Queens District Attorney's Office
Coverage of Queens District Attorney's Office in the Nexus archive.
- Oakland Gardens man pleads guilty to manslaughter for collision that killed 23-year-old motorist in East Elmhurst: DA
An off-duty FDNY firefighter from Oakland Gardens, Michael Pena, pleaded guilty to manslaughter for a 2025 drunk driving collision in East Elmhurst that killed 23-year-old Justin Diaz. Pena, who had a blood alcohol content of .17 and drugs in his system, struck Diaz's car at 83 mph while speeding through a red light, leading to Diaz's death from severe trauma.
- Suspect in violent Queens kidnapping and rape inside park may have attacked other victims: NYPD
Oscar Vallejo, 31, is the prime suspect in a violent kidnapping and rape case in Queens' Highland Park. Police allege he attacked a woman on May 30 after approaching her on a scooter in Brooklyn and transporting her to the park, where he sexually assaulted her. Vallejo, linked to the crime via fingerprints from prior convictions for forcible touching, was arrested on June 11 and charged with rape, kidnapping, and assault. Authorities urge potential victims to contact the NYPD.
- Grinning suspect cuffed after alleged fiery street takeover, drag race caught on camera
A 22-year-old man was arrested in Queens, New York, for alleged involvement in a reckless drag-racing street takeover involving over 100 vehicles. Asil Assaidi faces charges of reckless endangerment and rioting after a chaotic incident near gas stations that included fiery stunts and nearly caused collisions.
- Child among 4 dead as accused arsonist allegedly drank beer during chaos
Roman Amatitla, a 38-year-old New York City man, faces murder charges after allegedly setting a fire in a Queens apartment that killed four people, including a 3-year-old child. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz described the incident as an 'act of mass murder' with no known motive, noting Amatitla's random selection of the building.