Brooklyn man sentenced to 125 months for stabbing Canarsie pharmacy worker

Victim said he felt disgusted by attack, asked assaulter to repent

July 7, 2022 Brooklyn Eagle Staff
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On Thursday in Brooklyn federal court, Rayvaughn Williams was sentenced to 125 month’s imprisonment following a guilty plea to attempted Hobbs Act robbery in relation to Williams’ August 12, 2019, attempt to rob Canarsie Plaza Pharmacy on Flatlands Avenue.

Williams was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis.

As the victim established in testimony, Williams had asked to refill a prescription, and when the victim said they had no record of his prescription, Williams withdrew a knife from a plastic bag and demanded money. When the employee failed to open the register to retrieve the money, Williams repeatedly stabbed the employee with a knife. The victim was seriously injured but survived the attack.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Pollack is in charge of the prosecution against Williams.

Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John B. DeVito, Special Agent-in-Charge, ATF Bureau, and Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, announced the sentence.

U.S. Attorney Breon Peace speaks to members of the media outside federal court, Wednesday, June 29, 2022, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. AP Photo/John Minchillo

“Rayvaughn Williams tried to rob a neighborhood pharmacy and ended up senselessly, viciously attacking an innocent employee merely because he could not open the cash register fast enough,” said U.S. Attorney Peace.

“Today’s sentence sends a message that those who engage in violence in our communities will be held accountable.”

“This sentencing brings yet another violent criminal to justice,” said ATF New York Special Agent-in-Charge DeVito. “This atrocious and unwarranted violent attack on an innocent person is unacceptable. Fortunately, the victim survived due to the quick response of the EMTs and the investigative efforts of our partners at NYPD’s Brooklyn Robbery Squad.”

“Violence will never be tolerated in our city,” stated NYPD Commissioner Sewell, “And actions must have consequences. Today’s sentence removes a career criminal with multiple arrests for armed robbery from our streets, and the people of Brooklyn can breathe a little easier.”

U.S. District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis. Eagle photo by Rob Abruzzese

During the trial, the victim had made a formal statement directed toward Williams – granted by the judge – asking Williams to “consider his ways” and repent, emphasizing his “replete melancholy.”

“Now to my assailant, I hope you return as a transformed individual ready to help mitigate the unconscionable inhumane attacks asphyxiating the society and to assist in ameliorating it for future generations,” said the victim at trial.

“I have forgiven you so promise yourself not to relapse into such execrable behavior. My advice is that you consider your ways and repent. Let’s fill our streets, neighborhoods with love, care and compassion for each other, and enjoy this evanescent life to the fullest. Indisputably, we are all ephemerons, so let us spend our days here profitably. Again, you are very young and you can turn your life around with the plethora of opportunities this country offers.

“As an immigrant, I started taking my prerequisites at the age of 34, entered pharmacy school at 36 and graduated at 41. Hence you are too young to squander your God-given life on terrorizing fellow human beings whilst there is a lot of potentials lying fallow in you. You can do it, so start thinking in that perspective and you will realize how society will benefit from you before you leave this earth.”

Rayvaughn Williams, 26, of Canarsie, Brooklyn, who stabbed a pharmacy employee and caused serious almost life-threatening injuries.
Photo courtesy of the 69th precinct of the NYPD on Twitter, @NYPD69Pct
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