Reston Man Sentenced For 2023 Robbery Of Chantilly Check-Cashing Store

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A 42-year-old Reston man was sentenced in federal court on Tuesday after being convicted for his role in the armed robbery of a check-cashing business in Chantilly last year.

Al Gibran Taylor of Reston and 42-year-old Antonio Chester Lewis of Oxon Hill, Maryland, entered the Chantilly check-cashing business on Nov. 18, 2023, with the intention of robbing the store of its cash, according to court documents.

Lewis pointed a .223/5.56 mm caliber semi-automatic rifle at customers, ordering them to raise their hands, according to court records. When Taylor tried to open the cashier's booth to gain access to the store's register and safe, he discovered it was locked. Seeing this, Lewis grabbed the cashier and forced her to open the booth, which allowed Taylor to remove a large amount of cash from the safe.

After police arrested Lewis on March 27, they searched his home, according to court documents. Investigators found the rifle used in the 2023 robbery, as well as a shotgun, ammunition, and a privately made firearm with no serial number. Police also recovered a handgun and more ammunition during an April 4 search of Lewis' vehicle.

Lewis pleaded guilty on June 13 to interference with commerce by robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm. He was sentenced on Sept. 3 to 15 years and eight months in prison, according to court documents.

Taylor pleaded guilty on June 21 to the use of a firearm in the furtherance of a crime of violence. On Tuesday, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison, court records say.

Lewis and Taylor's criminal records show they each had multiple prior convictions. Since Lewis had been convicted of a felony, he was not legally allowed to possess a firearm or ammunition.

Prior Convictions For Lewis And Taylor

• Aug. 9, 1994 - Possession with intent to distribute cocaine (Lewis)
• May 30, 1997 - Possession with intent to distribute cocaine while armed (Lewis)
• Oct. 20, 2005 - Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (Lewis)
• Dec. 21, 2006 - Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence during which the firearm was discharged (Taylor)
• June 30, 2006 - Possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony.