Van Robinson, 44, from the District of Columbia, was sentenced to 101 months in federal prison for his role in the “21st and Vietnam” gang. The sentencing took place in U.S. District Court and was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
“Robinson was a key member of a crew that menaced our community around 21st Street and Maryland Avenue for years with its toxic mix of lethal drugs and random violence,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. “With Robinson’s sentencing today, the 21st and Vietnam crew has definitively been put out of business.”
Robinson, also known as “Boogie,” pleaded guilty on March 19, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. In addition to the prison term, Judge Beryl A. Howell ordered three years of supervised release after Robinson completes his sentence.
Court records show that the “21st and Vietnam” group distributed crack cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and other substances in large amounts throughout Northeast Washington D.C. The crew was linked to two shootings: one on March 7, 2024, when Charles Manson fired at a passerby near their open-air drug market; and another on April 19, 2024—a drive-by shooting carried out by Briyon Shuford and Trevon Palmer—which wounded four people.
Robinson was described as an active participant who helped take over an apartment complex used as the gang’s headquarters. Law enforcement observed him frequently at this location on the 1900 block of I Street NE during their investigation.
A search warrant executed at Robinson’s home on May 15, 2024 led to the recovery of a loaded Glock 27 firearm, about 14 grams of suspected fentanyl, and various items related to drug trafficking.
With this sentencing, all twelve members charged in this case have now received sentences:
– Damien Jenkins (“Woe”): 151 months
– Trevon Palmer (“Rocky”): 192 months
– Charles Manson (“Cheese”): 170 months
– Jamiek Bassil (“Onion”): 135 months
– Nathaniel Russell (“Thump”): 42 months
– Briyon Shuford (“Breezy”): 161 months
– Jason Green: 115 months
– Ahmed Mikal Bailey: 30 months
– Jerome Powell: 27 months
– Lydell Douglas: 24 months
– Abrian Walker: 12 months (6 with home confinement)
The announcement included officials from multiple agencies: DEA Special Agent in Charge Chris Goumenis (Washington Division Office), FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox (Washington Field Office), and Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll (Metropolitan Police Department). The investigation involved collaboration between these agencies along with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Duvall and Solomon Eppel prosecuted the case.
