Men Plead Guilty to Gunpoint Robberies and Conspiracy to Commit Additional Crimes

Ramel Harris and Neville Brown Admit to Multiple Armed Robberies and Planning Further Crimes in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania

NEWARK, N.J. – Ramel Harris, 42, and Neville Brown, 40, both from Brooklyn, New York, have admitted to their involvement in a series of armed robberies at check cashing locations across New Jersey, as well as conspiring to commit additional robberies in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced their guilty pleas on August 14, 2024, in Newark federal court before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi.

Court documents and statements revealed that between January 2021 and January 2022, Harris and Brown first attempted to rob a check cashing location in Nanuet, New York, before successfully executing three gunpoint robberies at check cashing businesses in different parts of New Jersey. During these robberies, the men brandished firearms and used zip ties to restrain employees, stealing over $578,000 in total.

Law enforcement officials were able to connect Harris and Brown to the crimes through video surveillance footage and cell phone records, which placed them near the scenes of the robberies at the time they occurred. Further investigation revealed that the pair had been surveilling other check cashing locations in Mount Kisco, New York, and Allentown and West Chester, Pennsylvania, as part of their broader conspiracy to commit additional robberies.

Both Harris and Brown pleaded guilty to three counts of an indictment, including Hobbs Act conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery, and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The Hobbs Act conspiracy and Hobbs Act robbery charges each carry a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison. The firearm brandishing charge carries a maximum potential sentence of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years, which must be served consecutively to any other prison term. Each count also carries a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from the offenses, whichever is greater.

Sentencing for both Harris and Brown is scheduled for December 17, 2024.