Two men from Brooklyn, New York, have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a series of gunpoint robberies at check cashing locations across New Jersey. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Ramel Harris, also known as Ramel Harrison, aged 43, and Neville Brown, aged 40, both received sentences of 186 months in prison. They were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in Newark federal court after pleading guilty to charges including Hobbs Act conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery, and using a firearm during these crimes.
The court documents reveal that between January 2021 and January 2022, Harris and Brown attempted to rob a location in Nanuet, New York, and successfully robbed three locations in Parsippany, Old Bridge, and Hackettstown in New Jersey. During these incidents, they used firearms and zip ties to restrain employees and stole over $563,000.
Investigations revealed that the pair had also surveilled potential targets in Mount Kisco, New York; Allentown, Pennsylvania; and West Chester, Pennsylvania. Video footage and cell phone records linked them to the crimes.
In addition to their prison terms, both men will serve five years of supervised release following their sentences.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited various law enforcement agencies for their roles in the investigation leading to these charges. These included FBI field offices from New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia; local police departments from Hackettstown, Old Bridge, Parsippany-Troy Hills; the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office; Clarkstown Police Department; Westchester County Department of Public Safety; and Borough of West Chester Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin represented the government in this case.