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Attorneys/Judges
| Defense(s): | Steven Davidson |
Dog sexually assaulted
Rye, NY (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Feb 8, 2012
County: Westchester
Charges: Misdemeanor, Felony Non-CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Kujtim Nicaj
Kujtim Nicaj, a 41-year-old superintendent at Rye Colony, as well as a resident there, was arrested February 9 and charged with burglary in the second degree, a felony. He was also slapped with sexual misconduct after allegedly sodomizing a neighbor's male Labrador retriever at 2:30 p.m. February 8.
Rye Police Lieutenant Joseph Verille was unable to comment on the case because Judge Joseph Latwin had issued a "basic gag order" from the bench. "Even if we wanted to, we couldn't talk about it," said the Lieutenant.
Lt. Verille also stated that the gag order had to do with New York State Civil Rights law section 50-B, which protects sex offense victims' privacy rights.
Tracy Everson, the Deputy Communications Director at the Westchester District Attorney's Office, confirmed that Mr. Nicaj, who was released on $100,000 bail February 14, was due back in Rye City Court March 6.
Mike May, the property manager at Rye Colony, said the case was brought to his attention Monday morning, and that he immediately went to the Rye Police to confirm the arrest. When Mr. May was informed that Mr. Nicaj, who is married with two children, was arrested for illegally entering an apartment, he returned to the property to terminate his employment and collect the keys he possessed to Rye Colony dwellings. Mr. Nicaj had been a super at the Peck Avenue complex for six years.
"The police wouldn't give me any more information other than the fact that he had been arrested for illegally entering an apartment," said Mr. May, who has worked at Rye Colony for three years. "But, in my position as manager of the property grounds, that's enough to warrant immediate termination."
Rumors had been circulating at Rye Colony and throughout the City that a man had been videotaped engaging in intercourse with a dog, but Mr. May said no one - including the Rye Police - had confirmed the bestiality charges with him. The tenant who owns the dog reportedly set up a "nannycam" because he believed someone had been entering his apartment without his knowledge.
"I did speak to the victim of the break-in as part of the process Monday morning, and that person whose apartment it was confirmed videotape evidence was turned over to the police," said Mr. May. "He didn't go into any detail of what occurred, but said there was evidence of Mr. Nicaj entering the apartment."
Coincidentally, Mr. Nicaj and his family were the victims of an attempted home invasion in early January that was reported by The Rye Record.
While other media outlets have reported that Mr. Nicaj's acquaintances were shocked by the charges, a few Rye Colony residents, who wished to remain anonymous, felt otherwise.
"We weren't surprised at all when we heard the news," said one. "He's a menacing man who intimidates others, and we're very upset and uncomfortable that he's still here with two weeks to clear out."
Said another, "The public is being misled by the image that he's a 'lovable, nice guy'. He's let people into units before without the owners' permission, and many of us have had to take our keys back and change the locks in order to prevent him from entering at will."
The resident added, "We and many others have complained to the board about him for years."
Calls to Ken Taylor, the Rye Colony Board President, were not returned by press time. However, on Friday, a different Board member, who also wished not to reveal their name, called The Rye Record to offer a different perspective.
"[Kujtim] has been in my apartment many times before, and he was nothing but a gentleman," said the Board member. "He tells it the way it is, and some people don't like that. A few shareholders complain about everything, have a problem with everything, and are nothing but trouble."
The Board memeber went on, "The Board never received a report about anyone being threatened or being afraid of him. If we did, we would have taken action. We would have contacted Mike May and he would have immediately been on top of it. We were never made aware of such instances, that is 100% a lie."
Rye Colony is managed by Bronxville-based real estate firm Bahrite and Holzinger. References |
