Upton Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Multiple Banks

Boston – An Upton man pleaded guilty to robbing four banks in a two-week period and making off with $49,000.

Brandon Coldwell, 21, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris to four counts of bank robbery.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 3, 2015.

On Sept. 11, 2014, Coldwell kicked off a two-week crime spree by robbing the Mt. Washington Bank in Dorchester.  Thereafter, Coldwell robbed a Citizen’s Bank branch in Brookline on Sept. 17, another Citizen’s Bank in Milton two days later, and a third Citizen’s Bank in Framingham on Sept. 24.  In total, Coldwell stole $49,000 in less than two weeks.

In all four robberies, Coldwell threatened to shoot bank employees if the tellers did not comply with his demands for cash.  Law enforcement identified Coldwell as the perpetrator based on his unique arm tattoos, which were captured on bank surveillance video.  During the weeks he committed the robberies, Coldwell was also active on social media and posted pictures of himself wearing the clothing he wore when he committed the crimes as well as displaying his arm tattoos.

The charging statute provides a sentence on each count of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Colonel Timothy P. Alben, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; made the announcement today.  Assistance was also provided by the Boston, Brookline, Milton, and Framingham Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordi de Llano of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.