The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that yesterday Alan H. Willis, II, of Tinmouth, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss to 37 months’ imprisonment on his guilty plea to a charge of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Chief Judge Reiss also ordered that Willis serve two years on supervised release after his incarceration ends. Willis has been detained since his arraignment.
According to court documents, Willis trafficked between 700 and 1000 grams of heroin in the Rutland area from summer 2012 to February 2013. In late January 2013, the Vermont Drug Task Force (VDTF) used a confidential informant to make two controlled purchases of heroin from Willis, the first at his home and the second in the parking lot of Rutland’s Diamond Run Mall. On February 4, 2013, the VDTF and several other agencies executed a search warrant at Willis’ residence, seizing 1,500 bags of heroin and $4,800 in cash.
Originally charged in Rutland Superior Court by the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, Willis was first indicted by a federal grand jury on April 24, 2013, leading to dismissal of the state charges. On July 24, 2013, based on a joint investigation by the VDTF, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the grand jury returned a superseding indictment expanding the temporal scope of the conspiracy and charging Joshua Rose, 21; Devon Cruz, 29; Charles Hercules, 23, all of New York; Evan Murphy, 23, and Jean Marie Phillips, 47, both of Rutland, along with Willis, as conspirators. On January 24, 2014, Phillips entered a guilty plea to a charge of aiding and abetting Rose’s possession with intent to distribute heroin. She is scheduled for sentencing on May 9, 2014. Today, Murphy entered a guilty plea to the conspiracy charge in the superseding indictment. Murphy is scheduled for sentencing on August 26, 2014. Rose, Cruz, and Hercules are awaiting trial.
United States Attorney Coffin commended the joint investigation by the VDTF, DEA and FBI and thanked the Vermont Attorney General’s Office for its cooperation. Rutland attorney Elizabeth Mann represented Willis. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig S. Nolan.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Alleged Serial Bank Robber Arrested After Morning Robbery of Bank in Colonia
NEWARK, NJ—A man allegedly responsible for a three-county New Jersey bank robbery spree faces a federal charge today following his arrest yesterday, May 1, 2014, after the rush hour robbery of a Rahway Savings Institute in Colonia, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Jason Novello, 35, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of bank robbery in connection with the Colonia theft. He made his initial appearance today before U.S. Judge James B. Clark, III in Newark federal court and was detained.
According to the complaint filed today and statements made in court:
At approximately 9:05 a.m. on May 1, 2014, Novello entered the Rahway Savings Institute in Colonia, approached a bank teller, and held up a note claiming he had a gun and demanding money. The teller gave the cash to Novello, including two “bait bills” from which the serial numbers had been pre-recorded by the bank.
A bank employee followed Novello out of the bank and noted the license plate of the blue Hyundai Elantra in which Novello fled. Law enforcement officers were able to track the car’s registration to an address where they waited for Novello. FBI agents arrested him when he showed up in the Hyundai.
Including the latest Colonia robbery with which he is charged, the complaint alleges Novello committed nine robberies in the nine months from August 2013 to May 2014, hitting two of the banks—in Colonia and Elizabeth—twice each:
U.S. Attorney Fishman praised special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, and thanked the Middlesex and Somerset County Prosecutors’ Offices, as well as the Woodbridge, Edison, North Plainfield, Fanwood, Scotch Plains, and Elizabeth Police Departments for their work.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cari Fais of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit in Newark.
Defense counsel: Assistant Federal Public Defender Carol Gillen Esq., Newark
Jason Novello, 35, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of bank robbery in connection with the Colonia theft. He made his initial appearance today before U.S. Judge James B. Clark, III in Newark federal court and was detained.
According to the complaint filed today and statements made in court:
At approximately 9:05 a.m. on May 1, 2014, Novello entered the Rahway Savings Institute in Colonia, approached a bank teller, and held up a note claiming he had a gun and demanding money. The teller gave the cash to Novello, including two “bait bills” from which the serial numbers had been pre-recorded by the bank.
A bank employee followed Novello out of the bank and noted the license plate of the blue Hyundai Elantra in which Novello fled. Law enforcement officers were able to track the car’s registration to an address where they waited for Novello. FBI agents arrested him when he showed up in the Hyundai.
