Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Armed Robbery at Church

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Say-Quan Pollack was sentenced by United States District Judge William F. Kuntz II to 87 months in prison for his role in an armed robbery at a church (the Church) in Brooklyn on July 24, 2022.  Pollack and his co-conspirators stole more $400,000 in jewelry from the pastor and his wife during a religious service.  As part of the sentence, Pollack was ordered to pay $402,639 in restitution to the victims.  Pollack pleaded guilty in November 2023 to Hobbs Act robbery.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Tommy Kalogiros, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Division (ATF), and Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.

“Pollack has been held accountable for committing a bold robbery in a house of worship with a gun, terrorizing the men, women, and children participating in the religious service that Sunday morning,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Today’s sentence shows that such despicable and dangerous conduct will be punished with significant time in prison.  For those victims who were traumatized by this violent crime carried out in a setting where they had gone to pray and worship, it is my hope that they find some closure in the prosecution of the defendants.”

ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kalogiros stated, “This verdict sends a clear message that violent acts have consequences. Here, the defendant’s brazen armed robbery at a church earned him a lengthy prison sentence. This outcome affirms the unwavering commitment of ATF/NYPD’s Strategic Pattern Armed Robbery Technical Apprehension (SPARTA) Group and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York to stop those who wreak havoc in our city. This outcome was a product of the strong relationship ATF cultivates with our state and local partners which allow us to keep the community safe by identifying, investigating and apprehending those that commit acts of violence.”

“Today’s sentencing holds Mr. Pollack accountable for his shameless acts and serves as a stark reminder to others who might think of committing similarly egregious crimes,” stated NYPD Commissioner Caban. “With justice served, the NYPD and our partners at the ATF and the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York will continue doing everything possible to keep the public safe and ensure that there are always consequences for nefarious behavior.”

On the morning of July 24, 2022, Pollack, Juwan Anderson and Shamar Leggette —wearing masks and clad all in black—entered the Church brandishing guns and interrupting the religious service attended by parishioners both in person and via a live-stream.  The lead pastor (Individual 1), who had been delivering a sermon from the pulpit, dove to the floor, while his wife (Individual 2) shielded their infant daughter who was sitting on her lap.  Pollack initially stood guard at the doorway, pointing a gun in the direction of the parishioners and the pulpit.  Leggette, also wielding a gun, approached Individual 2 and pulled jewelry off her person, and Anderson grabbed jewelry from Individual 1 as he lay facedown on the floor.  Pollack then approached Individual 1 and, pointing a gun at his head, made sure that all of his jewelry had been removed by his co-conspirators.    

Pollack and Anderson were arrested in September 2022.  In December 2023, Anderson pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and is awaiting sentencing.  Charges against Leggette were dismissed following his death in January 2024.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section.  Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca M. Schuman is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Assistant United States Attorney Miranda Gonzalez.

The Defendant:

SAY-QUAN POLLACK (also known as “Say-Quan Pollock”)
Age:  25
Brooklyn, New York

Co-Defendant to be Sentenced:

JUWAN ANDERSON
Age:  25
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-428 (WFK)