POUGHKEEPSIE – Four men were arraigned on a 25-count grand jury indictment for a hate crime they allegedly committed in December of last year. The top count of the indictment is armed robbery as a hate crime.
Appearing individually before Dutchess County Court Judge Edward McLoughlin on Monday, each of the defendants, through their attorneys, entered pleas of not guilty.
The four Dover men were arrested following an investigation into a home invasion robbery that occurred at a residence on Market Street at 11:53 p.m. on Monday, December 6, 2021.
Joshua Benson, 40, Joshua Benson Jr., 23, Nicholas Gast, 34, and Darius Robinson, 19, targeted the victims based on their nationality, according to the DA’s Office and State Police.
Assistant DA David Kunca noted that three of the defendants had lengthy criminal histories, including Joshua Benson who has been to prison for an armed robbery in the past. After Judge McLoughlin, remanded Benson to jail without bail, the shackled suspect turned to the gallery and threatened a person, saying “I am going to kill you when I get out.” His attorney, Kelley Enderley, was not pleased with her client’s outburst, but said, “Anger and frustration can get the best of anyone in a stressful courtroom situation.”
Joshua Benson Jr. was released from prison in May of 2021 and was on parole when he allegedly took part in the December home invasion. He was remanded to Dutchess County Jail without bail on the latest charges.
Defendant Gast was also denied bail, with McLoughlin noting that Gast allegedly committed the latest crimes while on parole for two burglary convictions. Prosecutors say that Gast was armed with the handgun and fired a shot during the incident.
Robinson, the only defendant represented by the public defender, entered a not guilty plea and McLoughlin set bail at $50,000. ADA Kunca told the court that Robinson “By far has the least criminal history.” He is on probation for a drug possession charge and has a pending grand larceny charge stemming from a November incident in Dover.
