Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced last week that charges have been filed against four individuals, aged 16 to 20, for their involvement in a series of commercial burglaries and attempted burglaries targeting Federal Firearm Licensee (FFL) stores in Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, and Baltimore Counties. These incidents occurred between December 2023 and March 2024.
The group is allegedly responsible for at least ten criminal incidents, including three successful burglaries and seven attempted burglaries of FFL stores, commonly known as gun stores. In one instance, a member of the group also faces charges for the theft of a motor vehicle.
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The group is accused of using a pry bar to break into the stores during late night and early morning hours, stealing approximately 81 firearms and 10 firearm replicas. To date, only six of these firearms have been recovered, all found in the possession of juveniles or individuals prohibited from owning them.
Investigators uncovered evidence that the group attempted to sell or trade the stolen firearms on social media. On at least two occasions, the group was reportedly robbed of firearms they had stolen. Additionally, one member of the group accidentally discharged a firearm, injuring an associate in both feet, which required hospitalization.
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“The reality is these stolen guns made their way into our communities, so it has always been a two-part mission: find those responsible and find the guns. We found the people, and hear this: break the law and you will be held accountable,” said Attorney General Brown. “Marylanders are tired of crime happening in their communities and they want illegal guns off the streets. While law enforcement works tirelessly to find the remaining stolen guns, my attorneys will head to court and work to ensure the case against these individuals is brought to a successful conclusion.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge Toni Crosby of the Baltimore Field Division commented, “ATF will continue to work closely with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to hold those accountable for the burglaries of these Federal Firearms Licensees. This investigation will be ongoing until each and every stolen firearm is recovered.”
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The defendants charged in the case are:
- Cy’juan Hemsley, 19, from District Heights, charged with 200 counts.
- Mahkiya McQuinn-Woodley, 20, from Baltimore, charged with 189 counts.
- An unnamed 17-year-old male from Temple Hills, charged with 199 counts.
- An unnamed 16-year-old male from Upper Marlboro, charged with 205 counts.
All four defendants are currently charged as adults and are being held without bail.
Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz expressed his concern, noting the troubling involvement of juveniles and stressing the importance of accountability: “These arrests, achieved through local and federal law enforcement collaboration, highlight the importance of teamwork in ensuring community safety. The use of firearms by young individuals is particularly concerning, and accountability must follow.”
The cases will be prosecuted in Anne Arundel County, with the investigation led by the Organized Crime Unit of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives – Baltimore Field Division, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
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Anne Arundel County Chief of Police Amal E. Awad commended the collaboration between agencies, stating, “The perpetrators of these crimes damaged businesses and were responsible for many weapons sold and transferred to individuals prohibited from possessing and carrying firearms, creating an increased danger for our community members.”
Baltimore County Police Chief Robert O. McCullough added, “Through the collaboration of local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, investigators successfully linked the crew to a series of gun store burglaries across the region. Due to those efforts, these defendants no longer pose a threat to our communities.”
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Attorney General Brown expressed gratitude to the attorneys in his Criminal Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and local law enforcement agencies for their dedication to this investigation. He also thanked the State’s Attorneys for Prince George’s County, Anne Arundel County, and Baltimore County for their assistance in the case.
It is important to note that a criminal indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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