CrimeJan 13, 2026
Alleged Getaway Driver Charged in Florida Jewelry Store RobberyCrimeJan 15, 2026
D.C. Rapper ‘Taliban Glizzy’ Sentenced to 18+ Years for Jewelry Store Robberies
Trevor Jonathan Wright led a crew in a string of armed robberies targeting South Asian-owned jewelry stores on the East Coast.
Trevor Jonathan Wright, the 34-year-old rapper known as “Taliban Glizzy,” was sentenced on Dec. 16, 2025, to 219 months in prison for his involvement in a multi-state series of armed robberies.
Washington—Rapper Trevor Jonathan Wright, also known as “Taliban Glizzy,” has been sentenced to just over 18 years in prison for his role in a series of armed jewelry store robberies along the East Coast from 2022-2023.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia, Wright was the leader of a 15-man crew that targeted jewelry stores with South Asian owners.
They amassed millions of dollars from the stolen goods, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said in the release.
Wright, 34, pleaded guilty Sept. 16, 2025, to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery), brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
In his plea agreement, Wright accepted responsibility for his roles in the June 10, 2022, armed robbery of Virani Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, ($1.2 million in gold jewelry); the Oct. 25, 2022, armed robbery of Paradise Jewelry in Paterson, New Jersey, ($1.93 million in gold jewelry); and the Dec. 6, 2022, armed robbery of Kishek Jewelers in Jacksonville, Florida, ($700,000).
He also accepted responsibility for unlawful possession of a machine gun in Miami on May 27, 2021.
Wright was arrested in December 2022, about a week after the Kishek Jewelers robbery, on an outstanding warrant issued by the Southern District of Florida. He was charged in August 2023.
“Trevor Wright and his crew terrorized victims from Northern New Jersey to South Florida. His crew left behind a wake of destruction and great financial loss for family-owned businesses,” said Pirro.
In addition to a 219-month prison term, Judge Christopher R. Cooper ordered Wright to serve four years of supervised release.
Related stories will be right here …
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia, Wright was the leader of a 15-man crew that targeted jewelry stores with South Asian owners.
They amassed millions of dollars from the stolen goods, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said in the release.
Wright, 34, pleaded guilty Sept. 16, 2025, to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery), brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
In his plea agreement, Wright accepted responsibility for his roles in the June 10, 2022, armed robbery of Virani Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, ($1.2 million in gold jewelry); the Oct. 25, 2022, armed robbery of Paradise Jewelry in Paterson, New Jersey, ($1.93 million in gold jewelry); and the Dec. 6, 2022, armed robbery of Kishek Jewelers in Jacksonville, Florida, ($700,000).
He also accepted responsibility for unlawful possession of a machine gun in Miami on May 27, 2021.
Wright was arrested in December 2022, about a week after the Kishek Jewelers robbery, on an outstanding warrant issued by the Southern District of Florida. He was charged in August 2023.
“Trevor Wright and his crew terrorized victims from Northern New Jersey to South Florida. His crew left behind a wake of destruction and great financial loss for family-owned businesses,” said Pirro.
In addition to a 219-month prison term, Judge Christopher R. Cooper ordered Wright to serve four years of supervised release.
From January 2022 to August 2023, Wright and 14 others schemed to rob multiple jewelry stores along the East Coast, according to court documents.
Some of the suspects’ vehicles were rented, stolen, or outfitted with stolen tags in order to evade law enforcement detection, the Attorney’s Office’s said, and at least one of the vehicles was carjacked by the crew at gunpoint.
The crew used sledgehammers to shatter doors and windows and employed a show of force to gain compliance from victims. At least one co-conspirator was armed with a firearm during each robbery.
They focused on taking heavy gold jewelry of high purity, which they later fenced in Miami and melted down into gold bars later sold for cash, said officials.
According to the Justice Department, the 14 other individuals, ranging in age from 22 to 35, have been charged in the case.
All but one of them has been sentenced.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive ChangesNew CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet RingsOur Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.
MajorsFeb 05, 2026
Pandora to Begin Selling Platinum-Plated JewelryThe introduction of platinum plating will reduce its reliance on silver amid volatile price swings, said Pandora.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
Weekly QuizFeb 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsFeb 05, 2026
Borsheims to Undergo Massive Renovation in the Spring The Omaha jewelry store’s multi-million-dollar renovation is scheduled to begin in mid-May and take about six months.
CollectionsFeb 05, 2026
Marco Bicego’s Amethyst Collection Travels to a Purple ParadiseThe “Paradise Amethyst” collection focuses on amethyst, pink tourmaline, garnet, and 18-karat yellow gold beads.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
FinancialsFeb 05, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Reports Strong Holiday Results in Q3The retailer credited its Roberto Coin campaign, in part, for boosting its North America sales.
ColumnistsFeb 04, 2026
January Jewelry Sales: More Dollars Spent, Fewer Units Sold Sherry Smith unpacks independent retailers’ January performance and gives tips for navigating the slow-growth year ahead.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
What Designers Should Know About Saks Global’s BankruptcyFrom how to get an invoice paid to getting merchandise returned, JVC’s Sara Yood answers some complex questions.
TrendsFeb 04, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: February Birthstone BlissAmethyst, the birthstone for February, is a gemstone to watch this year with its rich purple hue and affordable price point.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Marco Bicego Names New Global Marketing DirectorThe Italian jewelry company appointed Matteo Cuelli to the newly created role.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Frederick Goldman Updates Leadership TeamThe manufacturer said the changes are designed to improve speed, reliability, innovation, and service.
Policies & IssuesFeb 03, 2026
Tariff Relief on Horizon for India as Trump, Modi Make DealPresident Trump said he has reached a trade deal with India, which, when made official, will bring relief to the country’s diamond industry.
CollectionsFeb 03, 2026
Jade Trau Releases New Charms, Introduces RondellesThe designer’s latest collection takes inspiration from her classic designs, reimagining the motifs in new forms.
WatchesFeb 03, 2026
Casio America Calls Jersey City HomeThe watchmaker moved its U.S. headquarters to a space it said fosters creativity and forward-thinking solutions in Jersey City, New Jersey.
SourcingFeb 03, 2026
Nivoda Reveals Upgraded Gemstone MarketplaceThe company also announced a new partnership with GemGuide and the pending launch of an education-focused membership program.
GradingFeb 02, 2026
IGI to Acquire American Gemological Laboratories IGI is buying the colored gemstone grading laboratory through IGI USA, and AGL will continue to operate as its own brand.
EditorsFeb 02, 2026
Stars Choose Chokers, Elongated Earrings at 2026 GrammysFrom cool-toned metal to ring stacks, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the jewelry trends she spotted at the Grammy Awards.
CollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
