WASHINGTON — After almost two years, more than a dozen DMV residents have been charged in connection to a violent crime ring.
Eight were already in custody, and the FBI arrested an additional eight men Wednesday morning in connection to multiple armed carjackings, armed robberies, and money laundering incidents throughout Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
According to the indictment, Trevor Wright, also known as “Taliban Glizzy," led the group in multiple armed robberies from Jan. 7, 2022 through January of this year. The group specifically targeted jewelry stores owned by Asian Americans. Many of those businesses are family owned and operated, and suffered huge losses from these robberies.
"These were takeover style armed robberies meant to terrify and overwhelm store owners and employees," said FBI-Newark Special Agent in Charge James Dennehy
Disguised in dark clothing, masks, and gloves, armed with a gun, one or more of the defendants used various vehicles, including stolen vehicles, to commit and flee from the robberies, including:
- Jan. 7, 2022: Yasini Jewelers in E. Falls Church, VA;
- June 10, 2022: Virani Jewelers in Iselin, NJ;
- Sept. 20, 2022: Sonia Jewelers & Boutique, in Springfield, VA;
- Oct. 25, 2022: Paradise Jewelry Store, in Paterson, NJ;
- Nov. 10, 2022: Baral Jewelers & Gifts, in Harrisburg, PA;
- Nov. 27, 2022: Sara Emporium Jewelry & Boutique, in Jersey City, NJ;
- Dec. 6, 2022: Kishek Jewelers, in Jacksonville, FL;
- Dec. 22, 2022: Chintamanis Inc., in Franklin Park, NJ;
- Jan. 27, 2023: Princess Diamonds, in Falls Church, VA.
The now unsealed indictment alleges that between Sept. 11, 2022 and Oct. 22, 2022, one of the defendants, William Hunter, conspired to commit carjackings with other group members. Allegedly, using stolen cars to get to-and-from the robberies.
"Last fall some of the defendants committed a violent carjacking in Maryland and used the stolen car as a getaway vehicle during one of the robberies," said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division.
“This indictment alleges a conspiracy to engage in a violent armed robbery spree involving commercial establishments throughout the Eastern Seaboard,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves.
Here's who was indicted in this case:
- Andrew Smith aka “Drewso” or “Drew," 29, Maryland
- Antonio Tate, aka “Motion” or “T-Motion," 20, Washington, D.C.
- Avery Fuller, aka “Ace,” “Fully,” or “Fully Ace," 28, Washington, D.C.
- Davon Johnson, aka “Yb," 30, Washington, D.C.
- Decarlos Hill, aka “Los," 29, Maryland
- Delonte Martin, aka “DD," 25, Washington, D.C.
- Franklin Hunter, aka “Gino," 29, Washington, D.C.
- Hesham Gomaa, 45, Virginia
- Jameise Christian, aka “Safe Play," “Safety,” or “Safe,” 32, Washington, D.C.
- Jaylaun Brown, aka “Lil Launy," 21, Washington, D.C.
- Keith McDuffie, 26, California
- Robert Sheffield, aka “Real Lifaa," 32, Washington, D.C.
- Timothy Conrad, aka “Twin," 32, Washington, D.C.
- Trevor Wright, aka “Taliban Glizzy," 32, Washington, D.C.
- William Hunter, aka “Ill Will,” 28, Washington, D.C.
- Lamont Marable, 27, Washington, D.C.
The document also states that Wright, Hunter, Avery Fuller, and Franklin Hunter were making profits from the robberies. Officials recovered $50,000 inside of a safe and multiple guns inside one of the defendants home.
Multiple agencies across the Eastern Seaboard assisted in the takedown of the crew. The agencies included Washington’s FBI and ATF’s division, Metropolitan Police Department, Falls Church Police department, and Fairfax County Police department.
“For the past 20 months, the FBI worked with our partners across state lines to connect the defendants to these heists. Today's indictment is a testament to the strength of our partnerships and the commitment we all share to eradicating violent crime.” said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg.
"These are the calculated crimes of someone who is willing to threaten a life for money or property and there will be severe consequences for such conduct," said U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves.
Group members face 20-years-to-life in prison if convicted.
Read the full indictment here.