Erie Residents Admit Robbing Postal Station

ERIE, Pa - Two residents of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of robbery of a United States postal station, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Elijah Devon Sherrod, 19 and Latisha Marie Palochak, 23, each pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about July 16, 2013, the defendants robbed an individual of money and property that was under the control of the United States.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for June 9, 2014. The law provides for a total sentence of ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both for each defendant. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Palochak on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The EAGLE task force, which is comprised of members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Erie Police Department, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Sherrod and Palochak.