08-11-04 -- Williams, Eddie Rahman et. al. -- Indictment -- News Release

Two Newark Men Indicted for Role in Armed Robberies at Three New Jersey Check-Cashing Stores

NEWARK - Two Newark men, alleged to be part of a gang of individuals who committed armed robberies of check-cashing stores in Englewood, Parsippany and South River, were indicted today, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Eddie Rahman Williams, 32, and Kevin McCray, 44, were charged in a five-count Indictment with conspiring with Issiah Howard, 36, and Ernest Johnson, 46, to burglarize check-cashing stores in three New Jersey cities, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard E. Constable, III. It is alleged that prior to each robbery Williams, McCray and their co-conspirators conducted surveillance on the check-cashing stores. During the robberies, the men wore gloves and masks to conceal their identities, and Williams was armed with a handgun supplied by McCray, according to the Indictment.

According to the Indictment, the night before each robbery the men cut holes in the roofs or side walls of the check-cashing stores. They then waited on the roofs or immediately outside until they heard an employee deactivate the alarm. Once an alarm was deactivated the defendants and their co-conspirators would barge into a store brandishing a gun, strike the store's employees, force them to open the store's safe or vault and leave the employees handcuffed inside.

The gang stole approximately $240,000 in cash during the following robberies: Sept. 1, 2001, Garden State Check Cashing in Englewood, $90,000; Sept. 29, 2001, All Checks Cashing in Parsippany, $28,000; and Nov. 9, 2001, Quick Cash, Inc., in South River, $122,000.

The five-count Indictment charges Williams and McCray, who were both arrested last fall and are currently in federal custody, with conspiracy to commit robbery in Count One, and robbery of the Englewood, Parsippany and South River check-cashing stores in Counts Two through Four. Count Five charges Williams and McCray with using a weapon during the robbery of the Parsippany store.

Howard, of Irvington, and Johnson, of Newark, are both unindicted co-conspirators. They were also arrested last year, pleaded guilty, and are cooperating with law enforcement officials.

Williams and McCray face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 on each of the conspiracy and robbery charges. Both also face a maximum penalty of 7 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the weapons charge.

Christie credited Special Agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Joseph Billy, Jr., with developing the case against Williams, McCray, Howard and Johnson.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Constable of the U.S. Criminal Division in Newark.

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Defense Counsel:

Michael Pedicini, Esq., Morristown, for Eddie Rahman Williams

David Glazer, Esq., Livingston for Kevin McCray