Plea Bargain For Shelter Executive In Phony Money Case

NEW CITY, NY — The executive director of Helping Hands for the Homeless of Rockland, a nonprofit organization that operates the county's 75-bed shelter, pleaded guilty to a single charge of passing counterfeit money.

“This defendant has admitted to defrauding at least one local business," said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe. "I hope this plea and jail sentence will serve as a deterrent to others who may consider preying on thebusinesses or citizens of Rockland County.”

Ya'el Williams, 54, of 54 Riverglen Drive in Thiells, was originally arrested on an indictment charging him with 24 counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the First Degree, class "C" Felonies.
According to the charges, on Jan. 6, 2016, Williams used $480 in counterfeit $20 bills to purchase a Netspend money card at a Walgreens in the Village of Spring Valley.

Zugibe announced Thursday that Williams pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Third Degree, a class “A” Misdemeanor. Williams told the Honorable Kevin Russo that he knew the currency was counterfeit when he used it to buy the money card.

As part of the plea agreement, Williams will begin serving one year in the Rockland County Jail when he is sentenced on Sept. 26.

Williams is Executive Director of Helping Hands for the Homeless of Rockland, a Spring Valley-based nonprofit organization that operates Rockland County’s 75-bed shelter at Building D of the Robert L. Yeager Health Complex in Pomona.

Executive Assistant District Attorney Richard Kennison Moran prosecuted the case.

SEE: Homeless Shelter Head Accused Of Passing Phony $20s