Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green

09/11/2026

Today, we remember.

This morning, members of the District Attorney’s Office and Monroe County joined local leaders, veterans, and first responders at Beikirch Park for the unveiling of the 9/11 First Responders Memorial and Operation We Remember, marking 25 years since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

We honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the first responders who ran toward danger, and all those whose lives were forever changed by that day.

As an office that works alongside law enforcement and first responders every day, we are reminded of the extraordinary courage and sacrifice that public service can require. May we never take that service for granted, and may we never forget those we lost.

We will never forget

09/10/2026

Thank you to 13WHAM’s arc Rochester and Crime Stoppers for welcoming two of our Assistant District Attorneys this morning.

ADA Mark Valenti and ADA William brown, both members of our Local Court Bureau, joined the program to talk about Centralized Arraignment Part, also known as CAP Court.

Our Local Court ADAs are often among the first prosecutors involved in a criminal case, appearing in courts throughout Monroe County and working closely with law enforcement, victims, witnesses, and our community partners. Their work is an important part of our responsibility to pursue justice fairly, effectively, and with public safety at the forefront.

Watch their full interview here:

In this week's segment courtesy of Crime Stoppers, we learned more about a part of the court system that many may not know about.CAP (Centralized Arraignment Pa

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day from the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office!

Today, we recognize the hardworking men and women whose dedication keeps our community moving forward. A special thank you to our union employees here at the MCDA, including our valued CSEA members, for the important work they do each and every day.

Wishing all of Monroe County a safe and happy Labor Day!

09/04/2026

Back-to-school season is here!

As students across Monroe County prepare to head back to the classroom, we wish all of our students, teachers, school staff and families a safe, successful and exciting school year ahead.

Enjoy the final weekend of summer, and good luck on the first day!

09/02/2026

This summer, the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office was fortunate to welcome a great group of interns who spent their time learning about the criminal justice system, gaining firsthand experience and working alongside members of our office.

As we thank our summer interns for their hard work and prepare to welcome our fall interns in the coming weeks, we are also looking ahead!

We recently updated our internship program materials and are now accepting applications for Spring and Summer 2027 internships with the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.

Our internship program offers students an opportunity to gain valuable experience inside a busy prosecutor’s office, learn more about the work of our attorneys and professional staff, and see firsthand the many roles involved in serving our community and pursuing justice.

Interested in joining us? Learn more about the program, eligibility and application process through our newly revised materials:

Internship Application Materials:

https://www.monroecounty.gov/files/da/Local%20Court%20Schedules/For%20Web%20Materials.pdf

Internship Program Flyer:

https://www.monroecounty.gov/files/da/Local%20Court%20Schedules/For%20Web%20Info%20Flyer.pdf

We look forward to meeting the next generation of students interested in public service and the criminal justice system!

09/01/2026

Jawanza Abrams Sentenced to 28 and ½ Years for his Involvement in the Homicide of Jeremiah Maddox

Rochester, NY- On Monday, August 31, 2026, New York State Supreme Court Justice Stephen Miller sentenced 21-year-old Jawanza Abrams to 28 and ½ years in the New York State Department of Corrections plus 5 years of post-release supervision. He previously pled guilty to Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree for his role in the homicide of Jeremiah Maddox.

On March 6, 2025, Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a store in the Town of Henrietta for a report of shoplifting. During the investigation, Jawanza Abrams was identified and found to be in possession of an illegal fi***rm. He was arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office subsequently submitted the fi***rm to the Monroe County Crime Laboratory for testing. The fi***rm was determined to have been used in the fatal shooting of Jeremiah Maddox on Ferris Street in the City of Rochester.

The homicide investigation, led by the Rochester Police Department, determined that shortly after 2:00 a.m. on January 26, 2025, Abrams fired multiple shots from the sidewalk on Ferris Street into a residence. Jeremiah Maddox was struck by the gunfire and died at the scene.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hogestyn, of the Non-Fatal Shooting Task Force, and Special Assistant District Attorney Ryan Mulcahy, of the Major Felony Bureau.

“Jawanza Abrams made the deliberate and incredibly reckless decision to fire a gun into an occupied house, resulting in the death of Jeremiah Maddox and leaving his family to live with an unimaginable loss,” said Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hogestyn. “There is simply no justification for this kind of senseless gun violence. Today’s significant sentence reflects the seriousness of this crime and ensures that Jawanza Abrams will be held accountable for the devastation he caused. I want to thank the investigators from the Rochester Police Department and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Monroe County Crime Laboratory, for their thorough and persistent work throughout this case. Most importantly, I hope today’s sentence provides some measure of justice for Jeremiah’s family and loved ones as they continue to grieve his loss and remember the young man they loved.”

