A murder charge has been filed against a man accused of orchestrating a complex robbery scheme aimed at acquiring immigration documents for work visas, resulting in the death of his accomplice.
William Winfrey, aged 30, was apprehended on April 3 in connection with the death of his accomplice, 22-year-old Rasshauud Scott, who was fatally shot during a botched robbery, as stated by Houston Police.
ARRESTED: Booking photo of William Xavier Winfrey, 30, now charged with murder for his role in the fatal shooting of a man at 11095 Ella Boulevard on Jan. 27.
More info: https://t.co/mW1tbcCVna pic.twitter.com/SpZKnOoFyP
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) April 8, 2024
According to authorities, Winfrey, Scott, and the victims collaborated on a plan where they would stage robberies to facilitate the victims’ acquisition of U-visas, granting them eligibility for US work permits under immigration laws tailored for victims of specific crimes.
Surveillance footage from a gas station depicted Scott approaching a couple’s vehicle at a pump and robbing them. As he attempted to flee, a bystander, unrelated to the scheme, intervened and shot Scott, leading to his demise.
Investigators uncovered incriminating text messages on Winfrey’s phone, revealing his involvement in planning the scheme with Scott and the victims, along with prior staged robberies in the past year that facilitated victims’ acquisition of work visas.
Houston police clarified that the individual who fatally shot Scott was not involved in the scheme and was subsequently questioned and released.
The tragic incident unfolded at a gas station in northwest Houston on Ella Blvd on January 27. Winfrey is currently detained without bond, awaiting further legal proceedings.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office affirmed that the case will be presented to a grand jury for further review.
