ROCHESTER, NY — Repeat offender Tyquan Rivera, 26, of Rochester was arrested again for a number of drug charges in addition to multiple vehicle and traffic violations in a state that enacted bail reform laws.
On Friday afternoon, New York State Police (NYSP) arrested Rivera, who was in possession of fentanyl, crack, cocaine and $11,000 in cash.
“Rivera was charged for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree (2 counts), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th (2 counts), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th. Degree, and numerous Vehicle and traffic violations,” NYSP said.
Tyquan Rivera was released from jail Friday as part of bail reform. He was arrested on a drug charge and had previously been jailed for shooting a Rochester police officer. https://t.co/H682o56u2x
— Spectrum News ROC (@SPECNewsROC) January 4, 2020
This was not Rivera’s first encounter with the law.
Rivera was arrested in 2009 for shooting Rochester Police Officer Anthony DiPonzio in the head when he was 14 years old, according to WROC. He was sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison for the shooting.
DiPonzio: “This has Affected Me Greatly”: The Rochester Police officer shot by Tyquan Rivera spoke to the court .. http://idek.net/a0K
— Spectrum News ROC (@SPECNewsROC) October 16, 2009
DiPonzio, who was 24 at the time of the shooting, went through intensive rehabilitation before returning to work in November 2011, according to the Democrat & Chronicle.
Rivera was released from prison in 2016, but arrested again in 2017 for a parole violation. He was then released in February 2019 after serving the maximum amount of time he could be incarcerated.
A 30 Yr Veteran Of Police Force In NY Weighs In On Bail Reform & So Much More=Read This & Share=MyView= Rochester police captain blasts Dem’s bail reform and politicians wanting more gun laws: ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about’ https://t.co/h10NMC2NU3
— Scooter Annie (@scooter_annie) September 21, 2020
In December 2019, Rivera was arrested along with four others, each of whom were charged with possession of narcotics with the intent to sell. Prosecutors did not say how the five were connected.
ADA Matthew Schwartz on the array of Tyquan Rivera: #roc @DandC
He also said Rivera’s two charges stemmed from incidents in sept when he allegedly sold fentanyl to 2 undercover officers pic.twitter.com/g62amCPeT9— Victoria Freile (@vfreile) December 20, 2019
At the time of his Dec. 19 arrest, bail had been set at $25,000 cash or $100,000 bond since it was prior to the new bail laws going into effect.
7 months post release and selling death on the city streets shows he has absolutely no respect for any human life. Throw away the key time.
— bcwinant (@bcwinant) December 21, 2019
However, Rivera was released in January due to New York State’s new bail reform laws that took effect Jan. 1 and mandated inmates being held for misdemeanors and certain felonies would not be required to post bail.
Are we allowed to protect ourselves and our property in NY? Criminals got bail reform, weak incompetent DA’s, and the Democratic Party in NY. Do law abiding citizens have Stand Your Ground laws in NY to protect themselves? Where’s our protection?
— Rich Geddis (@RichGeddis) August 25, 2020
In addition, the bail reform laws became retroactive, so inmates locked up for similar crimes were required to be freed as well, and an estimated 250 inmates were going to have their jail restrictions removed, according to WHAM.
Tyquan Rivera, the man previously convicted of shooting a Rochester police officer when he was 14 years old, has been released from custody without bail in connection with the current drug case against him.https://t.co/VxvRKlmbXg
— CNYCentral (@CNYCentral) January 2, 2020
Assistant District Attorney Matt Schwartz said in January that these laws allowed Rivera to be released despite also being charged with six counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, five counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and one count of conspiracy in the fourth degree for allegedly selling Fentanyl to undercover officers on multiple occasions:
“Our hands are certainly tied. This is someone who’s previously been convicted of shooting a police officer, who has a prior violent felony conviction on his record, who is currently facing allegations of selling Fentanyl to an undercover police officer, who faces a minimum of six years and a maximum of 15 years if he’s convicted of these new drug charges.
“And it’s rather disturbing that someone in that situation is automatically released by virtue of this new law.”
Bail reform:
Accused killer Paul Barbaritano is being set free today. He’s accused of stabbing a woman to death in Albany back in July. Court reviewed his case this morning and he is being set free without bail this afternoon, thanks to NY’s controversial new bail reform laws. pic.twitter.com/cC6KIrm7zg— Greg Floyd (@CBS6Greg) January 2, 2020
Rivera’s attorney, Jim Napier, explained how the bail reform law affected his client:
“It’s a new law, and the judge does have some discretion in setting conditions of release – although the law does require that Mr. Rivera be released and that the judge could not set cash bail, but he could set certain conditions of release, which he did do, and so we did not have an objection with those conditions of release.”
