DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Southern District of New York

For Immediate Release

Thursday, May 8, 2014
Preet Bharara
, United States Attorney
Contact: Herbert Hadad, Jim Margolin, Jerika Richardson, Jennifer Que

Three Charged in Connection With Armed Robbery In Town of Newburgh, New York

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Thomas J. Cannon, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), and Chief Michael Clancy of the Town of Newburgh Police Department announced the unsealing of an Indictment against three defendants in connection with the December 28, 2013, armed robbery of a store on State Route 32 in the Town of Newburgh, New York.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: “These charges are the product of outstanding cooperation among multiple law enforcement agencies. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, federal and local, to bring those who participate in violent, criminal conduct to justice.”

Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the ATF Thomas J. Cannon stated: “The defendants have been charged as result of the information-sharing and interagency cooperation that exists between the ATF and the Town of Newburgh Police Department, Ulster County Sherriff’s Office, the Town of New Windsor Police Department, the Town of Plattekill Police Department, and the New York State Police. This investigation should serve as a model to others that when law enforcement effectively collaborates, there is nothing that cannot be achieved.”

Town of Newburgh Chief Michael Clancy stated: “The Town of Newburgh Police Department would like to thank the various law enforcement agencies that assisted in this case including the Town of Plattekill Police Department, the Town of New Windsor Police Department, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, and the ATF, and the New York State Police. We would also like to thank U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara and the members of his staff for their efforts in bringing about this Indictment.”

The Indictment charges ANDREW HECHT, 20, MATTHEW MACKSON, 19, and GREGORY SCOTT, 25, with conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and the brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of the robbery conspiracy. The charge against each defendant and the corresponding maximum potential penalties are outlined in the chart attached to this press release. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by the Court.

The Indictment was unsealed yesterday. One of the defendants was arrested yesterday and one was already in state custody. They were presented in White Plains federal court yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison, and were ordered detained. One defendant remains at large.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the ATF, the Town of Newburgh Police Department, the Town of New Windsor Police Department, the Town of Plattekill Police Department, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Police.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gerber is 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.

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New York Field Division