14 Defendants Indicted in Crack and Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy Operating Near D.C. Elementary School

WASHINGTON - A 21-count federal Indictment was partially unsealed in U.S. District Court this morning charging 14 defendants in connection with a conspiracy that allegedly distributed crack and powder cocaine near Hendley Elementary School in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Law enforcement officers from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Metropolitan Police Department executed residential search warrants this morning at 15 locations across the District and Maryland. Authorities arrested all of the 14 indicted defendants.

"Today my office took over a dozen drug traffickers off residential streets. These traffickers showed zero regard for the wellbeing of our community, even selling crack cocaine about 300 feet from an elementary school," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "This office will continue to pursue serious sentences for defendants who treat their neighbors as exploitable prey, and dismantle any group putting the lives in our community at risk."

The Indictment charges each of the 14 defendants with conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base and 500 grams or more of cocaine within 1,000 feet of the elementary school. Named as defendants are Tevin Moody, Geraldo Landy, Norman Moore, Lenon Wright, Ali McShay, Lonnell Thomas, Marquette Paris, Jeremiah Prince, Joseph Moore, Raekwon Womak, Kivarrie Greene, De'Lonte Jackson, Derrick Manuel and Malik Heard.

"This operation shows the FBI's unwavering commitment to protecting our communities," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office. "Working with our law enforcement partners, we dismantled a violent crew responsible for guns, drugs, and fear in neighborhoods across Southeast D.C. and Prince George's County. This takedown reflects focused investigative work through our Safe Streets and Homeland Security task forces, and we'll continue to use every tool we have to hold violent offenders accountable and keep D.C. safe and beautiful."

"Today's federal indictments underscore the Metropolitan Police Department's commitment to protecting our communities and dismantling violent criminal networks," said Interim Chief Jeffery W. Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. "Through our strong collaboration with the FBI, the DEA, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and other law enforcement partners, we are ensuring that those who endanger our neighborhoods are held accountable."

"Today's arrests are a significant victory for law enforcement and our communities. The majority of those apprehended are known for their involvement with illegal drugs, firearms, and violent activities," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Christopher Goumenis of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Division. "Our dedicated efforts have undoubtedly saved countless lives. This successful operation is the direct outcome of strategic partnerships formed through executive initiatives like the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force and the Homeland Security Task Force. Together, we will relentlessly pursue and hunt down dangerous drug traffickers, no matter where they try to hide."

Throughout the investigation, law enforcement executed multiple search warrants at locations associated with the defendants and their associates and recovered 28 firearms. Agents also recovered 2.4 kilos of crack cocaine, one kilo of powder cocaine, 29 grams of fentanyl, and 12 pounds of marijuana.

The Indictment alleges that the defendants routinely sold crack cocaine in the presence of school-aged children walking to and from Hendley Elementary, in and around the 4th Street SE and Chesapeake Street SE corridor. The government's evidence further alleges that the crew's open-air drug trafficking exposed children to persistent illegal activity in broad daylight and risked normalizing dangerous conduct.

Defendant Kivarrie Greene also is charged with unlawful possession of firearms.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration's Washington Division, with support from the Montgomery County, Maryland, and the Fairfax County, Virginia, police departments. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia's Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking Section.

This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, which seeks to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a collaborative and comprehensive response to the growing threat to public safety and national security. The HSTF integrates personnel, including law enforcement agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff, from federal agencies to combat crime in our communities.

Surveillance photo of one of the alleged drug sales.

School children walk through a group of men alleged to be members of the drug trafficking operation.

The drug trafficking operation allegedly operated near the intersection of Chesapeake Street SE and 4th Street SE.

Some of the firearms recovered during the investigation that were displayed during the news conference.

The charges in an Indictment are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.