A Chicago man, Rumeal Campbell, also known as “Melo,” has been sentenced to ten years in prison for his role in two armed robberies that took place on January 30, 2022. The sentence was handed down by Chief United States District Judge Pamela Pepper on February 19, 2026. In addition to the prison term, Campbell will serve three years of supervised release.
According to publicly filed documents, Campbell and accomplices robbed two businesses within a little over an hour. During one incident, Campbell fired a weapon into the ceiling and forced a clerk at gunpoint to open the cash register. In another robbery that same evening, he held a firearm to another clerk’s head. The group stole more than $23,000.
The cases remained unsolved until December 2022 when investigators linked the firearm used by Campbell during the January robberies to a third robbery later that year. Shortly before his trial date, Campbell pleaded guilty to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Chief Judge Pepper highlighted the severe impact on victims during sentencing: “these sorts of robberies constitute a form of torture,” noting the lasting mental anguish experienced by those involved. She stated that such actions were not mistakes but “a terrible, terrible choice” with life-altering consequences for both victims and perpetrators.
U.S. Attorney Brad D. Schimel commented on the outcome: “The sentence imposed by the Court reflects the gravity of these offenses and the lasting impact on the victims. Armed robbery is a violent crime that reverberates far beyond the moment it occurs, leaving emotional scars long after the physical scene is cleared. Through strong partnerships with our law enforcement agencies, we will continue to protect the public by aggressively prosecuting those who threaten the safety and security of our communities.”
FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr said: “Rumeal Campbell and his accomplices terrorized the victims of these robberies and placed innocent lives in danger during his violent crime spree in the Milwaukee area. The FBI is committed to crushing violent crime and holding accountable those who threaten public safety. The FBI will continue working together with our law enforcement partners to ensure justice is served.”
West Allis Police Chief Patrick Mitchell added: “The West Allis Police Department thanks the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for working in partnership with us to hold a violent criminal accountable.”
The case was investigated by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and West Allis Police Department, with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorneys Porchia Lewand and Kevin Knight.
