CyJuan Hemsley, an 18-year-old from District Heights, Maryland, has pleaded guilty in a U.S. District Court to charges related to the December 2023 burglary of a Maryland pawn shop. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., ATF Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Hemsley entered his plea on May 7, 2025, admitting to conspiracy to commit theft from a firearms licensee and possession of stolen firearms. He is among five individuals who have pleaded guilty in this case. The others are Tyjuan McNeal, Vincent Alston, Niquan Odumn, and Juwon Anderson.
The incident occurred on December 13, 2023, when the group traveled from Washington D.C. to A&D Pawn Shop in Glen Burnie, Maryland. According to court documents, they used tools such as a portable saw and crowbar to break into the shop and stole at least 34 firearms including rifles, shotguns, and pistols.
The stolen firearms were later advertised for sale on social media platforms. Hemsley was apprehended on March 22, 2024, and has remained in custody since his arrest. Authorities have recovered 17 of the stolen weapons so far.
U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson has set Hemsley's sentencing for August 6, 2025. The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division along with the Metropolitan Police Department. Assistance has also been provided by the ATF Baltimore Field Division. The prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shehzad Akhtar with support from former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Lipes.
