Westchester County CO Accused Of Armed Robbery: Feds

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — A former Westchester County Jail correction officer and a Mount Vernon man were accused of robbing someone at gunpoint.

Additionally, the correction officer was accused of returning to intimidate one of the robbery victims.

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said Wednesday that Recaldo Fray, 31, of Mount Vernon, who was a correction officer at Westchester County Jail in Valhalla, was charged Jan. 15 with committing an armed robbery in Newburgh and later returning to Newburgh to intimidate the robbery victim.

Fray applied for bail, which the court denied, and has been detained.

Williams also said that Kaheem Palmer, 31, of Mount Vernon, was charged Monday, with committing the armed robbery along with Fray.

Palmer made a bail application, which was denied by the court, and was detained.

Williams said the two men are alleged to have committed a gunpoint robbery of two people, restraining them and stealing their cash and marijuana.

“Fray allegedly betrayed his sworn duty to uphold the law, and he will now experience the justice system not as a partner, but as an accused violent offender,” he said. “Both men will be held accountable for their alleged violent and brazen behavior.”

Prosecutors said, on Dec. 4, Fray and Palmer forced their way into a residence in Newburgh, restrained the two people inside and stole at gunpoint various items of value, including a large quantity of marijuana and about $4,500 in cash.

Fray then returned to the same residence on Dec. 16 and tried to threaten and intimidate one of the victims.

Westchester County Department of Correction Commissioner Joseph Spano said that Fray’s employment with the county has been terminated.

“It’s both disgraceful and upsetting when one of our correction officers betrays their oath to serve and protect as sworn peace officers,” he said. “Moreover, the alleged actions of this individual tarnish the reputation of all honest and dedicated correction officers.”

Fray is charged with one count of Hobbs Act robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of use, carrying and possession of a firearm that was brandished, in furtherance of a crime of violence, which carries a minimum sentence of seven years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed and maximum sentence of life in prison, and one count of tampering with a witness or victim, and attempting to do the same, which carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Palmer is charged with one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of use, carrying and possession of a firearm, which was brandished, in furtherance of a crime of violence.