WASHINGTON – A 22-year-old man from the District, Orlin Lemus-Cruz, was found guilty today in D.C. Superior Court of multiple charges related to an armed robbery that occurred on March 26, 2025, in Northwest Washington. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the verdict, which included one count of armed carjacking, two counts of armed robbery, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
The incident took place in the 3100 block of Hiatt Place NW, where Lemus-Cruz and two accomplices approached two victims who were watching a soccer game at the Bell Athletic Field. The victims were reportedly pistol-whipped and robbed at gunpoint of their belongings, including a coat and a moped. Following the robbery, Lemus-Cruz was arrested on April 5, 2025, and has remained in custody since his arrest.
Co-conspirators Jason Benitez-Umanzor and Julio Villafranco previously pleaded guilty to armed robbery on November 19, 2025. The case, which highlights ongoing concerns about public safety in the District, was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department, with Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll joining in the announcement of the verdict.
Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld has scheduled sentencing for October 30, 2026. The armed robbery conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, while the armed carjacking conviction could result in a sentence ranging from 15 to 40 years in prison.
The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Nickolas Reck and Michael Dal Lago, with the case indicted by Assistant United States Attorney Rashmika Nedungadi. This verdict serves as a reminder of the commitment of law enforcement and the judicial system to address violent crime in Washington, D.C.
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