Member Of Violent Home Invasion Robbery Crew Convicted Of Conspiring To Commit Drug Robberies And Conspiring To Distribute Cocaine And Heroin

Earlier today, following two weeks of trial, a federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, returned a guilty verdict against Henry Fiorentino on both charges of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robberies and to distribute cocaine and heroin. The charges arose out of the defendant’s scheme to rob drug dealers while impersonating New York City police detectives. When sentenced by United States District Judge John Gleeson, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a minimum of ten years’ imprisonment on the most serious charge.

The verdict was announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York.

“Fiorentino tarnished the image of the New York City Police Department and eroded the public’s trust in our law enforcement officers by impersonating them to facilitate his drug robberies,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “He will now be held to pay the price for his crimes.” Ms. Lynch extended her grateful appreciation to the DEA, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, New York State Police and the New York City Police Department.

Fiorentino was a leading member of a violent robbery crew responsible for more than 100 robberies of narcotics traffickers in the New York metropolitan area and elsewhere that netted more than 250 kilograms of cocaine and $1 million in drug proceeds. Beginning in approximately January 2001, crew members posed as law enforcement officers, staged fake arrests of the traffickers, and then forcibly seized the traffickers’ contraband. Members of the robbery crew restrained victims with handcuffs, rope, and duct tape and often brandished firearms and physically assaulted victims. The crew members then sold the stolen drugs and shared the proceeds.

Fiorentino participated in at least 19 separate robberies and attempted robberies. During these crimes, Fiorentino personally entered the residences and, on numerous occasions, he or his fellow crew members brandished firearms and abducted or restrained victims. During all of these robberies and attempted robberies, Fiorentino posed as a police officer. The robberies and attempted robberies in which Fiorentino directly participated involved at least 230 kilograms of cocaine and approximately $66,000 in drug proceeds.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander Solomon and Sylvia Shweder.

The Defendant:

HENRY FIORENTINO

Age: 46

Bronx, NY

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 08-CR-242 (S-8) (JG)