DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

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

For Immediate Release

Thursday, September 10, 2015
William J. Hochul, Jr.
, United States Attorney
Contact: Barbara Burns

Armed Home Invader Pleads Guilty To Robbery Charge

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Clarence Lambert, 22, of Brooklyn, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and use and brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years in prison, a maximum of life, a fine of $500,000 or both. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Lambert will be sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant participated in two armed, home invasion robberies. Lambert and co-defendants Earl McCoy and M.N. believed two victims living at a residence on Hayward Avenue in Rochester were involved in the unlawful possession and distribution of controlled substances, including marijuana and cocaine. As a result, the three conspired to rob the victims in their residence at gunpoint. On September 15, 2014, Lambert and Earl McCoy broke into the residence, brandished firearms, and demanded money and drugs from two victims. Lambert and Earl McCoy restrained the victims at gunpoint, searched the residence, and threatened to kill the victims if they called the police. After finding no money or drugs, the defendant and Earl McCoy fled the residence after taking a cell phone belonging to one of the victims.

On October 7, 2014, Lambert, and co-defendants Earl McCoy, M.N., Jessica Moscicki, Gary Lambert, and Jecovious Barnes, went to 49 Polo Place in Rochester to rob a third victim of jewelry, watches, and cash. Moscicki backed a vehicle into the driveway and waited while the defendant, Jecovious Barnes, and Gary Lambert, who were armed with weapons, including a firearm, broke into the residence. Inside the residence, Clarence Lambert beat the third victim and his wife with a firearm while demanding money, jewelry, and watches. The defendant and his accomplices left with approximately $20,000 in United States currency, five loose diamonds, and approximately 20 to 40 luxury watches.

Jessica Moscicki then drove the defendant, Gary Lambert and Jecovious Barnes from the robbery to meet Earl McCoy and M.N. at the home of M.N.’s mother on Electric Avenue in Rochester. Earl McCoy and M.N. were given the proceeds of the robbery. M.N. then divided some of the proceeds of the robbery, including luxury watches and cash, among the co-conspirators. M.N. maintained possession of the remaining cash, jewelry, and watches stolen from 49 Polo Place.

On October 14, 2014, Clarence Lambert and Jessica Moscicki entered Rochester Pawn Brokers on State Street in Rochester to provide one of the stolen watches to owner Samuel, Cruz, Jr. As Cruz examined the watch in a back office, law enforcement officers arrived to take the defendant into custody. Clarence Lambert fled on foot but was taken into custody while hiding inside a garage on Frankfurt Street in Rochester.

“On occasion, a particular group is so violent or dangerous that federal prosecution is warranted,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “This was such a group and these were such circumstances.”

Jessica Moscicki, Jecovious Barnes, and Gary Lambert, have been convicted and are in custody awaiting sentencing.

Earl McCoy was arrested November 8, 2014 in North Charleston, South Carolina. He is charged with Hobbs Act conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery, Attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and three counts of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Charges are pending. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The person identified as M.N. was arrested on May 18, 2015 and is in custody.

The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Patrick Phelan, Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Delano A. Reid, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Craig Hanesworth, and the Rochester Police Department under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 15, 2016 at 1:00 pm before the Judge Wolford.

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New York Field Division