Including the latest Colonia robbery with which he is charged, the complaint alleges Novello committed nine robberies in the nine months from August 2013 to May 2014, hitting two of the banks—in Colonia and Elizabeth—twice each:
- May 1, 2014 - Rahway Savings Institute, Colonia
- April 28, 2014 - PNC Bank, Scotch Plains
- March 22, 2014 - Rahway Savings Institute, Colonia
- March 8, 2014 - Capital One Bank, Iselin
- March 1, 2014 - PNC Bank, Edison
- January 25, 2014 - Capital One Bank, North Plainfield
- December 7, 2013 - PNC Bank, Fanwood
- October 30, 2013 - Investors Savings Bank, Elizabeth
- August 30, 2013 - Investors Savings Bank, Elizabeth
U.S. Attorney Fishman praised special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, and thanked the Middlesex and Somerset County Prosecutors’ Offices, as well as the Woodbridge, Edison, North Plainfield, Fanwood, Scotch Plains, and Elizabeth Police Departments for their work.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cari Fais of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit in Newark.
Defense counsel: Assistant Federal Public Defender Carol Gillen Esq., Newark
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Kenmore Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Charge
BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul announced today that Marlon Johnson, Jr., 25, of Kenmore, New York, who was convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, was sentenced to 48 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony M. Bruce, who handled the case, stated that on December 16, 2011, Buffalo Police responded to a call on Emerson Street. As officers approached the area, the defendant ran from the area and a foot chase ensued. Johnson was taken into custody inside a residence on Glenwood Avenue. Officers searched a garbage tote next to the door of the residence and found a loaded .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a defaced serial number. The defendant later admitted that he stole the gun from another individual.
Today’s development is the latest in a continuing series of actions aimed at the Bailey Boys Gang allegedly operating in the city of Buffalo. A total of 10 alleged members and associates of the Bailey Boys have been indicted on racketeering charges, which include multiple murders, attempted murders, robberies, and narcotics trafficking. Authorities believe that Johnson, the subject of today’s sentencing, in fact was a criminal associate of the Bailey Boys.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Cannon; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony M. Bruce, who handled the case, stated that on December 16, 2011, Buffalo Police responded to a call on Emerson Street. As officers approached the area, the defendant ran from the area and a foot chase ensued. Johnson was taken into custody inside a residence on Glenwood Avenue. Officers searched a garbage tote next to the door of the residence and found a loaded .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a defaced serial number. The defendant later admitted that he stole the gun from another individual.
Today’s development is the latest in a continuing series of actions aimed at the Bailey Boys Gang allegedly operating in the city of Buffalo. A total of 10 alleged members and associates of the Bailey Boys have been indicted on racketeering charges, which include multiple murders, attempted murders, robberies, and narcotics trafficking. Authorities believe that Johnson, the subject of today’s sentencing, in fact was a criminal associate of the Bailey Boys.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Cannon; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force.
Cell Phone Store Robber Sentenced to 116 Years
A 29-year-old Detroit man was sentenced today in federal court to 116 years in prison for his role in six cellular telephone store robberies, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced.
Joining McQuade in the announcement was Paul M. Abbate, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Field Office.
U.S. District Judge Sean F. Cox imposed sentence on Timothy Ivory Carpenter, who was convicted after a two-week jury trial in December. The jury found Carpenter guilty of committing six robberies of cell phone stores and of using a gun during five of the robberies. The evidence at trial established that Carpenter and his brother, Timothy Sanders, conspired with others to rob cell phone stores in Detroit, Highland Park, Eastpointe, and Warren, Ohio between December 13, 2010 and December 1, 2012.
“Armed robberies at neighborhood stores make citizens fearful to carry out their daily business in our community,” McQuade said. “This lengthy sentence sends a powerful message that using guns to commit crimes will not be tolerated.”
“Aggressively pursuing violent offenders, particularly those associated with organized criminal groups, is among the highest priorities of the FBI,” stated Paul M. Abbate, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “Today’s sentence, along with others seen recently, sends a strong message to violent perpetrators whose actions wreak havoc upon our community—the FBI, our local, state, and federal partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will work tirelessly to combat violent crime and bring justice to bear on these offenders.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth Chadwell.
Joining McQuade in the announcement was Paul M. Abbate, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Field Office.
U.S. District Judge Sean F. Cox imposed sentence on Timothy Ivory Carpenter, who was convicted after a two-week jury trial in December. The jury found Carpenter guilty of committing six robberies of cell phone stores and of using a gun during five of the robberies. The evidence at trial established that Carpenter and his brother, Timothy Sanders, conspired with others to rob cell phone stores in Detroit, Highland Park, Eastpointe, and Warren, Ohio between December 13, 2010 and December 1, 2012.
“Armed robberies at neighborhood stores make citizens fearful to carry out their daily business in our community,” McQuade said. “This lengthy sentence sends a powerful message that using guns to commit crimes will not be tolerated.”
