Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and George Venizelos, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced today the unsealing of charges against Antoine Burroughs and Leon Whitfield. Whitfield was arrested and presented yesterday in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frank Maas and ordered detained. Burroughs is still at large.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said, “Antoine Burroughs and Leon Whitfield allegedly targeted and robbed a Queens pizza owner and then brutally murdered his son as he tried to protect his father. This office and our law enforcement partners stand fully committed to eradicating this type of violence from our neighborhoods.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos said, “As alleged, Burroughs and Whitfield had no regard for life, especially the life of Gerardo Antoniello. They illegally entered Antoniello’s father’s home with the intention of robbing him of any cash on hand from Antoniello’s pizza shop. The FBI stands with our law enforcement partners to announce these charges and to reiterate that this case will not be done until all those involved face justice.”
According to the allegations in the superseding indictment unsealed yesterday in Manhattan federal court and on other documents in the public record:
On September 9, 2009, Burroughs and Whitfield attempted to rob an individual named Bartolomeo Antoniello at his home in Queens, New York. Burroughs and Whitfield were targeting the cash proceeds of Antoniello’s pizza shop. Antoniello’s son, Gerardo Antoniello, was home at the time and attempted to protect his father. During the struggle, Gerardo Antoniello was shot in the head and died later of his injuries. He was 29 years old.
Burroughs, 25, and Whitfield, 23, both of New York, New York, are each charged with one count of robbery conspiracy and one count of attempted robbery, which each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of discharging a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison; and one count of murder, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison or death. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. This case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods.
Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the FBI, the New York City Police Department, and the Queens District Attorney’s Office and stated that the investigation is ongoing.
The case is being prosecuted by the Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Peter Skinner and Rachel Maimin are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Showing posts with label home invasion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home invasion. Show all posts
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Friday, January 31, 2014
Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Home Invasion
CHARLESTON, WV—United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Robert L. Barcliff, 29, of Wytheville, Virginia, pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston, West Virginia, to home invasion armed robbery. On April 22, 2012, Barcliff, Keith Glenn, Robert Jared Smith, and William Seltzer rushed a Marmet, West Virginia apartment thought to be occupied by drug dealers from Detroit, Michigan. Barcliff and Smith, dressed in dark clothing, stormed the apartment at gunpoint, stole drug money, and then ran into hiding. Barcliff and his gang targeted drug dealers because they were thought to be unlikely to report the robberies to police for fear of implicating themselves in drug crimes. Other similar home invasion robberies were committed in Charleston and surrounding communities, but the crime spree also extended to Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
“Some of these robberies occurred in neighborhoods where families live and where children play outside—places where decent people have every right to expect to be safe and free from this type of violent behavior,” said U.S. Attorney Goodwin. “But when prescription and other types of illegal drugs are involved, criminal behavior is unpredictable and can be dangerous. Be assured, my office is committed to ensuring that these kind of offenders are identified, investigated, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, so that people can be safe in their homes.”
Glenn, Smith, and Seltzer have all entered guilty pleas in federal court for charges related to this investigation and are awaiting sentencing.
Barcliff faces a up to life imprisonment when he is sentenced on May 7, 2014, by United States District Court Judge Thomas E. Johnston.
The South Charleston Police Department, Charleston Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Monica D. Coleman and Philip H. Wright are in charge of the prosecution.
“Some of these robberies occurred in neighborhoods where families live and where children play outside—places where decent people have every right to expect to be safe and free from this type of violent behavior,” said U.S. Attorney Goodwin. “But when prescription and other types of illegal drugs are involved, criminal behavior is unpredictable and can be dangerous. Be assured, my office is committed to ensuring that these kind of offenders are identified, investigated, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, so that people can be safe in their homes.”
Glenn, Smith, and Seltzer have all entered guilty pleas in federal court for charges related to this investigation and are awaiting sentencing.
