A “life-long violent criminal’’ should spend at least nine years in federal prison for robbing banks in November 2016 in West Bridgewater and Brookline, prosecutors said last week in a court filing.
US Attorney Andrew E. Lelling’s office filed its sentencing recommendation Thursday in US District Court in Boston for Stephen D. Williams, a Boston man who pleaded guilty in December to robbing the banks. Williams, 54, is slated to be sentenced Wednesday.
“Williams is a life-long violent criminal with an extensive history of convictions,’’ prosecutors wrote in their filing. “Williams’s record of convictions commenced in 1982 and has continued until 2016, when he was arrested on these charges.’’
All told, the government said, Williams has faced more than 100 criminal charges and has a slew of convictions for infractions including larceny, breaking and entering, escape, burning a building, auto theft, receiving stolen property, and robbery.
He’s been sent to jail 30 times with sentences ranging from 60 days to 15 to 18 years, Lelling’s office said.
“While there is little to no doubt that Williams has endured a challenging life involving drug dependencies issues, it is evident he has refused to learn from his mistakes,’’ prosecutors wrote. “. . . In short, Williams’s criminal record clearly demonstrates his inability and unwillingness to adjust his lifestyle and conform his behavior to acceptable societal norms.’’
According to an affidavit filed in the case, Williams robbed a Mansfield Bank branch on West Center Street in West Bridgewater on the afternoon of Nov. 22, 2016.
He “pointed what appeared to be a black semi-automatic handgun at [the teller], and stated, in substance, ‘Give me the money, open your drawer, 100s, 50s, 20s no dye packs,’ ’’ the affidavit said, adding that Williams bolted with $1,760.
Prosecutors conceded in Thursday’s filing that Williams did not show a gun during the robbery, but “kept his hand in his pocket and pointed an object within his pocket at the victim teller.’’
One week earlier, he had robbed the FTN Federal Credit Unionon Boylston Street in Brookline, making off with $547, court records show.
Scott Lauer, an attorney for Williams, requested a five-year term for his client in a court filing, writing that he’s the youngest of 12 siblings and moved to Boston from Arkansas when he was a child, soon after his father died.
He ran away from home at age 14 and “quickly became ensnared in the grip of addiction that he has never been able to overcome, and his life has largely unfolded in a predictable course of substance use and incarceration,’’ Lauer wrote.
Lauer said Williams has the support of his family and has been diagnosed with “paranoia, depression, anxiety, a psychotic disorder, and schizophrenia. When actively engaging with treatment and taking medication, his mental health has improved. Moreover, Mr. Williams is amenable to treatment.’’
The attorney also had a different take on Williams’s criminal record.
“Admittedly, Williams’s criminal history raises public protection concerns,’’ Lauer wrote.
“A close examination, though, provides some mitigation. Although lengthy, most of his criminal history involves nonviolent conduct. Rather, it consists of numerous offenses relating to the possession and/or theft of motor vehicles and related offenses, making the sort of conduct involved in this case a radical departure. And to the extent that the defendant does represent a threat to the public, again, that threat may also be mitigated somewhat by the defendant’s advancing age.’’
A number of family members have submitted letters to the sentencing judge in support of Williams, including his sister Betty.
“I know him to be a compassionate and caring man,’’ Betty Williams wrote. “I have never known him to rob banks and definitely no interactions with the use of a firearm. His children and grandchildren know and adore him as well as mine, and we love and adore him as a person, friend, brother, uncle and family member.’’
She wrote that her brother needs “therapy, counseling and drug rehabilitation. I don’t know if he can get that in prison? Please give him a chance to prove himself to society and help others.’’
Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @TAGlobe.
