Cedric Minger, Gun Theft, Virginia 2023

SPRINGFIELD, VA – Two Maryland men are facing serious federal charges after a brazen burglary at Dominion Defense in Springfield, Virginia, last April. Cedric Minger, 21, and Victor Jones, 22, are accused of stealing over 50 firearms – including pistols, rifles, short-barreled rifles, and silencers – in a meticulously planned operation that stretched across state lines.

According to a federal indictment unsealed yesterday, the pair, along with two unnamed co-conspirators, arrived at Dominion Defense on April 29, 2023, in a stolen Acura ILX. After smashing the glass on the front door, they reportedly struggled to breach the inner security door. The indictment alleges that Minger escalated the situation, firing a firearm at the door in an attempt to force entry. He then allegedly squeezed through an opening at the top of the door, grabbing over 50 firearms and passing them to his accomplices, who loaded them into the stolen Acura before fleeing back to Washington, D.C.

This wasn’t a one-off crime, authorities say. The indictment details further alleged attempts by Minger and Jones to burglarize other firearms dealers. On April 30, 2023, they allegedly targeted Engage Armament in Rockville, Maryland, and on May 10, 2023, Minger, along with at least two other co-conspirators, attempted to break into Top Gun Firearms in Fallston, Maryland. The pair are also charged with multiple counts related to the possession and interstate transportation of stolen vehicles, including both the Acura ILX and a Nissan Sentra used in the later attempted burglary.

The investigation, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division, involved a multi-agency response, including police departments from Fairfax, City of Fairfax, Metropolitan, Alexandria, Montgomery County, Maryland State, Prince George’s County, Howard County, and Prince William County. The collaborative effort paints a picture of a determined and escalating criminal enterprise.

If convicted, Cedric Minger and Victor Jones face a maximum of five years in prison for conspiracy to steal firearms from federal firearms licensees (FFLs). Each additional charge carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years behind bars. While these are the maximum penalties, a federal district court judge will ultimately determine the sentencing, taking into account U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.

U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia emphasized that this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a renewed focus on PSN in 2021, prioritizing community trust, prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith Edwards and Cristina C. Stam are prosecuting the case.

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