3 indicted in Swansea robbery of $430K from dispensary courier

Three men were indicted on federal charges relating to an armed robbery in Swansea in February, where the men allegedly stole more than $430,000 from a courier working for marijuana companies.

Federal prosecutors said that 38-year-old Steven Madison of Bridgewater, 37-year-old Christopher White of Raynham, and 35-year-old Quentin McDonald of Brockton held the courier at gunpoint and zip-tied and pepper sprayed him before burning their stolen getaway U-Haul.

The trio were arrested and charged in May. Each man is facing federal charges of conspiracy, one count of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of arson of property used in the Hobbs Act robbery — which relates to interfering with interstate commerce.

Madison and White are facing additional charges of brandishing a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, possessing a firearm while being a felon, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

The February robbery

Two men stole a U-Haul van early on Feb. 19 in Abington, prosecutors said, before heading to a bank in Swansea. There, the two men pulled up alongside the courier, who was carrying about $436,200 in cash to deposit from licensed cannabis companies.

A masked man allegedly pointed a firearm at the courier and tied his hands behind his back. The second man allegedly loaded the cash into the vehicle. The two men tried to disarm the courier, forced him into the backseat of his vehicle, and shut the door, prosecutors said.

The courier removed one hand from his restraints and fired four shots at the U-Haul van fleeing from the Swansea bank. He then called 911, prosecutors said.

The two men drove to another location in Swansea and met with the third man driving their getaway SUV, prosecutors said. They transferred the cash to the vehicle and burned the U-Haul.

The trio is facing decades in prison. The charge of the Hobbs Act could result in up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine. The arson fine carries a minimum sentence of five and up to 20 years in prison, three years supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine. Conspiracy could result in up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

For White and Madison, their additional charges could amount to up to 42 years in prison, a $1.25 million fine, and three years supervised release.

Previously, a 29-year-old from Randolph was arrested and charged related to the armed robbery. The eight charges, including armed robbery, kidnapping, and assault and battery‚ were dropped in March.