New Haven Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Robbery Charge
| U.S. Attorney’s Office June 02, 2009 |
Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARCELAS HINES, also known as “Cell,” 23, of Emerson Street, New Haven, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to one count of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by committing robbery.
According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, the charge against HINES is the result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Haven Police Department. The investigation revealed that, on December 21, 2008, HINES and a co-conspirator agreed to rob an individual they believed to be a marijuana distributor. HINES and his co-conspirator lured the victim to the intersection of Percival and Carmel Streets in New Haven, at which time HINES and his co-conspirator ordered the driver and passenger out of the vehicle at gun point. HINES threatened to shoot both victims if they did not comply with his demands. HINES and his co-conspirator then fled in the vehicle, which was registered to a rental car company in Massachusetts. The New Haven Police Department identified one of the assailants as MARCELAS HINES, and arrested him on December 25, 2008.
Judge Bryant has scheduled sentencing for August 25, 2009, at which time HINES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Haven Police Department pursuant to the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Mattei.
The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition and body armor, and improving the safety of residents of Connecticut’s cities. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.