A man accused of robbing a well-known Brooklyn pastor at gunpoint during a live-streamed church service last year reneged on a plea deal just moments before appearing in federal court on Tuesday — creating what Judge William F. Kuntz II called an “awkward” situation in the pursuit of justice.
“This is real life. We are not playing here,” Kuntz told defendant Say-Quan Pollack in court. “You want to go to trial, we’ll go to trial.”
Pollack and a second man, Juwan Anderson, both 25, were indicted on robbery and gun charges last September. They face at least a decade behind bars if convicted, law enforcement officials said after their arrest. Pollack had signed a plea agreement, but withdrew it on Tuesday. Anderson, who is out on bond, has pleaded not guilty. A third person has not been located, according to prosecutors.
Both defendants are now expected to stand trial next March, if they do not reach plea deals with prosecutors before then. Pollack’s attorney declined to comment after the hearing.
A video of the robbery shows Bishop Lamor Whitehead — who is known for his expensive taste in jewelry, clothing and cars — preaching at the pulpit of Leaders of Tomorrow International Church in Canarsie. Suddenly, he utters, “Yo, alright, alright, alright,” and drops to the floor. Then, the video shows masked men dressed in all black walking onto the pulpit and approaching the pastor as he continues to lie on the floor before leaving.
Federal prosecutors said the men entered the church with guns drawn and robbed Whitehead while parishioners watched, some in person and others on the livestream.
Police said the men stole more than $1 million worth of jewelry from Whitehead and his wife — a figure he has disputed. An itemized list of stolen items that Gothamist obtained from the NYPD after the robbery listed a $390,000 chain, a $125,000 wedding ring, a $75,000 Rolex and a $20,000 emerald cross, among other expensive items.
In an interview after the…
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