A Chicago man has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for his role in two armed robberies that took place on January 30, 2022. Rumeal Campbell, also known as “Melo,” age 34, received the sentence from Chief United States District Judge Pamela Pepper on February 19, 2026. In addition to the prison term, Campbell will serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Campbell and accomplices carried out two business robberies within a little more than an hour. During one incident, Campbell fired a gun into the ceiling before jumping over a counter and pressing his firearm into a clerk’s back while demanding money from the register. In another robbery that evening, he held a gun to a different clerk’s head to force compliance. The group stole more than $23,000 during these events.
The cases remained unsolved until December 2022 when investigators linked the weapon used by Campbell in January to another robbery. Campbell pleaded guilty shortly before his trial date to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence.
At sentencing, Chief Judge Pepper highlighted the significant harm caused by Campbell’s actions. She stated: “these sorts of robberies constitute a form of torture,” explaining that victims endure lasting mental anguish beyond the immediate threat. The judge further commented that committing two robberies so close together was not accidental but represented “a terrible, terrible choice” with life-altering consequences for all involved.
U.S. Attorney Brad D. Schimel said: “The sentence imposed by the Court reflects the gravity of these offenses and the lasting impact on the victims… Armed robbery is a violent crime that reverberates far beyond the moment it occurs, leaving emotional scars long after the physical scene is cleared. Through strong partnerships with our law enforcement agencies, we will continue to protect the public by aggressively prosecuting those who threaten the safety and security of our communities.”
FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr added: “Rumeal Campbell and his accomplices terrorized the victims of these robberies and placed innocent lives in danger during his violent crime spree in the Milwaukee area. The FBI is committed to crushing violent crime and holding accountable those who threaten public safety… The FBI will continue working together with our law enforcement partners to ensure justice is served.”
West Allis Police Chief Patrick Mitchell also expressed appreciation for collaborative efforts: “The West Allis Police Department thanks the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for working in partnership with us to hold a violent criminal accountable.”
The investigation was conducted by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and West Allis Police Department; prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Porchia Lewand and Kevin Knight.
