Three men sentenced to years in prison in relation to robbery, kidnapping, and interstate transportation of stolen drug proceed scheme

MIAMI – Dillon Renee Polanco, Anthony William Lamar, a/k/a “Mojo,” and Rahsaan Rolando Robinson, a/k/a “Loso,” were recently sentenced to 130, 346, and 220 months in federal prison, respectively, by U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas. The sentences imposed follow a long-term investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) into the robbery and kidnapping of a Belle Glade drug dealer in December 2020.

On Dec. 14, 2020, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) responded to a 911 call regarding two victims who had been kidnapped in West Palm Beach, Florida. The victims’ hands and feet were bound with zip ties and duct tape. Detectives learned that the victims were kidnapped and robbed by three individuals known to Victim #1 – a drug dealer from Belle Glade. The robbers were identified as Darwin Avila Salgado, a/k/a “Debo,” “Lamar and Robinson. Victim #1 also reported that they stole $70,000 from a safe located at Victim#1’s grandmother’s house in Belle Glade.

The investigation revealed that the robbery was planned by Polanco and Salgado following a drug dispute between them and Victim #1. Prior to that, Polanco and Salgado supplied Victim #1 with marijuana from California. Polanco and Salgado, both originally from Oakland, California, directed the shipments of marijuana while residing in Oregon. In the summer of 2020, a dispute over the quality of the marijuana, as well as a kilogram of cocaine, caused dissension with Victim #1. Rather than cut ties, Polanco and Salgado planned to rob Victim #1 in Florida. Polanco financed the robbery and at one point even planned to accompany Salgado and Lamar as an active participant. However, Polanco decided not to travel to Florida and Robinson took his place.

Salgado and Lamar flew from Cleveland, Ohio to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Dec. 9, 2020. The next day, Robinson travelled from Oakland to Miami, Florida.  Once in West Palm Beach, the Salgado, Lamar and Robinson stayed at a rental home where they ultimately lured Victim #1. In the days leading to the robbery, Salgado, Lamar, and Robinson planned the attack. They obscured surveillance cameras which were at the rental home, covered door handles with plastic, and added window tint to a rental car. Salgado, using the money supplied by Polanco, also obtained firearms, including an AR-15 style pistol, ammunition, a large capacity drum magazine, and a taser used during the robbery and kidnapping.

The investigation further revealed that Salgado, Lamar, Robinson, and Polanco had several profiles and accounts on Instagram. Additionally, their accounts followed, or were followed by Victim #1. On or about Dec. 10, 2020, Victim # 1 posted an image on Instagram. The image depicted Victim #1 holding stacks of United States currency with red and blue money bands. Salgado, Lamar, Robinson and Polanco, using the account of "Deemigo_ 6," commented on the photograph.  

In the early morning hours of Dec. 14, 2020, Victim #1 and his friend Victim #2 arrived at the rental to meet Salgado and Lamar. Unbeknownst to them, Robinson was lying in wait with the pistol loaded with a drum magazine. Salgado contacted Polanco and was told to “do what he was going to do.”

Salgado, Lamar and Robinson attacked the victims with firearms and a taser. The victims were bound and then forced into Victim #1’s vehicle. Victim #2’s personal belongings and jewelry were stolen, including a gold rope chain and gold Jesus pendant. The victims were then transported to Belle Glade where Victim #1’ kept his safe at his grandmother’s house. Salgado and Robinson forced their way inside the residence, with Victim #1 as a hostage. and took $70,000 in drug proceeds from the safe. Victims #1 and #2 were left on the side of the roadway after the robbery.

Salgado and Lamar fled to Georgia but were arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service. In their possession was Victim #2’s identification, tape consistent with what was used to bind the victims, and a taser. The $70,000 in stolen money and firearms used during the robbery were found hidden in the rental car they used to flee. Polanco and Salgado recruited two others to travel from Oregon to Georgia to recover the items. Robinson fled to California and was arrested. Victim #2’s, gold necklace and Jesus pendant were recovered from Robinson’s apartment.

Salgado pled guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping robbery, and possession and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He was sentenced, on Feb. 3, 2023, to 228 months in federal prison. 

Lamar and Robinson each pled guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping, and brandishing and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Lamar was sentenced on April 29 and Robinson on May 2.

Polanco pled guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, possession and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and interstate transportation of stolen money. He was sentenced on May 6.

In addition to their respective terms of imprisonment, each defendant was sentenced to a term of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Robinson of the ATF, Miami Field Division, U.S. Marshal Gadyaces S. Serralta of the U.S. Marshals Service, and PBSO Sheriff Ric Bradshaw announced the sentences imposed.

The Office of State Attorney Dave Aronberg for the 15^th Judicial Circuit – Palm Beach County provided invaluable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam McMichael and Shannon O’Shea Darsch prosecuted the case.

This prosecution is a part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program.  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through the PSN program a broad spectrum of law enforcement and community stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs to reduce violence crime and gun violence, and to make our local neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-80053.

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