Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Chelsea resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to three armed bank robberies that took place in Weymouth, Jamaica Plain, and Hyde Park during 2024. Keywan Kelly, 30, admitted to three counts of armed bank robbery before U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton, who set sentencing for November 12, 2025.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Kelly was arrested in August 2024 following a criminal complaint and indicted the following month.
Authorities detailed that on July 1, 2024, Kelly entered a Bank of America branch in Weymouth wearing gloves and a medical mask. He presented a handwritten note demanding $20,000 and threatened violence while pointing a firearm at the teller. The teller handed over $15,000 initially and then an additional $4,000 to $5,000 after further demands from Kelly. During the incident, he issued threats including: “Run that s**t before I blow this place up” and “I’ll kill all of you.”
On July 16, 2024, Kelly entered Rockland Trust Bank in Jamaica Plain wearing a black balaclava mask and latex gloves. He handed the teller a note stating: “I need 20K no DyPacks I have 4 bombs I’ll Kill everyone make quick,” while displaying a firearm. He left with about $2,480.
The third robbery occurred on July 26, 2024 at another Rockland Trust Bank branch in Hyde Park. Kelly wore similar attire and gave the teller a note reading words to the effect of “you’re being robbed give me cash,” while threatening to shoot if his demands were not met. He received about $3,000 before fleeing.
Investigators identified Kelly using video surveillance footage from the Weymouth bank and matched his fingerprints to those found on the getaway vehicle used there. They also connected him to vehicles seen near both the Jamaica Plain and Hyde Park banks at relevant times. Cell phone data placed his device near each location when the robberies occurred.
If convicted of armed bank robbery under federal law, individuals face up to 25 years in prison as well as fines up to $250,000 and supervised release terms determined by federal sentencing guidelines.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Boston and Weymouth Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Maynard of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.”
