Charles Powell, Musah Coward, and Brian Castro were sentenced in federal court in Brooklyn on April 16 for their roles in the murder of security guard Rodney Maxwell and the wounding of three others during an armed robbery at a gambling location. United States District Judge Eric Komitee imposed sentences ranging from 42 to 45 years' imprisonment. The defendants were convicted after a three-week trial in January 2025.
The case is significant as it addresses violent crime within the community and underscores efforts by law enforcement to hold offenders accountable. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York supports community outreach and victim assistance efforts, according to the official website.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., said, “This was a senseless, premediated, and brutal act of gun violence that took the life of a security guard who was simply doing his job. Today’s sentencings severely punish the defendants for this cold-blooded killing, and will protect the community from them for many years. It is my sincere hope these sentencings will bring some relief to the family of the victim.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle stated: "These defendants brutally murdered a security guard, a father of three children, during an armed robbery. May today’s significant sentences reflect the FBI Safe Streets Task Force’s commitment to working with our local law enforcement partners to crush violent crime and protect New Yorkers from senseless violence." NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch added: “The defendants in this case orchestrated an armed robbery that resulted in one man’s death and three other victims being shot... I thank the NYPD detectives, our partners at the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for... their hard work to deliver justice.”
According to evidence presented at trial, Powell, Castro and Coward planned an armed robbery at an illegal gambling site in Brownsville on October 7, 2020. Coward drove from New Jersey while Powell and Castro entered with firearms; both shot Maxwell at close range as he worked as security—a longtime employee at Bellevue Hospital—resulting in his death later that evening. Three more people were also shot but survived.
The U.S. Attorney's Office handles federal crime prosecutions and civil matters representation for its district according to its official website; it operates offices in Brooklyn and Central Islip covering Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County,and Suffolk County as indicated on its official site . Breon Peace leads as United States Attorney . The office functions as designated federal prosecutor's office according to its official website.
Broader implications include continued collaboration among federal agencies like FBI , local police ,and prosecutors aimed at reducing violent crime across New York City communities.
