A Stoughton man received a three-year prison sentence for a series of armed robberies targeting USPS workers, as announced yesterday by federal authorities. Kenneth Demosthene, 24, faced the consequences of his actions in federal court in Boston for armed robberies that occurred in November and December of 2022. According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, the defendant pleaded guilty in July to multiple charges, including two counts of robbery and aiding and abetting, in addition to assaulting federal employees.
In the incident that took place on November 29, 2022, in Mattapan, and the subsequent one on December 16, 2022, in Hyde Park, Demosthene, along with an alleged accomplice, Myesha Lewis, targeted USPS letter carriers for their arrow keys, a tool used to open blue USPS collection boxes. These robberies are part of an alarming trend in Boston, as USPS has reported at least 23 assaults on its workers, 15 being armed, since July 2022. In the November attack, Demosthene forcefully took the key by snapping its brass chain from a worker's belt, while in the December robbery, a knife was brandished to intimidate and ultimately sever the key's chain. Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward led the announcement, citing collaborative efforts with the U.S. Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General for bringing Demosthene to justice.
Myesha Lewis, the alleged co-conspirator in these crimes, is expected to enter a guilty plea on October 30, according to court documents. Demosthene's sentencing includes not only prison time but also three years of supervised release once his term is completed. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution.
Notably, the authorities have emphasized that the charges against Lewis are merely allegations, and like any defendant in the U.S. legal system, she remains presumed innocent until proven guilty. The importance of this presumption is integral to our justice system, underscoring the balance between the prosecution's charges and the defense's rights. The court will determine the outcome based on evidence and legal arguments presented in due course.
