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Press Release

Former NYPD Detective Sentenced To 72 Months

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York
The Defendant Was a Member of a Burglary Crew That Stole More Than $8,000,000 in Cash and Property

Earlier today, Rafael Astacio, a former detective with the New York City Police Department, was sentenced to 72 months of imprisonment by United States District Judge Joseph F. Bianco, to be followed by three years of supervised release.  As part of the sentence, the court entered a $200,000 forfeiture money judgment and restitution in the amount of $1.8 million.  Previously, Astacio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and filing a fraudulent tax return. 

The sentence was announced by Robert L. Capers, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. 

According to court filings and statements at today’s court proceeding, between 2010 and 2012, Astacio was a member of a burglary crew that committed approximately three dozen commercial burglaries and ten residential burglaries in the Eastern District of New York stealing approximately $8,000,000 in cash and property.  Astacio personally participated in six of the commercial burglaries and five residential burglaries stealing more than $5.3 million in cash and property.  The crew used traditional burglary tools, such as blow torches, crowbars, wire cutters, and sledge hammers, as well as cell phone jammers, police scanners, and an automobile tracking device to commit these crimes.  Astacio also used his position with the NYPD to locate potential burglary targets’ home addresses.

“For years, Astacio and his crew invaded Long Island homes and businesses and stole money and property.  By victimizing the very same people he took an oath to serve and protect, the defendant compounded his criminal acts,” stated United States Attorney Capers.  Mr. Capers extended his grateful appreciation to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office; the Nassau County Police Department; the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, New York; and New York City Police Department for their assistance in this case.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Caffarone and Special Assistant United States Attorney Rick Whelan are in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

RAFAEL ASTACIO
Age: 43
Copiague, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 13-CR-640 (JFB)

Updated February 4, 2016

Topics
Public Corruption
StopFraud
Tax