Accused of robbery, a man with a history of robbing banks was released without bail as part of new bail reform laws in NY. https://t.co/FH1rBcVxPu
— CBS 6 Albany – WRGB (@CBS6Albany) December 31, 2019
According to CNY Central, Judge Sam Valleriani ruled Rivera would be required to surrender his passport and wear an electronic monitoring bracelet. He also would be required to meet with pre-trial services.
Curious if the homeless guy that purposely caused a train to derail and then laughed, will be released after one night because of the atrocious bail reform laws in NY?
We need to change direction fast or NYC is doomed.
— Nick Adamo (@Nick_Adamo) September 21, 2020
While some people have claimed bail reform laws do not release violent offenders, CBS2 released a shockingly long list of crimes that fall under it and contradict what some are claiming.
In local news, a 41yo pedophile (pedophiles are a favorite of @andrewcuomo @NYGovCuomo) was “processed and released” from the sheriff’s office pending future court appearances – because of NY’s new bail reform laws. Pedophiles are privileged according to @NYSenate @NYGov
— FP (@FilthyPianist) September 22, 2020
Some of the crimes CBS2 noted that make a criminal eligible for release include:
• Criminal injection of a controlled substance into another person
• 3rd degree Assault
• Reckless Assault of a child
• Aggravated Vehicular Assault
• 1st degree Stalking while committing a sex offense
• Criminal Obstruction of Breathing
• Criminally Negligent Homicide
• 2nd degree Manslaughter
• Tampering with a consumer product (multiple counts)
• 3rd degree Arson
• Killing a Police Dog or Police Horse
• Obstructing emergency medical services
• Obstructing governmental services with a bomb
• Riot (multiple counts)
• Criminal Anarchy
• Pointing a laser at an aircraft (multiple counts)
• Harming a service animal (multiple counts)
• Endangering the welfare of a child
• Assisting in female genital mutilation
• Endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person
• Endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person
• Endangering the welfare of a disabled person (multiple counts)
• Promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child
• Possession of an obscene sexual performance by a child
• Promoting a sexual performance by a child
• Possessing a sexual performance by a child
• Aggravated Labor Trafficking
• Reckless Endangerment of property
• Stalking (multiple counts)
• Promoting a suicide attempt.
Suspect seen in SICKENING surveillance of alleged repeated ATTACKS on his Girlfriend WALKS FREE thanks to NY bail reform!
Hey NEW YORK DEMS:
Does this Woman have to DIE before you change your LUDICROUS DANGEROUS LAWS?!
How dare DEMS!😡
https://t.co/ghTH9snzxH via @BIZPACReview— VELASQUEZ (@LaylaAlisha11) January 18, 2020
Prior to the bail reform laws taking effect, New York Police Department Commissioner Dermot Shea told CBS2:
“It’s concerning. We’re going to have to work harder than ever with our partners, with our fellow district attorneys, to prosecute these crimes to make sure that we are on top of our game.
“When you have individuals that are standing before a judge and immediately being released, and essentially everyone in the room knows that this person is a danger to the community, I think we need to look at the system and make sure that judges can make common sense decisions.”
Despite his catastrophic bail reform, Governor Cuomo blames NYC officials for massive crime surge
September 25, 2020 – NEW YORK CITY, NY – Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a stern warning toward New York City officials recently, in that policing in the city needs to be reimagined to address the spike in crime or else the governor will find someone who can address it.
Cuomo blasts NYC officials over spike in crime https://t.co/XQbQvcEaMG
— Fox5NY (@fox5ny) September 25, 2020
During a recent press conference, Governor Cuomo noted that there is also the possibility of reducing state funding to cities if they can’t get a grip on violent crime:
“If you have all these terrible budget issues, how can you ever possibly jeopardize their funding? And by the way – without state funding – New York City is bankrupt.”
The governor cited statistics that showcased a 100% increase in shooting victims, referring to said stat as being “wholly unacceptable”:
“We have a problem in New York City when it comes to crime. That is a fact.”
The harsh criticisms come nearly four months after Governor Cuomo signed an executive order requiring police reform. According to the governor, New York City has yet to get a plan in motion, which said plan has to be submitted by April 1st of 2021.
Governor Cuomo explained that it’s not so much who decides to run with creating a plan for police reform within New York City, as long as it just gets done. But he stated if the aforementioned doesn’t come to fruition, he’ll find someone suitable for the task:
“The Mayor can lead it, City Council President can lead it, Comptroller can lead it, Public Advocate can lead it. If none of them want to lead it, I will find someone to lead it.”
