Community Corner

News Nearby: Drunk Bus Driver Sentenced; Sexual Predator Guilty

Patch reports on major news stories from around Long Island.

The following article was posted by Geoffrey Walter. It was written by Patch Staff members.

Here is a summary of major news from around Long Island this week. To see the full stories, click on the headlines:

Bus Driver to Serve Year in Prison

A bus driver who was drunk at the wheel when he crashed a bus carrying five students into a Syosset home will serve one year in prison, according to the Nassau District Attorney's office.

Frederick Flowers, 67, of Massapequa Park, pleaded guilty to charges and was sentenced Monday to one year in prison, said the DA's office. Flowers admitted to Leandra's Law violations, DWI, reckless endangerment in the second degree, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Flowers had been drunk at the wheel when he reportedly drove a bus into a Teibrook Avenue home at about 3:20 p.m. Oct. 4.

Five children between the ages of 5 and 9 were on board at the time of the incident. None of the children were injured, according to reports.

Sexual Predator Could Spend Life in Jail

Fidel Castro-Brito, charged with 70 felonies related to child sex abuse in what was the biggest case the East Hampton Town Police Department put together, pleaded guilty on Thursday.

He pleaded guilty to the two indictments brought against him last year and a Suffolk County Judge promised a sentence of at least 20 years to life with 20 years of post-release supervision. 

The sentence recommendation from the Suffolk County District Attorney's office is the maximum allowable by law of 50 years to life. He will be sentenced on June 21.

In April 2012, Castro-Brito was charged with seven sex crimes, including three charges of first-degree rape, after a man said he saw Castro-Brito jumping out of his 12-year-old daughter's bedroom window. He told police he had confronted Castro-Brito months earlier on Facebook and advised him to stay away from his daughter.

Port Washington Chief Honored on Retirement

Celebrating his 39 years of service to the Port Washington Police District, well-wishers honored Police Chief William J. Kilfoil Monday on his last day of duty.  

Attending the ceremony were members of the Port Washington Police District and its commissioners, as well as officials from other villages and Nassau County. 

Calling him an “icon” in the law enforcement community, James Salerno, who will begin serving as acting chief, noted that Kilfoil is the ninth police chief in the district, and the longest-serving chief in the district’s history. 

Guilty Plea from Former Nassau Top Cop

John Hunter, a former Nassau County Police Department chief, pleaded guilty Wednesday after he conspired to prevent Merrick resident Zachary Parker's arrest in May of 2009.

In return for pleading guilty to conspiracy and official misconduct, Hunter was sentenced to With prosecutors’ agreement, three years of probation, 500 hours of community service unrelated to law enforcement or EMS, he's required to film a police training video to help recruits avoid his illegal mistakes.

A jury convicted Flanagan for his role in this conspiracy in February. “We brought these cases to make sure that there isn’t one set of rules for the rich and connected and another for everyone else, said Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice. "John Hunter violated his oath and the law when he gave special treatment to a wealthy friend’s son, and today’s guilty plea ensures that he will face serious consequences for his conduct.”

Get Mineola news on Facebook


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here