July 31, 2007

Williams Pleads Guilty, Sentenced to 21 Years

‘Tremendous’ police work, aggressive prosecution lead to a plea by first of three men charged after Inwood home invasion  

MINEOLA – Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced this morning that Tyreek Williams, 22, of Starrett City, Brooklyn, was sentenced today by Acting Supreme Court Judge Jerald Carter to serve 21 years in prison after pleading guilty in May to assault, robbery, burglary and a weapons charge in connection with a September 2006 home invasion that left a nine-year-old boy blind in one eye. 

Rice said thorough police work and her office’s refusal to plea bargain the case left the defendant with few options.

“An aggressive plea policy and a willingness to take cases to trial leads to more top-count pleas and more accountability across the board,” said Rice.  “When you couple that mentality with tremendous police work, those responsible for a crime are left with few alternatives.”

At this morning’s sentencing, Rice’s office recommended the defendant receive the maximum term of incarceration allowed by law, 25 years in prison.

Rice said that on September 23, 2006, at approximately 11:10 P.M., an armed robbery occurred at 47 West End Avenue in Inwood.  Three men, two of whom were armed with handguns, entered the home of Albert and Nora Aloisi through an unlocked front door.  Once inside the home, the perpetrators ordered the occupants of the home to their knees and demanded that they turn over all of their valuables.  As the incident unfolded, Albert Aloisi who was in his bedroom in the rear of the house at the time the incident began, retrieved his licensed .357 caliber revolver, stepped into the hallway of the house, and confronted the perpetrators.  One of the perpetrators shot at Mr. Aloisi who then returned fire with three shots, striking one of the perpetrators in the face.  Two other occupants of the home then attempted to force one of the perpetrators out the front door.  As this perpetrator attempted to push his way back into the house, he fired multiple shots into the living room, striking Mr. Noor Mayan in the left arm and striking John Henry Romano, a nine-year-old boy, in the eye.  Both shooting victims survived the attack.  The perpetrators were able to flee the scene after the shooting occurred.

Police recovered from the scene numerous teeth and pieces of a jawbone left behind by the defendant, Tyreek Williams, who was shot in the face by Mr. Aloisi.  A black Nike size 11 right sneaker was also recovered on the sidewalk outside of the home.

A short time after the incident, Mr. Williams was dropped off at Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn with gunshot wounds to the face, left thumb and left leg.  He was missing numerous teeth and part of his jawbone.  The defendant was admitted to the hospital wearing one black Nike size 11 left sneaker.

Mr. Williams was arrested October 5, 2006, and charged with robbery, assault, burglary, and weapons charges.

Rasheed Watson, 22, of Paterson, New Jersey, an alleged co-defendant of Mr. Williams’ and the perpetrator identified by authorities as allegedly having shot Mr. Noor Mayan and the nine-year-old boy, was arrested in Paterson, New Jersey January 10 and charged with robbery, assault, burglary, and weapons charges.  His trial date has been set for September 4.  He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted of the charges.

The investigation by Nassau County Police Department detectives into the third suspect remains highly active and Rice said she expects the detective’s hard work to lead to an arrest in the near future.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Walsh, of the Major Offense Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Anna Acquafredda, of the County Court Trial Bureau, are handling the case for the District Attorney’s Office.  Mr. Williams is being represented by Darren Fields, of Brooklyn.  Mr. Watson is being represented by Greg Madey, Esq., of Mineola.