Armed Co-conspirator of Planned Home Invasion Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Emmett Blyden, 45, was sentenced on Tuesday to 96 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to commit an armed home invasion and drug-rip at a Providence residence in June 2014, where he, and a co-defendant, Allen Prout, 44, of Providence, were expecting to find and steal two kilos of heroin and a substantial amount of cash. Blyden and Prout were arrested on June 6, 2014, moments after each took possession of firearms they intended to use to commit the armed home invasion and robbery.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Blyden to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Blyden pleaded guilty on September 22, 2015, to robbery conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Blyden’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Allen Prout, who pleaded guilty on October 29, 2015, to robbery conspiracy, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm, is scheduled to be sentenced on February 2, 2016.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, in June 2014, Prout contacted an individual known to ATF agents, seeking assistance in setting up a robbery and inquiring as to the availability of firearms to be used during the robbery. Working at the direction of ATF, the individual met with Prout on June 2, 2014, to discuss robbing a fictitious stash house in Providence. Prout was told that two kilos of heroin and a large amount of cash were being stored at the residence. After having additional conversations via telephone and text messages over the next few days, Prout arranged to meet with the individual on June 6, 2014, to finalize plans for the home invasion and robbery, and to obtain firearms to be used during the crime. Blyden accompanied Prout to the meeting.

According to information presented to the court, Blyden attended the meeting knowing that it was to plan an armed home invasion and robbery. During the meeting, Blyden and Prout were told that up to five individuals would be inside the residence and that some or all may be armed. Prior to taking possession of a firearm, Blyden insisted on putting on a pair of gloves.

Shortly after Blyden and Prout each took possession of a firearm, ATF agents entered the residence and arrested the two men. The firearms had been rendered inoperable by ATF agents prior to being delivered to Blyden and Prout.

According to court records, Emmett Blyden’s prior felony record includes at least three drug trafficking convictions. Allen Prout was previously convicted on felony assault and larceny charges.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Milind M. Shah.

The Providence Police Department SWAT Team assisted ATF agents in the arrest of the defendants.