Henry James, Armed Robbery, New York 2013

In a brazen display of violence, Henry James led a crew of armed robbers that terrorized employees at various stores in the Bronx and Brooklyn. The crew committed over two dozen armed robberies in 2013, leaving a trail of destruction and fear in its wake.

According to court documents, James and his crew followed a simple but violent pattern in their robberies. Multiple robbers would enter a store during business hours, drawing guns and demanding money, cellphones, and other items. In some cases, store employees were pistol whipped.

James, a convicted murderer, had previously served a 20-year sentence for a 1986 second-degree murder. Less than a year after his release, he began recruiting members to commit these armed robberies.

Since September 2013, James and ten other defendants have been charged for their roles in the armed robbery conspiracy. In October 2014, James pled guilty to participating in the robbery conspiracy and a firearms offense. On [date], James was sentenced by United States District Judge Sidney H. Stein to 205 months in prison.

Co-defendants Markquez McFadden and Qushawn Woods were also convicted for their roles in the robbery conspiracy. McFadden was found guilty of a firearms offense in addition to participating in the robbery conspiracy. Woods was sentenced to 46 months in prison, while McFadden received a 120-month sentence.

The other eight defendants in the case have either pled guilty or are awaiting sentencing. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent & Organized Crime Unit. Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara praised the investigative work of the New York City Police Department and the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force for their assistance in the pursuit and arrest of James.

The case serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of organized crime on our communities. James’ actions have left a lasting impact on the victims and their families, and his sentence is a testament to the justice system’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes.

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