Barcliff faces a up to life imprisonment when he is sentenced on May 7, 2014, by United States District Court Judge Thomas E. Johnston.
The South Charleston Police Department, Charleston Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Monica D. Coleman and Philip H. Wright are in charge of the prosecution.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
4 men wanted in home invasion, robbery on Newkirk Street in North Bergen
NORTH BERGEN - Police are on the hunt for a group of men suspected in a home invasion and robbery.
Police say four men broke into a home on Newkirk Street in North Bergen and tied up three family members.
The group demanded drugs and cash in what may have been a case of mistaken identity.
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The homeowner broke free, ran to a neighbor's house and called 911.
Police say the robbers fled with $300 in cash and the family's cellphones.
Police say four men broke into a home on Newkirk Street in North Bergen and tied up three family members.
The group demanded drugs and cash in what may have been a case of mistaken identity.
READ MORE: New Jersey Top Stories
The homeowner broke free, ran to a neighbor's house and called 911.
Police say the robbers fled with $300 in cash and the family's cellphones.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Arkansas State Player Killed in Tennessee Shooting
An Arkansas State football player and his stepfather were shot to death during a home invasion robbery in Jackson, Tenn., with the athlete apparently trying to protect his parents from their attackers, police said Thursday.
Markel Owens, a 21-year-old junior defensive lineman for the Red Wolves, was fatally shot along with Johnny Shivers, 36, during the robbery at a duplex on Wednesday night. Shivers died at the scene, while Owens was pronounced dead after being taken to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
A 37-year-old woman, who was Shivers' wife and Owens' mother, was also shot. She was treated and released from the hospital. Her name was not released, but Owens' mother is listed as Chermaine Owens in the Arkansas State media guide.
"I think you can conclude that he was protecting his mother and stepfather," Jackson police spokesman Tyreece Miller said of Owens.
Jerry Scott, the school's sports information director, called it a sad day for the Red Wolves.
"We're deeply saddened and our utmost sympathies go out to his family, teammates and classmates," Arkansas State athletic director Terry Mohajir said in a statement. "Please join me in prayer for so many people who are being impacted by the loss of Markel."
Investigators say Shivers was arriving home when he was rushed by two masked men and forced inside the apartment, where Owens and his mother were. The suspects demanded money and a struggle began, with Owens attempting to help Shivers by fighting one of the men, police said.
Shivers and Owens were both shot during the struggle and one of the gunmen then shot the woman. The suspects got away with a large amount of cash, police said.
Investigators say they believe Shivers was specifically targeted and police also discovered a large amount of marijuana inside the apartment. While the motive remains under investigation, police believe the robbers knew that drugs, money or both were in the apartment.
Owens played in 11 games for the Red Wolves last season, helping Arkansas State (8-5) to at least a share of its third straight Sun Belt Conference title and a second straight win in the GoDaddy Bowl. The 6-foot-2, 303-pound native of Jackson, Tenn., would have been a senior next season.
Former North Carolina offensive coordinator Blake Anderson was named the new head coach of the Red Wolves last month, replacing Bryan Harsin, who left to become the coach at Boise State. Anderson is the Red Wolves' fifth head coach in as many seasons.
"Markel was a part of our Red Wolves family, and it is obvious he was a well-liked and respected member of our team who will be missed," Anderson said. "We are doing everything possible to comfort his teammates, and we extend our compassion to his family during this difficult time."
Markel Owens, a 21-year-old junior defensive lineman for the Red Wolves, was fatally shot along with Johnny Shivers, 36, during the robbery at a duplex on Wednesday night. Shivers died at the scene, while Owens was pronounced dead after being taken to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
A 37-year-old woman, who was Shivers' wife and Owens' mother, was also shot. She was treated and released from the hospital. Her name was not released, but Owens' mother is listed as Chermaine Owens in the Arkansas State media guide.
"I think you can conclude that he was protecting his mother and stepfather," Jackson police spokesman Tyreece Miller said of Owens.
