Man Pleads Guilty to Garden City, Hempstead Home Invasions Following Sandy

A man has pleaded guilty to committing several violent home invasions in Garden City and Hempstead following Hurricane Sandy, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Artie Jackson, 48, pleaded guilty to 36 charges stemming from two armed home invasions and two other unoccupied burglaries in November 2012, the DA said. The charges included second-degree attempted murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and second-degree unlawful imprisonment.

This week’s events in court are the final charges Jackson faced in his post-Sandy crime spree, the DA said. Judge Angelo Delligatti committed to a sentencing of 35 years to life, including the sentencing handed down last month, the DA said.

“Our homes are our sanctuaries and they’re the last place that any Long Islander should ever expect to face the violence and terror of an armed home invasion, especially after a natural disaster” said Acting DA Madeline Singas. “Our aggressive prosecution against this defendant will result in communities being safe from his threat for a very long time, possibly forever. I applaud the prosecutors and law enforcement who worked on this case, as well as the jury and the court, in helping to hold this defendant accountable and keep our neighborhoods safe.”

On Nov. 7, 2012, Jackson broke into a Hempstead home and tied up a father, his two sons, and one of their friends, the DA said. Jackson fired a gunshot into the ceiling before fleeing in the family’s car with items stolen from the house.

The next day, Jackson broke into a Garden City home, fired shots at a couple and their daughter, and locked them in their basement, the DA said. He again stole items from the house and their family car.

Jackson also broke into two other Garden City houses where the homeowners were not present on Nov. 7 and Nov. 9.

Jackson was sentenced last month in a terrifying rape, strangling, and robbery in East Garden City on Nov. 11, 2012, after which he was finally caught by police. His final break-in was his most violent, officials said. He broke into a 50-year-old woman’s home, confronted her in her bedroom with a knife, and raped her while trying to strangle her with a zip tie, officials said. He also robbed her before fleeing in a stolen car.

Jackson is due back in court Feb. 25.

More on Patch:

• Hundreds Turn Out to Slam Westbury Casino Proposal
• DA: Teen Indicted in Farmingdale Street Racing Crash That Killed 5 Friends
• Wrestling Match to Honor Fallen Soldier from Levittown
• Cops: Man Stole $6K of Scrap Metal in Oceanside
• Suburban Millennial Jobs Conference Coming to Hofstra
• DA: Landscaper Says ‘Illegal Immigration’ Made Him Smash Dump Truck Into Macy’s, Steal ATM
• Police: Suffolk Serial Robbers Caught
• Report: EMTs Evacuate West Islip’s Bagel Buzz After Carbon Monoxide Scare
• Smithtown East Grad Wins $30K on Jeopardy!
• Cops Seek Public’s Help in Solving Mineola Murder