TRIAL ILLUMINATES DRUG WORLD

Case Details 'Shocking, Violent And Downright Ruthless' Crimes

A Rochester man plotted and executed a series of frenzied robberies
of drug houses, federal prosecutors allege.

In a trial in U.S. District Court, prosecutors contend that Thomas
"T-Real" Lofton, 35, was the mastermind behind home invasion
robberies in 2002 and 2003. In a closing argument Monday, Assistant
U.S. Attorney Douglas Gregory painted the robberies as "nothing short
of shocking, violent and downright ruthless."

The case, which included seven days of testimony, marks the second
time that federal authorities in Rochester have used a federal
statute called the Hobbs Act to try to stymie drug-related violence.

The Hobbs Act prohibits robbery or extortion that impedes interstate
commerce. And, prosecutors argue, drug house robberies violate the
Hobbs Act because most illegal drugs on Rochester's streets originate
from outside of the country.

Federal courts have allowed the approach, and the previous case in
Rochester -- a 2002 criminal trial -- led to three convictions and
lengthy prison sentences.

Like that case, the current federal trial has included sometimes
shocking testimony alleging unconscionable acts of violence and brutality.

Authorities suspect Lofton was involved in eight or more home
invasion-style robberies or hold-ups of drug dealers. Two of the
robberies prompted wild shoot-outs, authorities say.

Prosecutors allege that Lofton, masked and dressed in black during
one robbery, savagely beat a woman in one drug house. Then, days
later when he saw the woman on the street, he flirted with her,
knowing she did not recognize him, according to testimony from the victim.

In that same robbery, a dog was stabbed in the chest.

Rochester resident Vaughon Austin, 19, alleged in testimony that he
participated with Lofton and two other men in that 2003 home invasion
- -- a robbery of the apartment of drug dealer James "Boo" Washington.
Austin said he tried to entice a 4-year-old girl who lived in the
house to lead them to where her father hid his cocaine.

"She was like, 'He kept it over here, he kept it over there,'" Austin
said. "We looked everywhere. We couldn't find nothing."

But Austin's testimony, defense lawyer Michael Tallon argued, was
typical of the building blocks of the prosecution case. Austin
admitted that he'd been given immunity. "If I tell the truth, I walk," he said.

Similarly, Tallon said in his closing argument, prosecution witnesses
lied to save themselves from criminal charges or to receive reduced
sentences for crimes they committed.

"The same hustles that go on in the streets in this city every day
.. those are the same hustles that are in here (in the courtroom)
now," Tallon told the jury.

Washington also testified about the robbery of his apartment, and
how, he alleged, it led to the July 2003 slaying of Henry Anthony,
gunned down outside a Joseph Avenue fish market.

Washington said he suspected Anthony of the robbery. Washington
testified that Brandon "B-Low" Latson offered to kill Anthony for a
half-kilogram -- or half a "brick" -- of cocaine from the man
Washington said was his supplier, William E. "Red" Banks.

Banks "said half a brick was too much," Washington testified. The
street value was about $15,000 for a half-kilogram, Washington said.

Latson then offered to kill Anthony for $3,000, and Banks agreed to
pay, Washington testified. Anthony "was killed a couple hours later
on Joseph Avenue," Washington said in testimony last week.

Latson and Banks have been charged in the slaying. Banks is on trial this week.

Washington has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and agreed to
testify against the others he alleged were involved in the slaying.

Under the agreement with the Monroe County District Attorney's
Office, Washington would receive a prison sentence of 20 years to life.

The jury in Lofton's case began deliberations Monday. He faces a
maximum sentence of life in prison.