All Four Chinatown Walgreens Conspirators Have Pleaded Guilty in a Series of Inside-Job Robberies

            WASHINGTON – Michael Robinson, 34, and Kemanye Williams, 25, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to their roles in a series of seven inside-job robberies of the Walgreens drug store in the District’s Chinatown neighborhood.

            The pleas were announced United States Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            Michael Robinson, who was a store manager at the Walgreens, and Williams each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery) and using, carrying, possessing, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and aiding and abetting. In addition, Williams pleaded guilty to a second count of using a firearm during a crime of violence.

            Two other co-conspirators entered pleas last month. Gianni Robinson, 27, pleaded guilty on February 28 to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery) and using, carrying, possessing, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and aiding and abetting. London Teeter, 21, who was also employed at the Walgreen’s as a store manager, pleaded guilty February 13, to her role in the inside-job robberies.

            The four defendants are each eligible for up to 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine when they are sentenced. The Honorable Jia M. Cobb scheduled a June 10 sentencing date for Michael Robinson. Kemanye Williams, Gianni Robinson,  and London Teeter will be sentenced on June 12.

            According to court documents, the four co-conspirators devised a scheme to carry out armed robberies of the Walgreens store in Chinatown nearly once a month, beginning in July 2023, when either Michael Robinson or Teeter were working. As a store managers, Michael Robinson and Teeter knew the timing of cash transfers within the business. The co-conspirators would also relay information to each other on how many armed security guards were present in the Chinatown Walgreens and how much cash was in the Manager’s Office at any given time. 

            When Michael Robinson was on duty, he gave the inside information to his nephew, Gianni Robinson, who then relayed it to Williams so that Williams could more easily rob the Walgreens.

            The robberies occurred on July 18, 2023, August 2, 2023, September 2, 2023, November 10, 2023, December 4, 2023, January 9, 2024, and February 11, 2024. In their plea agreements, the co-defendants admitted that they stole and split at least $28,983.

            In each robbery, Williams entered the Chinatown Walgreens wearing clothing selected to disguise his identity. Williams brandished a firearm at employees of the Walgreens, and at Special Police Officers assigned to guard the store, and then demanded business proceeds located in the Manager’s Office. Williams forced employees into the manager’s office or accessed the manager’s office using a code provided by Michael Robinson or Teeter. Williams then robbed the employees and fled through a rear exit.

            Michael Robinson and Teeter took turns pretending to be the “victim” manager on duty, knowing that the robberies would be captured on internal surveillance.

            Michael Robinson later admitted that he and Teeter reviewed internal surveillance footage of the robbery that occurred on August 2, 2023, and later discussed over text message as to how to make future robberies look more authentic. Michael Robinson asked Williams to assault him during the robberies to make the robberies look more real.

            In response to the robberies, the Chinatown Walgreens hired armed Special Police Officers to protect the business. Williams robbed the officers of their firearms during the robberies that occurred on December 4, 2023, and February 11, 2024.

            On February 12, 2024, law enforcement searched the residence where Gianni Robinson and Teeter lived. Officers recovered a loaded Glock 45 pistol loaded with 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition from the bedroom floor.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force with assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin F. Song and Sarah Martin, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Svetoslavov of the Federal Major Crimes Section.

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