Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Charges Against Five Members of a Violent Robbery Crew that Operated in the Bronx and Westchester County

One Victim Shot and Killed and Two Others Stabbed During the Course of Six Robberies Allegedly Perpetrated by the Defendants

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Joseph Anarumo Jr., the Special Agent–in–Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), and Raymond W. Kelly, the Commissioner of the Police Department for the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced charges today against FAHD HUSSAIN, JERMAINE DORE, DWAYNE BARRETT, TAIJAY TODD, and TAMESHWAR SINGH – five members of a violent robbery crew that operated in the Bronx and Westchester County, New York. All five were arrested this morning by agents from the ATF and officers from the NYPD, and were arraigned today in Manhattan federal court.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “As alleged, these defendants used guns, knives, and other weapons to terrorize their victims, so they could steal whatever was available. They targeted local merchants across the Bronx and Westchester County, and with today’s arrests, their reign of terror has come to an end.”

ATF Special Agent–in–Charge Joseph Anarumo Jr. said: “Excellent police work and solid partnerships led to today’s arrests of these violent criminals who used firearms to terrorize our communities and local business owners. As today’s cooperative effort by law enforcement demonstrates, ATF and all of our law enforcement partners have and will continue to devote our energy and resources towards the insurance that those who commit violent crimes are arrested and face the maximum punishment allowed by the law.”

NYPD Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said: “Fahd Hussain and his robbery crew committed a series of strong–arm robberies of victims who were known to be carrying large sums of cash. In one case a victim was shot and killed. I commend the NYPD’s Bronx Robbery Squad, ATF agents and the US Attorney’s Office for arresting and indicting Hussain and his dangerous accomplices.”

As alleged in the Indictment, which was unsealed today in Manhattan federal court: From 2010 through January 2012, HUSSAIN, DORE, BARRETT, TODD, and SINGH allegedly participated in a conspiracy to commit robberies, in which they used, carried, and possessed firearms. They allegedly carried out the robberies using weapons, including firearms and knives, to injure and terrorize the victims. Specifically, the defendants allegedly participated in six robberies in the Bronx and Westchester County during this time period:

•On October 5, 2011, HUSSAIN, BARRETT, and TODD robbed two individuals who sell telephone calling cards to bodegas, grocery stores and other commercial locations of approximately $700.

•On October 7, 2011, HUSSAIN, DORE, TODD, and SINGH robbed at knifepoint a bodega owner and two store employees and stole more than $1,200. During the robbery, two of the victims were stabbed.
•On October 11, 2011, HUSSAIN, DORE, and TODD beat and robbed at knifepoint an individual who sells telephone calling cards. They stole more than $6,000 and telephone calling cards valued at approximately $6,000 from the victim.
•On December 12, 2011, DORE and BARRETT attempted to rob at gunpoint three victims who sold cigarettes to other individuals and to commercial establishments. During the attempted robbery, one of the victims was shot and killed.
•Also on December 12, 2011, HUSSAIN, DORE, and BARRETT threatened with a gun and knife an individual employed by a company that sells tobacco products to commercial establishments, and robbed the victim of more than $15,000.
•On December 31, 2011, HUSSAIN and BARRETT beat and robbed an individual who sells calling cards. They stole $3,000, and 100 telephone calling cards.

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HUSSAIN, 34, of the Bronx, DORE, 25, of the Bronx, BARRETT, 34, of Yonkers, New York, TODD, 28, of the Bronx, and SINGH, 37, of the Bronx, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit robbery (Count One) and one count of using, carrying, and possessing a firearm in connection with the robbery conspiracy (Count Two). Count One carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and Count Two carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum of ten years, to run consecutive with every other sentence imposed. The case was assigned to the U.S. District Judge Richard J. Sullivan.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Lester and Jessica A. Masella are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.