WASHINGTON, D.C. – A 34-year-old District of Columbia man, Robert Sheffield, known by his alias “Da Real Lifaa,” has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for his involvement in a violent multi-state robbery ring that targeted South Asian-owned jewelry stores. The announcement was made by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Sheffield pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy and possession of a firearm during a violent crime, admitting to participating in a series of armed heists that spanned several states and inflicted fear and financial loss upon the South Asian business community.
A Calculated Crime Spree
The robberies were carried out by a 15-member crew that federal prosecutors allege was led by Trevor Wright, a rapper known as “Taliban Glizzy.” The group specifically targeted high-purity gold jewelry, a hallmark of South Asian jewelers, and netted millions of dollars in stolen merchandise and cash during the nearly two-year spree.
Court documents reveal that the crime wave began in January 2022 and continued until August 2023, when arrests started to bring the operation to a halt.
Sheffield admitted to his direct role in two of the group’s most brazen robberies:
April 28, 2023 – Yasini Jewelers, Falls Church, Virginia
November 10, 2022 – Baral Jewelers, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Violence and Intimidation
The Baral Jewelers robbery was particularly harrowing. Armed and masked, Sheffield and his co-conspirators stormed the store, holding employees and customers at gunpoint while others smashed display cases to steal gold jewelry. Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts played a key role in the investigation.
After the robbery, some of the stolen items and proceeds were flaunted on social media. One co-defendant posted a photo of Sheffield posing with a large stack of cash, while another highlighted a luxury Rolex purchased with the ill-gotten gains.
At Yasini Jewelers, Sheffield and five others used a sledgehammer to break through the storefront window. The attempt was actually their second at this location—Yasini had previously been targeted in January 2022. During the April 2023 attempt, the store’s owner fired a weapon at the suspects, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. The robbers fled the scene empty-handed.
Arrest and Sentencing
Following Sheffield’s arrest, law enforcement recovered a handgun used in the Yasini robbery as well as live ammunition from his residence. Investigators later linked him to both crimes through forensic evidence, witness statements, and digital footprints.
Sheffield has a prior conviction for armed robbery and served a five-year prison sentence before participating in these new crimes.
On top of his nine-year prison term, U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper ordered Sheffield to serve five years of supervised release once his incarceration ends.
A Collaborative Law Enforcement Effort
The successful prosecution of Sheffield and others involved in the robbery ring was the result of an extensive investigation led by:
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – Washington Field Division
Metropolitan Police Department
FBI Field Offices in Newark and Washington
U.S. Marshals Service
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sitara Witanachchi and Andrea Duvall, who praised the joint effort to dismantle the group and hold its members accountable.
Impact on the Community
This string of robberies left a lasting impact on South Asian business owners, many of whom were specifically targeted because of their inventory. The violent nature of the crimes sparked fear within the community and prompted increased security measures.
By securing convictions and lengthy prison terms for key figures like Robert Sheffield, federal authorities hope to bring a sense of justice and renewed safety to victims and their families.
“This case demonstrates our commitment to protecting vulnerable communities from violent, targeted criminal enterprises,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated in its release.
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