22-Year-Old Stephon Lee Pleads Guilty to 2023 DC Robbery Spree

A 22-year-old from the District of Columbia has pleaded guilty to a string of six robberies that targeted local businesses in the nation’s capital, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Stephon Lee, 22, of the District of Columbia, pleaded guilty April 19, 2024, to committing a series of robberies that spanned several months, beginning in April 2023 and ending with his arrest in July 2023. Lee pleaded guilty before the Honorable Judge Robert Salerno in Superior Court to two counts of armed robbery, two counts of robbery, one count of attempted armed robbery, and one count of second-degree theft.

According to the government’s evidence, Lee robbed a dry cleaner, fast-food restaurants, a pharmacy, and two local convenience stores throughout the city. In each instance, Lee attempted to steal money from the cash register, but when he could not easily take the money, Lee fought his victims. On two occasions, Lee was armed with a knife, and one occasion he grabbed a nearby pair of scissors.

On April 5, 2023, Lee went to a dry cleaner on Alabama Avenue SE under the auspices of drycleaning his jacket. As Lee asked the victim how much the drycleaning would cost, he suddenly walked behind the counter, grabbed the victim by the back of the neck, and demanded that she open the register. When the victim did not comply quickly enough, the two struggled. Lee grabbed a pair of scissors from under the counter, put them to the victim’s neck, and threatened to stab her if she refused to open the register.

On June 18, 2023, Lee ordered a sandwich at a fast-food franchise on Riggs Road NE, and then left abruptly, saying that he would come back to pay. About 30 minutes later, Lee returned and stood behind a customer who was checking out. Once the employee opened the register to give the customer change, Lee lunged across the counter, grabbed the money tray, and fled the store.

Lee remains held without bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for June 28, 2024. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Miller and Will Lawrence.

The plea deal marks a significant blow to Lee’s freedom, and he will now face the consequences of his actions. The residents of the District of Columbia can rest a little easier knowing that a violent individual is off the streets.