Joseph Wilcox, 58, pleaded guilty in federal court to robbing a Santander Bank branch in East Boston on Sept. 6, 2025, handing a teller a note demanding “all 20’s.” Prosecutors say he took $4,150, was captured on surveillance soon after depositing cash at anot
When Joseph Wilcox walked out of the Santander Bank branch at 2 Meridian St., he left behind a simple message—and a trail investigators say would not go away.
The 58-year-old Dorchester man pleaded guilty in Boston federal court Thursday to one count of bank robbery, federal prosecutors announced. He is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 17.
Prosecutors said Wilcox entered the Santander Bank shortly before noon on Sept. 6, 2025, and handed a teller a note demanding money. The note read, “give me all 20’s.” Court documents also show Wilcox told the teller, “Don’t f— with me.” The teller reported seeing no weapon, authorities said.
The teller handed over $4,150 in cash, according to prosecutors. Investigators later tracked Wilcox using surveillance footage from the bank, nearby businesses, and MBTA cameras, court documents state.
Less than two hours after the robbery. Wilcox was captured on surveillance video at another Santander Bank branch at 101 Federal St. Prosecutors said he deposited nine $100 bills into an ATM. Court records state the deposit matched the teller’s account that the stolen cash consisted only of $50 and $100 bills.
Prosecutors also emphasized Wilcox’s history. They noted he has multiple prior robbery convictions, including a federal sentence in 2015. According to court records. in 2015 Wilcox was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for robbing three banks—Blue Hills Bank and TD Bank in Brookline. and Eastern Bank in Cambridge—during a spree in January 2014 that netted more than $8. 300.
Foley’s office said Wilcox later served a state prison sentence of three years and one day after a 2010 conviction for unarmed robbery. He was previously convicted of armed robbery in state court in 2004.
Wilcox was arrested in October 2025. In a statement to Boston.com Tuesday night, Wilcox’s lawyer declined to offer any additional remarks regarding the matter.
The federal charge to which Wilcox pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine, prosecutors said.
Dorchester man Joseph Wilcox Santander Bank East Boston bank robbery pleaded guilty federal court Leah Foley sentencing Sept. 17
All 20’s?? Bro just wanted the small bills lol.
So he didn’t even have a weapon and still robbed a bank? That’s wild. I feel like MBTA cameras always catch people fast.
Wait he deposited the money at an ATM like RIGHT after? That’s such a dumb move. Also the article says the teller handed over $4,150 but then it says the stolen cash consisted only of $50 and $100 bills, so like… how does that math work? Not that I’m defending him, just confused.
He’s 58 and has robbery convictions already, so I’m not shocked. But the whole “Don’t f— with me” line is what sticks out to me like why say that if you’re trying to be lowkey? Between the bank footage and nearby businesses and cameras… sounds like Boston doesn’t let anything go unnoticed anymore.