Man Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy, Weapons Charges, For Planning Fatal Robbery Attempt

WOBURN - Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that a Waltham man pleaded guilty today to charges in connection with his role in a failed robbery plot last year that led to the death of a Waltham teenager.

Steven Tran, 18, of Waltham, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and possession of an electrical weapon. Middlesex Superior Court Judge KatheTuttman sentenced Tran to 3 to 4 years in state prison on the conspiracy charge, with an additional three years of probation on the weapons charge, to be served after his release from prison.

“It was clear from evidence gathered that Steven Tran expected trouble when he arranged the meeting,” said District Attorney Ryan. “Clearly, he brought friends with him and clearly he brought a weapon because he was planning to commit a crime.”

Waltham Police Chief Keith MacPherson added, “I am pleased to see that justice was served regarding defendant Steven Tran and I look forward to moving ahead regarding the cases of the other defendants.”

Authorities say that Steven Tran arranged to meet Taylor Poulin, 22, of Waltham on March 20, 2014 at the Gardencrest Apartments, 20 Middlesex Circle, in Waltham under the pretense that he was arranging the purchase of two pounds of marijuana. When Tran arrived for the meeting he brought no money, but was in possession of a hand-held stun gun and was accompanied by Tyler Zanco, a seventeen year old high school student, and a third male party, also a minor.

Authorities say that when Poulin arrived with the marijuana, he brought with him Domingo Mendes, 23, of Belmont, and a loaded handgun. When Zanco attempted to rob Poulin with Tran’s electrical weapon, a fight ensued. Poulin is alleged to have struck Zanco in the head with a handgun during the altercation, and when Zanco fled on foot, authorities allege that Mendes used Poulin’s gun to shoot Zanco in the back. Zanco was rushed to Newton-Wellesley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Mendes and Poulin were arrested after the incident and face multiple indictments in Middlesex Superior Court.  Mendes is charged with murder, carrying a firearm, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and conspiracy to distribute a Class D substance. Poulin is charged with accessory after the fact to murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, conspiracy to distribute a Class D substance, attempt to commit a crime, possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance, and a park zone drug law violation. Their cases are scheduled for trial August 10, 2015.

These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney David Solet. The Victim Witness Advocate is Anne Foley.