Zachary Alexander Kinnell, a 23-year-old from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. The sentence was delivered by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis for Kinnell's involvement in a series of robberies targeting fast-food restaurants across Maryland and Virginia.
Kinnell pleaded guilty to charges of interference with interstate commerce by robbery and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentencing alongside Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno from the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office; Chief Marc Yamada from the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD); and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
The crime spree began on July 28, 2022, and continued until August 3 of the same year. During this period, Kinnell and his co-conspirator Brian Thornel Elzey robbed 11 fast-food restaurants, collecting a total of $3,555.01. Their method involved approaching drive-thru windows under the guise of conducting legitimate transactions before forcibly taking cash.
On August 1 through August 3, the robberies escalated when Kinnell brandished a firearm while robbing four additional restaurants. Law enforcement apprehended both suspects on August 4 near Wheaton, Maryland when MCPD officers stopped their stolen vehicle. A search revealed a semi-automatic pistol along with cash drawers taken from restaurants.
Authorities also discovered that Kinnell and Elzey attempted six more robberies during their spree. This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community organizations.
U.S. Attorney Hayes praised multiple law enforcement agencies including the FBI and various county police departments for their efforts in investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas F. Potter and Timothy J. Hagan prosecuted the case.
For further details about the initiatives undertaken by the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office or community resources available through them, visit justice.gov/usao-md or justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