“Aggressively pursuing violent offenders, particularly those associated with organized criminal groups, is among the highest priorities of the FBI,” stated Paul M. Abbate, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “Today’s sentence, along with others seen recently, sends a strong message to violent perpetrators whose actions wreak havoc upon our community—the FBI, our local, state, and federal partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will work tirelessly to combat violent crime and bring justice to bear on these offenders.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth Chadwell.
Guilty Verdict Reached in Bank Robbery Trial
Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced the conviction today of Walter Butler, Jr., aged 45, of Gainesville, Georgia, of bank robbery. Orlando Brock, aged 43, of Hartwell, Georgia, was found guilty of armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The guilty verdicts were handed down following a four-day trial before the Honorable C. Ashley Royal, Chief United States District Court Judge, in Athens, Georgia.
Evidence presented at trial showed that on Thursday, September 22, 2011, at approximately 2:40 p.m., Allen Colbert, a/k/a “Juicy,” and Juan Vladimir Camp entered the North Georgia Credit Union in Lavonia, Georgia. Both men carried firearms; one of them brandished a firearm. Both men wore gloves and covers over their heads. The pair forced the tellers to hand over approximately $310,000 and then sprayed them with pepper spray. After stealing the money, both Mr. Butler and Mr. Colbert left the scene in a truck driven by Mr. Butler. Orlando Brock planned the robbery, supplied the firearms, and dropped Mr. Colbert and Mr. Camp off at the bank that day.
Mr. Colbert and Mr. Camp entered guilty pleas to their part in the robbery on March 20, 2013. The court has set their sentencing hearing for May 27, 2014, in Athens, Georgia.
Mr. Butler faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both. Mr. Brock, Mr. Colbert and Mr. Camp face a maximum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both. Mr. Brock faces an additional minimum mandatory sentence of seven years up to a maximum sentence of life, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both on the firearm charges. The court will set a sentencing date for Mr. Butler and Mr. Brock following the completion of a pre-sentence investigation and report.
“This case is a fine example of a cooperative investigation by the federal, state, and local authorities. These defendants face lengthy terms of imprisonment without parole as the result of their violent criminal activity,” stated U.S. Attorney Michael Moore.
“The GBI is committed to working with our local and federal law enforcement partners to insure those who commit crimes such as this are brought to justice,” said GBI Director Vernon Keenan.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and Lavonia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Graham Thorpe and Sonja Profit prosecuted the case for the Government.
Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2603.
Mr. Colbert and Mr. Camp entered guilty pleas to their part in the robbery on March 20, 2013. The court has set their sentencing hearing for May 27, 2014, in Athens, Georgia.
Mr. Butler faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both. Mr. Brock, Mr. Colbert and Mr. Camp face a maximum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both. Mr. Brock faces an additional minimum mandatory sentence of seven years up to a maximum sentence of life, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both on the firearm charges. The court will set a sentencing date for Mr. Butler and Mr. Brock following the completion of a pre-sentence investigation and report.
“This case is a fine example of a cooperative investigation by the federal, state, and local authorities. These defendants face lengthy terms of imprisonment without parole as the result of their violent criminal activity,” stated U.S. Attorney Michael Moore.
“The GBI is committed to working with our local and federal law enforcement partners to insure those who commit crimes such as this are brought to justice,” said GBI Director Vernon Keenan.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and Lavonia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Graham Thorpe and Sonja Profit prosecuted the case for the Government.
Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2603.
Two Winter Garden Men Convicted at Trial
ORLANDO—United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that yesterday a federal jury found Linell Devon Lowe (22) and Latavis Deyonta Mackroy (20) guilty of conspiracy to commit a Hobbs Act robbery and the brandishing of a firearm during the commission of the robbery. Both men face a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment for the robbery, plus a mandatory minimum, consecutive sentence of seven years, up to life in prison, on the firearm offense. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 28, 2014.
Lowe and Mackroy were indicted on December 11, 2013. A third person, who acted as lookout during the robbery, pleaded guilty on February 24, 2014.
According to the testimony and evidence presented at trial, on May 23, 2013, Lowe and Mackroy, armed with a firearm and a hammer, robbed the Value Pawn and Jewelry located at 2200 E. Semoran Boulevard, in Apopka, Florida. During the course of the robbery, they made death threats and intimidated two employees and a customer. Mackroy repeatedly hit a customer with a hammer and then stole approximately 100 pieces of gold and diamond jewelry, while Lowe pointed a gun at the manager and stole the cash from the registers.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Apopka Police Department, with assistance from both the Winter Garden Police and Orlando Police Departments. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilianys Rivera Miranda.
Lowe and Mackroy were indicted on December 11, 2013. A third person, who acted as lookout during the robbery, pleaded guilty on February 24, 2014.
