Man Pleads Guilty To Operating A Drug Lab In Ronkonkoma

FARMINGVILLE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO OPERATING A DRUG LAB IN RONKONKOMA

Matthew Leshinsky’s Clandestine Drug Lab was Uncovered When He Called Police to Report a Burglary

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Matthew Leshinsky, 23, of Farmingville, pleaded guilty to Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine in the Third Degree and other related charges, for manufacturing methamphetamine and other illicit drugs at his business, Quantitative Laboratories, LLC, in Ronkonkoma.

“This defendant was operating a Breaking Bad-style drug lab and tried to conceal it under the guise of a legitimate business. He then inadvertently turned himself in when he reported that a burglary occurred at that same business,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I want to thank the Suffolk County Police Department officers who keenly identified evidence of a clandestine drug lab during their initial response to the scene, as well as our prosecutors and other members of law enforcement for their collaborative efforts to further investigate this defendant and hold him accountable for the deadly drugs he put out onto the streets of Suffolk County.”

According to the investigation and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on June 7, 2023, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Leshinsky called 911 to report a burglary in progress at his purported business establishment, Quantitative Laboratories, LLC, in Ronkonkoma. When officers from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fifth Precinct responded to the scene, they observed broken glass at the entrance of the lab. While the officers continued investigating, they discovered what appeared to be a clandestine laboratory that was involved in the manufacture, production, and preparation of methamphetamine and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a hallucinogenic substance, amongst other controlled substances.

After obtaining a search warrant for the location, law enforcement found over 100 items of laboratory equipment, chemical reagents and solvents used in the manufacture, production, or preparation of methamphetamine, as well as substances that resulted from the production or preparation of methamphetamine.

Police also recovered $40,000 in cash, a quantity of MDMA (ecstasy), over 3 ounces of methamphetamine, over 625,000 milligrams of pure ketamine, and over 20 plastic 55 gallon drums containing Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), which is chemically similar to Gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), often times referred to as the “date rape drug.”

On February 15, 2024, Leshinsky pleaded guilty to the following charges before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard Ambro:

* One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A-II felony;

* One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony;

* Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, Class D felonies;

* One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class C felony;

* Two counts of Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine in the Third Degree, Class D felonies;

* One count of Unlawful Disposal of Methamphetamine Laboratory Material, a Class E felony;

* One count of Criminal Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacturing Material in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor;

* Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, Class A misdemeanors; and

* One count of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

Leshinsky is due back in court for sentencing on March 20, 2024, and he is being represented by David Besso, Esq.3

15-Year-Old Student Arrested After Posting Threat Of Mass Harm At Walt Whitman HS

Suffolk County Police today arrested a Huntington Station student after she posted a threat of mass harm on social media.

Second Precinct Crime Section officers responded to Walt Whitman High School, located at 310 West Hills Road after a student made a threat of mass harm on social media. Officers located and isolated the 15-year-old female student, and an investigation was conducted. The student’s locker, book bag and home were searched. She was arrested at the school at approximately 12:35 p.m.

Officers determined there was no credible threat. The teenager was charged with Threat of Mass Harm, a Class B Misdemeanor, and will be arraigned in Suffolk County Family Court at a later date.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Police Have Arrested Two Men Alleged To Have Robbed Kings Park Business And Others

Suffolk County Police today arrested two men for burglarizing ten businesses and attempting a burglary at another business since July.

Following an investigation by Major Case Unit detectives, Frank Costa and Jon Pucci were arrested on Eastwood Boulevard in Centereach for committing the following burglaries during which cash and cigarettes were stolen:

• Shell, located at 1511 Middle Country Road in Ridge, on February 9

• Kings Park Auto Care, located at 189 Main Street in Kings Park, on January 30

• Back Country Deli, located at 70 Horseblock Road in Yaphank, on January 24

• Ideal Food Basket, located at 500 Jefferson Plaza in Port Jefferson, on January 12

• DJM Laundry Services, located at 1 Glenmere Lane in Coram, on January 12

• Citgo, located at 3200 Veterans Memorial Highway in Bohemia, on December 31

• Gulf, located at 240 W. Main St. in Smithtown, on December 29

• BP Gas, located at 1470 Middle Country Road, in Ridge on December 26

• USA Gas, located at 1146 Middle Country Road in Middle Island, on December 11

• Jiffy Lube, located at 5228 Route 347 in Port Jefferson Station, on July 21

They were also charged in connection with an attempted burglary at USA Gas, located at 1146 Middle Country Road in Middle Island, on December 26.

Costa, 54, of Port Jefferson, and Pucci, 29, of  Middle Island, were charged with ten counts of Burglary 3rd Degree and one count of Attempted Burglary 3rd Degree.

