SALEM, N.H. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a Massachusetts man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison after being convicted of robbing three banks and one supermarket in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Twenty-seven-year-old Joseph Costello of Wilmington, Mass., was convicted of robbing a bank located inside a Salem supermarket in 2012 and banks in Chelmsford, Reading and North Andover, Mass.
Costello's lawyer sought a reduced sentence based on Costello's military service, including nine months in Afghanistan where he said Costello was engaged in multiple firefights, mortar attacks and witnessed multiple deaths. His lawyer said he's been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and started using heroin. He has said his client committed the robberies to support his addiction.
U.S. Attorney John Kacavas recommended a sentence of 46 months — also citing Costello's military record.