Violent Robbery Crew Targets Pharmacies and Phone Stores in DC, MD, VA, and NJ.
WASHINGTON – A federal jury found Ashley Gause, 32, aka “Cray,” of Washington DC, guilty of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery), conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances from the pharmacy robberies, and nine counts of Hobbs Act Robbery.
Joining Gause in the guilty verdicts were her co-defendants, D’Marrell Mitchel, 35, of Washington DC, and Terrance Barnham, 35, of Washington DC. Mitchel was found guilty of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and nine counts of Hobbs Act Robbery. Barnham was found guilty of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of Hobbs Act Robbery, and one count of carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.
The jury deliberated for three days following a six-week trial. Sentencing is scheduled for February 4, 2026, for Gause; February 6, 2026, for Mitchel; and February 3, 2026, for Barnham. Each count of Hobbs Act robbery carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Carrying a firearm during a crime of violence carries a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.
The violent robbery crew targeted 12 pharmacies and phone stores in the mid-Atlantic region from May 9, 2020, through May 26, 2021. The crew sought to rob the businesses of prescription drugs and iPhones that they could then resell in Washington DC.
Multiple co-defendants previously pleaded guilty to their roles in a number of robberies. Co-defendant Floyd Neal, 31, of Washington DC, pleaded guilty to his role in the April 1, 2021, robbery of a pharmacy in Manassas and was sentenced on July 17, 2024, to 157 months in prison. Ashawntea Henderson, 32, of Washington DC, pleaded guilty to interference of interstate commerce by robbery for his role in the May 9, 2020 robbery of a pharmacy in Neptune, New Jersey, and was sentenced on February 18, 2025, to 57 months in prison. Glenn Dolford, 32, of Washington DC, pleaded guilty to two counts of interference of interstate commerce by robbery for his roles in the June 8, 2020, robbery of a pharmacy in Nottingham, Maryland, and the June 9, 2020, robbery of a phone store in College Park, Maryland. Dolford, who also is serving a 22-year sentence for murder, was sentenced on July 18, 2025, to an additional 42 months for his roles in the robberies.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office with valuable assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department, Alexandria Police Department, Anne Arundel County Police Department, Baltimore County Police Department, Henrico County Police Division, Laurel Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department, Neptune Township N.J. Police Department, and Prince George’s County Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josh Gold, Cameron Tepfer, Sarah Martin, and Mark Levy with assistance from paralegal specialist Jenna Lee.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Category: Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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