Jerry Scott, the school's sports information director, called it a sad day for the Red Wolves.
"We're deeply saddened and our utmost sympathies go out to his family, teammates and classmates," Arkansas State athletic director Terry Mohajir said in a statement. "Please join me in prayer for so many people who are being impacted by the loss of Markel."
Investigators say Shivers was arriving home when he was rushed by two masked men and forced inside the apartment, where Owens and his mother were. The suspects demanded money and a struggle began, with Owens attempting to help Shivers by fighting one of the men, police said.
Shivers and Owens were both shot during the struggle and one of the gunmen then shot the woman. The suspects got away with a large amount of cash, police said.
Investigators say they believe Shivers was specifically targeted and police also discovered a large amount of marijuana inside the apartment. While the motive remains under investigation, police believe the robbers knew that drugs, money or both were in the apartment.
Owens played in 11 games for the Red Wolves last season, helping Arkansas State (8-5) to at least a share of its third straight Sun Belt Conference title and a second straight win in the GoDaddy Bowl. The 6-foot-2, 303-pound native of Jackson, Tenn., would have been a senior next season.
Former North Carolina offensive coordinator Blake Anderson was named the new head coach of the Red Wolves last month, replacing Bryan Harsin, who left to become the coach at Boise State. Anderson is the Red Wolves' fifth head coach in as many seasons.
"Markel was a part of our Red Wolves family, and it is obvious he was a well-liked and respected member of our team who will be missed," Anderson said. "We are doing everything possible to comfort his teammates, and we extend our compassion to his family during this difficult time."
Friday, December 20, 2013
Queens Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Attempting to Rob and Extort a Bedford Family
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Bartek Zajkowski, a Polish national who resided in Queens, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas in White Plains federal court to 15 years in prison, consecutive to any sentence imposed in his pending state case in Connecticut, where he is charged with participating in a home invasion. Zajkowski’s criminal conduct included the attempted extortion of a family by whom he was previously employed and attempted robbery of them in their home in Bedford, Westchester County, New York.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated, “Bartek Zajkowski became one family’s nightmare of terror and violence. Now, thankfully, the nightmare is over, and we hope his victims can breathe easier. Mr. Zajkowski will be locked up for a long time. The conclusion of this case is a tribute to the cooperative and devoted efforts of law enforcement at every level.”
According to public documents filed in White Plains federal court, and related court proceedings:
Zajkowski, 23, a Polish citizen living in the United States illegally, had previously worked for a contractor in 2010 at the victims’ residence in Bedford Hills, New York.
On the evening of May 5, 2012, Zajkowski, dressed in black and, armed with a gun, approached the victims’ house. He encountered Victim-1 (the husband), bound him with duct tape and plastic ties, and demanded to know where money and valuables were located in the house. The husband told Zajkowski that he had expensive paintings and gold and silver items in the residence. Zajkowski then entered the house and encountered and struggled with Victim-2 (the wife), ultimately shooting her in the stomach with a BB gun. Zajkowski bound Victim-2 with duct tape and plastic ties and asked her to direct him to the expensive paintings. After Zajkowski left the wife to look for the paintings, she was able to free herself and trigger the house’s alarm. Zajkowski escaped with no property other than the husband’s wallet.
Two days later, in the early morning hours of May 7, 2012, Zajkowski burned down a barn located on the victims’ property. One week later, on May 14, 2012 and May 17, 2012, the victims received two extortion letters from an individual later determined to be Zajkowski. The letters demanded that the victims pay Zajkowski $3 million ($1 million for each of their three children) to ensure their family’s safety. In the letters, Zajkowski also discussed his struggle with the wife, claimed responsibility for the barn fire, detailed what he had learned about the family through his surveillance of their home, and threatened harm to the victims’ children. Zajkowski also demanded that the victims deposit the money into a bank account in the Netherlands, a bank account that law enforcement officials later determined to be held by Zajkowski’s mother’s partner.
