Rontel Nijae Mial, a 19-year-old from Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced to 96 months in prison for orchestrating five pharmacy robberies in Iowa, authorities announced on Friday, May 3, 2019.
Mial, who pleaded guilty to the charges on September 12, 2018, was ordered to serve a three-year period of supervised release following his prison term, as well as a $100 special assessment, per count, payable to the Crime Victims’ Fund, totaling $500.
The string of pharmacy robberies spanned from November 17, 2016, to November 25, 2017, and included a Walgreens store in Davenport, Iowa, on both December 16, 2017 and November 1, 2017. Additionally, Mial robbed a CVS store in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 14, 2017, and a Walgreens store in Iowa City, Iowa, on November 25, 2017.
The investigation, led by the Davenport Police Department, Iowa City Police Department, and Des Moines Police Department, revealed that Mial traveled from Indiana to commit the crimes, often using a getaway driver to quickly leave the scene.
On one occasion, officers were able to track the stolen pill bottle, which contained a GPS tracker device. Mial attempted to evade capture by backing into a police squad car and driving through a yard, but was ultimately apprehended after a short chase.
Rontel Nijae Mial, 19, pleaded guilty to five counts of robbery, including the following charges: robbery, robbery (use of a dangerous weapon), robbery (use of a dangerous weapon), robbery (use of a dangerous weapon), and robbery (use of a dangerous weapon).
The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office-Southern District of Iowa.
The 96-month prison sentence is a significant blow to Mial’s future, as he will also have to serve a three-year period of supervised release following his prison term.
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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