Judge Valentina Morales, a Manhattan criminal court judge known for her lenient rulings, made a shocking discovery in her Hell’s Kitchen apartment. Bullet holes were found in her bedroom, but rather than contacting the police, she chose to notify the Office of Court Administration, the agency responsible for overseeing judges. On August 1, the agency reached out to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who has been criticized for his soft-on-crime approach.
After being informed of the incident, investigators from Bragg’s office visited the judge’s building and spoke to her upstairs neighbor, John Moore. Moore, who has a prior conviction for drug dealing, was not at home during their visit. However, his roommate allowed the investigators inside, where they discovered a hole in Moore’s bedroom floor. Moore later admitted that he accidentally fired a weapon and disposed of it in the Hudson River.
Surprisingly, it was not until August 2 that the NYPD was finally notified and an arrest warrant was served on Moore’s apartment. Upon entering, the police found a cache of weapons, including a sawed-off shotgun, various types of ammunition, an antique pistol, switchblades, stun guns, collapsible batons, and law enforcement badges.
This incident raises concerns about Judge Morales’ handling of cases involving violent criminals. In the past, she has released individuals charged with serious offenses without requiring substantial bail or bond. For example, she set Frankie Centeno, who was facing gun possession charges, with electronic monitoring instead of imposing a higher bail. Centeno subsequently fled the country and had to be rearrested.
Another alarming case involved the release of Walter Almachi Leal, a Venezuelan migrant who had attacked a victim with a broken beer bottle. Morales granted him release without bail, despite the severity of the crime. Similarly, she allowed Kalifa Quattara, a member of the Up the Hill gang, to be placed on electronic monitoring after he was caught with a loaded gun and admitted to using it in a shootout.
The judge’s leniency and failure to recognize the potential dangers posed by these individuals have drawn criticism from law enforcement officials. One NYPD detective stated that Morales likely did not contact the police because she was aware of their disapproval of her actions. Instead, she reached out to the district attorney’s office, further highlighting the tense relationship between law enforcement and the judiciary.
The Office of Court Administration emphasized the importance of judge and court staff safety, stating that they take any threats or instances of violence seriously. However, they declined to comment on ongoing investigations or specific security protocols.
As for John Moore, he now faces charges of weapons possession and reckless endangerment. This is not his first brush with the law, as he has had multiple prior arrests, including weapons possession and burglary charges. Currently held at Rikers Island, Moore’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 15.
The actions and decisions made by Judge Morales in these cases have raised concerns about judicial leniency and its potential impact on public safety. It is crucial for judges to carefully consider the risks involved when releasing individuals charged with serious crimes. The incident involving bullet holes in Morales’ apartment serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that can arise from lenient rulings.
