Matthew Podolsky, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, along with Leslie R. Backschies, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York Field Office, announced the extradition of Marco Tulio Fernandez-Rodriguez from the Dominican Republic to the United States. Fernandez-Rodriguez faces charges related to murder, narcotics, and firearms in connection with an attempted robbery at a warehouse in Mount Vernon, New York.
The attempted robbery involved a crew of approximately 15 individuals targeting a warehouse that sold unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products. During the event, two people were killed—a warehouse employee and one member of the robbery crew. Fernandez-Rodriguez is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause in White Plains federal court.
Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky stated: “As alleged, Marco Tulio Fernandez-Rodriguez and his co-conspirators attempted a violent armed robbery that left two dead in Mount Vernon." He credited law enforcement partners for their efforts leading to Fernandez-Rodriguez's arrest.
FBI Acting Assistant Director Leslie R. Backschies added: “Last year, Marco Tulio Fernandez-Rodriguez allegedly fled the country after participating in a robbery and massive gunfight which culminated in the murder of two individuals." She emphasized the FBI's commitment to holding criminals accountable.
According to allegations detailed in a recently unsealed Complaint, on March 18, 2024, a group including Fernandez-Rodriguez attempted an armed robbery at around midnight at the Mount Vernon warehouse. A confrontation ensued resulting in fatalities but no stolen goods.
Fernandez-Rodriguez was arrested on December 4, 2024, in the Dominican Republic; twelve individuals have been apprehended concerning this crime so far.
Fernandez-Rodriguez faces several charges: one count of murder through use of a firearm (maximum sentence: death or life imprisonment), one count of firearms use (maximum sentence: life imprisonment), conspiracy to distribute narcotics (maximum sentence: life imprisonment), and conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery (maximum sentence: 20 years).
Podolsky acknowledged contributions from multiple agencies including the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and Dominican authorities among others for facilitating this extradition.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared D. Hoffman and Justin L. Brooke are leading the prosecution effort against Fernandez-Rodriguez who remains presumed innocent until proven guilty as per legal proceedings.