An Arlington man pleaded guilty in connection with a series of local armed robberies and drug charges, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public on Wednesday, April 28.

Jonas Moses-Gilson, 20, pleaded guilty to charges of masked armed robbery (three counts), kidnapping, assault and battery (three counts), armed assault with intent to rob and resisting arrest. The defendant also plead guilty to charges of trafficking cocaine, distribution cocaine (three counts), distribution of marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute psilocybin and conspiracy stemming from an arrest in November 2008.

Middlesex Superior Judge  C . Roach sentenced Moses-Gilson to five years to five years and one day in prison followed by five years' probation from and after the committed sentence.

According to authorities, Somerville and Cambridge detectives, with assistance from the MBTA Transit Police and Harvard University Police, began an investigation into a series of several armed robberies committed in both cities in May 2009. The departments set up and conducted surveillance in Cambridge and Somerville. These robberies shared a number of similar characteristics, and descriptions of the alleged perpetrator also showed similarities.

At about 11:30 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2009, Cambridge and Somerville police detectives were working together in the Elm Street area in Somerville when they observed the defendant, matching the description of their suspect, approach a male subject who was walking on Elm Street.  The suspect displayed a knife and held it near the victim’s throat.

Fearing for the safety of the victim, the detectives immediately moved in and identified themselves as officers, causing the suspect to flee. After a foot chase by Somerville and Cambridge Police, the defendant was apprehended inside the Porter Square MBTA station.

            Moses-Gilson was indicted on July 6, 2009 by a Middlesex Grand Jury.

 

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Nicole Allain. The victim witness advocate is Daniela Bianco.