BRONX MAN IS CHARGED WITH WITNESS TAMPERING

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 23 year-old Bronx robbery suspect has been arrested and charged with witness tampering.

Samora Stewart, of 1261 East 224th Street, was charged with Bribing a Witness, Tampering with a Witness in the 4th degree, Criminal Contempt, Possession of a Weapon in the 4th degree and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. Stewart was arraigned in Bronx Criminal Court before Judge Robert E. Torres and was ordered held without bail. If convicted of the most serious charge Stewart faces a sentence of up to 7 years imprisonment.

Stewart was scheduled to begin trial on charges of Robbery in the 1st degree, Robbery in the 3rd degree and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 4th degree stemming from his alleged involvement in the September 13, 2001 gunpoint robbery of Troy Moratta. Stewart faces a term of up to 25 years imprisonment for these charges.

It is alleged that Stewart arranged a meeting with his victim in an effort to persuade him to drop the robbery charges. Following a two month investigation by Bronx District Attorney’s Detective Investigators Deputy Chief Investigator Frank Viggiano and Senior Detective Investigator John Wall the defendant was subsequently arrested.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Larry Hartstein of the Investigations Unit is prosecuting this case.