View Post Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn unsealed a disturbing indictment on December 2, 2025, charging five men they say led an online group known as “Greggy’s Cult.” According to the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the group allegedly used Discord servers and online gaming platforms…
Continue reading ›For anyone arrested in New York City (excluding those who receive Desk Appearance Tickets), the first appearance in criminal court—known as the arraignment—is one of the most critical stages of the entire case. It happens quickly, often within 24 hours of arrest, and what occurs in that brief courtroom appearance can dramatically influence the course…
Continue reading ›The David Motovich Prosecution: what happened, the statutes and penalties, and why you want experienced federal defense like Matthew Galluzzo Short version: In a high-profile federal prosecution out of the Eastern District of New York, David Motovich was tried and convicted by a jury on numerous counts connected to a years-long illegal check-cashing / money-transmitting…
Continue reading ›Last month federal authorities returned to U.S. custody an accused transnational trafficker known publicly as “Brother Wang” — identified in court filings as Zhi Dong Zhang — and announced a sprawling indictment that ties him and others to large-scale cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking and to sophisticated money-laundering operations. What follows is a plain-English look…
Continue reading ›Getting handed a Desk Appearance Ticket — a “DAT” — can feel like a small piece of paper with big consequences. In New York City, one common DAT charge is Penal Law §230.04 — Patronizing a Person for Prostitution (Third Degree). This article explains what that charge means, the possible penalties and collateral effects, how…
Continue reading ›This article provides an overview of the general functioning of the Sentencing Guidelines in federal narcotics cases. Facing federal narcotics charges is one of the most serious legal challenges a person can experience. Federal drug prosecutions are aggressive, evidence-heavy, and governed by a complex set of Sentencing Guidelines that can determine whether a person faces…
Continue reading ›Many people in New York City are surprised to learn that something as seemingly minor as skipping a subway fare, leaving a cab without paying, or walking out on a restaurant bill can actually lead to a criminal charge. In fact, under New York Penal Law § 165.15, these acts are classified as Theft of…
Continue reading ›The Expanding Circle of Enforcement In recent years, federal authorities have ramped up enforcement of illegal gambling schemes in professional sports — not simply minor bets, but full-blown rigging and insider information conspiracies. Two headline examples: These cases show that the government is treating sports-gambling schemes not simply as “house penalties” for leagues, but as…
Continue reading ›Getting a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) in New York City can be stressful — especially if you don’t live anywhere near the city. Many visitors and business travelers are surprised to learn that even minor offenses in New York can result in a criminal court summons requiring a personal appearance weeks or months later. Understandably,…
Continue reading ›Federal prosecutors aggressively pursue offenses involving the sexual exploitation of minors, and one of the most serious statutes in this area is 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b). This crime carries extremely severe penalties—including potential decades in prison—and defending against it requires an experienced federal criminal defense attorney who understands both the nuances of the law and…
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