NASHUA – Following emotional pleas from himself and his family and receiving forgiveness from one of his victims, Thaddeus Bell was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison Monday.

Bell, 21, was sentenced almost a year after stealing a handgun from a Nashua home and then using it days later to rob the Dunkin’ Donuts at 315 W. Hollis St. on Oct. 22.

Bell pleaded guilty to charges of robbery, first-degree assault, burglary and theft and then pleaded with Hillsborough County Superior Court Judge Diane Nicolosi to impose a lighter sentence so he would miss less of his son’s life.

Bell told Nicolosi he recently found out his son will be born soon.

“I’m ready to do good. Screwing up is not an option,” Bell said. “These are not years I can replace with my son. I want to get in and be the man he needs me to be.”

One of the three employees who Bell threatened at the Dunkin’ Donuts, Dawn Robinson, spoke at the hearing. She told Bell, who goes by TJ, the impact the robbery had on her and her co-workers. Robinson said she went out and got a gun permit. But she also encouraged him to use his time in prison to improve himself.

“I just want to let you know TJ, I hold no ill will. We all make mistakes,” Robinson said. “I hope and I pray for you, because you are young, that whatever sentence is handed to you, you use every resource available to you. I don’t forget the incident, but I do forgive you.”

Bell also read an extensive statement and told Nicolosi about his struggle with prescription drugs. He said in between attempts to get clean, he lost his condo, cars and job and that his addiction eventually took over his life.

“In the end, people still got hurt because of my choices and my actions,” he said. “Every day, I will reflect on my actions, and every day I will be trying to better myself.”

Bell pleaded guilty to walking into the Dunkin’ Donuts around 4 a.m. Oct. 22 and threatening two female and one male employee. The male employee kicked Bell in the head while he was pulling money out of a safe, sending the cash flying into the air. During the ensuing struggle, the mask Bell was wearing was pulled off and the employees recognized him as a regular customer, Assistant Hillsborough County Attorney Michelle Battaglia said.

Bell also pleaded guilty to stealing money during the burglary in which he stole the handgun, as well as to a theft from a Cumberland Farms convenience store.

Bell asked Nicolosi to impose a three- to eight-year sentence instead of the five- to 10-year sentence Battaglia recommended. Nicolosi sentenced him to five to 10 years but allowed that a year of the minimum sentence can be suspended if Bell completes educational programs in prison and avoids any major disciplinary sanctions.

Battaglia said Bell’s sentence should send a message, particularly in light of the growing number of armed robberies in Nashua.

“This is a rampant problem in this city, judge, and I think it is safe to say it’s because of heroin and because of pills that we are seeing all these robberies in this community,” she said.

Joseph G. Cote can be reached at 594-6415 or jcote@nashua
telegraph.com. Also, follow Cote on Twitter (@Telegraph_JoeC).