On Saturday, August 17, 2024, the New York Post reported that a Manhattan criminal court judge discovered bullet holes in the bedroom of her apartment but did not contact the police to report the incident.
According to the article, Judge Valentina Morales found holes in and above her bed, as well as a shattered ceiling fan light bulb, when she returned to her apartment on July 31. She also noticed a hole in a plastic box stored under her bed and a bullet fragment inside the box. Rather than calling the police, the judge notified the New York Office of Court Administration, which oversees judges. The OCA then informed the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
Investigators from the DA’s office went to the judge’s building and spoke to the upstairs neighbor, John Moore, who had a prior drug conviction from 1987. Moore was not home but a roommate let investigators inside where they discovered a hole in Moore’s bedroom floor. Moore later stated he had accidentally fired a weapon and disposed of it in the Hudson River.
The NYPD was finally notified on August 2nd when an arrest warrant was served at Moore’s apartment. During their search, police uncovered an arsenal of illegal weapons including a sawed-off shotgun, pistols, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Other items such as switchblades, stun guns, and brass knuckles were also found.
Sources noted Judge Morales’ reluctance to contact the police was likely due to her reputation for releasing violent criminals. She has previously granted lenient treatment to defendants accused of gun crimes and assault. Moore was subsequently charged with weapons possession and reckless endangerment based on four past arrests. He is being held on $100,000 bail awaiting his next court date in September.
Source: New York Post
