Federal Firearm, Robbery, Drug Trafficking Charges Filed In Alleged Robbery And Shootout In Woonsocket Residence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Federal criminal complaints have been filed in U.S. District Court in Providence charging Tyronne Seams, 27, of Woonsocket, R.I., and David Bunnell, 21, of Franklin, Mass., with conspiracy, use of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking and while committing a crime of violence, drug trafficking and Hobbs Act robbery in connection with an alleged robbery and shootout in a Woonsocket apartment on September 12, 2013, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas S. Carey.

In addition, Seams is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to an affidavit in support of criminal complaints filed with the court, in the early morning hours of September 12, 2013, Woonsocket Police responded to reports of gunfire at a multi-family residence. Upon arrival, Woonsocket officers encountered Seams and Bunnell allegedly leaving the building. According to the affidavit, the two men went back inside the building where they were located by the officers.

According to the affidavit, Bunnell was located in the basement where officers also seized a sawed-off shotgun and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Seams was located on the floor of a second floor landing suffering from an apparent gun shot. Police seized a packet containing approximately 200 grams of cocaine from Seams’ pocket and a .41 caliber revolver was located nearby.

According to the affidavit, inside a second floor apartment officers discovered a substantial amount of blood; numerous spent shell casings from at least two firearms; bullet holes in the kitchen counter, bathroom door and bathroom wall; an individual with a head wound from blunt force trauma; and materials allegedly associated with the preparation and sale of drugs.

According to the affidavit, another individual who allegedly suffered a gunshot wound while at the residence made his way out of the building before police arrived and drove himself to a nearby hospital.

According to the affidavit, the investigation revealed that Seams and Bunnell forcibly stole cocaine from inside the apartment and jointly inflicted physical violence on the apartment and persons inside the apartment in the course of the robbery.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.

Woonsocket Police were assisted in the investigation of this matter by agents and officers from ATF, DEA Drug Task Force, Rhode Island State Police, North Smithfield Police Department and the Franklin and Blackstone, Mass., Police Departments.

Contact: 401-709-5357
USARI.Media@usdoj.gov