*Say-Quan Pollack, an ex-con who robbed Brooklyn preacher Lamor Whitehead, is seeking a lighter sentence by highlighting Whitehead’s criminal history.
Pollack’s defense attorney, Gary Villanueva, argued in a letter to the judge that Whitehead, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for defrauding parishioners, should be considered a career fraudster, which could influence Pollack’s sentencing, New York Post reports.
Pollack pleaded guilty to federal robbery for the July 2022 incident at Whitehead’s church during a live-streamed sermon. According to Villanueva, Pollack had a troubled childhood and was close to starting a new career in underwater welding when he was arrested. The letter to Judge William Kuntz mentioned Whitehead’s past crimes, including swindling $7.2 million from parishioners.
Villanueva cited Pollack’s difficult upbringing and his near-missed job opportunity as reasons for leniency.
“The arrest, trial and conviction of Bishop Lamor Whitehead, one of the victims here, bears mention and consideration by the Court,” attorney Villanueva wrote.
“Although the Bishop’s crimes and conviction do not exonerate Say-Quan nevertheless they are factors which the Court may consider in fashioning a reasonable sentence that is not greater than necessary to achieve valid penological goals,” the attorney’s letter states.
Pollack and Juwan Anderson are scheduled to be sentenced this month for their involvement in the robbery. Meanwhile, per The Post, the third gunman, Shamar Leggette, was killed during a shootout with law enforcement in New Jersey in January.
We reported earlier that Whitehead, who led the Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries in Canarsie (NYC), was sentenced in June to nine years in prison after being convicted of swindling a parishioner’s mother out of her life savings among other cons.
In March, a jury found Whitehead a/k/a the “Bling Bishop” guilty on five counts, including wire fraud, attempted extortion, lying to the FBI, and related charges stemming from three separate fraudulent schemes that bilked unsuspecting victims out of tens of thousands of dollars.
“I don’t see any remorse for your conduct,” Judge Schofield told the pastor, highlighting the overwhelming evidence against the pastor, reports the NY Daily News.
“Lamor Whitehead is a con man who stole millions of dollars in a string of financial frauds and even stole from one of his own parishioners. He lied to federal agents, and again to the Court at his trial. Today’s sentence puts an end to Whitehead’s various schemes and reflects this Office’s commitment to bring accountability to those who abuse their positions of trust,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams in a statement following the sentencing.
READ MORE FROM EURWEB.COM: Lamor Whitehead: Brooklyn ‘Bling Bishop’ Sentenced to Nine Years for Financial Scams
