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Dorchester man pleads not guilty in ‘cat-fishing’ robberies

Rakeem Austin.File photo

A 30-year-old convicted drug dealer who was freed as a result of the state drug lab scandal was arraigned in Dorchester District Court Monday on charges he robbed five people at gunpoint in a "cat-fishing" scheme — while wearing a court-ordered GPS bracelet.

It is at least the third time that Rakeem Austin, of Dorchester, has been arrested since his three-year sentence for cocaine distribution was set aside in 2012 after a former chemist at the state drug lab admitted fabricating evidence. He currently has six open cases, not including the recent robberies.

At his arraignment Monday, prosecutors said Austin posed as a woman when he used social networking and dating websites to lure victims to locations in Mattapan and Roxbury on several occasions between Oct. 14 and Nov. 21.

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Austin, who stood out of public view when he pleaded not guilty to five counts of armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and threats to commit a crime, was ordered held on $75,000 bail — $15,000 per case.

Assistant District Attorney Michele E. Granda told the judge that an ankle GPS monitoring device linked Austin to the crimes and that five male victims identified him.

"After taking their items at gunpoint, the defendant would force the victims to lie on the floor and direct them not to look at him," Granda said.

The victims, between the ages of 29 and 54, believed they were meeting a woman named "Candy," "Lizzy," or "Love."

On Nov. 10, Maxo Sampeur, 31, thought he was meeting a woman named Candy B. at 7:40 p.m. after he had connected with her on a website. The two were supposed to meet on Edson Street, court records show. Sampeur said he was robbed at gunpoint by a man who said, "Give me everything." He was robbed of his wallet, $110 in cash, credit cards, and ID.

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Austin was arrested after an incident on Nov. 21, when a man was lured to Whitman Street, where he thought he was meeting a woman, Granda said. The victim was instead met by Austin, who threatened the man at gunpoint and told him to get on the ground, Granda said. The victim fled, but Austin snatched the man's $2,000 chain necklace and his cellphone.

Afterward, Austin went to his home on Edson Street, where police said they found him asleep with the victim's phone nearby, the prosecutor said.

Investigators found that the fake accounts on the websites were all opened with the same device and tracked to Austin, Granda said.

Granda said Austin, a father of six, has committed at least eight similar armed robberies since Oct. 2, including the five he was charged with Monday.

Five weeks after Austin had his drug-distribution sentence stayed in 2012, he allegedly broke into three vehicles or residences in a 24-hour span, a Globe review found in 2013. Austin was wearing a court-ordered GPS device — a condition of his release — which allegedly placed him at all three scenes. The outcome of those cases was not known Monday.

Austin, who has been arraigned 33 times, currently has six open cases, a history of pretrial defaults, has had three restraining orders against him, and has a lengthy record involving armed robberies, larcenies, and drug distribution. He has convictions for possession of a firearm and for possession with intent to distribute for which he served two years in prison, Granda said in court.

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In making a case for Austin to be held on $200,000 cash bail, Granda said it was clear that Austin has flouted the court's previous restrictions.

"In the Commonwealth's view, he did not abide by the conditions of the release," she said.

Austin's attorney argued that his client is not a threat to the community, does not have a gang affiliation, is a longtime Dorchester resident, and disputes his guilt.

"Mr. Austin adamantly denies the allegation," said attorney David A. Leon. "He was not found with any of the alleged stolen property."

Dorchester Municipal Court Judge Lisa Grant revoked bail in all of Austin's other open cases, which included charges for breaking and entering, trespassing, assault and battery, and drug distribution, meaning he will be held until those cases make their way through the court system.

Austin is scheduled to return to court Dec. 18.


Jan Ransom can be reached at jan.ransom@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jan_Ransom.