WASHINGTON, D.C. – A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison for his role in a string of armed robberies at a Walgreens store in Chinatown, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
The Sentence
Kamanye Williams, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty to multiple charges including:
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Conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery
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Using and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence
In addition to his 16.5-year sentence, Williams will serve five years of supervised release and must pay $7,245.75 in restitution.
A Scheme Involving Insiders
The case centered on a series of seven robberies carried out over an eight-month period at the Walgreens located at 7th and H Streets NW.
Authorities say Williams conspired with three accomplices, including two store managers, to carry out the heists. The managers — Michael Robinson and London Teeter — allegedly staged the incidents by posing as victims during the robberies.
The robberies typically followed the same pattern: masked individuals would storm the store, force entry into the manager’s office, and seize cash after it had been transferred there. With managers complicit in the scheme, the staged attacks appeared authentic to outside observers.
A Violent Ending
The operation came to an abrupt end on February 11, 2024, during the seventh robbery attempt. Williams was shot by a Special Police Officer responding to the incident, forcing the conspirators’ plot into the open.
By then, investigators had gathered evidence linking Williams to each of the robberies, supported by communications between the conspirators and testimony from witnesses.
Evidence of Escalation
Transcripts of text messages presented in court revealed the group’s determination to make the robberies appear credible and financially rewarding.
According to prosecutors, Williams repeatedly pressed his co-conspirators to increase the level of violence, arguing that the previous robberies were not yielding enough money.
In one exchange, Williams wrote:
“Go in violently now, I’m tired of this not hitting what we supposed to hit.”
The texts painted a picture of a calculated effort to escalate the crimes, despite the already serious risks.
Criminal History
Williams was already known to law enforcement before the Walgreens case. In 2021, he was convicted of carrying a pistol without a license following a car-to-car shootout that left one victim paralyzed.
Despite the gravity of that incident, Williams was sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act to just one year of supervised probation — a leniency intended to help young offenders rehabilitate.
Prosecutors pointed to this history in arguing for a stiff sentence, noting that Williams had squandered opportunities for reform and continued to endanger public safety.
Prosecutors Respond
The U.S. Attorney’s Office highlighted the case as an example of how violent and organized retail crime undermines both community safety and local businesses.
“Williams and his accomplices exploited their access, abused positions of trust, and staged violent incidents for profit,” prosecutors said in a statement. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of the crimes and the danger posed to the community.”
Conclusion
With Williams’ sentencing, federal authorities say the Chinatown Walgreens robbery spree has come to an end. But the case serves as a sobering reminder of how inside assistance, escalating violence, and repeat offenders can combine to wreak havoc on businesses and neighborhoods.
For Williams, the outcome is stark: a 16.5-year federal prison sentence, years of supervised release, and a criminal record that now spans multiple violent offenses.
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