second clayton resident sentenced for role in robbery
RALEIGH - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court yesterday ISHMAEL AVIVE SANTIAGO, 21, was sentenced by United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle to 135 months imprisonment followed by five years supervised release for his role in the July, 2011, Clayton Walgreens robbery.
On September 28, 2011, a Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment that charged SANTIAGO with Hobbs Act robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). On December 1, 2011, SANTIAGO pleaded guilty to those offenses.
The investigation revealed that on July 28, 2011, both ISHMAEL SANTIAGO and Rhaim Santiago, obtained a firearm with a juvenile co-conspirator. Both ISHMAEL SANTIAGO and Rhaim Santiago carried the firearm to the Walgreens located at 11306 US Highway 70 West in Clayton, North Carolina. Upon their arrival, both ISHMAEL SANTIAGO and Rhaim Santiago entered the Walgreens with the firearm, approached the clerk, and demanded the money in the cash register. As the robbery was taking place, Rhaim Santiago assaulted the clerk by hitting the clerk in the head with the firearm. After obtaining cash from the register, the two fled the area on foot.
On March 14, 2012, Rhaim Santiago was sentenced to 171 months imprisonment for his role in this and another offense. The Court also ordered restitution in the amount of $463.15.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Clayton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Rudy E. Renfer represented the government.