“This case is an example of how strong investigative work and collaboration between law enforcement agencies can bring answers in a homicide investigation,” said Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green. “The fi***rm recovered by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office provided a critical piece of evidence that helped the Rochester Police Department connect Jawanza Abrams to the shooting that killed Jeremiah Maddox. I am grateful for the persistence of the Rochester Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Crime Laboratory, and our prosecutors, whose collective efforts ensured that the person responsible for Jeremiah’s death was identified and brought to justice.”

08/31/2026

Stephan Jefferson Sentenced to 40 Years in the New York State Department of Corrections for his Involvement in the Homicide of Dwayne Hall

Rochester, NY- On Monday, August 31, 2026, New York State Supreme Court Justice Stephen Miller sentenced 23-year-old Stephan Jefferson to 40 years in the New York State Department of Corrections. He previously pled guilty to Manslaughter in the 1st Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree for shooting and killing Dwayne Hall.

At approximately 3:45 p.m. on July 12, 2023, Rochester Police Officers responded to the report of a person who was shot on Genesee Street in the City of Rochester. Upon arrival, first responders attempted life-saving measures for 38-year-old Dwayne Hall, who was shot in the chest. The victim was immediately transported to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Following a thorough investigation, Rochester Police Department detectives determined that Stephan Jefferson and Dwayne Hall were involved in a verbal altercation that turned physical. At the conclusion of the altercation, Stephan Jefferson shot the victim. The defendant fled the scene after the shooting, but was apprehended and arrested the following day in possession of a loaded handgun.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patrick Gallagher, Chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau, and Special Assistant District Attorney Ryan Lamon, of the Major Felony Bureau.

“This was a senseless act of violence that took Dwayne Hall’s life and forced his family to endure a loss that can never be undone,” said Assistant District Attorney Patrick Gallagher. “Stephan Jefferson had every opportunity to walk away from this confrontation, but instead he chose to use an illegally possessed fi***rm and shoot Dwayne in front of the people who loved him. Today’s 40-year sentence reflects the seriousness of that decision and ensures the defendant will spend decades being held accountable for taking Dwayne’s life. I want to thank the Rochester Police Department detectives who quickly identified and apprehended the defendant, as well as Dwayne’s loved ones for their strength throughout this process.”

“Dwayne Hall should still be here with his family and loved ones,” said Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green. “Instead, a confrontation that could have ended with both men walking away ended in tragedy because Stephan Jefferson chose gun violence. I am grateful to the Rochester Police Department for their work on this investigation and to Assistant District Attorney Patrick Gallagher and Assistant District Attorney Ryan Lamon for ensuring that Stephan Jefferson was held accountable for Dwayne Hall’s death. My thoughts remain with Dwayne’s family as they continue to live with this tremendous loss.”

08/28/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Jones Park for our final Project TIPS event of the summer!

Members of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office had a wonderful afternoon spending time with neighborhood children and families, handing out books, basketballs, soccer balls and other giveaways, and connecting with the community we are proud to serve.

Project TIPS — Trust, Information, Programs & Services — is about bringing law enforcement, community organizations and residents together in a positive environment. Building trust starts with showing up, listening and creating opportunities for meaningful connections outside of the courtroom.

A special thank you to our MCDA staff members who volunteered their time and helped make the afternoon so much fun for the kids, as well as Camp Good Days and all of our community and law enforcement partners who make Project TIPS possible.

We are grateful for another great summer of Project TIPS and already looking forward to next year!

08/25/2026

Successful prosecutions depend on a lot more than what happens at the podium in a courtroom.

Our Digital Services Technicians play an essential role in the work of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. As our evidence and courtroom technology experts, this talented team works closely with prosecutors to prepare, organize, and present evidence during hearings and trials, from digital evidence and video to the technology that helps bring a case together for a judge or jury.

Much of their work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is seen in courtrooms every day. I am incredibly grateful to Greg and our entire Digital Services team for the skill and professionalism they bring to our office and every case they support.

08/24/2026

Welcome Hailey and Haley!

Please join us in welcoming Hailey Miller and Haley Bly to the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office!

Hailey Miller is our newest Criminal Law Assistant, helping Assistant District Attorneys with discovery and case preparation.

Haley Bly joins our team as a Legal Secretary and will be working with our Non-Fatal Shooting Bureau, supporting the prosecutors and staff handling some of the most serious cases that come through our office.

Our legal secretaries and criminal law assistants are an essential part of the work we do every day, helping to ensure cases continue moving through the criminal justice system.

We are excited to have these newest employees as part of the MCDA team!