A convicted sex offender from New Jersey has been convicted and sentenced again thanks to undercover work by an investigator with the Rockland D-A’s office. U-S Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, said yesterday that 36 year-old Brian Reed of Franklin, New Jersey, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty last October to attempted enticement of a minor. Williams says Reed told the investigator, who was posing as a 13-year-old girl in an online platform, that he wanted sexually explicit photos and asked to meet with him to have sex. Reed was arrested in May 2022 when he drove from New Jersey to Rockland County to meet with the girl. Eight years ago, Reed was convicted in Morris County Superior Court in New Jersey of endangering the welfare of a child through sexual conduct. He got three years behind bars in that case and was required to register as a sex offender.
News
Rockland Sheriff and O&R Warn of New Scam Making Rounds
The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office and Orange & Rockland Utilities are warning residents to watch out for a new scam making the rounds lately. Fake O&R employees are making predatory phone calls to customers of the utility. They claim their O&R account would be suspended for non-payment and then threaten to cut off their service if payment isn’t made by prepaid debit card. O&R spokesman Mike Donovan says that’s not how the company works…
O&R and the Sheriff’s Department suggest in this situation you should hang up, or ignore their TEXT message threats. Don’t hit redial, or call the number you’re told to call. You can check your balance information with the company by calling them at 1-833-460-7059 during business hours, or 1-877-434-4100 after hours. You should also report the incident to the sheriff, call their Rockland County Intelligence Center at 845-364-3611.
Class-Action Lawsuit Filed in Evergreen Adult Home Fatal Fire
The daughter of a former resident of the Evergreen Court Home in Spring Valley that was destroyed in a fire three years ago has brought a class-action lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court in New City against the home’s owners, the two rabbis connected to the blaze and employees of the facility. The suit seeks reimbursement for individuals’ property destroyed in the fire. Frieda Edel died about nine months after the blaze. The suit was filed on her behalf by her daughter, Avina. Spring Valley Fire Department Second Lieutenant, 35 year-old Jared Lloyd and 79 year-old resident Oliver Hueston both died in the fire.
Rockland County Executive Slams Proposed NYS “Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act”
Proposed state legislation from a New York City State Senator that would allow religious institutions to build affordable housing on their properties is being slammed locally. The proposal, known as the “Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act,” from New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes of Brooklyn, would by-pass local zoning requirements. Rockland County Executive Ed Day says that runs afoul of the state’s constitution…
District 40 State Senator, Democrat Pete Harckham, who covers Stony Point and portions of Orange County, has signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill. Both the Senate and Assembly versions of the bill are still in committee.
MTA Final Vote on Congestion Pricing Coming Wednesday
The MTA is expected to hold a final vote tomorrow on the proposed fee structure for its anticipated congestion pricing plan, which still faces several legal challenges from various groups. One of those legal challenges is coming from New York State Assemblyman Democrat Chris Eachus of the 99th District, covering Stony Point and parts of Orange County, who says our area isn’t being treated fairly…
Many groups are pushing for exemptions and discounts as the potential start date of June 15th nears. If the plan is approved, cars would be tolled $15 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street, while trucks could be charged up to $36, depending on size. From the west side of Manhattan, the George Washington Bridge would currently be tolled, but those using the Lincoln or Holland Tunnels would qualify for a partial credit.