LONG ISLAND CRIME BRIEFS

CENTRAL ISLIP

West Islip man awaiting

sentencing in frauds jailed

A West Islip man, who was out on bail while awaiting sentencing for committing two sets of frauds, was back in jail yesterday after federal officials said he violated his bail conditions.

Mark Hotton, 47, had been released on a $1 million bail in July, after he had pleaded guilty to a series of frauds, including the purported financing of a musical version of the book "Rebecca," in federal court in Manhattan, and to a number of different frauds estimated to involve more than $15 million in federal court in Central Islip, officials said.

The conditions of his bail set by U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert in Central Islip had included Hotton taking a job and not leaving home unless he was going to work, a doctor, or religious services.

But federal officials said yesterday Hotton had violated the terms of his bail in various ways, including being seen by a neighbor boarding a ferry to Fire Island on Labor Day, when he was supposedly working; falsely claiming he was working on other occasions; and putting up property worth between $200,000 to $400,000 less than the $1 million required by the bail.

As a result of a hearing yesterday before Judge Seybert, Hotton will "remain in custody until his sentencing" on Feb. 14 due to "multiple violations of the terms and conditions of his bail," said Robert Nardoza, a spokesman for Eastern District U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch.

NEW HYDE PARK

Headless chickens found

in bag outside church

Police are investigating an "unusual incident," possibly involving animal sacrifice, after two headless chickens were discovered in a bag outside a Catholic church in New Hyde Park.

The headless chickens were discovered by a landscaper, who found them in a plastic bag in front of a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church on Jericho Turnpike, Nassau County police said.

Police believe the bag was left at the church between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 8:50 a.m. yesterday.

Police said they are investigating whether the headless chickens are part of an animal sacrifice related to Santeria, an Afro-Caribbean religious practice. Police said it is unclear if the discovery of the dead chickens is evidence of a crime.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.

LEVITTOWN

2 officers hurt on domestic

disturbance call, police say

Two police officers suffered minor injuries while handling a domestic disturbance at a Levittown home that resulted in the arrest of a man, his sister and their mother late Wednesday night, police said.

The two Nassau County officers, both from the Second Precinct, were taken to a hospital for treatment. One suffered a shoulder injury, the other a hand injury. Both were treated and released, police said.

Arrested were Antonio Marinaccio, 52, his sister, Gloria Gazzola, 51, and their mother, Catherine Marinaccio, 76.

Antonio Marinaccio was charged with two counts of second-degree assault and one count each of fourth-degree criminal mischief and resisting arrest. Gazzola and Catherine Marinaccio were each charged with second-degree obstructing governmental administration. All three faced arraignment yesterday morning in First District Court in Hempstead.

Police said Antonio Marinaccio and his sister were involved in "a verbal and physical altercation" and that, during the argument at the home on Gun Lane, Marinaccio had "knocked down the door to her residence, breaking it off the hinges."

Police said the officers responded to the scene at 10:12 p.m. and that it was then that Antonio Marinaccio resisted arrest -- causing injuries to the officers. Gazzola and Catherine Marinaccio also interfered with the arrest, according to police.