U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger | U.S. Department of Justice
Two men from Brooklyn, New York, received significant prison sentences for their involvement in three armed robberies at check cashing locations across New Jersey and a conspiracy to commit additional robberies in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Ramel Harris, also known as Ramel Harrison, aged 43, and Neville Brown, aged 40, were sentenced to 186 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi at the Newark federal court. Both had previously pleaded guilty to charges of Hobbs Act conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery, and using firearms during these crimes.
Court documents revealed that between January 2021 and January 2022, Harris and Brown attempted a robbery at a check cashing location in Nanuet, New York. They then successfully robbed locations in Parsippany, Old Bridge, and Hackettstown in New Jersey. During these robberies, they used firearms and zip ties to restrain female employees and stole approximately $563,566.35.
The investigation revealed that the pair had surveilled additional check cashing locations in Mount Kisco (New York), Allentown (Pennsylvania), and West Chester (Pennsylvania). Video surveillance footage linked them to the crimes while cell phone records placed them near the crime scenes at relevant times.
In addition to their prison terms, both men will undergo five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger acknowledged the efforts of various law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation: FBI's field offices in New Jersey under Acting Special Agent Nelson I. Delgado; New York under Assistant Director James E. Dennehy; Philadelphia under Special Agent Wayne A. Jacobs; Hackettstown Police Department led by Chief Aaron Perkins; Old Bridge Police Department led by Chief Thomas J. Montagna; Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department led by Chief Richard Pantina; Morris County Prosecutor’s Office led by Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll; Clarkstown Police Department led by Chief Jeffrey Wanamaker; Westchester County Department of Public Safety; and Borough of West Chester Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin from the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
