November 15, 2006

Uniondale Man Convicted of Murdering Friend

After murdering friend, Pegues used his home, car and cell phone

MINEOLA, NY - Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that Antonio Pegues, 23, of Uniondale, has been found guilty of Murder in the Second Degree by a Nassau County jury in connection with the August 2005 murder of Michael Moore, 20, of Freeport. The jury also found Mr. Pegues guilty of two counts of Burglary in the Second Degree, two counts of Tampering with Physical Evidence, Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, and two counts of misdemeanor Petit Larceny. At his December 13 sentencing, Mr. Pegues faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The trial, lasting more than two weeks, was in front of the Honorable David P. Sullivan in Nassau County Court. The jury deliberated for less than two days before reaching their unanimous verdict.

On August 11, 2005, Antonio Pegues and his alleged co-conspirator, Keith Martin, 21, of Hempstead, became involved in a physical altercation in Mr. Moore’s Freeport home. During the altercation, the victim sustained a severe head wound as the result of a punch by Mr. Pegues. After falling to the ground, a belt was used by Mr. Pegues to strangle the victim.

Mr. Moore’s body washed ashore August 23 in the East River at Hunts Point in Bronx County. Fingerprint identification was used to establish that the body, which was wrapped in plastic, was that of Mr. Moore. Detectives from the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad began an investigation into the death and later arrested Mr. Pegues and Mr. Martin, after neighbors reported seeing the two entering and leaving the Freeport home. Mr. Pegues later admitted to using the victim’s home, car and cell phone after the murder. It is believed that the victim’s body was dumped into the river around August 20, after repeated attempts to conceal the victim in the Freeport home and property.

Keith Martin also faces murder, burglary and theft charges and is due back in court November 17.

Handling the case for the District Attorney’s office is Major Offense Bureau Assistant District Attorney Michael Walsh. Representing Mr. Pegues is Dennis Lemke, Esq., of Mineola. Mr. Martin is being represented by Eugene Cordaro, Esq.