An Edgartown man, identified as Miquel Antonio Jones, aged 33, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Boston yesterday for charges related to an armed bank robbery and conspiracy, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Jones, along with Omar Johnson and Tevin Porter, executed a robbery at the Rockland Trust Bank in Tisbury on November 17, 2022. The trio donned plastic masks and dark clothing to disguise their identities during the crime which netted approximately $39,100.
During the robbery, Jones and his accomplices, who were armed with semi-automatic handguns, forcefully entered the bank and coerced an employee to open the bank's vault. After collecting the stolen cash, the bank staff were restrained with duct tape and plastic zip ties. In a move that echoed tropes often seen in heist movies, the robbers then demanded and took off in an employee's vehicle, which they later abandoned in a state forest as part of their escape plan. Romane Clayton, another alleged accomplice, is scheduled to plead guilty on Thursday, September 12, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office announcement.
After evading authorities by fleeing in a second vehicle left by Clayton, Jones went to a local farm to dispose of the robbery equipment, including burying the firearms and burning their disguises. He then hid the stolen money in his bedroom, under a bureau. His actions conclude a story of premeditation, collaboration, and attempted evasion of law enforcement, as detailed in court documents.
While Johnson and Jones tried to erase their tracks on the island, Porter, and allegedly Clayton, left via ferry. However, their freedom was short-lived as they have since pleaded guilty to their roles in the bank heist. They join Jones in awaiting sentencing, with Johnson and Porter’s dates set, and Jones’ on December 2, 2024. The severity of their crimes could result in sentences of up to 25 years in prison and significant fines, highlighting the harsh consequences of choices driven by lawlessness and desperation.
The combined efforts of federal and local agencies, including the FBI, state and municipal police departments, and others, played a critical role in the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan C. Cleary is prosecuting this case, which presents a straightforward yet severe narrative of crime and its consequences. As always, and according to the law, those still awaiting trial in connection to this case are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
