Dominican National Extradited For Murder, Narcotics, And Firearms Charges

Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Leslie R. Backschies, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that MARCO TULIO FERNANDEZ-RODRIGUEZ, was extradited from the Dominican Republic and arrived in the United States this afternoon. FERNANDEZ-RODRIGUEZ was extradited on murder, narcotics, and firearms charges in connection with an attempted gunpoint robbery of a Mount Vernon, New York, warehouse that sold various unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products. Two people—one employee of the warehouse and one member of the roughly 15-man robbery crew—were shot and killed during the failed robbery attempt.  FERNANDEZ-RODRIGUEZ will be presented tomorrow in White Plains federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause.

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “As alleged, Marco Tulio Fernandez-Rodriguez and his co-conspirators attempted a violent armed robbery that left two dead in Mount Vernon. The persistence and dedication of our law enforcement partners led to locating the defendant in the Dominican Republic, where he was arrested. This Office and our partners will not rest until every individual responsible for these senseless deaths is brought to justice.”

FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Leslie R. Backschies said: “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. Not only did his alleged involvement contribute to a highly violent episode which threatened the community’s safety, but Fernandez-Rodriguez also attempted to avoid responsibility by running. Today’s extradition and indictment reflects the FBI’s tireless commitment to ensuring all criminals face accountability for their behavior, regardless of where they may hide.”

As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today in White Plains federal court:[1]

On or about March 18, 2024, at approximately 10:00 p.m., two customers arrived at a wholesale warehouse in Mount Vernon that sold unlicensed marijuana products. The two customers placed an order for a large quantity of merchandise from the warehouse, and it took warehouse employees about two hours to prepare their order. A little after midnight, after the customers’ order was prepared, two employees from the warehouse helped the customers carry the boxes containing the customers’ merchandise from the warehouse to the customers’ vehicle. At that point, at least 11 members of the robbery crew—including FERNANDEZ-RODRIGUEZ—got out of a large cargo van that had been parked near the warehouse, many brandishing firearms. Some of the robbers, including FERNANDEZ-RODRIGUEZ, ran over to the two employees and the customers, some pointed firearms at them, and others forced them back inside the warehouse. Other robbers who also got out of the van ran inside the warehouse to steal the merchandise, including marijuana. A still image from video surveillance outside the warehouse is depicted below:

Shortly after the robbers got inside the warehouse, a gunfight broke out between the robbers and a warehouse employee. As a result, the warehouse employee and one of the robbers were killed. The robbers fled the scene, failing to steal anything.

On or about December 4, 2024, FERNANDEZ-RODRIGUEZ was arrested in the Dominican Republic.  To date, 12 individuals have been arrested in connection with this crime.

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FERNANDEZ-RODRIGUEZ, 24, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, is charged with one count of murder through use of a firearm, which carries a maximum possible sentence of death or life in prison; one count of firearms use, carrying, and possession, which carries a maximum possible sentence of life in prison; one count of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; and one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Podolsky praised the work of the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and the Mount Vernon Police Department. Mr. Podolsky also thanked the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the Westchester County Police Department, the New York City Police Department, the Westchester Real Time Crime Center, the FBI Legal Attaché in Santo Domingo, and the Dominican authorities for their invaluable assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in the Dominican Republic to secure the arrest and extradition of FERNANDEZ-RODRIGUEZ. 

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared D. Hoffman and Justin L. Brooke are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.