Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced on Friday, Aug. 26, that defendant, Grant Donavan, pled guilty on Friday in Manhattan federal court to participating in the armed robbery of murder victim, Jercar Brooks, in the Wakefield section of The Bronx on Jan. 23, 2014. As part of his guilty plea, Grant admitted that during the robbery, he shot and killed Brooks.

 

In the context of the announcement, Williams said, “Eight years ago, Jercar Brooks was murdered inside his apartment in The Bronx. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the New York City Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Donovan Grant has now been held accountable for this senseless crime. Together with our law enforcement partners, this office will continue to bring justice to the victims of violent crime.”

 

According to the prosecution, based on the allegations put forth in the context of the charges, other documents filed in federal court, as well as statements made in public court proceedings, on Jan. 23, 2014, Grant planned to rob Brooks at gunpoint during a supposed marijuana deal. The prosecution team said he brought a gun and a bag of pretend money to Brooks’ apartment, located at East 233rd Street in the Wakefield section of The Bronx, intending to take the marijuana by force if the plan to deceive Brooks was unsuccessful.

 

The prosecution team said that during the course of the armed robbery, Grant shot Brooks two times and killed him, then fled the building, taking the marijuana that he had planned to steal with him.

Grant, 60, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951, which carries a maximum term of twenty years in prison.

 

The maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only. Any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

The case is being handled by the Office of Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Swergold and Mollie Bracewell are in charge of the prosecution.

 

Grant is scheduled to be sentenced before the Hon. Alvin K. Hellerstein on Nov. 28.