The New York City Sheriff's Office busted up an illegal Halloween party at a warehouse in Brooklyn packed with nearly 400 revelers and three walk up bars, and issuing a slew of summonses to eight organizers linked to the party. The latest roundup adds to the string of parties that have been deemed illegal because of the pandemic.
Some of the partygoers were dressed in costumes when deputies stormed 23 Meadow Street in Williamsburg at around 1 a.m. on Saturday. Sheriff Joseph Fucito said his office received of a "potential nonessential gathering" at the location, with deputies soon conducting surveillance. Fucito said deputies heard loud music coming from the warehouse and spotted security guards controlling crowds outside the warehouse. Roughly 150 of those guests were seen wearing costumes, according to Fucito.
After raiding the warehouse adorned in Halloween-themed decorations, they found 387 people inside dancing to the tune of a live DJ, not social distancing, and wearing no masks that protect them from contracting COVID-19.
The party is the latest in a string of illegal gatherings that have been spotted across the city during the pandemic, grabbing the attention of the Sheriff's Office and members of the joint task force between New York State Police and investigators with the State Liquor Authority.
Eight people -- Margarita Serrano, Nabil Mohamad, Christian Puentes Bohorquez, Kareem Salameh, Corey Negrin, Adam Alba, Marcia Sue Bedoya, Aaron Brinkley -- face multiple charges that include violating the city's executive order that bars large parties from taking place during the pandemic. Fines run from $1,000 to $15,000.
Sheriff's deputies raided 23 Meadow Street after receiving reports of a "nonessential" gathering.
The company alleged to have organized the party, Norman Kingsland LLC, was also charged with failing to protect the health and safety of its guests, which carries a fine of $15,000. Other charges include hiring an unlicensed security guard, disorderly conduct, obstructing governmental administration, and a resisting arrest charge for Serrano.
The Governor's Office reports that 177 restaurants, bars, and venues have been cited for violating the state's COVID-19 protocols that have largely restricted large indoor gatherings.
On October 18th, deputies broke up an illegal party inside a banquet hall in Queens filled with 215 people inside. Three days later, the SLA and state police found another Queens catering hall, Da Mikelle, found to have allegedly hosted a party with 70 people inside.
The person listed as the owner of the property at 23 Meadow Street was unavailable to comment.
