Two Hartford men have been charged with witness tampering and retaliation offenses related to a 2010 murder. Dominique Mack, also known as ‘Lil Sweets,’ 25, and Tyquan Lucien, also known as ‘TQ’ and ‘Frogger,’ 22, were indicted by a federal grand jury on 14 counts, including conspiracy to tamper with a witness by committing first degree murder.
The charges stem from the murder of Ian Francis, who was shot multiple times on December 21, 2010, while sitting in his vehicle on Sigourney Street in Hartford. Francis succumbed to his injuries on January 15, 2011. Mack and others are alleged to have murdered Francis with the intent to prevent Mack’s attendance at a federal proceeding and to prevent Francis and another person from communicating with a federal law enforcement officer or judge about the commission or possible commission of a federal crime.
Mack is also charged with witness tampering by committing first degree murder, and Lucien is charged with multiple attempts to commit witness tampering and attempts to commit witness retaliation. The charges carry a mandatory lifetime term of imprisonment for witness tampering by committing first degree murder and conspiracy to commit witness tampering by committing first degree murder, and a maximum term of 30 years’ imprisonment for attempted witness tampering and attempted witness retaliation.
The second superseding indictment also charges Mack with two counts of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. Lucien is alleged to have attempted to tamper with a witness by attempting to solicit another person to murder the witness, and to retaliate against the witness for appearing before a federal grand jury.
The matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes and Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department’s Major Crimes Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Leaming and Jennifer Laraia.
The charges of witness tampering by committing first degree murder and conspiracy to commit witness tampering by committing first degree murder carry a mandatory lifetime term of imprisonment. The charges of attempted witness tampering and attempted witness retaliation carry a maximum term of 30 years’ imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The defendants have entered plea of not guilty to the charges against them. They are currently in federal custody. Mack pleaded not guilty to the charges in Hartford before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna Martinez. Lucien pleaded not guilty to the charges on March 30, 2015.
This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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