Bank robber pleads guilty

Chaka Meredith, who pleaded guilty to robbing seven banks, including one in Laconia, stands in the prisoners dock, near his attorney, Socrates De La Cruz, during arraignment in Lawrence District Court on Feb. 2. (Photo courtesty Tim Jean/Eagle-Tribune)

Bank spree: Former Laconia man robbed 7 banks, including MVSB

By RICK GREEN, LACONIA DAILY SUN

CONCORD — A former Laconia resident has pleaded guilty to federal bank robbery charges involving seven financial institutions, including the Meredith Village Savings Bank branch in Laconia, the U.S. Attorney's office said Thursday.

Chaka Meredith, 42, has been in custody since his arrest in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on Feb. 1. His girlfriend, Kristi Riley, 31, was previously sentenced on a robbery charge.

Meredith is scheduled to be sentenced on May 9. As part of his plea agreement, he will be required to pay a total of $10,438 restitution to the banks, including $1,031 to Meredith Village Savings Bank.

The other banks are in Plaistow, New Hampshire; Boston, Lawrence and Pepperell, Massachusetts.

The robberies occurred in late 2016 and early 2017.

Investigators have said that Meredith, without showing a weapon, would pass a note to a bank teller and demand cash.

In a previous court hearing, Prosecutor Lindsay Nasson said Meredith told Lawrence police officers that he and Riley, his girlfriend, planned to kill themselves by overdosing on heroin, The Eagle-Tribune in North Andover, Massachusetts, reported.

Meredith's attorney, Socrates De La Cruz, was quoted as saying Meredith is a former police officer from North Carolina with no previous criminal record who suffered an injury, was prescribed the painkiller Percocet, which turned into “a full-blown addiction to heroin.”

Riley, 31, was sentenced in Belknap County. She was ordered to pay $1,031 restitution to Meredith Village Savings Bank and was sentenced to a mandatory minimum of two years, with nine months suspended and 48 days credit for time served. She was also to participate in a substance dependency program.

Acting U.S. Attorney John J. Farley said his office is committed to working with law enforcement agencies to combat violent crime.

“This defendant’s crime spree is the type of conduct that creates fear in our communities,” he said. “Those who engage in such criminal activities will be prosecuted aggressively in order to protect the safety of the citizens of the Granite State.

“Mr. Meredith is finally accepting responsibility for his multi-state crime spree, where very fortunately, no one was harmed.”

Special Agent Harold H. Shaw in charge of the FBI Boston Division said law enforcement agencies cooperated closely in solving the string of bank robberies.

“This case demonstrates the commitment of the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force in bringing to justice those who break the law and intimidate hard-working citizens.”

Timeline of robberies and restitution amounts:

Dec. 29, 2016 — Bank of America in Boston ($978)

Jan. 3, 2017 — East Boston Savings Bank in Jamaica Plain ($780)

Jan. 11, 2017 — Meredith Village Savings Bank in Laconia ($1,031)

Jan. 17, 2017 — Santander Bank in Lawrence ($2,699)

Jan. 24, 2017 — TD Bank in Lawrence ($580)

Jan. 25, 2017 — Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank in Pepperell ($2,500)

Jan. 30, 2017 —Santander Bank in Plaistow ($1,870)