PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

June 21, 2005

Contact: William J. Smith
(718) 556-7150

District Attorney Donovan Announces Takedown on
2 Individuals Possessing Thousands of Dollars of Illegal Fireworks

***Warrants Executed by D.A.’s Detective Squad Yields $26,000 in Fireworks****

STATEN ISLAND, NY – Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. today announced the execution of two search warrants for illegal fireworks which yielded the arrest of two Staten Island men and the confiscation of $26,000 worth of illegal fireworks.

“The seizure executed today by my office’s Detective’s Squad represents but a small fraction of the illegal and dangerous fireworks that are peddled in our community, stated District Attorney Donovan “My office will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who trade in these dangerous explosives.

At the first location, a private house at 40 Juni Court, officers from the District Attorney’s Detective Squad arrested 41 year-old Peter Flotta. The warrant uncovered approximately $20,000 worth of Class “C” fireworks and an unlicensed rifle.

At the second location, a private house at 4128 Amboy Road, the District Attorney’s Detective Squad arrested 27 year-old Brian Houston. The warrant uncovered approximately $6,000 worth of Class “C” fireworks.

Both defendants have been charged with Class A misdemeanors under Section 270 of the New York State Penal Law, punishable by up to one year in prison.

Added the District Attorney, “Fireworks are not only illegal in New York, they are also dangerous. Even in the hands of professionals, fireworks must be handled with tremendous care. In the hands of an amateur -- especially a child -- it can cost someone an eye, a finger, a limb or even their life."

The warrant was written by Assistant District Attorney (ADA) David Frey of the Investigations Bureau, under the supervision of ADA Mario Mattei, Chief of the Investigations Bureau. The warrant was executed by Detectives Robert Nestel and James Masiello of the District Attorney’s Detective Squad, under the supervision of Lt. Frank DeBenedetto and Sgt. James Burke.

The defendants will be arraigned Wednesday in Stapleton Criminal Court.

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