points of the bill. Right now the contemplative legislation proposes the age of 18 as the age at which it will be legal to consume cannabis. Others have proposed a higher age, including myself. Ive proposed 21 as being preferable. Reid added that he also feels that liquor and cannabis should not be sold together, which was an option that Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne supported. They are not products that should be sold [together]for public health reasons.

Despite the challenges Reid has with the bill, the Conservative Member voted for C-45 because he believes in the bigger picture. Seemingly, the most challenging part for Reid was not voting for what he believed in, but being applauded by the Liberals when doing so. Having voted against my party on a number of occasions, I never enjoy [applause from the opposition], he said. Ive talked to people from multiple parties who have voted against party lines and it is always an uncomfortable feeling when it happens, just because of the partisan nature of the House.

As the Trudeau government steamrolls forward with its plan to change the history of prohibition, its clear that the issue of pot legalization creates strange bedfellows. But amongst the exciting and chaotic times we Canadian pot lovers live in, one thing is clear. Marijuana is going to be legal in Canada thanks to the powers that be and people like MP Scott Reid, who stood up in a sea of Conservatives and voted against their collective mindset.

Well done Scott Reid, well done.

Cover Image Courtesy of CBC

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Rebel With a Cause: The One Conservative Who Voted For Legal Pot - Marijuana.com

Paola Loriggio, The Canadian Press Published Friday, June 9, 2017 1:57PM EDT Last Updated Friday, June 9, 2017 5:15PM EDT

TORONTO -- A Canadian accused in a massive hack of Yahoo emails will have to stay in custody as he prepares to fight extradition to the United States.

Ontario's appeal court has dismissed Karim Baratov's effort to fight a judge's decision to deny him bail, saying that while the judge made some mistakes, they were not serious enough to affect the outcome.

"At the end of the day, Mr. Baratov remains a significant flight risk, and is alleged to have committed a serious offence," Justice Bradley Miller said in upholding the judge's ruling.

In a decision released Friday, Miller acknowledged the judge erred in finding that Baratov had breached the secure computers at Yahoo, Google and other companies, when in fact he is accused of "spear-phishing," a type of scam used to dupe users into giving away confidential information.

But Miller rejected the defence's allegations that the judge was wrong to describe Baratov as a highly skilled hacker or to find that the 22-year-old made a substantial income from his alleged activities.

"The fact is, Mr. Baratov gave evidence and was not able to persuade the application judge that he had any sources of legitimate income that could account for him acquiring, by age 22, a house, a string of luxury automobiles, and $31,000 in cash," Miller said.

"What is relevant, for the purposes of the application judge's analysis, is that there is evidence that Mr. Baratov is capable of generating significant earnings, not tied to any geographic location, and that this fuels his flight risk. These findings were open to the application judge on the record before him."

Baratov was arrested in March under the Extradition Act after U.S. authorities indicted him and three others -- two of them allegedly officers of Russia's Federal Security Service -- for computer hacking, economic espionage and other crimes.

The judge who denied Baratov bail in April found the young man was too much of a flight risk to be released under the plan proposed by his legal team.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Alan Whitten also said Baratov's parents -- who offered close to $1 million in cash and assets as collateral -- would not make suitable supervisors because they had not questioned his growing wealth or his business activities while he was living with them.

Whitten further said he believed Baratov would be motivated to flee, given that he could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted in the U.S.

Baratov's lawyers had argued that Whitten made several errors, including amplifying the Hamilton man's alleged connection to the Yahoo hack and the Russian intelligence agent who allegedly hired him.

His legal team said in court that there's no evidence to suggest Baratov was involved in the large-scale breach of Yahoo security systems.

Miller took issue Friday with the defence's position that Baratov is accused of a "comparatively minor and victimless crime."

"Whether the applicant was paid nothing or was paid millions; whether the skill and energy expended were advanced or basic; whether he thought he was dealing with (Russian intelligence agents) or with a high school principal, the alleged conduct remains a destabilizing attack on the integrity of systems that are vital to all of our well-being," he said.

"Even unsuccessful attacks imperil public confidence and require the commitment of substantial resources for defence. The public cost, monetary and psychological, is broad and deep."

Baratov's lawyer,Amedeo DiCarlo, said they will now focus their efforts on challenging the extradition order.

