District Man Sentenced to 8 1/2 Years in Prison For Series of Robberies of Businesses

            WASHINGTON – Quincy Lamont Bufford, 38, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to an 8 ½-year prison term for robbing three businesses, including two banks, in Southeast Washington within a 10-day period in 2013, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr., Andrew G. McCabe, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Bufford pled guilty in March 2015, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to two counts of bank robbery and one count of interference with interstate commerce by robbery. He was sentenced by the Honorable Christopher R. Cooper. Upon completion of his prison term, Bufford will be placed on three years of supervised release. He also was ordered to pay $1,699 in restitution.

            According to the government’s evidence, the first robbery took place on July 8, 2013 at approximately 12:35 p.m. Bufford entered the Boost Mobile, in the 2400 block of Good Hope Road SE, placed his hands on the counter, and told an employee, “Give me your money.”  After an employee questioned him, Bufford responded, “Make it easy on yourself and just give me the money.”  When the employee told Bufford that they did not have any money and that he would have to speak to the store manager, Bufford became angry, reached over the counter, opened the cashier’s drawer, and forcefully took $649, putting it in his pants pocket before walking out.

            The second robbery took place on July 15, 2013, at about 11:25 a.m. This time, Bufford entered the Sun Trust Bank in the 1300 block of Good Hope Road SE and pressed a demand note up against the glass.  The note stated, in part, “Put money in bag or I’ll kill someone.”  As the bank teller began to fumble with her drawer, Bufford pointed at her and stated, “Don’t stall me.”  The bank teller took out bundles of loose bills, at which point Bufford stated, “That’s enough.”  The bank teller handed Bufford approximately $890. Bufford stated, “Call the police and I’m goin’ kill you” before exiting the bank.  The bank robbery was captured on bank surveillance video.  Following the robbery, law enforcement processed the doors, glass, and counter inside the bank for fingerprints.  A fingerprint and palm print later were found to match Bufford.

            The third robbery occurred on July 17, 2013, at about 10:35 a.m. Bufford entered the PNC Bank in the 4100 block of South Capitol Street SE and went directly to the teller line. Once again he presented a threatening demand note.  The bank teller hit the panic alarm, and then pulled $50’s and $20’s from his drawer and placed them on the counter.  Defendant Bufford then stated, “Hurry up, I’m serious,” to which the bank teller responded, “this is all I got” before sliding approximately $160 under the dividing glass.  Bufford put the money in his pants pocket before exiting the bank.  The bank robbery was captured on bank surveillance video.  Following the robbery, law enforcement processed the doors, glass, and counter inside the bank for fingerprints.  Four fingerprints and one palm print later were determined to match Bufford.

            Less than three hours after this robbery, Bufford returned to Boost Mobile and attempted to reach over the counter to remove cash from the cashier drawer.  Store employees recognized him from the July 8 robbery and chased him out of the store.

            In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen, Assistant Director in Charge McCabe, and Chief Lanier commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and MPD. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance of the FBI Laboratory’s Latent Print Operations Unit. In addition, they acknowledged the work of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Legal Assistant Holly Crouse and former Paralegal Specialist Starla Stolk, as well as Assistant U.S Attorney Arvind Lal and former intern Joseph Drummey, of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section.  Finally, they thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Kent, of the Violent Crimes and Narcotics Trafficking Section, who prosecuted the case.