Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GEORGE SQUIRE was sentenced today in White Plains federal court to life in prison for his murder of Tomas Almodovar on March 24, 2012. SQUIRE shot and killed Almodovar while SQUIRE was robbing Almodovar in the lobby of 5 City Terrace, Newburgh, New York. On September 5, 2012, SQUIRE was indicted in this district for (1) committing a Hobbs Act Robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951; and (2) causing the death of Almodovar by discharging a firearm during a robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(j). On Feb. 27, 2013, SQUIRE pled guilty to both counts in the Indictment. United States District Judge Kenneth M. Karas presided over this case.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “This senseless murder is yet another sad example of what happens when men who use and carry guns commit crimes. Now, a wife is without a husband, and three young children have lost their father. This Office’s ongoing commitment to rooting out the scourge of gang members who commit violent crimes in areas like Newburgh will not stop."
According to the statements made at sentencing and documents filed in the case:
SQUIRE robbed Almodovar at gunpoint and during the robbery, SQUIRE shot and killed Almodovar. Following the murder, SQUIRE bragged to a friend that SQUIRE had been waiting inside 5 City Terrace to rob customers of a marijuana business operating on the second floor of the building, and that SQUIRE approached Almodovar with a.25 caliber firearm as Almodovar was coming downstairs from the second floor apartment. SQUIRE decided to kill Almodovar because Almodovar brushed away SQUIRE’s gun, and SQUIRE described watching Almodovar stumble out of the building onto Broadway before falling down from the gunshot wound. SQUIRE was 19 years old at the time he killed 26-year old Almodovar. SQUIRE and Almodovar had never met before that night. The victim was not involved in drug trafficking activity, but was an occasional user of marijuana who made purchases for personal use.
Tomas Almodovar was married, employed and the father of three young children. On the night he was killed, Almodovar had been on a date with his wife and they had just returned from dinner and a movie. A courtroom full of Almodovar’s family members and friends attended the sentencing, including his parents and widow. Several family members submitted letters to the Court or spoke at the sentencing about Almodovar’s life-long dedication to his family.
This case is being prosecuted by the White Plains Office and the Violent Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Parvin Moyne and Andrew Bauer are in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
