5 charged in robbery and murder in quiet Swan Lake, NY

Swan Lake region

According to the feds, "Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James R. Farrell, the Sullivan County District Attorney, Diego Rodriguez, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Joseph A. D’Amico, the Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), Michael A. Schiff, the Sullivan County Sheriff, Robert Mir, the Chief of the Village of Monticello Police Department, and Scott Kinne, the Chief of the Village of Liberty Police Department, announced the unsealing of a Superseding Indictment charging JEFFREY HERRING, TRAVIS DAVIS, JESSE HUMMEL, MARK MACK, and ANDREW REYNOLDS with the October 12, 2015, robbery and murder of Michael Northcote, 34, in Swan Lake, New York.   

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: “As alleged, these defendants undertook a violent home-invasion robbery, which resulted in the senseless murder of Michael Northcote.  I want to thank all our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, especially Sullivan County District Attorney James Farrell for his extraordinary partnership with our office in this important case.”

Sullivan County District Attorney James R. Farrell stated: “This indictment reflects the tireless work of all of the police officers, detectives, investigators, special agents and prosecutors assigned to this case, and their dedication to bringing those allegedly responsible for the robbery and homicide of Michael Northcote to justice. It is the product of unparalleled cooperation among local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies committed to holding accountable those who allegedly perpetrated these violent acts against Northcote, who was just 34 years old when he was killed during a home invasion. I would like to thank my colleagues in the United States Attorney's Office for their unwavering commitment to working together with my office and all of Sullivan County's law enforcement agencies. Our joint efforts make each of our agencies more effective than we would be if we worked independently of one another, which only enhances the safety of the Sullivan County community and strengthens our ability to do the right thing. This indictment is a step toward justice for Michael Northcote and his family, and I look forward to continued collaboration with our United States Attorney in this and other important cases.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Diego Rodriguez stated: “Violence isn’t limited to the big cities in this day and age.  However, when someone is robbed and murdered in their own home in a small town, it sends shockwaves through the community.  Our Safe Streets Task Forces work with our local law enforcement partners to keep this type of crime out of every neighborhood, big or small.”

New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico stated: “This indictment is the direct result of the continued collaboration between the State Police and our law enforcement partners on the local and federal level. Because of this partnership, five alleged dangerous criminals are now off the streets and will be fully prosecuted for their involvement in this case.”

Sullivan County Sheriff Michael A. Schiff stated: “Through the coordinated effort of all of the participating law enforcement agencies, we were able to have a multiplier effect on this case and were able to bring these defendants to justice. I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara, for taking on this case and ensuring that justice is served.”

Village of Monticello Police Chief Robert Mir stated: “Cooperation between all levels of law enforcement and the community are required to solve crimes. This impressive collaboration between the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, F.B.I., Monticello Police, Liberty Police, Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney General’s Office, has brought to justice several individuals who allegedly senselessly and viciously robbed and murdered a man. The Monticello Police Department is committed to our sworn oath and will continue to dedicate resources and work with our local, state and federal partners, in order to deliver the best police services. Too many people in our community have been lost to drugs and violence, and too many family members and friends are grieving. I hope that these arrests will bring some comfort and closure to the Northcote family.”

Village of Liberty Police Chief Scott Kinne stated: “The Village of Liberty Police remains committed to sharing our resources and working with all levels of law enforcement. All crimes, especially a violent crime of this nature, affect the residents of our county as a whole. Interagency cooperation is key in a case like this and because of this cooperation several violent criminals have been taken off the streets of Sullivan County.”

As alleged in the Superseding Indictment unsealed today in White Plains federal court,[1] on October 12, 2015, the defendants carried out a home-invasion robbery of Michael Northcote, a marijuana dealer, at 177 Cohen & Cohen Road, Swan Lake, New York.  In the course of the robbery, JEFFREY HERRING shot and killed Northcote."

What does New York City have to do with Swan Lake in this investigation I do not know. Perhaps a defendant lived here. Althlough mine was a white collar crime, I met individuals in MCC and MDC facing life.

If they are heading to Federal Prison, this is what they can expect....https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011GTWLOG