By Nathan Duke
A 20−year−old Bayside man was arrested last week for allegedly firing four bullets into the empty home of an Oakland Gardens judge in August, the Queens district attorney said.
Ezra Barashy, of 224−59 77th Ave. in Bayside, was arraigned Friday before Queens Criminal Court Judge Charles Lopresto on charges of criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief, Queens DA Richard Brown said.
If convicted, the defendant faces up to 15 years in prison, the DA said. Barashy’s bail was set at $250,000 and he was forced to surrender his passport, Brown said.
The defendant was scheduled to return to court Nov. 13, the DA said.
Barashy is accused of firing four live rounds from a 9 mm pistol into the home of New York State Court of Claims Judge Fernando Camacho’s home in Oakland Gardens around 4 a.m. on Aug. 12, the DA said. The defendant is alleged to have thrown his weapon into the ocean four days later, Brown said.
Two bullets were found lodged in the judge’s home on 64th Avenue, while two others struck the side of the house, police said. The DA said the bullets caused damage to the residence, but did not specify a monetary amount.
Camacho had been on vacation with his family at the time of the shooting and his house was empty, police said. No one was hurt in the incident, police said. Neighbors said they were awakened by the shots and were shocked that bullets had flown in their typically quiet neighborhood.
In the 1990s, the judge was part of a team that helped bring down notorious Washington Heights gang Jheri Curls, a Dominican narcotics ring. According to published reports, police had been investigating a member of the gang whom Camacho had sentenced to prison and was recently released.
But police arrested Barashy last week.
At the time of the shooting, the judge had been working as an acting Supreme Court justice on domestic violence cases in the Kew Gardens courthouse.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e−mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 156.
