Young defendants charged with tying up and beating 29-year-old woman
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced the indictment of four people accused of tying up, violently beating and robbing a young woman in her Elmont home in May.
Alicia Campbell, 27, of Rosedale; Elizabeth Hogg, 23, of Elmont; Farianny Geraldino, 22, of the Bronx; and Brian Virola, 24, of Port Chester, were each indicted on the following grand jury charges:
• Robbery in the 1st Degree (a B violent felony)
• Two counts of Robbery in the 2nd Degree (a C violent felony)• Two counts of Burglary in the 1st Degree (a B violent felony)
• Burglary in the 2nd Degree (a C violent felony)• Two counts of Assault in the 2nd Degree (a D violent felony)
• Strangulation in the 2nd Degree (a D violent felony)• Unlawful Imprisonment in the 1st Degree (an E felony)
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th Degree (an A misdemeanor)
Campbell was arraigned today, with bail set by Nassau County Supreme Court Justice William Donnino at $50,000 bond or $25,000 cash. She is due back in court on Aug. 20. The other three defendants were arraigned earlier this month. Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison if convicted of the top charge.
“These four defendants are accused of outnumbering, restraining and viciously assaulting a young woman in her own home before stealing her property, too,” Acting DA Singas said. “These cruel acts against a defenseless victim are especially heinous and I commend the police who responded quickly to arrest four defendants at the scene.”
Alicia A Campbell | Brian I. Virola |
Elizabeth Hogg | Farianny Geralino |
Acting DA Singas said that in the early morning hours of on May 30, Nassau County Police Department officers from the Fifth Precinct responded to an Elmont address where they found a 29-year-old woman bound with wires and duct tape about her body and mouth. The victim, who had cloth put in her mouth, had been punched, kicked, struck with an iron, sprayed with mace and robbed of her cell phone and other personal property. Campbell, Hogg, Geraldino and Virola were arrested at the scene and charged for the incident. The victim was treated for injuries and released.
Deputy Bureau Chief Melissa Lewis of Acting DA Singas’ Major Offense Bureau is prosecuting the case. Campbell is represented by Lori Golombek, Esq. Hogg is represented by Joseph Terino, Esq. Geraldino is represented by Raymond Gazer, Esq. Virola is represented by Martin Goldberg, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.