Preet Bharara, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James T. Hayes, Jr., the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (“ICE”) Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Philip R. Bartlett, Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), and Barry Kluger, Inspector General of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“MTA”), announced today the arrest of BEY DOMINICK for conspiring to distribute kilogram quantities of Ethylone, a substance similar to Butylone, a Schedule I controlled substance. Ethylone is also similar to MDEA, also known as “Eve,” and MDMA, also known as “Molly” or “ecstasy.” DOMINICK is a police officer with the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (“TBTA”), which is part of the MTA. The defendant was arrested yesterday and presented today in Manhattan federal court before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Frank Maas.

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint filed today in Manhattan federal court:

In October 2014, law enforcement officers intercepted and seized a parcel (“Package-1”) at John F. Kennedy International Airport that originated from Shanghai, China. Package-1 contained approximately one kilogram of a substance that tested positive for Ethylone, an isomer of Butylone, which is a Schedule I controlled substance. Package-1 was addressed to a business (“Business-1”) at a UPS store mailbox (“Mailbox-1”) in Newburgh, New York. An individual using the name “Ali Smith” had rented Mailbox-1, using a fraudulent New York State driver’s license that contained a photograph of BEY DOMINICK (the “Fraudulent License”). An employee of the Newburgh UPS store identified a photograph of DOMINICK as the person who had picked up a subsequent package delivered to Mailbox-1 and signed for that package in the name “Ali Smith.”

From October 2013 to August 2014, an individual or individuals using the names “Bey Dominick,” “Dominick Beq,” and “Ali Smith” sent more than $29,000 in Western Union wire transfers from the United States to banks in China.

An individual using the name “Ali Smith” and the Fraudulent License also rented a mailbox (“Mailbox-2”) at another UPS store, in New Windsor, New York. From January 2014 to December 2014, approximately 17 packages from China were delivered to a business (“Business-2”) with an address of Mailbox-2. A search of public records has revealed that Business-1 and Business-2 are not registered with the New York State Department of State Division of Corporations.

In January 2015, law enforcement officers learned that a package (“Package-2”) was in transit from China to Mailbox-2. After searching Package-2 pursuant to a search warrant, law enforcement officers found that it contained approximately one kilogram of a substance that tested positive for Ethylone. Yesterday, after law enforcement officers removed the Ethylone, re-sealed Package-2, and provided it to the New Winsdor UPS store for delivery to Mailbox-2, DOMINICK entered the UPS store. While under surveillance by law enforcement officers, DOMINICK signed for Package-2 under the name “Ali Smith” and exited the store in possession Package-2, at which time he was arrested.

At the time of his arrest, DOMINICK possessed his police badge and a firearm.

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DOMINICK, 43, of Middletown, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute narcotics, which carries a maximum term of 20 years and a mandatory term of three years of supervised release. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding work of HSI, USPIS, and the MTA Inspector General’s Office in the investigation.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Johnson-Skinner is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

15-018

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