Jacksonville Jeweler Targeted In Multi-State, Violent Crime Ring: Feds

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Sixteen people have been charged in a violent crime ring that targeted small businesses in multiple states, including a Jacksonville jeweler, and in which the perpetrators committed armed robberies, money laundering, carjacking and gun crimes, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Eight people were arrested Wednesday morning, and the other eight were previously arrested, federal prosecutors in Washington, D.C. said.

Charges include conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce robbery, interference with interstate commerce by robbery, using a gun in furtherance of a crime of violence, conspiracy to commit carjacking, and conspiracy to engage in monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity.

Between Jan. 7 2022 and Jan. 27, 2023, the defendants conspired in Washington, D.C. to commit robberies in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida, prosecutors alleged. The robberies targeted jewelry stores owned by Asian-Americans. The perpetrators carried guns during the crimes and were disguised in dark clothing, masks, and gloves, authorities said, adding that at least one used various vehicles, including stolen vehicles, to commit and flee from the robberies:

• Jan. 7, 2022: Yasini Jewelers in East Falls Church, Virginia
• June 10, 2022: Virani Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey
• Sept. 20, 2022: Sonia Jewelers & Boutique, in Springfield, Virginia
• Oct. 25, 2022: Paradise Jewelry Store, in Paterson, New Jersey
• Nov. 10, 2022: Baral Jewelers & Gifts, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
• Nov. 27, 2022: Sara Emporium Jewelry & Boutique, in Springfield, Virginia
• Dec. 6, 2022: Kishek Jewelers, in Jacksonville, Florida
• Dec. 22, 2022: Chintamanis Inc., in Franklin Park, New Jersey
• Jan. 27, 2023: Princess Diamonds, in Falls Church, Virginia

William Hunter, of Washington, D.C. also known as “Ill Will,” conspired to commit carjackings between Sept. 11-Oct. 22, prosecutors said.

Trevor Wright, of Washington, D.C. and known as “Taliban Glizzy,” along with Avery Fuller, aka “Deavry Cordell Fuller,” William Hunter, and Franklin Hunter, aka “Gino,” conspired to launder the proceeds of the stolen property, prosecutors said

The defendants targeted small businesses along the East Coast, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of jewelry from hardworking families," said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg, of the FBI Washington Field Office’s (Criminal and Cyber Division). “For the past 20 months, the FBI worked with our partners across state lines to connect the defendants to these heists."

Below are the defendants and the charges they face:

• Andrew Smith, aka “Drewso” or “Drew,” 29, of Maryland
  • Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
• Antonio Tate, aka “Motion” or “T-Motion," 20, of Washington, D.C.
  
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
• Avery Fuller, aka “Ace”, “Fully”, or “Fully Ace,” 28, of Washington, D.C.
  
  • Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
• Davon Johnson, aka “Yb,” 30, of Washington, D.C.
  
  • Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
• Decarlos Hill, aka “Los,” 29, of Maryland
  
  • Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
• Delonte Martin, aka "DD," 25, of Washington, D.C.
  
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
• Franklin Hunter, aka “Gino,” 29, of Washington, D.C.
  • Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
• Hesham Gomaa, 45, of Virginia
  • Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
• Jameise Christian, aka "Safe Play," "Safety," or "Safe," 32, of Washington, D.C.
  
  • Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
  • conspiracy to commit carjacking
• Jaylaun Brown, aka “Lil Launy,” 21, of Washington, D.C.
  
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
• Keith McDuffie, 26, of California
  
  • Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
• Robert Sheffield, aka “Real Lifaa,” 32, of Washington, D.C.
  • Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
• Timothy Conrad, aka “Twin,” 32, Washington, D.C.
  • Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
• Trevor Wright, aka “Taliban Glizzy,” 32,
  • Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
• William Hunter, aka "Ill Will," 28, of Washington, D.C.
  • Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
  • Conspiracy to commit carjacking
• Lamont Marable, 27, of Washington, D.C.,
  • Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
  • Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence