Fugitive Armed Robber Who Shot At Deputy United States Marshals Sentenced To 241 Months’ Imprisonment

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York, the Honorable Sandra L. Townes, United States District Judge, sentenced Derome Gray to 241 months in prison for the armed robbery of a post office in Queens, New York, and for shooting at the Deputy U.S. Marshals who ultimately tracked him down and apprehended him.

The sentence was announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Charles G. Dunne, United States Marshal for the Eastern District of New York; Philip R. Bartlett, Postal Inspector-in-Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service; and Joseph Anarumo, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), New York Field Division.

Early in the morning of June 8, 2007, the defendant and others subdued three Postal Service employees at gunpoint, stole cash from the victims and from several lock boxes, herded the employees into a vault, and fled.  An investigation by United States Postal Inspectors quickly identified the robbers, including Gray.  The other individuals involved in the robbery were apprehended shortly after the robbery and were convicted of their crimes.  Gray, however, fled New York and became a fugitive, hiding in Virginia before returning to New York.  For four years, Postal Inspectors and the United States Marshals Service hunted Gray before finally locating him at a residence in Queens, New York, where he had sought safe harbor and support from an associate. 

On October 3, 2011, U.S. Marshals and other members of the Regional Fugitive Task Force entered the home to arrest Gray.  Gray responded by firing two rounds in the Marshals’ direction, which fortunately were deflected.  The Marshals immediately apprehended Gray and an associate without firing a shot.  Several firearms, including a cache of semiautomatic handguns and rifles, were seized from the home.  Special Agents of the ATF responded to the scene and led the investigation into the events arising from Gray’s arrest.  

“With a pistol in his hand, the defendant brazenly invaded a United States Post Office and put the lives of three postal workers in jeopardy.  Then, for more than four years, he led investigators on a manhunt up and down the Eastern seaboard.  Finally, when confronted by the U.S. Marshals, the defendant tried to shoot his way out, again putting the lives of our public servants at risk.  He has now been held to account for his crimes,” stated United State Attorney Lynch.  Ms. Lynch expressed her grateful appreciation to the U.S. Marshals, Postal Inspectors and ATF agents for their outstanding work.

The government’s case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Seth DuCharme and Justin Lerer.

The Defendant

DEROME GRAY
Alias: “Rome”
Age: 42