Manhattan, NY – In a shocking turn of events, two individuals have been charged with murder in connection with a home invasion robbery that left a 29-year-old man dead. Antoine Burroughs, 25, and Leon Whitfield, 23, both of New York, New York, are alleged to have targeted Bartolomeo Antoniello, the owner of a local pizza shop, on September 9, 2009.
According to the allegations, Burroughs and Whitfield entered Antoniello’s home in Queens, New York, with the intention of robbing him of any cash proceeds from his pizza shop. Antoniello’s son, Gerardo Antoniello, was home at the time and attempted to protect his father, resulting in a struggle that ended with Gerardo being shot in the head. He later died from his injuries.
Burroughs and Whitfield are each charged with one count of robbery conspiracy, one count of attempted robbery, one count of discharging a firearm, and one count of murder. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are as follows: 20 years in prison for robbery conspiracy and attempted robbery, life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison for discharging a firearm, and life in prison or death for murder.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara praised the investigative work of the FBI, the New York City Police Department, and the Queens District Attorney’s Office, stating that the investigation is ongoing. The case is being prosecuted by the Organized Crime Unit, with Assistant United States Attorneys Peter Skinner and Rachel Maimin in charge of the prosecution.
Whitfield was arrested and presented yesterday in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frank Maas and ordered detained. Burroughs remains at large. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods. The FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge, George Venizelos, stated that Burroughs and Whitfield had no regard for life, especially the life of Gerardo Antoniello, and that the FBI stands with law enforcement partners to announce these charges and to reiterate that this case will not be done until all those involved face justice.
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