PORTLAND, Maine: A Manchester, New Hampshire man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy, robbery and firearm charges stemming from a violent home invasion in York, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
According to court records, in August 2019, Jason Candelario, 33, and three other co-conspirators met in Hooksett, New Hampshire and planned a home invasion of a York residence to rob marijuana and marijuana sale proceeds from the home’s resident. The group traveled to the York residence where Candelario and one co-conspirator, armed with handguns and wearing masks, waited in the woods for the victim to return home. When the victim arrived home, accompanied by two others, a violent physical altercation ensued. During the fight, a firearm was discharged, and the bullet struck the victim in the lower abdomen. Candelario and the co-conspirator fled. Police arrived approximately 15 minutes later, and the victim was rushed to the hospital where he underwent surgery to remove a .45 caliber bullet from his lower abdomen.
At the time of the home invasion Candelario had four prior felony convictions and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law.
Candelario faces a period of imprisonment of up to 20 years on the conspiracy charge, up to 20 years on the robbery charge and up to 10 years on the firearm charge. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Co-conspirator Derek Daprato, 34, from Hookset, New Hampshire entered a plea of not guilty and is scheduled for trial in December.
The FBI, in conjunction with the York Police Department and the York County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the case.
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