U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced that Robert Sheffield, 34, from the District of Columbia, has been sentenced to 108 months in federal prison. Sheffield was involved in a conspiracy that carried out a series of violent robberies targeting South Asian jewelry stores across multiple states. The group reportedly acquired millions in cash and gold, with Trevor Wright, also known as rapper "Taliban Glizzy," allegedly leading the 15-member crew.
Sheffield, who goes by "Da Real Lifaa," entered a guilty plea on February 20, 2025. He admitted to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery) and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. District Court Judge Christopher R. Cooper imposed the nine-year sentence and ordered five years of supervised release.
The co-conspirators were responsible for at least 11 robberies before being apprehended, leaving behind significant destruction and financial loss for their victims.
In his plea agreement, Sheffield confessed to participating in an armed robbery on November 10, 2023, where $1 million in cash and gold was stolen from Baral Jewelers in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He also admitted to being the gunman during an April 28, 2023 robbery at Yasini Jewelers in Falls Church, Virginia.
The criminal activities spanned from January 2022 until August 2023 when several members were charged and arrested. On November 10, 2022, Sheffield and others executed a robbery at Baral Jewelers by subduing employees and customers while stealing gold jewelry.
Following one such heist, social media posts showed Sheffield displaying cash and purchasing a Rolex watch valued at $11,500 using money obtained through these crimes.
On April 28, 2023, another attempt was made at Yasini Jewelers where five masked individuals broke into the store but fled after an exchange of gunfire with the store owner.
Law enforcement arrested Sheffield on August 30, 2023. During searches of residences linked to him and his associates, authorities recovered firearms including one used during the Yasini incident along with ammunition.
Sheffield had previously served five years for armed robbery involving a firearm.
This case involved investigations by several agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Metropolitan Police Department; FBI Newark; Washington Field Offices; and U.S. Marshals Service. It is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sitara Witanachchi and Andrea Duvall.
