Man sentenced to 20 years in prison for Facebook Marketplace robbery gone wrong

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Attorney General Peter Neronha announced today that a Woonsocket man has been sentenced to 20 years in the ACI following a violent robbery and several other larceny cases.

Anthony Richardson, 21, pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and conspiracy. 

He also pleaded guilty to several other pending cases including larceny and multiple charges of illegal possession of firearms. 

In April of 2022, Richardson and a passenger arrived at the LA Fitness parking lot when the victim approached the passenger side door of the car with the gold chain wrapped around his hand.

The passenger attempted to grab the chain from the victim’s grasp as Richardson began to drive off.  

The victim could not free his hand from the chain and was dragged several feet before he could free himself.  

Richardson and the passenger fled the scene with the chain, leaving the injured victim behind. 

Neronha shared that the defendant committed acts of robbery and larceny on multiple occasions, one of which caused the victim serious injuries.  

Richardson was sentenced to serve 40 years.

20 years will be served at the ACI and the remaining 20 will be suspended with probation.