Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III, announces that 22 year old Marlin Haynes of Buffalo, pleaded guilty as charged to four counts of Robbery in the First Degree before State Supreme Court Justice Penny M. Wolfgang. These were the highest charges for which Haynes could have been convicted had he gone to trial. In other words, Haynes did not receive a so-called “plea bargain” and was instead prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

On June 30, 2014, Haynes robbed over $1,000 and several cell phones at gunpoint from the store manager and three customers at a City of Buffalo Cricket Wireless store. A witness provided the police with the license plate number of the getaway car. Officers Michael Coppola and Joseph Nigro located the car the next day. Haynes was found inside the car and arrested. When questioned by the police, Haynes initially offered an alibi but later admitted that he committed the robberies and discarded the guns that he had used. The police found the stolen cell phones at the home of defendant’s girlfriend, and the batteries for the phones inside Haynes’ pockets.

Haynes faces a maximum of 25 years in state prison for each robbery count when he is sentenced before Judge Wolfgang on January 15, 2015. The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Paul J. Williams, III, who is assigned to DA Sedita’ Felony Trials Bureau.