DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of Rhode Island

For Immediate Release

Friday, April 11, 2014
Peter F. Neronha
, United States Attorney
Contact: Jim Martin

Two Indicted on Conspiracy, Hobbs Act Robbery and Firearm Charges in Alleged Robbery and Shootout in Woonsocket Residence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal grand jury in Providence has returned a three-count indictment charging Tyronne Seams, 28, of Woonsocket, R.I., and David Bunnell, 21, of Franklin, Mass. with allegedly participating in a conspiracy and Hobbs Act Robbery and with discharging firearms during a crime of violence during an alleged robbery and shootout inside a Woonsocket residence in September 2013. If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.

The indictment, which charges Seams and Bunnell with one count each of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, Hobbs Act robbery and use and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of crimes of violence, was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas S. Carey.

According to documents filed with the court, in the early morning hours of September 12, 2013, Woonsocket Police responded to reports of gunfire at a multi-family residence. Upon arrival, Woonsocket officers encountered Seams and Bunnell allegedly attempting to leave the building. As police arrived, Seams and Bunnell allegedly fled back inside the building.

According to court documents, officers located Bunnell in the basement where they also seized a sawed-off shotgun and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Seams was located on the floor of a second floor landing suffering from an apparent gun shot. Police seized a packet containing approximately 80 grams of cocaine from Seams’ pocket and a .41 caliber revolver was located nearby.

According to court documents, inside a second floor apartment officers discovered a substantial amount of blood; numerous spent shell casings from at least two firearms; bullet holes in the kitchen counter, bathroom door and bathroom wall; an individual with a head wound from blunt force trauma; and materials allegedly associated with the preparation and sale of drugs. Another individual who allegedly suffered a gunshot wound while at the residence made his way out of the building before police arrived and drove himself to a nearby hospital.

According to information presented to the court, the investigation revealed that Seams and Bunnell allegedly forcibly stole cocaine from inside the apartment and allegedly inflicted physical violence on persons inside the apartment in the course of the robbery.

Seams and Bunnell have been detained since their arrest. They are scheduled to be arraigned in U.S. District Court on April 16, 2014.

An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.

Woonsocket Police were assisted in the investigation of this matter by agents and officers from ATF, the DEA Drug Task Force, Rhode Island State Police, North Smithfield Police Department and the Franklin and Blackstone, Mass., Police Departments.

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