Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Two Western Massachusetts Men Indicted for Armed Robbery
BOSTON – Two western Massachusetts men were indicted today by a federal grand jury in Springfield on armed robbery and firearms charges.
Alfredo Aldeco, 32, of Holyoke, and Emilio Rivera, 30, of Springfield, were each indicted on one count of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of using a firearm in relation to crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Aldeco and Rivera were arrested and charged by criminal complaint on Nov. 21, 2018, and have been in custody since.
According to court documents, between Oct. 25, 2018, and Nov. 14, 2018, there were at least nine armed robberies of convenience stores located in Holyoke, Chicopee, Florence, West Springfield, and Agawam. Investigations into the robberies led law enforcement to determine that the same two men were involved in many of the robberies. During each of the robberies, a suspect brandished a distinctive long-barreled, black firearm-type object, and during at least one of the robberies, the suspect threatened to “come back and kill” the store clerk if the clerk called the police.
The charges of interference with commerce by robbery and using a firearm in relation to crime of violence provide for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today. The Massachusetts State Police and the West Springfield, Holyoke, Agawam, Chicopee, Northampton, and Springfield Police Departments provided valuable assistance to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deepika Bains Shukla of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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