Erin Sheffey, a 30-year-old resident of Washington D.C., has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in a series of armed robberies targeting Brinks armored cars. The crimes resulted in the theft of over $1.2 million. This sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, alongside FBI Special Agent Sean Ryan and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Sheffey was convicted on September 9, 2024, for conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery. His co-defendants, identified as Brock and McNair, were also found guilty of interference with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery), bank robbery, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. In addition to his prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth imposed three years of supervised release on Sheffey.
The charges stem from three separate robberies involving Brinks armored trucks on October 6, 2021; December 8, 2021; and March 2, 2022. During these incidents, firearms were used to threaten the drivers while stealing cash totaling more than $1.2 million.
Court documents revealed that Sheffey and his associates were part of the Choppa City street crew. They meticulously planned the heists using firearms on city streets at busy times, posing significant risks to public safety. The group executed each robbery around 9 a.m., targeting drivers as they exited their vehicles for deliveries.
Brock was noted as the mastermind behind these operations, having studied the routes and schedules of Brinks drivers extensively before executing the robberies with McNair and Sheffey's assistance. Evidence presented at trial showed that some defendants flaunted their stolen wealth on social media through images displaying large amounts of cash and high-end purchases like vehicles bought shortly after the heists.
The investigation was conducted by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Metropolitan Police Department. Prosecution efforts were led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Tepfer along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Schneider, receiving additional support from AUSAs Josh Gold, Meredith Mayer-Dempsey, and Thomas Strong.