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Press Release

Man involved in Violent Robberies of AT&T Stores Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALEX JOSEPHS, 23, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 120 months of imprisonment for his involvement in a spree of violent robberies of AT&T stores in Connecticut and western Massachusetts.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2021, Josephs, Shaquille Raymond, Ronaldo Smith, and Deshawn Baugh committed several violent armed robberies of AT&T stores in Connecticut and western Massachusetts.  The perpetrators typically entered the stores shortly before closing, pointed weapons at employees, and, at times, pistol-whipped, dragged and shoved employees toward the back inventory room.  They then held the employees at gunpoint while loading large bags with cell phones and other electronics.  The group stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise.  Saviana Bourne, who worked at AT&T stores, helped plan the robberies, served as a getaway driver, and coordinated the sale of the stolen merchandise.

The investigation revealed that Josephs, Raymond, and Smith robbed AT&T stores in Newington on January 29, 2021, and Enfield on February 24, 2021.  Baugh then joined the conspiracy and together they robbed an AT&T store in Canton on April 15, 2021, and attempted to rob stores in Torrington and Glastonbury in May 2021, but were locked out of the stores.

On June 6, 2021, Josephs and his associates, armed with a semiautomatic pistol, two revolvers, and a semiautomatic rifle, robbed an AT&T store in West Springfield, Massachusetts.  After the robbery, they fled in a vehicle driven by Bourne, who led police on a high-speed chase that ended when their vehicle collided with a Massachusetts State Police cruiser.  Josephs, Raymond, Smith, Baugh, and Bourne were arrested, and a search of the vehicle revealed more than $150,000 in stolen merchandise, as well as the firearms used during the robbery.

Judge Underhill ordered Josephs to pay restitution of $298,073.86, which reflects the losses from the Newington, Enfield, and Canton robberies. The property stolen in the West Springfield robbery was recovered.

Josephs has been detained since his arrest.  On November 30, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Raymond, Smith, Baugh, and Bourne also pleaded guilty.  On March 1, 2023, Baugh was sentenced to 108 months of imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution of $124,842.45, which reflects the loss from the Canton robbery.  On March 29, 2023, Raymond was sentenced to 72 months of imprisonment and Bourne was sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment.  Raymond and Bourne were also ordered to pay restitution of $298,073.86.  Smith awaits sentencing.

Josephs and Raymond, who are citizens of Jamaica, face immigration proceedings when they are released from prison.         

This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police and the Newington, Enfield, Canton, Torrington, Glastonbury, and West Springfield Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.

Updated June 13, 2023

Topics
Violent Crime
Firearms Offenses