Marco Tulio Fernandez-Rodriguez, a Dominican national, has been extradited to the United States to face charges related to murder, narcotics, and firearms. This follows an attempted robbery at a warehouse in Mount Vernon, New York, which resulted in two deaths. The announcement was made by Matthew Podolsky, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Leslie R. Backschies, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York Field Office.
Fernandez-Rodriguez is accused of being part of a robbery crew that targeted a warehouse selling unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products. During the incident, a gunfight broke out leading to the deaths of one warehouse employee and one robber. Fernandez-Rodriguez will 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 emphasized law enforcement's commitment to bringing those responsible to justice.
FBI Acting Assistant Director Leslie R. Backschies commented on the case: “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.”
The Complaint alleges that on March 18, 2024, members of the robbery crew ambushed customers and employees at the warehouse as they were loading merchandise into a vehicle. The robbers failed to steal anything after a gunfight ensued inside.
Fernandez-Rodriguez was arrested on December 4, 2024, in the Dominican Republic with assistance from local authorities and various U.S. law enforcement agencies.
He faces multiple charges including murder through use of a firearm and conspiracy to distribute narcotics—each carrying potential life sentences—and conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery with up to 20 years imprisonment.
Matthew Podolsky praised efforts by several law enforcement bodies including the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and Mount Vernon Police Department for their roles in this operation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared D. Hoffman and Justin L. Brooke are leading the prosecution for this case handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.
The allegations remain accusations until proven otherwise in court.