Boston...A Beverly man was convicted today in federal court of conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce.
Ramone Arakelow, 36, was convicted by a jury sitting before of United States District Judge Richard G. Stearns. Judge Stearns scheduled sentencing for May 15, 2012. Arakelow faces up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
During the three day trial, evidence proved that Arakelow, along with co-defendants Robert Kenney and Christopher Littlejohn, conspired to rob what they believed was an apartment used by cocaine traffickers. The alleged drug traffickers were part of a reverse sting operation run by federal, state, and local law enforcement. Arakelow and his two co-defendants were arrested by Massachusetts State Police at approximately 4:45 a.m., on the morning of Feb. 11, 2011, in Saugus, when the three met with a law enforcement cooperator. Troopers subsequently seized a bag from the vehicle used by the three conspirators which contained plastic zip ties, duct tape, and rubber gloves which were to be used in the robbery.
U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Guy Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Colonel Marian J. McGovern, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. The matter was investigated by ATF, MSP, Saugus Police Department, Somerville Police Department and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Crowley and Michael I. Yoon of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.
