District Man Sentenced to Eight-Year Prison Term For Breaking Into Numerous Downtown Offices

            WASHINGTON – Phillip Lomax, 57, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to an eight-year prison term for a series of burglaries earlier this year at numerous office buildings in downtown Washington, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu announced today.

            Lomax pled guilty in September 2017, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to eight counts of second-degree burglary. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for an agreed-upon sentence of five to 10 years in prison. The Honorable Danya A. Dayson accepted the plea and sentenced Lomax accordingly on Dec. 1, 2017. Following his prison term, Lomax will be placed on three years of supervised release.

            According to the government’s evidence, Lomax targeted an area of downtown known as the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District, a 43-block neighborhood that stretches from the White House to Dupont Circle. From January through May of 2017, Lomax broke into more than 20 commercial properties in various office buildings, often entering more than one suite within the same building. According to the government’s evidence, he broke doorways, doors, and locks to enter buildings and office spaces, disabled building security camera recording equipment, and took cash, cameras, computers, credit cards, and other items. The crimes typically took place during overnight hours and were discovered the following business day.

            Lomax was arrested on May 19, 2017, following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He has been in custody ever since.

            In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu commended the work of those who investigated the case from MPD’s First and Second Police Districts. She also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District and Admiral Security Services. Finally, she acknowledged the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Rosen, who investigated and prosecuted the case.