30 years to life for Saugus bank robbers

SALEM – A judge sentenced two men to 30 years to life in prison for their roles in a 2012 Saugus bank robbery and an ensuing shootout in Malden that left the men’s alleged accomplice dead.
“I hope the victims terrorized on March 23, 2012 can heal? I hope the convictions of [the defendants] can help,” Salem Superior Court Judge David Lowy said before accepting the Commonwealth’s sentencing recommendation.
Michael Ginnetti, 40, of Winthrop, was convicted Tuesday of armed and masked robbery, two counts; armed assault to rob; assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts; use of a firearm in a felony; possession of body armor in a felony; carrying a dangerous weapon; and a firearm violation with a prior violent or drug crime.
Gabriel Megna, 50, of E. Boston, was convicted of armed and masked robbery, two counts; armed assault to rob; assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts; use of a firearm in a felony; and carrying a dangerous weapon.
Both were found not guilty of receiving a stolen motor vehicle.
Police responded to the Saugus Bank off Route 1 late in the afternoon of Friday, March 23, 2012, where witnesses said two men, later identified as Ginnetti and William Ekasala, 35, of East Boston,robbed the bank at gunpoint and while wearing Halloween masks. Witnesses said the suspects fled in a red Honda Civic driven by Megna, which police chased to the area of 500 Broadway in Malden. Police fatally shot Ekasala during a shootout and arrested Ginnetti and Megna.
Lowy adopted Essex Assistant District Attorney Kim Faitella’s recommendation that both men receive life sentences on one count of armed and masked robbery; 25 to 30 years in state prison on the second count of armed and masked robbery; and 5 years on the possession of a firearm in a felony, with the sentences for the remaining charges to be served concurrently.
In essence, the sentence means that neither man will be eligible for parole until after 30 years, although Ginnetti received credit for 815 days in jail and Megna received 503 days credit for time served.
Both defense attorneys said they would file appeals in the case.
Please read the complete story in Thursday’s edition of The Daily Item.