Exotic Dancer Testifies 2 Men Were 'Reinforcements' in Farmington Home Invasion

A Former Exotic Dancer's Testimony in a High-Profile Robbery Case

In a courtroom in Hartford, a 28-year-old woman with a history of working in nightclubs and engaging in illegal activities took the stand to provide critical testimony in a case involving a violent home invasion. Mary Bradford, who once worked as an exotic dancer, bartender, and bottle server, is now the state’s key witness against two men accused of orchestrating a robbery that led to serious criminal charges.

Bradford testified that she first noticed the victim wearing a chain valued between $20,000 and $30,000 on social media. She targeted him for a meeting, but the plan was complicated by the fact that he would be accompanied by a friend. To ensure her safety and support, she enlisted the help of two men: Branden “Taz” Holloway and Joshua “Jinx” Jenkins. These individuals were described as her “reinforcements” during the incident.

On the night of the alleged crime, Holloway and Jenkins arrived at the scene wearing ski masks and dark clothing, carrying guns. The situation escalated into a violent confrontation, resulting in the victims being tied up, pistol-whipped, and subjected to sexual assault. Both defendants are facing multiple felony charges, including home invasion, robbery with a firearm, and sexual assault.

Bradford, who has pleaded guilty to three felony charges as part of a plea agreement, admitted to playing a significant role in the events leading up to the crime. In exchange for her cooperation, her prison sentence was limited to eight years or less. During her testimony, she described her background, which included a difficult upbringing marked by poverty and substance abuse. She dropped out of high school early to support her family and later worked in nightclubs, where she earned money through tips and other means.

She explained that she often targeted men with flashy jewelry, particularly those who appeared to be drug dealers. Her methods included reaching out to them on social media and luring them into situations where she could steal from them. At one point, she moved to Florida and promoted herself as a prostitute, using hotel rooms to steal jewelry before leaving without performing the act.

Back in Connecticut, she continued targeting men through her social media presence under the name “Lola.” She claimed to have over 10,000 followers and used this platform to identify potential victims based on their appearance and behavior. One of the men she targeted had previously seen her at a nightclub that was later shut down due to violence.

During the meeting, she noticed the man wearing a valuable chain and planned to take it. She followed the victims to their home, communicating with Holloway via WhatsApp, an encrypted messaging service. She acted as if she was drinking while the others prepared drinks. When they moved to the hot tub, she sent messages to Holloway, signaling his arrival.

As the masked men approached, the situation turned chaotic. Bradford said she jumped up and grabbed her belongings, hearing the defendants demand the location of the chain. The victims reportedly did not have it, and the situation deteriorated further. She described hearing a scream and witnessing the defendants use a mop and broom to attack the victims.

Bradford also admitted to not taking anything from the house and losing the phone she had during the incident. She revealed that she was pregnant when she was arrested in November 2022, and she initially minimized her role in the crime. However, under questioning, she confirmed that she orchestrated the home invasion on September 12, 2022. Her testimony provided crucial evidence in the ongoing legal proceedings against the two men involved.