Everett man sentenced for armed bank robbery

Defendant on probation for prior armed robbery convictions at time of offense

  On May 10, 2023, an Everett man was sentenced in federal court in Boston for committing the February 2021 armed robbery of a TD Bank branch in Allston. Jamaine Howell, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to nine years in prison and five years of supervised release. On Jan. 5, 2023, Howell pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence.

  On Feb. 7, 2021, Howell entered a branch of TD Bank on Commonwealth Avenue in Allston and handed a demand note and a plastic bag to the teller. Howell threatened the teller and stated that he had a gun. Howell then threatened two bank customers and displayed a firearm. After taking the plastic bag – containing approximately $5,900 – from the teller, Howell instructed one of the customers to leave the bank with him. After walking about a block with Howell, the customer managed to flee while Howell was distracted. At the time, Howell was on probation for previous armed robbery convictions.

  Later that week, police received a report that Howell brandished a firearm at a guest at a hotel in Sharon. On Feb. 16, 2021, Howell was arrested and found armed with a loaded .45 caliber Ruger handgun. A loaded semi-automatic shotgun was also found in a vehicle that had previously been rented to Howell.

  U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division, Joseph R. Bonavolonta, made the sentencing announcement. The Boston, Sharon and Lynn Police Departments provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.