WASHINGTON D.C. – A Southeast DC Shell gas station was ground zero for a brazen, open-air drug market, and now, the first dominoes are falling. Douglas Campbell, 27, of District Heights, Maryland, and his brother, Delonte Campbell, 27, of Southeast Washington D.C., both pleaded guilty today to felony charges connected to the operation, according to court documents. The brothers were among six individuals busted by federal authorities for turning the 4700 block of South Capitol Street SE into a daily drug bazaar.
Douglas Campbell admitted to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime – a charge that carries a stiff penalty, potentially life in prison, with a minimum mandatory sentence of five years. His brother, Delonte, copped to conspiracy to possess and distribute a controlled substance, as well as possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school. That carries a potential ten-year sentence with a one-year minimum. Sources say the location near a school was particularly concerning to investigators.
Federal prosecutors detailed a sophisticated operation where the Campbells and their crew used hand gestures and social media to attract customers. Transactions weren’t subtle: controlled substances were measured and handed over in plain sight. The six defendants weren’t just selling dope; they were openly displaying firearms, creating a climate of fear and violence. In the months leading up to the arrests, the Shell Gas Station saw a marked increase in incidents suspected to be tied to the drug trade.
The Campbells aren’t alone in facing the music. Lavon Alphonso Blakeney, 28, of Southeast Washington D.C., and David Ashton, 24, of Hyattsville, Maryland, both pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, facing the same potential life sentence as Douglas Campbell. Keonte Obatunde Lorenzo Lewis, 20, of Southeast Washington D.C., pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school and carrying a pistol without a license. Tyrell Davon Jones, 28, of Temple Hills, Maryland, admitted guilt to conspiracy to possess and distribute a controlled substance, and carrying a pistol without a license.
“This wasn’t a corner hustle,” said one source close to the investigation who wished to remain anonymous. “This was a coordinated effort to flood the streets with drugs, protected by firearms. The brazenness of it, doing deals in plain sight, near a school… it’s shocking, even for DC.” All six defendants are now awaiting sentencing, with court dates set for August 3, 2023, for the Campbell brothers. The remaining defendants will be sentenced at a later date.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew W. Kinskey and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Stewart are prosecuting the case. The ATF played a key role in the investigation, but officials have yet to release details on the amount of drugs seized or the length of time the operation was running before being shut down. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against drug trafficking and gun violence in the nation’s capital.
Related Federal Cases
- Kunal Mehta, Drug Trafficking and Conspiracy, D.C. 2024 · New York
- Levita Almuepte Ferrer, Major Drug Trafficking, DC 2024 · Maryland
- Joseph Ruben BAER, Drug Trafficking, District of Columbia 2024 · Maryland
- Adarryl Hayes, Sex Trafficking of Minors, DC 2023 · Maryland
- Darnell Catlett, Crack Cocaine Trafficking, MD 2024 · Alabama
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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