DC Man Admits To Robbing 3 Liquor Stores Of Thousands In Cash And Champagne At Gunpoint

WASHINGTON, DC — District resident Leon A. Miller, 33, was sentenced in federal court Thursday to seven to nine years in prison for the robbery of cash and champagne from a Northwest liquor store last October, according to court documents. Authorities say that Miller also admitted to robbing two other liquor stores and two store customers.

As part of his plea deal, Miller admitted to robbing Paul’s Wine and Spirits on Wisconsin Avenue around 6 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2021. Using a black handgun, he demanded that a store employee empty the cash registers and give him three specific kinds of champagne, according to court documents. He left the store with the alcohol and around $200 in cash.

Miller admitted to robbing two other liquor stores in Northwest, The Wine Specialist on 20th Street on Oct. 12, 2021 and Press Liquors on 14th Street, on Oct. 13, 2021, according to court records.

At The Wine Specialist, Miller used a handgun again to force an employee to empty the cash register. He left the store with $2,000 in cash two bottles of champagne valued at approximately $950, according to court records.

The next night, Miller demanded money from a Press Liquors employee at gunpoint, before leaving the store with about $900, according to court documents. Authorities say Miller also pointed the handgun at two customers and stole their wallets and phones.

D.C. police officers arrested Miller about an hour after the robbery at Paul's. He was taken into custody near the Dupont Circle Metro station.

Once Miller completes his prison term, he will be placed on five years of supervised release.