Man Sentenced For Armed Robberies Targeting South Asian Jewelry Stores

Photo: DOJ

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – William Hunter, 28, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for his role in a series of violent armed robberies targeting South Asian jewelry stores across multiple states. The crimes, which spanned 18 months, netted millions of dollars in gold and cash while terrorizing victims.
Hunter, known as “Ill Will,” pleaded guilty in September 2024 to Hobbs Act robbery and possessing a firearm during a violent crime. U.S. District Court Judge Christopher R. Cooper also sentenced him to four years of supervised release.
Prosecutors on December 11 revealed that Hunter was part of a 15-member crew allegedly led by Trevor Wright, a rapper known as “Taliban Glizzy.” The group meticulously planned and executed robberies in Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and beyond, often using stolen or carjacked vehicles to evade law enforcement. The crew targeted stores known for selling high-purity gold, smashing display cases with hammers and wielding firearms to intimidate store owners, employees, and customers.
Hunter admitted to participating in six robberies, including incidents at Yasini Jewelers in Falls Church, Virginia, and Paradise Jewelry in Paterson, New Jersey. During these armed takeovers, victims were terrorized as the crew ransacked stores, causing significant damage. Afterward, the stolen gold was melted down into bars and sold, with members flaunting their profits on social media.
Hunter’s criminal activities extended beyond the robberies. When he was arrested in March 2023 in Washington, D.C., law enforcement recovered a loaded handgun with an obliterated serial number, ammunition, and tools used in the heists.