D.C. Man Sentenced to 20 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Cocaine in Southeast Washington

WASHINGTON -- Maurice Tutt, 52, of the District of Columbia., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 20 months in federal prison for his role in a wide-ranging conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base, cocaine, and methamphetamine, centered in the Potomac Gardens Housing Project in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Tutt pleaded guilty on Dec. 18, 2025, before Judge Timothy J. Kelly to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. In addition to the 20-month prison term, Judge Kelly ordered Tutt to serve three years of supervised release.

"Maurice Tutt bought fentanyl pills by the hundreds and sold them on the streets of Washington. Each one of those pills was a potential death sentence for someone's child, parent, or neighbor," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "He knew the harm he was causing-and did it anyway. Now he will answer for it."

According to court documents, Tutt conspired with a co-conspirator to obtain blue fentanyl pills, known as "blues," and redistribute them to others in the District. Court-authorized intercepts of phone calls and text messages captured the conspiracy in detail.

On April 20, 2024, the co-conspirator texted Tutt that he could supply up to 500 fentanyl pills at a time. Tutt responded that he would take 500 every month. The two agreed on a price per pill.

Over the following months, Tutt placed a series of orders. On April 25, 2024, he called the co-conspirator and said, "I need 500 of 'em," and calculated a price over the phone. Later that day, Tutt texted the co-conspirator that he had received only 487 pills rather than 500. The co-conspirator agreed to make up the difference.

On May 24, 2024, Tutt called the co-conspirator again to order 500 more pills, telling him with precision: "not 498, not 501." When the co-conspirator delivered only 404 pills, Tutt noted the shortfall. On June 5, 2024, Tutt ordered 300 more pills, which the co-conspirator agreed to supply.

On Oct. 16, 2024, law enforcement arrested Tutt. Among the items recovered from his apartment was a digital scale of the type used in drug trafficking.

This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office, with valuable assistance from the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, the D.C. Housing Authority Police, Virginia State Police, Montgomery County, MD, Police, and Fairfax County, VA, Police. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Solomon S. Eppel and Nihar Mohanty.

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