Crime & Safety
Prison Escapee Caught In Somerville Sentenced To 11+ Years
The ex-Army reservist was captured near Foss Park after trying to rob banks in Somerville and Cambridge in January 2017.
SOMERVILLE, MA – An ex-Army reservist who was caught in Somerville after escaping from prison was sentenced to over 11 years in prison Monday, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. James Morales, 37, was in a Rhode Island prison awaiting trial for the theft of 16 weapons from a U.S. Army Reserve facility when he escaped on New Year's Eve 2016.
Authorities said Morales escaped by climbing a basketball hoop, jumping onto a roof and going through barbed wire fence.
On Jan. 5, 2017, Morales attempted to rob a Bank of America in Cambridge by passing the teller a note that read, "I WANT ALL OF THE LARGE DENOMINATIONS W/BAND’S FROM THE 2ND (BOTTOM) TILL NOW BE CALM – BE COOL – NO DYE PACKS," according to the USAO. The teller fled to the back of the bank, and Morales left without any money.
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Later that day, Morales tried robbing a Citizens Bank in Somerville by passing a note that read, "I WANT THE MONEY IN THE TILL NOW!! 100’s 50’s 20’s Be Calm, Be Cool, be Quick," the USAO said. When the teller refused, Morales wished the teller a nice day and left.
Morales was captured that night after a foot chase near Foss Park.
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He pleaded guilty last year to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm; one count of possession of a machine gun; one count of possession of stolen firearms; one count of theft of government property; one count of conspiracy to possess, store, conceal, and sell stolen weapons; one count of escape; and two counts of attempted bank robbery.
Morales was sentenced Monday to 138 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
Previously: RI Fugitive James Morales Captured in Foss Park Neighborhood of Somerville
'No Fight Left In Him': Trooper Tackles RI Fugitive James Morales [VIDEO]
'Turn Yourself In,' Urge Officials as Escaped Inmate Added to Mass. Most Wanted List
Police: 'No Reason to Believe' Fugitive Still in Framingham; 'No Proof That He Is Not'
Escaped Inmate Reportedly Spotted in Framingham: Update
Split image via Mass. State Police, FBI
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