James A. Houston, Armed Robbery, New York 2019

ROCHESTER, NY – James A. Houston, 36, of Rochester, NY, is headed to federal prison for orchestrating the brazen, armed robbery of an AT&T store in Irondequoit back in December 2019. U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa handed down an 84-month sentence today, finally bringing some measure of justice for the terrifying ordeal faced by store employees.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, Houston wasn’t just a bystander; he was the architect of the entire operation. The December 3, 2019 robbery saw Troy L. McCullough enter the E. Ridge Road store brandishing a firearm, holding a store employee at gunpoint and demanding access to the safe. McCullough, along with co-defendant Raekwon D. Fuqua, then made off with approximately 32 cellular phones, valued at a staggering $32,344.

But the crime didn’t begin and end with the actual theft. Houston, authorities say, was the mastermind, meticulously planning the robbery, recruiting McCullough and Fuqua – and others – to participate, and crucially, arranging for the resale of the stolen goods. He also conducted surveillance of the AT&T store both before and during the robbery, ensuring everything went according to plan. The stolen cell phones were later recovered at a residence on Champlain Street in Rochester, a small victory amidst a calculated criminal enterprise.

This sentencing marks the culmination of a lengthy investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito at the helm. The Rochester Police Department, under Chief David Smith, and the Irondequoit Police Department, led by Chief Alan Laird, also played critical roles in unraveling the plot and bringing these criminals to justice. The coordinated effort underscores the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling violent crime.

Houston isn’t the only one facing consequences for this brazen act. Troy L. McCullough previously received a 262-month prison sentence for his role in the robbery, while Raekwon D. Fuqua was sentenced to 64 months. These lengthy sentences send a clear message: armed robbery won’t be tolerated, and those who plan and participate in such crimes will be held accountable.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York, led by U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, continues to prioritize cases involving violent crime and the illegal use of firearms. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by retail workers and the dedication of law enforcement to protecting our communities. The full weight of the federal justice system has come down on Houston, and rightfully so.

Related Federal Cases