Apparently, many officials within the city have been relatively silent when it comes to commenting on the governor’s recent statement.
However, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams did at least note that he’s been drafting ideas, but also said that Governor Cuomo could be doing more as well:
“I think there’s some culpability in the Governor’s office as well, and so that should be put out there, but he is correct, there has been a vacuum of leadership on many issues.”
While Mayor Bill de Blasio didn’t directly comment on the matter itself, a statement coming from the mayor’s office alleged that police reform has been ongoing for years prior to Governor Cuomo’s June executive order:
“We’ve been working on fundamental police reform for years and have no intention of letting up now. It’s a failure of leadership to ignore the progress made in New York City, especially when it’s been advanced by so many advocates of color across the city.”
Former NYPD Lieutenant Darrin shared his thoughts on the debacle, somewhat mirroring the sentiments expressed by Public Advocate Williams, in that there’s shared ownership by both Mayor de Blasio and Governor Cuomo on the state of affairs:
“We need a solution-based and plausible plan to reduce crime. It’s clear that Mayor de Blasio has fallen asleep at the switch, but at the same token, the Governor has done nothing to assist in the endeavor of reducing crime.”
Violent crime has been rife, such as a recent example that occurred on September 16th.
A brutal attack outside of a Bronx deli was recently caught on surveillance video, and police need assistance in identifying the attackers featured in the footage.
From what police have gathered so far, the attack seems random, but the footage of the event is nonetheless brutal.
Close up of Suspect 1 from Bronx attack
The victim in the case has only been identified as a 19-year-old male at this time, and suffered bruising to the body and a cut to the neck from the September 16th attack.
WANTED for an assault in front of 2325 Southern Boulevard. #Bronx @NYPD48pct on 9/16/20 @ 2:50 PM Reward up to $2500 Seen them? Know who they are?Call 1-800-577-TIPS or DM us!Calls are CONFIDENTIAL! pic.twitter.com/tfOb0iUZTb
— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) September 18, 2020
The attack took place at approximately 3:00 p.m. just outside of the Bronx Zoo Deli on Southern Boulevard. Two suspects were seen posted outside of the establishment seemingly waiting for the victim.
One suspect appears to be a young black male while the second suspect, holding what appears to be a wooden plank used during the attack, could be a black or Hispanic male.
The first suspect, who is more clearly identifiable, also appeared to be using a bladed weapon during the attack.
Possible bladed weapon in suspect’s left hand
The victim was bombarded by both of the suspects and they were said to have made off with the victim’s cell phone and left in a blue Honda Civic. According to reports, the victim was treated at the New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Police are asking that anyone with information on the suspects’ whereabouts or identities to please call NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.
But this isn’t the only attack the NYPD is looking to solve as of late.
The NYPD needs the public’s help identifying three teenagers that robbed and punched an elderly woman in the East Village. The woman is 74 years-old.
Security footage before 7 p.m. on September 3, 2020, shows three teenagers, all black, two males and one female, between the ages of 14-18, walking past the elderly victim on East 14th Street.
That’s when one of the members in the group snatched the woman’s purse. She turns to confront the robber, but he punched her in the face, and she fell to the ground. The kid dropped her purse, and then all three teenagers fled the scene according to Fox 5 New York.
The video is one of those that if the viewer blinks they miss the action. They only see the kids running away. To help show the actual situation we have taken screenshots to help.
Screenshot taken from Fox5 New York
The above photo shows the three teenagers walking down the street. In the left hand side there is black female wearing a white romper and her hair is in a ponytail.
To her right is a male teenager wearing white pants and a black shirt. To his right is a black male wearing red pants and a dark shirt. Behind him is the victim, in jeans, a white t-shirt, and a hat, reaching out to confront him.
She is also black.
Fox5 New York
The kid in the red pants and blue shirt has effectively punched the woman in the white t-shirt. She is in mid-fall on the littered concrete.
The kid in black with the white pants turns to see what just happened. The girl in the white romper quickens her pace and heads towards the cross walk.
To the far right we see a kid with a backpack, viewing what just occurred, and another woman, in jeans and a gray shirt bending down.
Fox5 New York
The kid in the red pants follows the woman in the white romper towards the cross walk.
The teen in white pants then turns around and looks at the woman who has fallen to the ground. She’s stunned and face down.
Fox5 New York
The woman who had been hit then sits up and the teen in white pants turns to join his friends running away.
The New York Police Department said:
“Although the victim sustained bruising and swelling to her face and cuts and scrapes to her hands, she refused medical attention.”
Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), on the Crime Stoppers website at NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, on via Twitter: @NYPDTips.
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