Cahlyl Rollins Sentenced to Five Years for ATM and Store Explosions
Cahlyl Rollins, 25, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to a predawn spree of explosive attacks on July 2, 2023, that struck ATMs and retail locations across Maryland and Washington, D.C. The sentence closes a case that highlighted coordinated criminal tactics, significant property damage, and the role of surveillance and federal local cooperation in bringing suspects to justice.
A federal judge on December 16 sentenced Cahlyl Rollins to 60 months in prison plus three years of supervised release for his role in a series of predawn explosions that damaged multiple businesses on July 2, 2023. Rollins pleaded guilty to charges tied to four coordinated explosions, which prosecutors said were carried out to test a method for ATM and retail burglaries. Authorities reported significant property destruction but no injuries.
Prosecutors described Rollins as the "trigger man" who carried out four coordinated explosions, apparently to test a method for ATM and retail burglaries. Investigators recovered surveillance footage, license plate reader data and physical evidence that tied Rollins and his co defendant W. Garrett Bragg to the attacks. Bragg previously pleaded guilty and received a longer term.
The case underscores how criminals can use coordinated timing and rudimentary explosives to target unattended commercial fixtures and store vestibules before business hours. That pattern created a challenging environment for small businesses and banks that faced repair bills and interrupted service. Local merchants in affected areas reported damage to storefronts and ATM vestibules, and many had to close temporarily for cleanup and structural assessments.
Federal, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, FBI and local police work was credited in piecing together the devices and tracking the pair across jurisdictions. The combination of camera footage and automated license plate data proved decisive in linking suspects to specific locations and times. That evidence pattern demonstrates practical steps that businesses and neighborhoods can take to deter and solve similar crimes.
Report suspicious activity to local police immediately. Preserve and back up surveillance footage to an offsite location as soon as possible. If your business uses an ATM or has a vestibule, increase lighting and ensure cameras capture clear views of approaches and vehicles. These actions improve the chance that crimes will be solved and help protect the community from repeat attacks.
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