Attorney General Schwalb Sues Property Owner for Allowing Apartment Complex to Become Hotbed of Criminal Activity

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced a lawsuit against the owners of a Ward 8 apartment building for failing to implement basic security measures to address ongoing illegal drug activity at the property, endangering tenants and the surrounding community, and violating the District's Nuisance Act. In its complaint, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) details how 1828 Q Street SE has become known as a location for drug activity and how its owners have failed to take even the most basic steps-like securing entrances and vacant units-to keep residents safe. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has made multiple drug distribution arrests and seized cocaine and crack cocaine at the property in recent months. OAG is seeking a court order requiring the building's owners to make needed security improvements and to pay penalties for violating District law.

"This property owner's extreme neglect has fostered a dangerous environment that threatens tenants' safety and has far-reaching negative impacts on the neighboring community," said Attorney General Schwalb. "By law, property owners must take basic steps to keep their buildings safe. While we always try to work collaboratively with owners out of court, we won't hesitate to take legal action when they refuse to cooperate or take any steps to address persistent criminal conduct at their buildings."

1828 Q Street SE is a 36-unit apartment building in the Fairlawn neighborhood of Ward 8. The property is owned by 1828 Q Street SE Apartments LLC, Marquis Bailey, and Dion Robertson. The building is located within blocks of Boone Elementary, Kramer Middle, and Anacostia High School.

In a newly filed lawsuit, OAG alleges that the owners of 1828 Q Street SE are violating the District's Drug-, Firearm-, or Prostitution-Related Nuisance Abatement Act (Nuisance Act) by failing to take necessary steps to secure the building in response to criminal activity at the property-including drug distribution and use-that is endangering residents and the neighboring community. OAG's complaint alleges that 1828 Q St SE has become overrun with squatters and is widely known as a location for drug sales. The suit details how, from May 2026 through August 2026, MPD and federal law enforcement have repeatedly responded to reports of drug activity at the property, made multiple drug arrests, including arrests for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and seized drugs including cocaine and crack. MPD has received more than 190 calls for service to the building in 2026 to date. One tenant, a mother who lives at the building with her husband and three children, and who is pregnant with her fourth child, reported that she has witnessed individuals smoke crack cocaine outside her unit's door more than ten times. The toxic fumes regularly seep into her family's apartment.

Despite repeated warnings from OAG, as well as advice from OAG and MPD about necessary security improvements, the owners of 1828 Q Street SE have failed to take action and conditions at the property have continued to deteriorate. MPD visited the site on August 26, 2026, and reported that people were entering the building through an unlocked entrance, and that trash was piling up inside the building and behind it.

With this lawsuit, OAG is seeking a preliminary injunction, and ultimately a permanent court order, to compel the building's owners to implement security measures to address the illegal drug activity. At minimum, OAG is asking the Court to order the owner of 1828 Q Street SE to secure all vacant units at the building, install security cameras and lights, hire security guards, and keep the property free of blight. The suit also seeks civil damages for each day since they were first put on notice about the Nuisance Act violations.

A copy of the complaint is available here.

A copy of the motion for preliminary injunction is available here.

This matter is being handled by Special Counsel for Nuisance Abatement Zenia Wilson Laws.

OAG's Nuisance Property Enforcement Authority

Under the District's Nuisance Act, OAG has authority to take legal action against property owners and managers if there is a demonstrated pattern of illegal drug-, firearm-, or prostitution-related activities on their properties and if they then fail to implement appropriate security measures to prevent further criminal activity. OAG investigates properties referred by MPD and community groups and works collaboratively with property owners whenever possible to resolve problems.

Resources for DC Residents

OAG works to ensure that residents across the District are safe in their neighborhoods and holds property owners accountable if they violate the law. Access OAG's resources for guidance on how to report problems with your landlord or housing conditions.

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