Related Federal Cases
Violent Home Invasion Ring Busted
Rochester, NY – A federal jury has convicted Matthew Nix, 37, of Rochester, NY, and Earl McCoy, 35, of Brooklyn, NY, of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; attempted Hobbs Act robbery; Hobbs Act robbery; carrying and brandishing firearms during crime of violence; narcotics conspiracy; carrying firearms during drug trafficking crime; and possessing firearms as convicted felon. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $3,000,000 fine.
The defendants were the leaders of a group of criminals who engaged in armed home invasions of individuals they believed were drug dealers, as well as a jewelry wholesaler in the Town of Greece. The group included Jecovious Barnes, Jessica Moscicki as well as McCoy’s younger brothers Clarence Lambert and Gary Lambert. All four have been convicted. Nix and McCoy identified and obtained information about victims and locations, brought accomplices to the locations, supplied firearms to accomplices, and distributed property stolen from home invasions.
McCoy and other accomplices entered the locations brandishing firearms. They restrained the victims at gunpoint, and in some instances, bound them with plastic zip-ties and pistol-whipped them, demanding drugs and money. The defendants ransacked the residences, flipping over beds, yanking out drawers looking for large quantities of drugs and cash. They stole drugs, cash, cell phones, and even guns from locations.
On September 15, 2014, at a residence in Rochester, Clarence Lambert, Earl McCoy and Matthew Nix stole property from two victims against their will. Lambert and McCoy broke open a locked screen door to the residence, brandished firearms, and demanded money and drugs from the victims, who they mistakenly believed were drug dealers. The victims were zip-tied at gunpoint, and one was pistol-whipped while the defendants searched the residence.
On September 18, 2014, Nix and McCoy brought Clarence Lambert and Jecovious Barnes to another residence in Rochester of what they believed to be a drug dealer. Nix and McCoy expected to find a stash of illegal pills and cash inside the residence. Lambert and Barnes stormed inside the location brandishing handguns and restrained the two victims at gunpoint, demanded money and drugs, and searched the residence.
On October 7, 2014, Nix and McCoy and their accomplices went to the home of a jeweler in the Town of Greece. The group stole luxury watches, diamonds, jewelry and cash worth over $200,000 in total, in what can only be described as a brazen and violent home invasion. The victims were pistol-whipped and sustained serious injuries.
Nix and McCoy face a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $3,000,000 fine. The investigation was led by the FBI and the Rochester Police Department, with assistance from the New York State Police and the Greece Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert A. Marangola and Everardo A. Rodriguez.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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