DC’s ‘Ghost Gun’ Drug Ring Busted: 7 Face Federal Charges

WASHINGTON D.C. – Seven men are facing federal charges after a sweeping investigation into a drug and gun trafficking operation centered in Southeast Washington D.C. The indictment, unsealed today, alleges a conspiracy to possess and carry firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, painting a picture of a brazen operation fueled by narcotics and protected by illegally obtained weapons.

Those indicted include: Terrance Phillips, 35, of Washington, D.C.; Niko Culbreth, 28, of Washington, D.C.; Xavier Matthews, 20, of Washington, D.C.; Naseem Roach, 20, of Washington, D.C.; Victor Davis, 20, of Washington, D.C.; Trenton Robinson, 24, of District Heights, Maryland; and Steven Phillips, Jr., 26, of Washington, D.C. The charges were announced jointly by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael R. Sherwin, the FBI Washington Field Office, ATF’s Washington Field Division, and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

The indictment details a drug distribution network operating primarily on 10th Place Southeast and Wheeler Road Southeast, in the Congress Heights neighborhood. The defendants allegedly trafficked in marijuana, oxycodone, and codeine, using the cash earned to acquire firearms – sometimes even trading narcotics *for* guns. Investigators discovered the operation wasn’t just about selling drugs; it was about protecting the product, the profits, and their claimed territory. Notably, the ring allegedly utilized privately made firearms – commonly known as “ghost guns” – alongside traditional weapons.

Law enforcement agents executed multiple search warrants, turning up a substantial cache of illegal weaponry and cash. Seized items included one fully-automatic machine gun, six additional semi-automatic firearms, over $19,500 in cash, approximately 200 grams of oxycodone, and associated drug paraphernalia. The sheer volume of contraband seized underscores the scale of the operation and the danger it posed to the community.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to investigating and prosecuting those who endanger the residents of the District of Columbia in pursuit of the illegal gun and drug trade,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Michael R. Sherwin. Robert E. Bornstein, acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, emphasized the strong interagency partnership that led to the arrests, adding, “This investigation…demonstrates the strong partnership…to address violent crime within the District of Columbia.” Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of ATF, called the arrests “a continuation of a concerted effort by law enforcement to pursue these violent criminals.”

The defendants are scheduled to make their initial appearances in U.S. Magistrate Court today, September 3, 2020. It’s crucial to remember that an indictment represents allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation remains ongoing, and Grimy Times will continue to follow the case as it unfolds.