Li Wen Tang, Armed Robbery, Massachusetts 2024

In a brazen display of violence, Li Wen Tang, 33, was sentenced to 78 months in prison for his role in the armed robberies of two businesses in Malden, MA. Tang, along with co-defendants Alfeu Barbosa and Jonas Nunez, beat, dragged, and duct-taped victims during the robberies.

Tang, a Malden resident, pleaded guilty in April 2024 to two counts of robbery affecting commerce. His co-defendants, Barbosa and Nunez, were previously convicted and sentenced to 121 months and 23 months in prison, respectively.

The first robbery occurred on June 12, 2022, at approximately 8:51 p.m. at the Balance Reflexology Spa in Brookline. Tang entered the spa, posing as a customer, and demanded a refund after the massage had begun. While the victim employee was on the phone in the lobby, Tang unlocked the front door, allowing Barbosa and Nunez to enter wearing masks and firearms. The men beat, dragged, and duct-taped the victim, stealing approximately $500 and her cell phone.

Later that evening, at approximately 10:19 p.m. on June 12, 2022, Barbosa, Nunez, and an associate committed a similar robbery at May’s Spa Massage in Stoneham. They entered the business wearing masks and firearms, duct-taping several victims and stealing approximately $600 in cash and three cell phones.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, announced the sentencing. Valuable assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New York, the Massachusetts State Police, and local police departments.

Tang’s sentence includes three years of supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luke A. Goldworm and Robert E. Richardson of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.

The brazen robberies left a trail of violence and fear in their wake. The sentencing of Li Wen Tang brings a measure of justice to the victims and serves as a reminder of the severity of the consequences for such heinous crimes.

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