According to the testimony and evidence presented at trial, on May 23, 2013, Lowe and Mackroy, armed with a firearm and a hammer, robbed the Value Pawn and Jewelry located at 2200 E. Semoran Boulevard, in Apopka, Florida. During the course of the robbery, they made death threats and intimidated two employees and a customer. Mackroy repeatedly hit a customer with a hammer and then stole approximately 100 pieces of gold and diamond jewelry, while Lowe pointed a gun at the manager and stole the cash from the registers.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Apopka Police Department, with assistance from both the Winter Garden Police and Orlando Police Departments. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilianys Rivera Miranda.
Mastermind of Violent Robbery Crew Convicted of Robbery Murder and Weapons Charges
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announce today that Terrance Brown, 41, of Miami, was convicted of Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and three counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
According to the indictment and evidence presented at trial, Brown was the mastermind of a seven-man robbery crew that conspired in 2010 to rob armored Brinks trucks. In July 2010, the crew planned to rob a Brinks truck at a Bank of America in Lighthouse Point. However, that robbery did not occur because the Brinks truck did not arrive at the bank at the time that the crew planned to rob it. In September 2010, the crew attempted to rob another Brinks truck at a Bank of America in Miramar. That robbery also did not occur because a police vehicle drove through the bank parking lot just prior to the planned robbery, causing members of the crew to run from the scene. Finally, in October 2010, the crew returned to the same Bank of America in Miramar to once again rob the Brinks guard as he was delivering currency to the bank. During that robbery, the gunman fatally shot the guard in the head while Brown and his accomplices acted as lookouts. The gunman was arrested at the scene and one year later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. Thereafter, in July 2013, a jury convicted Brown and three other co-defendants of several charges, including conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. However, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on several other charges, which resulted in a retrial for the charges for which defendant Brown was just convicted.
U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “We are gratified that the jury reached a unanimous verdict finding Terrance Brown guilty of robbery murder and related weapons charges. Brown was the mastermind of a violent robbery crew that resulted in the senseless murder of a Brinks guard. Today our community can sleep sounder knowing that Brown is off our streets and that justice has been served.”
“Terrance Brown is a violent and greedy criminal who was bent on hitting armored truck couriers during their deliveries,” said George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami. “In July 2010, Brown and his robbery crew fatally shot a Brinks guard during the course of his duties. For this brutal and cowardly act, Brown is now being held accountable.”
Sentencing for Brown is scheduled for July 1, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum in Ft. Lauderdale. Brown faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Mr. Ferrer commended the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, the Miramar Police Department, the Lighthouse Point Police Department, and the Coconut Creek Police Department for their excellent work on this matter. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Dispoto, Marc Anton, and Michael Gilfarb.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.
According to the indictment and evidence presented at trial, Brown was the mastermind of a seven-man robbery crew that conspired in 2010 to rob armored Brinks trucks. In July 2010, the crew planned to rob a Brinks truck at a Bank of America in Lighthouse Point. However, that robbery did not occur because the Brinks truck did not arrive at the bank at the time that the crew planned to rob it. In September 2010, the crew attempted to rob another Brinks truck at a Bank of America in Miramar. That robbery also did not occur because a police vehicle drove through the bank parking lot just prior to the planned robbery, causing members of the crew to run from the scene. Finally, in October 2010, the crew returned to the same Bank of America in Miramar to once again rob the Brinks guard as he was delivering currency to the bank. During that robbery, the gunman fatally shot the guard in the head while Brown and his accomplices acted as lookouts. The gunman was arrested at the scene and one year later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. Thereafter, in July 2013, a jury convicted Brown and three other co-defendants of several charges, including conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. However, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on several other charges, which resulted in a retrial for the charges for which defendant Brown was just convicted.
U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “We are gratified that the jury reached a unanimous verdict finding Terrance Brown guilty of robbery murder and related weapons charges. Brown was the mastermind of a violent robbery crew that resulted in the senseless murder of a Brinks guard. Today our community can sleep sounder knowing that Brown is off our streets and that justice has been served.”
“Terrance Brown is a violent and greedy criminal who was bent on hitting armored truck couriers during their deliveries,” said George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami. “In July 2010, Brown and his robbery crew fatally shot a Brinks guard during the course of his duties. For this brutal and cowardly act, Brown is now being held accountable.”
Sentencing for Brown is scheduled for July 1, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum in Ft. Lauderdale. Brown faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Mr. Ferrer commended the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, the Miramar Police Department, the Lighthouse Point Police Department, and the Coconut Creek Police Department for their excellent work on this matter. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Dispoto, Marc Anton, and Michael Gilfarb.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.
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