Investigators of the Year
John Holohan
Chief Fire Marshal / Chief in Charge, Bureau Of Fire Investigation
Supervising Fire Marshal John Holohan is an 18 year veteran of the FDNY. He is currently assigned as the Executive Officer for the Bureau of Fire Investigation. Supervisor Holohan has distinguished himself as a relentless and innovative investigator. He is nominated as "Investigator of the Year" in recognition of his unwavering support of the mission of the FDNY's Bureau of Fire Investigation. His dedication to duty exemplifies the highest traditions in law enforcement. John has spearheaded the computerization of the Bureau of Fire Investigation. Supervisor Holohan played a major role in the development of a robust application which enhances the ability of the Bureau of Fire Investigation to conduct more than six thousand arson and fire related investigations each year. This application also allows the FDNY to track arson patterns and identify serial offenders. John has dovetailed this system into a state of the art intelligence database, a database that is regularly accessed by Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies pursuing matters that include organized crime and terrorism related issues. Recently, the database was utilized to link four arson fires to an organized crime case in Staten Island. The investigation aided in the conviction of a member of the Bonanno crime family who is now serving 20 years in federal prison. This unique application has enabled the FDNY to effectively identify key fire prevention trends and issues throughout the city; this information is also utilized by the FDNY's fire safety education program, resulting in a dramatic reduction of loss of life due to fire. It has greatly enhanced overall fire safety in the City of New York. In addition, John oversees liaison operations with the NYC Medical Examiners Office - managing the approximately 85 fire-related death investigations each year. In support of the FDNY / BFI's post 9-11 mission, he is the point man responsible for the direct supervision of the ongoing mission toward "target hardening" at all strategic FDNY facilities including FDNY Headquarters. John has been recognized by the FDNY in the past, for both his investigative excellence and valor.
Andrew Daher
Special Agent, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division
In January 2005, ATF Special Agent Daher, of the ATF Joint Firearms Task Force was contacted by the New York City Police Department's 45th Precinct to help address growing gang related criminal activity and to combat the sudden increase in violent crimes and narcotics dealings within the Riverbay Corporation grounds, commonly known as CO-OP City, in the Bronx, NY. Through intelligence gathered, it was also determined that many of the subjects were members the violent Bloods gang and that these individuals belonged to 2 different factions of the Bloods feuding for control of the lucrative illegal narcotic business. As case agent, Special Agent Daher was responsible for overseeing and monitoring the status and direction of the investigation. During the course of the investigation numerous suspects were identified as being engaged in illegal firearms and narcotics trafficking and undercover agents were able to purchase 16 firearms along with numerous quantities of narcotics. In December 2005, federal, state and local police officers began arresting the gang members. At one location suspects were seen throwing three firearms, drugs and a bulletproof vest from their apartment window. On December 15th, a large scale enforcement operation netted 19 gang members along with numerous firearms and narcotics and fake police badges. As a result of Special Agent Daher's commitment to this two year investigation and the subsequent prosecution, 26 gang members were arrested and the total contraband purchased and seized included 50 firearms and 3,000 rounds of ammunition, crack and powder cocaine and marijuana. 22 of these gang members have either pled guilty or been found guilty by trial in federal court in Manhattan of federal firearms, narcotics and Hobbs Act violations.
Andre Stadnyk
Senior Investigator, New York State Police
Thirty-one years of outstanding performance and service makes Senior InvestigatorAndre Stadnyk one of the most highly-valued members of the New York State Police anddeserving of recognition and appreciation. Senior Investigator Andre Stadnyk began his career with the New York State Police inFebruary of 1977 as a Trooper assigned to Troop G, SP Warnerville. He was quicklypromoted within a short four-year period to the position of Investigator and assigned to theNew York Drug Enforcement Task Force where he conducted many successful mid to upper-level heroin trafficking investigations. Five years later, in 1986, his exceptional performancewas recognized with another promotion to the position of Senior Investigator, at that timemaking him one of the youngest Senior Investigators in the New York State Police. In this newposition, Senior Investigator Stadnyk took charge of the New York State Police SpecialNarcotics Prosecutor's Squad. Under the direction of New York City Special NarcoticsProsecutors Sterling Johnson, Robert Silbering and Bridget Brennan, Senior InvestigatorStadnykls Squad went after all levels of narcotics trafficking resulting in numerous andsignificant arrests, convictions and seizures. In 1989, Senior Investigator Andre Stadnyk andthe members of his squad were assigned on a full-time basis to assist the U.S. Customs Serviceand in 1992 became one of the founding members of the highly productive El Dorado TaskForce, a multi-agency federally-supervised task force which primarily targets moneylaundering operations related to the sale of illegal controlled substances. According to former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Assistant Special AgentIn-charge Chris Ammirati, Senior Investigator Stadnyk has been and continues to be an"invaluable part" of the El Dorado Task Force. Senior Investigator Stadnyk has receivednumerous awards throughout his career for his outstanding performance and currently holdsthe status of the senior most Senior Investigator in the New York State Police. SeniorInvestigator Stadnyk's unwavering dedication, leadership, professionalism and superiorperformance make him an indispensable asset to the law enforcement community - anddeserving of the 2008 Federal Law Enforcement Award.
Jason Samuels
Senior Special Agent, US Department of Homeland Security, ICE
Ismael Quintana
Senior Special Agent, US Department of Homeland Security, ICE
Carol Gorman
Criminal Research Specialist, US Department of Homeland Security, ICE
In November of 2006, Senior Special Agent Jason Samuels and Senior Special Agent Ismael Quintana in conjunction with the DEA Westchester Task Force initiated an OCDETF investigation entitled "Operation Dockside" targeting members of an international maritime narcotic smuggling organization. The organization utilized longshoremen employed at the New York Container Terminal (NYCT) located in Staten Island, NY to facilitate the smuggling of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine into the United States from Ecuador secreted inside refrigerated containerized shipments of plantains. This organization with ties to the Dominican Republic and Ecuador is estimated to have successfully smuggled 550 kilograms of cocaine into the Port of New York from the fall of 2004 through April of 2007. A confidential source provided initial information that lead to the identification of a longshoreman as the main smuggling facilitator at the NYCT. Through meticulous analysis of multiple cellular phone toll records, SSA Samuels and SSA Quintana were able to initiate a T-III wire intercept on the longshoreman that led to the identification of other individuals and subsequent wire intercepts. Information gathered through the wire intercepts led to a seizure of a 95-kilogram shipment and a 125-kilogram shipment of cocaine at the Port of Baltimore in January and April of 2007. Concurrent to the New York wire intercepts, the Dominican National Police conducted wire intercepts on an international coordinator (Dario SILFA) based upon information developed by SSA Samuels and SSA Quintana. The Dominican intercepts revealed that the organization also shipped cocaine to Europe. During the course of the investigation, agents identified two large-scale cocaine-distributing brothers known only by their nicknames. In January 2008, CRS Carol Gorman fully identified the two individuals and also identified a fraudulently obtained U.S. passport utilized by one brother. In late March 2008, agents arrested the brother at JFK airport on a passport fraud charge. Unaware of the narcotics conspiracy case, the arrested brother spoke freely about his brother and their narcotics business on recorded prison conversations. In early May 2008, agents utilizing cell site data from the other brother's cell phone and a "stingray" device, located and arrested him in Manhattan, NY. As a result of this investigation, SSA Samuels and SSA Quintana have arrested 14 individuals in the U.S. and seized 220 kilograms of cocaine. SSA Samuels, SSA Quintana and CRS Gorman utilized all available investigative tools, methods, and equipment, leading to a successful conclusion to this investigation.