A Washington D.C. man has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for his role in an ongoing conspiracy to distribute narcotics and a related conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Andre Nickens, 22, of Washington D.C., was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for his role in the conspiracy.
Nickens is one of more than a dozen individuals arrested as part of a joint FBI/ATF investigation, which resulted in the seizure of more than 34 pounds of marijuana, 16 firearms, and more than $270,000 in cash. He used the street nickname ‘Dreco.’
Nickens pleaded guilty in November 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, as well as oxycodone and codeine. He admitted to participating in a separate conspiracy to use, carry, and possess firearms and to serving in a leadership role of both conspiracies.
Nickens was sentenced by the Honorable Amy Berman Jackson. Following his prison term, Nickens will be placed on four years of supervised release. The investigation began in approximately June 2018 and continued through April 2021.
According to the government’s evidence, Nickens and his co-conspirators maintained drug-dealing territory on Trenton Place SE in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. They defended their territory by carrying and discharging firearms at perceived rivals. Nickens distributed narcotics in street-level transactions and served as an armed defender of the co-conspirators’ drug-dealing territory.
Nickens was arrested on April 22, 2021. He has been detained ever since. U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson commended the work of those who investigated the case.
Defendant: Andre Nickens, 22, of Washington D.C.
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, as well as oxycodone and codeine. Conspiracy to use, carry, and possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
City and State: Washington D.C.
Sentence: 70 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release.
Arrest Date: April 22, 2021
Amount of Marijuana Seized: More than 34 pounds
Amount of Firearms Seized: 16
Amount of Cash Seized: More than $270,000
Related Federal Cases
- Zaid Rushdan, Federal Charges for Drug Distribution and Stolen Firearms, Maryland 2021 · District of Columbia
- Shannon White, Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, North Carolina 2023 · North Carolina
- Thomas Coleman, Distribution of Fentanyl and Heroin, Kentucky 2020 · Kentucky
- Jaquan Day, Robbery, Maryland 2021 · New York
- Jourden Tairee Shepard, Weapon and Drug Trafficking, North Carolina 2021 · Connecticut
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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