>> Continued From the Previous Page <<
The sweeping action came shortly after federal prosecutors indicted eight individuals linked to the drug ring. Those charged include residents from California, Baltimore, and the D.C. area. Officials say the suspects were part of a conspiracy to traffic dangerous drugs into the nation’s capital, fueling violence in neighborhoods already plagued by crime.
Seven of the eight defendants have been arrested. Among them are Leonard Edwards, 52; Eric “Marbury” Prather, 43; Thomas Wilton Hancock Jr., also known as “Fresh,” 43; Sarda Smith, 36; Michael Thomas, 49; Reginald Lassiter, 39; and Darryl Riley, 39. All face serious federal charges that could put them behind bars for years.
One suspect, whose name remains sealed in the indictment, is still on the run. Federal officials say that individual is considered a fugitive and efforts to capture him are underway.
The investigation revealed the ring allegedly sourced drugs from California through a Baltimore-based co-conspirator. Prosecutors say one shipment seized earlier this year near Topeka, Kansas, contained a staggering 17 gallons of PCP.
Meanwhile, Pirro also rolled out a major policy shift on firearm prosecutions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C., she announced, will no longer bring felony charges against individuals accused of possessing rifles or shotguns unless the weapons were used in violent crimes or the suspect was already barred from having firearms.
“A blanket ban on possessing shotguns and rifles cannot stand under the Supreme Court’s guidance,” Pirro said, citing the landmark District of Columbia v. Heller decision and the 2022 ruling striking down New York’s strict carry laws.
The new policy will still allow local D.C. authorities to pursue charges under city law. Handgun prosecutions remain unaffected, and federal officials insist all illegally possessed firearms used in crimes will continue to be seized and prosecuted.
This comes as Trump declared a crime emergency in Washington, deploying federal resources and National Guard troops. The White House reports that since the crackdown began, 76 firearms have been seized across the city.
Pirro, a former Fox News host and longtime critic of D.C.’s soft-on-crime policies, said the goal is simple: target criminals while upholding the Constitution.