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Accused hacker will remain in custody after appeal of bail decision ... - CP24 Toronto's Breaking News

Rockland County District Attorney Chief of Detectives Peter Modafferi recounts 45-year career as he prepares to retire. John Meore/Lohud

Peter Modafferi, Rockland County District Attorney's Chief of Detectives, recounts his 45-year career. Photographed at the Rockland County District Attorney's Office in New City on Monday, June 5, 2017.(Photo: John Meore/The Journal News)Buy Photo

Murders. Political corruption. Mobsters. Gambling. Police abuse.

Peter Modafferi, who is retiring June 14, helped investigatethose and many other crimes during his 44 years with the Rockland District Attorney's Office30 of those years as chief of detectives. His 45-year career started in June 1972 as an investigator with the Rockland Public Defender's Office.

Modafferi, 67, raised in Rockland County and married for 31 years to retired teacher Mary Beth Modafferi, also has been a major force behind the maturation of law enforcement in Rockland, such as helping create the Rockland Drug Task Force by obtaining a $125,000 grant in 1973 to rent a building and buy four unmarked cars.

His contacts in federal law enforcementprovided Rockland with millions of dollars in modernized surveillance, connections and credibility. He's testified before Congress on law enforcement issues, including surveillance and homeland security issues.

"If you look at Peter Modafferi, you see someone known nationally in law enforcement who's not always recognized as an influential figure in his local community," Rockland District Attorney Thomas Zugibe said. "Here's a guy who's been involved in every majorinvestigation in the county over four decades. The guy's a visionary. He has been well ahead of his time when it comes to law enforcement changes.

"He's had a lot to say on a national level such as the president's drug policy on law enforcement advancements in the 21st century," Zugibe said.

Modaferri's seen Rockland change from thebucolic community of his youth and younger days as an investigator to a more urban suburbia, but insists the county always had its share of violence and drugs. He's seen law enforcement officers grow in numberand become better equipped and trained,spurred by the murder of two Nyack police officers and a Brinks armored car guard on Oct. 20, 1981.

Peter Modafferi, Rockland County District Attorney's Chief of Detectives, recounts his 45-year career. Photographed at the Rockland County District Attorney's Office in New City on Monday, June 5, 2017.(Photo: John Meore/The Journal News)

"It's been a thrill of a lifetime," Modafferi said recently,sitting behind his desk at the DA's Office in New City.His desk is modestly clear of clutter, but police patches,hats andawards are scattered on furniture andwalls.

"It was always what I wanted to do," he said of law enforcement. "It was exciting. Every decade brought something new. "

All cops and prosecutors have horrific memories of violence, as well as dealing with families facing emotional distress, shock and anger.

(Photo: Courtesy of her family )

Two horrific murders of young girls are among the major investigations recalled by Modafferi cases he won't forget:

(Photo: Submitted)

File photo /The Journal News The Clarkstown police Honor Guard presents the colors during the 34th annual Brinks Memorial Service in Nyack on Oct. 20. The Clarkstown police Honor Guard presents the colors during the 34th annual Brinks Memorial Service in Nyack on Oct. 20. The event remembered South Nyack police Sgt. Edward O'Grady and Officer Waverly Brown, and Brinks guard Peter Paige, who were killed in an armored-car robbery in 1981.(Photo: File photo by Peter Carr/The Jou)

Despite Rockland's reputation as a bedroom community, Modaferri said Rockland has long been home to violence, murders, illegal gambling and organized crime figures. He's been involved in establishing units to investigate the mob, gambling, drugs, and political corruption, working closely with the FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Attorney's Office.

"Since I started, the population of Rockland County has grown 40 percent," he said of the changing nature of the state's smallest county geographically. Law enforcement has changed with the times, he said.

He recalledthe 1970s and 1980s when Rockland saw 15 to 25 murders annuallymany that went unresolved as "we couldn't prove beyond a reasonable doubt."

Nyack Police Officer Waverly "Chipper" Brown, left, and Sgt. Edward O'Grady were murdered Oct. 20, 1981, at a Nyack roadblock during robbery of a Brinks truck.(Photo: The Journal News/File photo)

"There wasn't DNA back then," Modafferi said. "They did tests on blood to determine the range of possibilities. DNA made it a different world as technology has enhanced law enforcement and investigations today. The technology can help convict or exonerate a suspect."

Organized crime also has a foothold in Rockland. Several major mob figures such as Genovese family captain Daniel Pagano and organized crime-linked gamblers and loan sharks have been arrested and sent to prison over the years. Pagano's father, Joseph Pagano, reputedly ran the region's garbage industry and gambling.

"They are very active in Rockland," Modafferi said, adding recently retired detective William Michella headed investigations into the mob. "I've met them. They are wiseguys. That's what they do for a living. They know we know it. It's a chess game. "

He recalls a lawyer who stole from senior citizens to pay his gambling debts to the mob, saying that alone is proof gambling is not a victimless crime, as many in the public claim.

