Park Worker Arrested On Multiple Rape Charges Of Under-Age Girl

Manhattan/Staten Island

By Geoffrey Croft

A Parks Department employee has been arrested on 20 counts of statutory rape, NYC Park Advocates has learned. 

Sheldon P. Henry, 46, was arrested on June 4th for having sex with a 16-year-old girl.

The 5-ft-10, 260 pound parks employee began having sex with the then 14-year-old girl beginning on December 31, 2013 and continued over at least a three year period from ages 14-17 according to police. 

Henry was taken into custody in the 34 Pct. after the victim contacted police.

 

The defendant is charged with a course of conduct including in June 2015 when the informant was 16-years-old according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.

“the defendant has had sexual intercourse numerous times with informant, including in June 2015 when informant was sixteen years old, at the Harlem Vista Hotel, 75 Macombs Place, New York County,” according to the complaint. 

Police arrested Henry for Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Abuse, Rape and Patronizing a prostitute. 

He exchanged $ 60 with the victim according to police.  

Bail was set at $7,500 bond, $1,000 cash.  He has been out on bail since June 6th.  His next court date is August 10th. 

A parks employee since 2012, he worked in Clove Lakes Park in Staten Island as a City Park Worker (CPW) since 2015. 

The Parks Department’s press office refused to respond to questions despite several requests. 

Henry has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the case.

Sword-Wielding Man Arrested In Clove Lakes Park

Staten Island

A sword-wielding lunatic was collared after he was spotted in Clove Lakes Park in West Brighton, authorities said, according to the New York Post.

Dylan Vok, 28, was seen waving the 4-foot blade at Martling and Slosson avenues at 9:20 a.m. Monday, court papers state.

Vok, who was arrested in May for allegedly vandalizing 10 cars with a skateboard, was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a knife.

NYPD Daily Blotter

New York Post - August 24, 2011 - By Doug Auer, Jessica Simeone, Kirstan Conley & Jamie Schram

Parks Department Contractor Disaster Continues

Staten Island/Bronx

A Yonkers construction company performing renovation work at Clove Lakes Park on Staten Island and Owen Dolan Park in the Bronx says they are being forced into bankruptcy because the Parks Department owes them tens of thousands of dollars according to WABC News. This is a follow up to the June 4, 2009 nightmare story of delays and obfuscation from the Parks Department. 

"The Parks Department vigorously disagrees with the position Tuckahoe Construction. Work may begin at both sites. All permits are in place" the DPR Press office said in June 4, 2009.  However after Channel 7's follow up eight months later up the agency changed their spin.

The Parks Department blames the latest payment problem on an upgraded software system that authorizes payments to vendors.

"It's new," DPR's head spokesperson Vicki Karp said in a statement. "We've had some problems paying vendors. We're working to resolve the issue. The vendor who has been delayed in receiving his January payment will be paid with interest," 

There is no word on when that payment will come or how many small business owners are in the same situation, ABC News commented.

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A Yonkers construction company owner says he's being forced into bankruptcy because New York City owes him tens of thousands of dollars.

Eyewitness News first reported about the firm's bureaucratic nightmare with New York City last spring. The problem was supposedly fixed, but the red tape is apparently back and worse than ever.

A number of construction firms who have contracts with the city say they never get paid on time and that it's one excuse after another. Most companies are afraid to speak out because they fear they'll get shut out of future contracts, but one small business owner says he has nothing more to lose.

"I need to sell my tools to pay my bills," Yonkers contractor Stylianos Nikas said. "I'm behind in my bills."

Nikas is so strapped for cash he's literally selling off the tools of his trade, basics that built his small family business.

"I need to pay my bills and the City of New York is responsible," Nikas said. "I'm going to lose my business. I always, I always pay my bills on time. Now, I cannot."

Nikas' financial headache with New York City's Parks Department was highlighted by Eyewitness News last June (CLICK HERE to read the previous story). His firm, Tuckahoe Construction, had won a lucrative contract to refurbish two parks. One was Clove Lakes on Staten Island. The other was Owen Dolan in the Bronx. Nikas claims work came to a screeching halt because the Parks Department didn't have approved plans or permits. The day after the Eyewitness News story aired, Nikas says he got the go ahead from the Parks Department to start work again. It was a brief victory.

Read/View More:

Company says NYC isn't paying contracts

WABC News - February 24, 2010 - By Sarah Wallace

New York City parks deal disaster

WABC News - June 4, 2009 - By Sarah Wallace