By Gabriela Reardon
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
JAY STREET — A man given the job of recruiting a hit man to kill two Brooklyn tenants appeared in Brooklyn Supreme Court yesterday; the landlord who allegedly hired him is expected to appear in court today.

Miguel Alvarez, who also uses the name Juan, is charged with two counts of second-degree criminal solicitation. According to court documents, Alvarez conspired with Rafael Beltre, a landlord from Cypress Hills, to enlist a third person to carry out the murders. The third person turned out to be an NYPD informant.

The solicitations, which allegedly occurred in early and late October 2004, specifically targeted a couple renting an apartment at 591 Jerome St. in East New York, owned by Beltre.

Beltre reportedly sought to have the tenants killed because they withheld rent shortly after moving into the Jerome Street apartment, citing that he had failed to carry out needed repairs in their apartment. He is scheduled to appear in court today for a pre-trial hearing.

Alvarez’ defense attorney David S. Jacobs declined to comment on his case. Eric Poulos represents Beltre.

It was discussed during Alvarez’ pre-trial hearing yesterday that he had been deported from the country in 1991. If convicted, he is likely to face deportation again.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Ryan is prosecuting Alvarez. Assistant District Attorney Peter Kolp is prosecuting Beltre.

State Supreme Court Justice John P. Walsh presides in both cases.

© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2006
All materials posted on brooklyneagle.com are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without written permission, which can be sought by emailing arturc@att.net.

Main Office 718 422 7400