A Lowell man involved in multiple armed bank robberies in Worcester last year has been given a prison sentence exceeding six years. The sentence was issued yesterday according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Joselito Santiago-Matias, 38, after pleading guilty to several charges, faces 76 months behind bars followed by five years of supervised release, in addition to having to pay back over $20,000 in restitution.
Reportedly, Santiago-Matias robbed three banks in April of 2023. On April 3rd, he targeted the Santander Bank, walking out with $7,560. The next robbery, carrying a firearm, Santiago-Matias made off with $2,150 from Berkshire Bank on April 12th, 2023. Only a week later, he entered another Santander Bank, brandishing a firearm once more and escaping with $10,818. The announcement came from a cooperation between the Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division, and the Worcester Police Department.
During the sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman handed down the decision for Santiago-Matias to serve his time, followed by a supervised release. The Justice Department's release stated that Santiago-Matias had confessed to one count of bank robbery and two counts of armed bank robbery in May of 2024.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan D. O'Shea, who prosecuted the case, was part of the team that announced the sentencing. Engaged in the investigative process, alongside Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, was Jodi Cohen, the Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Boston Division, and Worcester Police Department Interim Chief Paul B. Saucier, all of whom played pivotal roles in bringing Santiago-Matias to justice, it has been acknowledged.
