News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2007
Contact: SA Erin McKenzie-Mulvey
212-337-2906

Leader of Bronx Home Invasion Robbery
Crew Sentenced to Life in Prison

OCT 24 -- JOHN P. GILBRIDE, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration New York Field Division and MICHAEL J. GARCIA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that FRANKLIN MINAYA, the leader of a violent home invasion robbery crew, was sentenced today to life plus 130 years’ imprisonment. United States District Judge ROBERT L. CARTER imposed the sentence in Manhattan federal court. In fall 2006, MINAYA was found guilty by a jury of committing two murders, as well as of racketeering, robbery, drug distribution, and weapons offenses. According to the evidence at trial:

MINAYA was the leader of the Freeman Street Robbery Crew (“the Robbery Crew”), which for years committed coordinated, carefully planned home invasion robberies, primarily of narcotics traffickers, in the New York metropolitan area. Members of the Robbery Crew conducted surveillance of targeted robbery locations in advance, made arrangements for equipment and personnel necessary to gain entry, and coordinated their efforts in order to maximize their chances of success. Over time, members of the Robbery Crew robbed their victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and many kilograms of cocaine.

During the robberies, members of the Robbery Crew carried guns, and restrained, shot, beat and sometimes killed their victims. In particular, MINAYA was convicted at trial of the April 3, 2001, murder of JOAQUIN RODRIGUEZ during a robbery on Bronx Park East in the Bronx, and the May 1, 2001, murder of RAUL FERREIRA during a robbery on East Tremont Avenue in the Bronx.

Mr. GARCIA praised the investigative work of the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Assistant United States Attorneys JOAN LOUGHNANE, DAVID S. LEIBOWITZ, ALEXANDER J. WILLSCHER, and LAURIE A. KORENBAUM are in charge of the prosecution.