On June 1, 2012, the FBI and other law enforcement agents arrested Zajkowski pursuant to an arrest warrant stemming from a September 2011 home invasion in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Those Connecticut charges are still pending.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s Westchester County Violent Crimes Task Force, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the Bedford Police Department, the New York State Police, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, and the United States Marshals Service, NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Bauer and Michael Gerber are in charge of the prosecution.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated, “Bartek Zajkowski became one family’s nightmare of terror and violence. Now, thankfully, the nightmare is over, and we hope his victims can breathe easier. Mr. Zajkowski will be locked up for a long time. The conclusion of this case is a tribute to the cooperative and devoted efforts of law enforcement at every level.”
According to public documents filed in White Plains federal court, and related court proceedings:
Zajkowski, 23, a Polish citizen living in the United States illegally, had previously worked for a contractor in 2010 at the victims’ residence in Bedford Hills, New York.
On the evening of May 5, 2012, Zajkowski, dressed in black and, armed with a gun, approached the victims’ house. He encountered Victim-1 (the husband), bound him with duct tape and plastic ties, and demanded to know where money and valuables were located in the house. The husband told Zajkowski that he had expensive paintings and gold and silver items in the residence. Zajkowski then entered the house and encountered and struggled with Victim-2 (the wife), ultimately shooting her in the stomach with a BB gun. Zajkowski bound Victim-2 with duct tape and plastic ties and asked her to direct him to the expensive paintings. After Zajkowski left the wife to look for the paintings, she was able to free herself and trigger the house’s alarm. Zajkowski escaped with no property other than the husband’s wallet.
Two days later, in the early morning hours of May 7, 2012, Zajkowski burned down a barn located on the victims’ property. One week later, on May 14, 2012 and May 17, 2012, the victims received two extortion letters from an individual later determined to be Zajkowski. The letters demanded that the victims pay Zajkowski $3 million ($1 million for each of their three children) to ensure their family’s safety. In the letters, Zajkowski also discussed his struggle with the wife, claimed responsibility for the barn fire, detailed what he had learned about the family through his surveillance of their home, and threatened harm to the victims’ children. Zajkowski also demanded that the victims deposit the money into a bank account in the Netherlands, a bank account that law enforcement officials later determined to be held by Zajkowski’s mother’s partner.
On June 1, 2012, the FBI and other law enforcement agents arrested Zajkowski pursuant to an arrest warrant stemming from a September 2011 home invasion in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Those Connecticut charges are still pending.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s Westchester County Violent Crimes Task Force, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the Bedford Police Department, the New York State Police, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, and the United States Marshals Service, NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Bauer and Michael Gerber are in charge of the prosecution.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Navajo Man Sentenced to 141 Months for Home Invasion
PHOENIX—On Nov. 25, 2013, Lee Kinder Tso, 51, of Many Farms, Arizona, and a member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Neil V. Wake to 141 months in federal prison. He had previously pleaded guilty on March 15, 2013, to assault with a dangerous weapon and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
On February 3, 2012, Tso used his rifle to shoot two victims in the chest, causing serious injuries to the victims. He was angry with the victims because he believed they harmed his nephews earlier in the day. Tso and others drove to a residence and shot one victim in the chest after he answered the door. The second victim came out of a bedroom, and Tso also shot him in the chest. Both victims survived following lengthy hospitalizations and multiple surgeries.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Jennifer E. Green, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
On February 3, 2012, Tso used his rifle to shoot two victims in the chest, causing serious injuries to the victims. He was angry with the victims because he believed they harmed his nephews earlier in the day. Tso and others drove to a residence and shot one victim in the chest after he answered the door. The second victim came out of a bedroom, and Tso also shot him in the chest. Both victims survived following lengthy hospitalizations and multiple surgeries.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Jennifer E. Green, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
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