District Man Found Guilty of Burglary and Robbery
-Defendant Joined Masked Men in Breaking Into His Own Cousin’s Apartment-

     WASHINGTON - Gregory Brown, 40, of Washington, D.C., has been convicted by a jury of burglary, robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and threats for his role in a break-in of his cousin’s apartment, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

     The verdict was returned October 21, 2011 before the Honorable Thomas J. Motley in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Brown is to be sentenced December 19, 2011. He faces up to 15 years in prison for the robbery charge and up to 30 years for burglary.

     According to the government’s evidence, on May 31, 2011, at about 11:15 p.m., Brown entered his cousin’s apartment in the 1900 block of Savannah Terrace SE, using a key given to him by his cousin’s wife. The victim awoke to find Brown and four masked men inside.

     Brown ordered the victim out of bed and onto a couch in the living room, where he threatened to have him shot if he moved. Brown and three of the masked men then removed various items from the apartment, including assorted electronics, the victim’s clothing, cell phone, and keys to the victim’s van. One of the men reached into the victim’s pockets and took money and two bank cards, and Brown pulled the victim’s wedding ring off of his finger.

     Brown and the masked men then left in the victim’s van and another car. Hours later, the victim’s van was found in an alley across the street from Brown’s residence. Much of the stolen property was subsequently found inside Brown’s home.

     In announcing the conviction, U.S. Attorney Machen commended Detective Cornell Johnson and Officers Greg Nagurka, Martin Fosso, Arlene Marsham-West, and Benjamin Finck of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), who were involved in the investigation and prosecution of this case. U.S. Attorney Machen also expressed appreciation to Paralegal Lamine Hendrix and Legal Assistant Charmonique Price, who prepared the case for indictment and trial,

     Domestic Violence Advocate Lezlie Richardson, who worked with the victim throughout the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Gabriel, who indicted and prosecuted the case.

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