"Loansharking comes with a price," he said. "It's a vicious cycle."

Aside from helping solve crimes and conducting investigations,Modafferi takes pride that he represented the Rockland District Attorney's Office on national panels and with groups studying crime and modernizing investigative approaches.

He's spent 27 years working with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, chairing its investigative operations committee for years. He's been published in law enforcement magazines and periodicals numerous times. He also chaired the executive advisory board of the National Domestic Communications Assistance Center.

Hetestifiedin 2013 before theHouse Investigations Subcommittee on the use of warrants and probablecause to get personal information on citizens as part of an investigation. He's been quoted on law enforcement issues by newspapers and periodicals nationwide, such as the Washington Post.

His connections with the federal drug councils provided the county Drug Task Force with$2 million worth of surveillance equipment. Rockland got the equipment free and became a test site forfederal drug agencies to determine the effectivenessof the equipment, he said. The Sheriff's Office also got a $400,000 ballistics identification system through his efforts.

"When you get involved in these organizations, the benefits to the county are huge." Modafferi said.

Modafferi's been ahead of the curve on law enforcement needs for decades and his work with the chiefs association has won him respect across the nation, said Col. Steve McCraw of the Texas Department of Public Safety, which includes the Texas Rangers, patrol officers and intelligence-gathering.

"He's clearlyan icon," said McCraw, who met Modafferi decades ago as an FBI agent. "I don't use that word lightly."

McCraw said Modafferi has been a leader on advocating intelligence-based investigations, the use of data, computers, cooperative witnesses, and law enforcement combining resources.

"He hadseen the need for intelligence-gathering before 9-11 and he's seen the impacts of commercial sex trafficking and exploited children," McCraw said, noting the work done by the Rockland District Attorney's Office and other agencies to curb sex trafficking at the recent Super Bowl in New Jersey.

"For some children, theironly chance of being free is an informed patrol officer on human trafficking, and that's something Pete has long advocated," McCraw said.

Modafferi has worked for four district attorneys over his career hired by Robert Meehan and followed by Gribetz, Michael Bongiorno and Zugibe, with whom he has worked since 1981 when Zugibe was an assistant district attorney. Modafferi worked closely with Zugibe's father, the later Dr. Fred Zugibe, a world-renowned forensic pathologist who created the Rockland Medical Examiner's Office.

Retired FBI AgentHilda Kogut also praised Modafferias an advocate forcooperative investigations building bridges to solve crimes.

"Peter is a detailed oriented guy and a really good investigator," she said. "I've always found him to be educated, a real classy guy, very professional and always there to help you."

She said she and the FBI worked with Modafferi and the District Attorney's Office on many cases, including a robbery of a millionaire businessman in Piermont, the murder of a scientist in Pearl River by his wife and her cousin, and the Judaic Studies case, during which millions of dollars in education funds and other social welfare programs were stolen by residents of New Square.

Rockland District Attorney Thomas Zugibe in his New City office April 27, 2017.(Photo: Peter Carr/The Journal News)

Zugibe, who has worked with Modafferi since 1981,described Modafferi's investigative style like Peter Falk's character in "Colombo" intellectual and meticulous.

"He can dig into the most complex cases and come up with a strategy," Zugibe said. "I am talking about white collar cases, not just street crime. Peter has a natural knack. He's going to be missed by my office and the county."

Modafferi graduated from the FBI Academy in June 1983 and always tried to send his office's investigators to the program, where they got training and could make connections that last a lifetime, Kogut said.

"Networking is critical to being a good investigator," Kogut said. "We're a small county. You want people like Pete out there who is a point person to meet the right people so we can get the equipment and financing we really need."

Modafferi said the District Attorney's Office's working relationship with the FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office led to the formation of an anti-corruption task force.He noted that District Attorney's Office detectives provided the FBI with a key undercover operative, Moses Stern of Monsey, whichled to the convictions of officials from Spring Valley and New York City.

He helped spearheadthe office's community prosecution concept and the special victims unit with Lt. Mary Murphy to establish the Spirit of Rockland Special Victims Unit for interviewing and helping sexual abuse survivors on the grounds of Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern.

His future plans involve working for a national program that delves into human trafficking, a worldwide crime problem.

"Something has to be done about the sexual and laborhuman trafficking of children, women," he said. "Crime doesn't stop. It's just being done differently."

Twitter: @lohudlegal

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