Aleksey Sosonko, Jewelry Store Robbery, Maryland 2016

Baltimore, Maryland – In a shocking turn of events, Aleksey Sosonko, a 35-year-old man from Owings Mills, Maryland, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in a jewelry store robbery and kidnapping. Sosonko’s sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz, includes five years of supervised release.

The charges against Sosonko include conspiracy, kidnapping, and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. His co-conspirator, Marat Yelizarov, received an even harsher sentence, with 18 years in prison and five years of supervised release.

The robbery occurred on January 16, 2013, when Sosonko and his co-conspirators, including Marat Yelizarov and Grigory Zilberman, kidnapped an employee of the jewelry store. The employee was taken to a home in Reisterstown, Maryland, where he was tied up and forced to reveal the location of the store’s safe.

The conspirators then made their way to the jewelry store, where they stole an estimated $500,000 worth of goods. The robbery was part of a larger conspiracy, led by Marat Yelizarov’s brother, Stanislav “Steven” Yelizarov, to rob the jewelry store.

Sosonko and Yelizarov were required to pay restitution of $500,000 as part of their sentence. The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.

The investigation into the robbery was a collaborative effort between local and federal law enforcement agencies. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of teamwork and dedication in bringing violent criminals to justice.

A further examination of the case reveals the extent to which Sosonko and his co-conspirators were willing to go in order to achieve their goals. The home invasion robbery, which occurred on July 22, 2012, was just one part of a larger plan to obtain firearms and other valuables.

The conspirators were able to carry out their plan thanks to inside information provided by Grigory Zilberman, who had been a guest in the home on multiple occasions. Zilberman’s friendship with the homeowner allowed him to gather intelligence on the family’s habits and routines.

Related Federal Cases