Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – On Friday, May 22, 2015, after a five day jury trial, a jury in the Northern District of New York convicted Yarbrough Latulas (30, of Watertown, NY) of armed robbery, according to U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian. After hearing all of the evidence, the jury found Yarbrough Latulas guilty of the following felony offenses as charged in the three-count superseding indictment: count one, conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery; count two, interfere with interstate commerce by robbery; and count three, using and carrying sawed-off shotgun during and in relation to a crime of violence. 

As a result of the conviction, the defendant is facing a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of life, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and a maximum fine of $250,000.00 per count of conviction.  Sentencing is scheduled for October 2, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in front of U.S. District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.

The evidence at trial showed that on July 31, 2013, Yarbrough Latulas and Robert Williams, who previously pled guilty to participating in the armed robbery, entered the Sunoco mini-mart located at 1222 Washington Street, Watertown, New York intending to commit a robbery.   After entering the Sunoco, Yarbrough Latulas stole money and tobacco products while Robert Williams pointed a sawed-off 12 gauge shotgun at the store clerk.

This prosecution resulted from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Syracuse, New York, the Watertown Police Department and the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ransom P. Reynolds and Nicolas Commandeur.  Further questions may be directed to Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney John Duncan at (315-448-0672).

###