Latest news with #NassauCountyCourt
New York Post
08-07-2025
- New York Post
Long Island mom demands attempted murder charges for her dogs killed in an arson: ‘He's still walking free'
A Long Island dog owner whose two pups fatally burned in a blaze allegedly set by her neighbor is calling for charges to be upgraded to attempted murder — with one state lawmaker looking to throw the book at pet killers. Ariana Belfort, 38, stood outside Nassau County Court Monday barking for justice for Jameson and Jack, her two dogs brutally murdered in an arson started by her downstairs neighbor, Jahan Kia. Belfort was joined by friends, animal rights activists and state Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, with many adorning signs and t-shirts that read 'Justice for Jameson and Jack.' Advertisement 6 Ariana Belfort, 38, stood outside Nassau County Court Monday barking for justice for Jameson and Jack. Dennis A. Clark The lawmaker not only backed Belfort's calls to add attempted murder and two animal cruelty charges to Kia's rap sheet, but announced he would be introducing a statewide bill that would make murdering animals a felony that could carry a life sentence. '[Kia] shouldn't be in more trouble for destroying drywall than he is for killing a loved one,' Blumencranz, an Oyster Bay Republican, told The Post. 'Real human and animal lives have been destroyed. Advertisement 6 Mugshot of Jahan Kia, arrested for arson. Nassau County Police Dept 'Now we need to make sure we see justice for everyone involved.' The Animal Justice Act would make murdering man's best friend, or any animal, a Class A felony that could bring with it 25 years to life in prison — legislation that Belfort, a mother of three, wholeheartedly supports. 6 Jameson and Jack fatally burned in a blaze allegedly set by Jahan Kia. Dennis A. Clark Advertisement 'If someone is capable of murdering an animal, they are certainly capable of murdering a human,' she said, adding that killing pets is how most serial killers start their murderous tendencies. In May, Kia, 40, was arrested for allegedly setting the Plainview home — he lived in an illegal basement apartment — on fire killing Belfort's two dogs and at least one of his own cats. The blaze took 100 firefighters from six departments to get under control. Kia was charged with arson, criminal mischief and just one count of animal cruelty — despite allegedly killing three animals. 6 The Animal Justice Act would make murdering man's best friend, or any animal, a Class A felony that could bring with it 25 years to life in prison. Advertisement 'He's still walking free,' Belfort said outside the court where Kia was scheduled to appear that morning. 'He admitted he set the fire on the house, he admitted he did it on purpose, and he admitted he thought we were inside at the time he started the fire.' Belfort claimed Kia, who she barley knew, has shown no remorse. She also shared a recent Facebook post by Kia that showed a cat laying on top of a pair of brass knuckles, which are illegal in New York state. 6 Belfort was joined by friends, animal rights activists and state Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz. Dennis A. Clark In late June, the Nassau Legislature voted to expand the county's 2014 animal-abuse law to make it a misdemeanor for anyone who harms a pet, doubling time on the registry and upping punishments to potential jail time and a $1,000 fine for abusers. And following Monday's rally at the courthouse, Nassau DA Anne Donnelly told The Post she is considering tacking on additional charges. 6 In late June, the Nassau Legislature voted to expand the county's 2014 animal-abuse law to make it a misdemeanor for anyone who harms a pet. 'This was a shocking, senseless act, and my office is considering upgrading the charges in this matter,' Donnelly said in a statement. 'It is endlessly frustrating that defendants who commit arson or kill innocent animals can walk free without my prosecutors ever having the opportunity to ask for bail. Advertisement 'I am committed to holding defendants accountable for crimes against innocent, defenseless animals.' Gov. Kathy Hochul's office did not respond to The Post's request for comment on Blumencranz's proposal legislation.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Former NY trooper Thomas Mascia pleads guilty to faking his own shooting
A former New York State trooper accused of faking his own shooting and sparking a massive manhunt for a made-up suspect pleaded guilty on Wednesday to multiple charges, including official misconduct and tampering with evidence. As part of the plea deal, 27-year-old Thomas Mascia is expected to be sentenced to a six-month jail term followed by five years probation, during which he'll have to undergo mental health treatment. The disgraced trooper will also have to pay nearly $290,000 in restitution for overtime pay for officers who spent three days searching for the fabricated suspect. Prosecutors say that on the night of Oct. 30, 2024, the West Hempstead resident told authorities that a gunman shot him while he was checking on a disabled vehicle on Long Island's Southern State Parkway. The alleged shooter — who he described as a 'black-skinned' driver of a Dodge Charger with temporary New Jersey license plates — opened fire as Mascia stopped to offer help, he claimed. Mascia, who was hailed as a hero, was transported to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his right leg as state officials launched a multi-state search to locate the Charger. But just days after the alleged shooting, state investigators announced they were looking into 'certain inconsistencies' in Mascia's story. 'The evidence uncovered and the absence of evidence told us everything we needed to know,' Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly said after an investigation. 'His harrowing story was nothing more than an elaborate work of fiction.' Prosecutors said he shot himself in a nearby park and then drove to the highway before calling for backup, as part of an elaborate scheme to gain sympathy. Mascia was arrested in January on charges of tampering with physical evidence, falsely reporting an incident and official misconduct. He resigned from state police on Jan. 24. After initially pleading not guilty, Mascia was expected to accept a plea deal earlier this month, but that hearing was adjourned when he told Nassau County Court Judge Robert Bogle he didn't feel well mentally. On Wednesday, Mascia formally accepted his plea. 'You knew this was a lie and chose to do it anyway?' Mascia was asked by Jared Rosenblatt, of the district attorney's office, during the proceedings. 'Yes,' he replied. Mascia will now 'face the consequences for his fabrications and for tarnishing the oath he took to serve and protect New Yorkers,' DA Donnelly said in a statement Wednesday, commenting on the former trooper's 'pathetic stunt.' Mascia's parents, who were charged with weapon offenses after a semiautomatic rifle with illegal modifications was found in their bedroom during a November search, also pleaded guilty on Wednesday. All three defendants are scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 20. With News Wire Services
