Daniel Skinner, 34, of Washington, D.C., is headed to federal prison for seven years after robbing a Northeast 7-Eleven at gunpoint—only the weapon was a screwdriver. The brazen heist unfolded just after 5 a.m. on June 26, 2016, when Skinner walked into the store at the 900 block of Bladensburg Road NE, ordered coffee, then flashed what looked like a black handgun from his waistband. The terrified clerk handed over about $60. Skinner bolted—leaving behind more than just fear.
He left the coffee cup. That cup became the break investigators needed. Forensic techs lifted DNA from it and ran it through the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The hit? Daniel Skinner. The evidence chain tightened fast. Surveillance footage showed the suspect wearing a distinctive ‘Challenge Accepted’ T-shirt and a black bucket hat—clothing later recovered during a vehicle search in Prince George’s County, Maryland, weeks after the robbery.
That search also turned up multiple screwdrivers—the one used to simulate a firearm now accounted for. The match was undeniable. Skinner had already pled guilty in December 2017 to the D.C. armed robbery charge in Superior Court. U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu announced the sentencing, carried out by the Honorable Juliet McKenna, who slapped Skinner with seven years behind bars plus five years of supervised release post-incarceration.
But this wasn’t his first rodeo. Skinner previously pled guilty to four armed robberies in Prince George’s County, Md., netting him a 40-year prison sentence. The D.C. term will run concurrently—meaning no extra time, but official accountability for every crime on the ledger. The Maryland cases involved similar tactics: intimidation, fake or real weapons, and quick escapes.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) moved fast at the 7-Eleven scene, collecting witness statements, securing video, and preserving forensic evidence. Their collaboration with the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences and Prince George’s County Police was critical. The digital and physical trail—from DNA to clothing—sealed Skinner’s fate without a trial.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Liu praised MPD’s swift response and the forensic sleuthing that cracked the case. She specifically recognized Assistant U.S. Attorney Vivien Cockburn, who investigated and prosecuted the matter. ‘Robbery is terror inflicted in seconds,’ Liu said. ‘Justice isn’t just the sentence—it’s making sure every crime is counted.’ Skinner now has years to reflect on that truth behind bars.
Related Federal Cases
- Jamah Harris Gets 10 Years for D.C. Armed Robberies · Maryland
- Maryland Man Gets 18 Years for Second Degree Murder While Armed · Maryland
- Dana Dixon Gets 6 Years for NW D.C. Burglaries · Maryland
- Gene James Gets 17+ Years for Uber Driver Carjacking, Shooting · Maryland
- Jordan Tyler Alexander Gets 46 Months for Stolen Car Chase, Gun Possession · Minnesota
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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