3 Freeport Residents Indicted In Murder, Robbery Scheme: DA

MINEOLA, NY — Two men and one woman from Freeport have been indicted for a September murder and robbery.

They were charged in connection to the killing of James Diamond, who was allegedly lured to Freeport to steal cash at gunpoint, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced on Friday.

Eric Baldwin, 25, of Freeport, was arraigned on Jan. 12 on several counts, the most serious: Second-degree murder and first-degree robbery. He faces a potential sentence of 40 years to life in prison.

Corey Grier, 27, of Freeport, and Todd Brant, 21, of Middle Island, were arraigned on Friday. They both face charges of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree robbery and second-degree robbery.

Brant faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison and Grier could face up 40 years to life in prison, if convicted.

Anyibel Madera, 23, of Freeport, was arraigned earlier this month on charges that include tampering with physical evidence.

"The defendants allegedly learned that James Diamond had just received a large amount of money as a result of a lawsuit settlement and saw an opportunity for a payday for themselves," Donnelly said in a statement. "After Diamond cashed the check, the defendants held him up at gunpoint and the victim was shot once in the chest as he struggled with his assailants. Detectives spent weeks investigating this case, canvassing for video and tracking the defendant’s cell phones, to make these arrests."

According to the indictment, on September 10, 2021, the deceased, James Diamond, and a friend, drove to a law firm in Long Beach to pick up a check for $55,000.00, that Diamond was awarded as part of a lawsuit.

After receiving the check, the pair picked up Corey Grier and drove to a check-cashing business. Grier then directed them in their vehicle to South Bay Avenue in Freeport and Diamond and his friend left to attempt to deposit the cash at a nearby bank, Donnelly said.

When Diamond and his friend returned to the location, Baldwin, and another male passenger from Brant’s vehicle, allegedly took Diamond and his friend out of their vehicle at gunpoint. A struggle ensued, and Diamond was shot once in the abdomen. According to the DA's office, Baldwin took Diamond’s bag filled with cash and fled.

After the shooting, Madera allegedly returned her license plates and sold the vehicle, according to the release by the DA's office.