They will be held overnight at the Sixth Precinct and will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on February 11.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Wanted for Hauppauge Assault

Wanted for Hauppauge Assault

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the suspect who slashed a man in a Hauppauge restaurant last month.

A man was slashed with a knife during an altercation at Capicu Restaurant, located at 160 Adams Avenue, on January 1 at approximately 4:35 a.m. Detectives are looking for photos, videos or information related to this incident.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

***Missing Dix Hills Man***

Anthony Perez, who was reported missing on February 6, has been located and is unharmed.

Police Officer Rescued 10-Year-Old From House Fire In West Islip

A Suffolk County Police officer rescued a boy from a house fire this morning in West Islip.

Third Precinct officers responded to 1 Dogwood Road at approximately 7:30 a.m. after a 911 caller reported a fire at the location. When officers arrived, an 8-year-old boy was outside the home after climbing out a window and a 10-year-old boy was still inside.

Officer Richard Senese attempted to gain entry through the front door, which was locked, and was then able to enter through a side door. Upon entry, Officer Senese encountered heavy smoke conditions and was able to locate the boy and lead him outside.

The boys were transported to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip for treatment of smoke inhalation. Officer Senese was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.

Arson Section detectives are investigating the cause of the fire, which originated in 

Police Arrest Man Accused Of Forcibly Touching A Woman In Commack Store

Suffolk County Police arrested a Huntington Station man for forcibly touching a woman at Target in Commack in November.

A 72-year-old woman contacted police on November 21, 2023 to report a man forcibly touched her in a sexual manner while she was shopping at Target, located at 98 Veterans Memorial Highway, on November 18. Following an investigation by Fourth Squad detectives and Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers, Michael Harrison was arrested at his home on February 3 at 11:02 a.m.

Fourth Squad detectives charged Harrison, 19, with Forcible Touching. He was issued a Desk Appearance Ticket and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.

Detectives are asking anyone who believes they could be a victim of Harrison to contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

***Missing 15 Year-Old***

Suffolk County Police Third Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to locate a Central Islip teenager who was reported missing.

Laniya Gaymon was reported missing by a family member on January 23 after she failed to return to her home,  following school that day.

Gaymon, 15, is Black, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 220 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a gray sweater, black t-shirt and light colored sweatpants. She has a nose ring.

Gaymon, who has left home before, is possibly in the Wyandanch or Manhattan areas.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on her location to call 911 or the Third Squad at 631-854-8352.

Authority: Robert Warin

Bay Shore Man Dies After Crashing Truck On Smithtown Ave. Ronkonkoma

Suffolk County Police Fifth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a man in Ronkonkoma Thursday.

Adelino Santiago was driving his 1996 Ford F-350 pickup truck traveling northbound on Smithtown Avenue when the vehicle struck the curb and flipped several times.

Santiago, 56, of Bay Shore, was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner.

Anyone with information on this crash is asked to call Fifth Squad detectives at 631-854-8552.

Man Arrested For Scamming Seniors Using A Computer To Steal Thousands

Suffolk County Police arrested a Queens man for stealing thousands of dollars from two elderly people during a computer scam.

Jarnail Singh, 21, of South Ozone Park, was charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree and Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree.A 77-year-old Amityville man received an email, purportedly from the Geek Squad, reporting a charge of $399. The victim called the phone number provided in the email to dispute the charge. The person who answered the call directed the victim to log into his bank account from his computer so the funds could be returned. Once the man logged on, the suspect gained access to the man’s bank accounts and transferred $40,000 from one of the man’s accounts to the other, without the victim realizing what had been done.

The representative on the phone convinced the man that the additional funds were transferred in error and the victim was to provide him with the cash. The suspect picked up $20,000 in cash at the victim’s home on January 29. The following day, the victim provided $5,000 in gift cards by phone. On January 31, an additional $20,000 was withdrawn from the victim’s account.

A 74-year-old Bay Shore woman was a victim of the same scam on January 31. She met the suspect in a parking lot and she gave $13,000. The following day, she was contacted again and told to withdraw an additional $20,000. Bank officials became concerned during the second withdrawal and contacted police.

Financial Crimes detectives, Third Precinct officers and Canine Section officers responded to the pickup location, a parking lot on East Main Street in East Islip, and Jarnail Singh was arrested. The $20,000 was intercepted by police.

Singh, 21, of  South Ozone Park, was charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree and Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree. He will be arraigned today at First District Court in Central Islip.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone who believes they are a victim of this scam should contact Financial Crimes at 631-852-6821 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-220-TIPS.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.