Skip to main content
Press Release

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 100 Months’ Imprisonment for Gunpoint Robberies of Pharmacies

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York
Defendant Was Member of Crew of Opioid Bandits

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Gregory St. Juste was sentenced to 100 months’ imprisonment by United States Chief District Judge Dora L. Irizarry for his role in three gun-point robberies of pharmacies.  St. Juste had previously pled guilty on February 16, 2017 to Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy and brandishing a firearm during the conspiracy.  On August 4, 2017, co-defendant Wensley Paul was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment following his March 20, 2017 guilty plea to the same charges.  On October 24, 2017 and November 15, 2017, respectively, co-defendants Max Narcisse, Jr. and Jeff Roselien pleaded guilty to the same charges and are awaiting sentencing.

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.

“Gregory St. Juste and his co-conspirators caused employees and customers to fear for their lives during the armed robberies of the targeted pharmacies,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “Besides terrorizing his victims, the defendant stole oxycodone pills to resell on the street, contributing to the deadly opioid epidemic.  This Office and our law enforcement partners continue to work tirelessly to hold accountable those who seek to profit from this scourge that has taken such a great toll on the community.”

“St. Juste and his co-conspirators committed brazen acts of violence that endangered many in his community,” stated Special Agent-in-Charge Benedict.  “The violence was driven by the desire to profit from peddling death in the form of pills sold to individuals suffering through addiction. Thanks to the efforts of local and federal law enforcement, St. Juste will no longer be in a position to harm his community. I would like to extend my gratitude to the United States Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting the case. I would also like to thank the Special Agents and NYPD Detectives of the ATF Joint Robbery Task Force for their investigative efforts that helped bring St. Juste to justice.”

According to court filings and statements at court proceedings, in August and September 2016, the defendants and their co-conspirators conducted a series of gunpoint robberies of pharmacies in Brooklyn.  On August 16, 2016, two co-conspirators entered the Mill Basin Pharmacy on Avenue T.  While inside, the perpetrators pulled out a revolver and entered the back of the pharmacy, causing store employees, one of whom was pregnant, to cower in the corner.  The robbers made off with over $4,000 in prescription pills and merchandise, and escaped in a car driven by Roselien.  On September 8, 2016, St. Juste and a co-conspirator entered This Way Pharmacy on Quentin Road.  Inside the store, the robbers brandished a firearm, stole oxycodone pills and cash and again left in a getaway car driven by Roselien.  On September 13, 2016, St. Juste and two other co-conspirators entered the Living Word Pharmacy located on Utica Avenue.  St. Juste stormed into the back of the pharmacy and brandished a revolver.  The robbers made off with oxycodone pills, employees’ cell phones and cash, and left in a getaway car driven by Roselien.

On September 26, 2016, St. Juste, Paul and Naricisse robbed the Mill Park Pharmacy on Avenue U.  Upon entering the pharmacy, St. Juste pulled out a firearm and forced a store clerk to go behind a counter, demanding to know where the “oxy” was and threatening to shoot the clerk.  Narcisse then went behind the counter to the cash register and placed cigarettes, cash and other items into a backpack, while Paul acted as a lookout.  After a few minutes, the three perpetrators left the store and ran into the getaway car, which was driven by Roselien.  Shortly after the perpetrators left the scene, NYPD officers recognized Roselien’s car from the prior robberies and pulled it over, arresting all four defendants.  Upon searching the car, officers recovered a loaded, stolen .45 caliber pistol, as well as cash and the stolen merchandise.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section.  Assistant United States Attorney Keith D. Edelman is in charge of the prosecution.  

Defendant Sentenced Today:

GREGORY ST. JUSTE
Age:  21
Brooklyn, New York

Defendant Previously Sentenced:

WENSLEY PAUL
Age: 25
Brooklyn, New York

Defendants Awaiting Sentencing:

MAX NARICSSE, JR.
Age: 25
Brooklyn, New York

JEFF ROSELIEN
Age: 31
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 16-CR-554 (DLI)

Contact

John Marzulli
Tyler Daniels
United States Attorney’s Office
(718) 254-6323

Updated January 25, 2018

Topics
Opioids
Project Safe Neighborhoods