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Press Release

Union County Man Sentenced to 407 Months in Prison for Multiple Armed Robberies and Firearms Offenses

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County man was sentenced today to 407 months in prison for participating in a multi-state armed robbery spree that spanned several months, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Vincent Chan-Guillen, 33, was convicted on March 8, 2023, of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during a Hobbs Act robbery, three counts of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, three counts of brandishing a firearm during a Hobbs Act robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Chan-Guillen was convicted following a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler, who imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial:

Chan-Guillen committed nine armed robberies between August 2018 and November 2018 – five in New York and four in New Jersey. During each robbery, Chan-Guillen brandished a firearm, which he pointed at store employees and customers. The New Jersey robberies victimized liquor stores in Elizabeth, Woodbridge Township, Bloomfield, and Linden. 

In addition to the prison term, Judge Chesler sentenced Chan-Guillen to five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s conviction. He also credited the Elizabeth, Rahway, Woodbridge, Bloomfield, Linden, Kenilworth, Union, and Lyndhurst police departments; the New Jersey State Police; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Division; and the New York Police Department for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Grace, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Mezzanotte of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.

Updated December 11, 2023

Topic
Violent Crime
Press Release Number: 23-367