ROCHESTER, NY – Robert Forbes, Jr., a 37-year-old Rochester resident known on the streets as “Ra Ra” and “Henny,” has confessed to his role in a string of brazen home invasions targeting individuals suspected of dealing drugs. Forbes pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to two counts of Hobbs Act Robbery and two counts of Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery, crimes that could land him behind bars for up to 20 years per count.
Between February 18 and March 26, 2020, Forbes allegedly masterminded and participated in four separate home invasions spanning Rochester and Greece, NY. According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert A. Marangola and Cassie M. Kocher, Forbes wasn’t just a trigger man; he was the architect. He allegedly scouted locations, identified potential targets based on suspected drug activity, recruited a crew, and even provided the firearm used in the attacks. The crew relied on Forbes for intel on where to find both drugs and cash.
These weren’t simple burglaries. The victims, already involved in illegal activity, faced terrifying encounters. Reports indicate that during some of the invasions, residents were restrained, brutally pistol-whipped, and left injured. The level of violence suggests a calculated attempt to instill fear and ensure compliance. Forbes, clearly not afraid to escalate, profited from the chaos and fear he helped create.
Law enforcement finally caught up with Forbes on April 1, 2020, following a 13-minute high-speed chase on W. Ridge Road in Rochester. The pursuit ended with his arrest, bringing a swift end to his reign of terror. The takedown was the result of a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Rochester Police Department.
ATF Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and Rochester Police Chief David Smith all played key roles in building the case against Forbes. The investigation highlights the importance of interagency cooperation in dismantling criminal enterprises that prey on vulnerable communities. The focus on disrupting drug-related crime and holding perpetrators accountable is a clear message to those operating outside the law.
Forbes now faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each of the four federal charges, along with a potential fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for August 23, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci. While a plea deal may influence the final sentence, Forbes is almost certainly headed for a lengthy stretch in federal prison, and his associates may soon find themselves facing similar consequences.
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