Suspect Arrested in Daniel Simonds’ Case

Through an investigation by the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, NYS Police’s Major Crimes Unit and Drug Enforcement Administration, an arrest has been made in connection to the May 13 shooting of Daniel Simonds.

Simonds died later at a Vermont hospital from his wound.

At the time, the crime was suspected to be drug related.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Brian J. Latulipe, 27, of Bombay, was arrested on June 26, charged with conspiring to engage in a Hobbs Act robbery.

The Hobbs Act prohibits actual or attempted robbery or extortion affecting interstate or foreign commerce.

Officials say Latulipe was part of a group of people who arrived at Simonds’ 649 Porter Lynch Road, Stockholm residence with the intent to rob Simonds of his marijuana and money using physical force.

Latulipe is expected to be in a Syracuse federal court today and is scheduled for a detention hearing July 2.

Jeff Cole reports:

Get the Flash Player to see the wordTube Media Player.

U.S. Attorney’s Office News Release:
Glenn T. Suddaby, United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, and Nicole M. Duve, District Attorney for St. Lawrence County, announce the arrest today of Brian J. Latulipe, age 27, of 73 Reardon Road, Bombay, New York, 12914, pursuant to an Indictment charging him with conspiring to engage in a Hobbs Act robbery.

Latulipe made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Syracuse today and is being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 2, 2008 at 3 p.m.

The Indictment alleges that early on the morning of May 13, 2008, Latulipe, along with others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, planned and then went to Daniel Simonds’ residence at 649 Porter Lynch Road, Stockholm, New York, in St. Lawrence County, to rob Simonds of his marijuana and money by use of physical force, and while at the residence they did beat and shoot Simonds before fleeing the scene.

Simonds died of the gunshot wound seven hours later at a hospital in Vermont.

If convicted of this crime, Latulipe faces a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment,up to a $250,000 fine and up to five (5) years of supervised release following any period of incarceration.

The charges brought against Latulipe were the result of an investigation undertaken by the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s office in conjunction with the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s office, the New York State Police’s Major Crimes Unit and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (and St. Lawrence District Attorney) Nicole Duve, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John M. Katko are handling this prosecution on behalf of the United States.

Earlier Coverage of the Simonds’ Case