Lowell Man Pleads Guilty to Worcester Bank Robberies

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By Staff Writer | iSkyCreations - News & Media (ISC News & Media)
Published May 2nd, 2024

BOSTON, MA — Joselito Santiago-Matias, a 38-year-old resident of Lowell, entered a guilty plea yesterday for his involvement in three separate bank robberies that occurred in Worcester in April 2023. The proceedings took place in the U.S. District Court, where Judge Margaret R. Guzman set the sentencing date for July 24, 2024.

Santiago-Matias was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2023, facing charges for one count of bank robbery and two counts of armed bank robbery. The series of crimes began on April 3, 2023, with the robbery of a Santander Bank. It escalated with armed robberies at Berkshire Bank on April 12 and another Santander Bank on April 19, where Santiago-Matias wielded a gun.

The legal repercussions for these crimes are severe. The charge of bank robbery can result in up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The armed bank robbery charges are even more stringent, with each count carrying the possibility of up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000.

These sentences are subject to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the discretion of the federal district court judge, who will determine the final sentence based on the severity of the crimes and any mitigating factors.

The case was announced by Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, along with Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, and Worcester Police Department Interim Chief Paul B. Saucier. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan D. O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is leading the prosecution.

For Immediate Release: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts

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