Undersheriff Michael Catuosco Michael J. Catuosco was appointed Undersheriff for Suffolk County in February 2024. Previously, he served as Deputy Undersheriff from May 2019 until February 2024. He joined the Suffolk County Sheriff’s leadership team after serving as a Warden on Rikers Island. In his former position, Undersheriff Catuosco coordinated planning of the Operations Division for the New York City Department of Correction (NYCD), including all facets of financial monitoring, supervision of staff, monitoring overtime and sick leave, and evaluating performance measures. As the Executive Officer for the Deputy Commissioner of Operations, he was responsible for the accountability metrics used in the Total Efficiency Accountability Management System (TEAMS), and the analysis of statistical indicators. During his time with the NYCD, he achieved significant cost savings, and kept overtime within stated quotas, while maintaining the overall safety and security of the facility. Undersheriff Catuosco oversees Sheriff Toulon’s performance management initiative, providing ongoing analysis of the accountability metrics and reporting system implemented by the County Sheriff in 2018. Additionally, he oversees the Training Academy, Firearms Unit, Community Relations Unit, and Wellness Unit, which he led the creation of in 2022.

Yellow Dot Program Our Yellow Dot program assists citizens during the most critical times of emergency care - following a traffic crash - when they may not be able to communicate their needs themselves. Placing a Yellow Dot decal in your vehicle's rear window alerts first responders to check your glove compartment for vital information to ensure you receive the medical attention you need. ​ Please use the Community Program Request Form to request this program. ​ ​

Deputy Warden Christopher Black Deputy Warden Christopher M. Black joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1995. After graduating the Sheriff’s Academy he worked as a Correction Officer in both the Riverhead and Yaphank Correctional Facilities. In 2002, he was promoted to Sergeant and was assigned as the executive officer in the Inmate Rehabilitation Unit. In 2007, he was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to the Yaphank Correctional Facility. In 2014 he was promoted to Captain and commanded several units, including the Facility Management Bureau, the Administrative Bureau and finally the Support Services Unit, where he was in charge of all Inmate Rehabilitation and Re-Entry programming. In 2020, he was promoted to Deputy Warden and is now the Commanding Officer of the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead. Deputy Warden Christopher M. Black studied Health and Physical Education at LIU / CW Post. He is a New York State certified Academy Instructor, New York State Offender Employment Specialist, New York Mentoring Trainer and an Executive Board Member of the New York State Association of Incarcerated Education Programs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 23,2024 SUFFOLK SHERIFF, WINTERS CENTER FOR AUTISM TO ANNOUNCE NEW TOOL TO AID OFFICERS IN COMMUNICATING WITH AUTISTIC RESIDENTS ***** VISUAL CARDS WILL ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT, RESIDENTS TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE DURING EMERGENCIES ***** WEST BABYLON, NY: On April 23 at 11am, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr., joined with the Winters Center for Autism for Autism Acceptance Month to announce an initiative to provide Deputy Sheriffs and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, with a tool to help foster effective communication in emergency situations. To ensure Suffolk Deputies can safely communicate with all residents, the Suffolk Sheriff’s Office worked with Winters Center for Autism to create cards with visual aids and tips to help foster communication during an interaction that involves law enforcement or emergency personnel. “As Suffolk County Sheriff, I am committed to making our community an even more inclusive place for all residents. These cards can be a lifeline in any type of an emergency situation. Thank you to the Winter Center for Autism for being a partner with law enforcement and for the work they do to improve the lives of so many residents,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. It is estimated that nearly 350,000 of adults in New York have Autism Spectrum Disorder. In addition to the Suffolk Sheriff’s Deputies being equipped with the cards, the cards are also being distributed to the Winters Center for Autism for the young adult participants– many of which take public or County transportation to the center. The Sheriff’s Office will also give out the cards at public events or by request. The Winters Center for Autism was established in 2020 to enhance the lives of adults with autism through job creation, training, and placement to address the excessive unemployment rate among people with autism. The Winters Center for Autism addresses these gaps by identifying skills and talents of participants and matching them with businesses and organizations open to creating jobs for capable and trained employees. ###

SUFFOLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MAKES FIVE DWI ARRESTS ***** ARRESTS INCLUDE AGGRAVATED DWI, SPEEDING OVER 100MPH ***** ADDITIONAL ARREST MADE FOR STREET RACING ***** (SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY) Over the past weekend, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested five impaired drivers for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). One of these drivers was charged with Aggravated DWI as one driver fled the scene speeding, and multiple drivers had high blood alcohol count (BAC.) These arrests were among six drivers arrested over the last week, including an additional arrest for street racing. As part of ongoing DWI enforcement by the Sheriff’s Office, deputies are always out patrolling for those who are making poor choices when it comes to driving home. Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. has increased DWI enforcement and has taken to social media to remind residents, young and old, to drink responsibly and have a designated driver or call for a ride if they have been drinking. Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. thanks his Deputies for their hard work. “I commend my staff for their hard work in safely removing these impaired and dangerous drivers from our streets so residents who drive responsibly can arrive home safe.” AGGRAVATED DWI On April 20, Maria Vendetti, 58, left her car in the roadway. When Deputies went to check on the vehicle, stopped in the roadway the driver, Vendetti, was found to be intoxicated. She was arrested for DWI, consented to a breath test, and registered a BAC of .21. Due to the high BAC, she was charged with aggravated DWI. She was also charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, due to her suspended license, and multiple traffic infractions. STREET RACING ARREST On April 22nd, Suffolk Sheriff’s Deputies observed two vehicles, an Infiniti G35 and a black Mercedes sedan engaging in a street race on the LIE North Service road east of Holbrook Road. The Deputy managed to stop the Infiniti, although the Mercedes fled the scene. The driver of the Infiniti, Elahi Faizan, 21, of Bronx was issued an Appearance Ticket for Unlawful Speed Contest, as well as summonses for Driving Too Slow/Impeding Traffic and Speeding. The driver's vehicle was also subject to impound for engaging in a speed contest. ADDITIONAL DWI ARRESTS INCLUDE: Ricardo Viera, 40, of Islip Terrace, on 04/20/24, was stopped while traveling on Sunrise Highway by exit 52 in North Patchogue, for failure to maintain lane and speeding. He demonstrated clues while performing standardized field sobriety tests indicating he was intoxicated. Viera was arrested and submitted to a chemical breath test resulting in a .12 BAC. Kera Stellato, 41, of Lindenhurst, on 04/20/24, was stopped while traveling on Sunrise Highway by exit 48, in Bohemia, for failing to maintain a single lane of travel by swerving over the lines separating lanes of travel in the roadway. She was found to be intoxicated. Stellato was arrested for DWI, consented to a breath test, and registered a BAC of .10. Satya Bhanu Rohith Kesani, 32, of Holtsville, on 04/22/24, was stopped while traveling on the Long Island Expressway, South Service Road, by Nicholls Road, for Speeding, at approximately 100 miles per hour, and  for failing to maintain a single lane of travel by swerving over the lines separating lanes of travel in the roadway, and failure to use signal light when switching lanes. He was found to be intoxicated. Satya was arrested for DWI, consented to a breath test, and registered a BAC of .10. Kursat Erdemirt, 40, of Lake Grove, on 04/21/24, was stopped while traveling on Patchogue- Holbrook Rd. by Union Ave for speeding and driving with expired registration. was found to be intoxicated. Kursat was arrested for DWI, consented to a breath test, and registered a BAC of .11. All information contained in this release has been provided for general informational purposes only. To the extent that pending criminal matters are discussed, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 3, 2024 Suffolk County Sheriff to Increase Distracted Driving Patrols During Distracted Driving Awareness Month Sheriff’s Office Joins NHTSA Campaign to Remind Drivers: Put the Phone Away or Pay (Suffolk County, NY) — During Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the national “Put the Phone Away or Pay” high-visibility enforcement effort. From April 4-8, 2024, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office will be joining law enforcement agencies across New York State to conduct enhanced enforcement of texting and distracted-driving laws. According to NHTSA, nearly 32,483 people died in distraction-affected crashes over the ten-year period from 2011 to 2020. In 2022, there were 330,842 deaths linked to driver distraction and an additional 289,310 people injured in traffic crashes involving distracted driving. “Distracted driving is a leading cause of vehicle crashes on our county’s roads, and most of this distraction is attributed to texting while driving,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. “Beginning this week, our Deputy Sheriffs will be further increasing efforts to stop drivers from distracted driving. If you text and drive in Suffolk County, we will pull you over and you will be fined.” Violating New York’s distracted-driving laws can be costly. A first-time violation of this law is a traffic infraction with a fine between 50 and 200 dollars as well as 5 points on your license. Upon conviction of a second violation, both within 18 months, the fine is between 50 and 250 dollars as well as 5 points. Upon conviction of a third violation, all within an 18-month period, the fine is between 50 and 450 dollars as well as 5 points. Many drivers are guilty of a “double standard” when it comes to distracted driving. In its 2022 Traffic Safety Culture Index, the AAA Foundation reported that while nearly 93% of drivers believed it was very or extremely dangerous to read a text or email while driving, nearly 40% drivers admitted to doing so within the previous 30 days. Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. and NHTSA urge drivers to put their phones away when behind the wheel. If you need to text, pull over and do not drive while doing so. If you are the driver, follow these steps for a safe driving experience: If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location. Once you are safely off the road and parked, it is safe to text. Ask your passenger to be your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages. Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving. Cell phone use is habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, or put your phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination. Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving. ###