Isaiah Chase, a 27-year-old resident of Silver Spring, Maryland, received an 84-month federal prison sentence for his involvement in a gunpoint robbery at Busboys and Poets. The incident took place at the café and bookstore located in the 400 block of K Street, NW.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., alongside FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan from the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Chase entered a guilty plea on August 5, 2024, to charges of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton not only sentenced him to 84 months but also mandated five years of supervised release.
Court documents reveal that Chase collaborated with several conspirators, including an employee at Busboys and Poets, to execute the robbery on February 6, 2022. He was instructed to arrive at approximately 9:30 p.m., entering when a specific individual appeared at the front.
Wearing dark clothing and masks, Chase and two others infiltrated the establishment as staff were closing up for the night. Each displayed firearms towards employees while demanding money but ultimately left with only keys to the business before escaping in a vehicle.
Chase's arrest occurred on November 4, 2022, at his Silver Spring apartment. A search revealed various firearms including a loaded Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun with ammunition; a fully automatic .556 caliber machine gun; an AM-15 rifle; additional magazines; and marijuana intended for distribution.
The case involved investigations by both the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force and MPD's Carjacking Task Force. Prosecution efforts are led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Solomon Eppel and Matthew Kinskey.
