Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 125 Months in Prison for Stabbing Pharmacy Employee and Attempted Robbery

 

Defendant was Sentenced Following His Guilty Plea to Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery

 In federal court in Brooklyn, Rayvaughn Williams was sentenced by United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis to 125 months’ imprisonment following his guilty plea to attempted Hobbs Act robbery in connection with his August 12, 2019 attempt to rob a pharmacy in Canarsie, Brooklyn, during which Williams repeatedly stabbed a pharmacy employee.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John B. DeVito, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.

“Rayvaughn Williams tried to rob a neighborhood pharmacy and ended up senselessly, viciously attacking an innocent employee merely because he could not open the cash register fast enough,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Today’s sentence sends a message that those who engaged in violence in our communities will be held accountable.”

“This sentencing brings yet another violent criminal to justice,” stated ATF New York Special Agent-in-Charge DeVito. “This atrocious and unwarranted violent attack on an innocent person is unacceptable. Fortunately, the victim survived due to the quick response of the EMTs and the investigative efforts of our partners at NYPD’s Brooklyn Robbery Squad. ATF will continue to work with our partners to keep our communities safe.” 

“Violence will never be tolerated in our city,” stated NYPD Commissioner Sewell.  “And actions must have consequences. Today’s sentence removes a career criminal with multiple arrests for armed robbery from our streets, and the people of Brooklyn can breathe a little easier. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and all of our own officers and detectives who brought this case to a successful conclusion.” 

According to court filings and statements made by the defendant at his guilty plea proceeding, on August 12, 2019, Williams entered the Canarsie Plaza Pharmacy and claimed he was there to pick up a prescription.  When the employee could not find a record of the prescription, Williams removed a knife from a plastic bag he was carrying and demanded money.  When the employee tried but failed to open the register, Williams vaulted over the counter and stabbed the employee repeatedly.  The employee was seriously wounded, but survived the attack.