U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney

District of Connecticut

PRESS RELEASE

February 5, 2009

NEW HAVEN MAN CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO INTERFERE WITH COMMERCE BY ROBBERY

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an Indictment today charging MARCELAS HINES, also known as “Cell,” 23, of Emerson Street, New Haven, with conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by committing robbery.

The Indictment alleges that, in December 2008, HINES and others conspired to interfere with interstate commerce by committing robbery at the intersection of Carmel and Percival streets in New Haven.

If convicted, HINES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney Dannehy stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Haven Police Department pursuant to the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Mattei.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents of Connecticut’s cities. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.