Taunton Armed Robber Sentenced to State Prison

Bristol County District Attorney’s Office

Thomas M. Quinn III

District Attorney

Press Release

July 25, 2017

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn, III announced today that a 29 year old Taunton man will serve up to four years in state prison along with three years of probation after his release for his role in an armed robbery with a firearm.

Francis Gilbert pleaded guilty to a four count indictment charging him with armed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, unlawful carrying of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a loaded firearm. Assistant District Attorney Melissa Hendrie argued for a five to seven and a half year state prison sentence with three years of probation while defense attorney Nicolas Gordan argued for a two to three year state prison sentence with probation after his release. The unagreed upon plea was submitted to Judge Karen Green who ultimately sentenced the defendant to serve up to four years in state prison with three years of probation after his release.

On October 21, 2016, Taunton Police officers were dispatched to Morton Hospital for a report of a robbery involving a firearm. Upon arrival, officers were approached in the hospital parking lot by three males in their early 20’s. They reported that one of them was robbed and struck in the head with a firearm. The defendant was identified as the robber. He was a former co-worker to one of the men.  The defendant stated that he was going to shoot the victim if he did not turn over his money. When  the victim was unable to comply, the defendant struck him in the head with the firearm, causing it to fire and lodge a projectile inside the roof of a vehicle. The defendant took a backpack from the victim’s vehicle and fled the scene on foot.

Contact:

Gregg Miliote

Director of Communications

508-997-0711

774-292-9576–cell