UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE

Southern District of New York

U.S. ATTORNEY PREET BHARARA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 19, 2016
http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys

FBI
Martin Feely, Adrienne Senatore,
Kelly Langmesser, Amy Thoreson
(212) 384-2100

CONTACT: U.S. ATTORNEYS OFFICE

James Margolin, Dawn Dearden
Nicholas Biase
(212) 637-2600
NYSP
Beau Duffy
(518) 457-2180

CHESTER PD
(845) 469-4681

FORMER POLICE OFFICER CHARGED IN WHITE PLAINS FEDERAL

COURT WITH QUADRUPLE HOMICIDE
Four Victims of Alleged Homicide Had Not Been Seen or Heard From Since April 11, 2016
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William
F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI), George P. Beach II, the Superintendent of the New York State
Police (NYSP), and Peter J. Graziano, Jr., Chief of the Village of Chester Police Department
(Chester PD), announced charges against NICHOLAS TARTAGLIONE, a retired police
officer, for a quadruple murder committed in Chester, New York, in April 2016.
TARTAGLIONE was arrested yesterday and charged in a five-count Indictment for his
participation in a conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms and more of cocaine and for the murders of
Martin Luna, Urbano Santiago, Miguel Luna, and Hector Gutierrez in furtherance of that
conspiracy. He was presented in White Plains federal court yesterday before U.S. Magistrate
Judge Paul E. Davison
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: While all murders tear at the fabric of
our communities, when the alleged perpetrator of a gangland-style, quadruple homicide is a
former police officer, that strikes at the heart of civilized society. As alleged, Nicholas
Tartaglione, a former Briarcliff Manor police officer, participated in the senseless murder of four
people in a bar in Chester, New York. These four men had not been seen or heard from since the
day of their alleged murder. We hope that todays arrest brings some measure of comfort to the
victims families and loved ones.
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. stated: The despicable acts of
murder are more egregious in this case because the alleged murderer, a former police officer,

once swore to serve and protect people from harm. The FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task
Force works day after day to battle the crimes that accompany the drug trade to keep criminals
and their illegal actions from impacting innocent people. We hope the victims families and
community find some solace in an arrest being made.
NYSP Superintendent George P. Beach II said: Once again the work of a strong law
enforcement partnership has resulted in an alleged dangerous man being taken off the streets.
These brutal murders are prime examples of the dangerous crimes that are associated with drug
distribution. Narcotics destroy communities and put lives at risk. State Police and our partners
will continue to work together to rid our communities of these dangerous substances, and the
violence that comes with them.
Chester PD Chief Peter Graziano, Jr. stated: I am grateful for the hard work everyone
put into this case and the cooperation of the agencies involved. This unspeakable crime shows
how destructive the drug trade is and why we must all endeavor to continue the fight. This
scourge is not limited to large urban areas, but small rural ones as well. I hope the victims
families can find some peace and closure as a result of this arrest.
As alleged in the Indictment filed today in White Plains federal court1:
From June 2015 up to April 2016, TARTAGLIONE and others conspired to sell five
kilograms or more of cocaine. In April 2016, TARTAGLIONE participated in the killing of
Martin Luna, Urbano Santiago, Miguel Luna, and Hector Gutierrez in furtherance of that cocaine
distribution conspiracy, some of whom were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The
murders all took place in and around a bar called the Likquid Lounge in Chester, New York.
*

A chart containing the charges and maximum penalties faced by TARTAGLIONE, 49, of
Otisville, New York, is attached. The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress
and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would
be determined by the judge.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, the New York State
Police, and the Village of Chester Police Department. Mr. Bharara also thanked the City of
Middletown Police Department for its assistance in the case.
This case is being handled by the Offices White Plains Division. Assistant United States
Attorneys Maurene Comey and Michael Gerber are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is
presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
16-343

###

As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the descriptions of the Indictment set forth
below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

United States v. Nicholas Tartaglione, S1 16 Cr. 832 (KMK)

CHARGES

MAXIMUM PENALTIES

Conspiracy to distribute and possess with

intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of
cocaine.

Life in prison

Murder of Martin Luna in furtherance of a

conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more
of cocaine.

Life in prison or death

Murder of Urbano Santiago in furtherance of

a conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or
more of cocaine.
Murder of Miguel Luna in furtherance of a
conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more
of cocaine.
Murder of Hector Gutierrez in furtherance of
a conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or
more of cocaine.

Mandatory minimum:
10 years in prison
Mandatory minimum:
20 years in prison
Life in prison or death
Mandatory minimum:
20 years in prison
Life in prison or death
Mandatory minimum:
20 years in prison
Life in prison or death
Mandatory minimum:
20 years in prison