Tayion Hamiel-Ward, Drug Trafficking, Washington DC, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A brazen drug operation peddling poison within spitting distance of a local school has been dismantled, authorities announced today. Five men are facing federal charges after a long-term investigation exposed a network dealing narcotics and firearms in the 4600 block of South Capitol Street SW. The operation, centered around a gas station and tobacco store, has been linked to multiple shootings since March 2021, turning a neighborhood corner into a battleground.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, alongside the ATF, DEA, and Metropolitan Police Department, unsealed an indictment yesterday targeting Tayion Hamiel-Ward, 25, of Washington, D.C.; Karl Dunn, 45, of Suitland; Brian Williams, 27, of Largo, Maryland; Kurtis Mathes, 33, of Washington, D.C., and DeShawn Barnes, 28, also of Washington, D.C. Hamiel-Ward was already in custody when the indictment came down. Dunn, Williams, Mathes, and Barnes were apprehended this week. Law enforcement sources tell Grimy Times the operation was particularly galling given its proximity to a school – a clear disregard for the safety of children.

The investigation uncovered a significant cache of evidence: four firearms, magazines, ammunition, and a staggering $79,000 in cash. U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves didn’t mince words, stating, “Armed drug trafficking and traffickers put ordinary citizens at risk, and that conduct must be held to account.” This wasn’t just about drugs; it was about the escalating violence threatening the city’s streets. ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon echoed that sentiment, highlighting the dedication of his agents and partners in holding “violent criminals” accountable.

All five defendants are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, along with charges related to actual drug distribution, specifically occurring within 1,000 feet of a school. The indictment further alleges that Hamiel-Ward, Dunn, and Williams illegally used, carried, or possessed firearms during their drug transactions. Mathes and Barnes are facing charges for unlawfully possessing ammunition. The pattern of violence and the presence of firearms clearly escalated the stakes, prompting a coordinated response from multiple agencies.

DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget framed the bust as part of “Operation Overdrive,” a broader initiative aimed at reversing the rise in violent, drug-related crime. “Drug trafficking organizations do not care if they are poisoning and killing people,” Forget stated, underscoring the callous disregard for human life inherent in the operation. The case serves as a stark reminder of the corrosive impact of the drug trade on communities and the lengths to which traffickers will go to profit from misery.

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is merely a formal accusation. Each of the five men is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the evidence gathered so far paints a disturbing picture of a brazen operation operating in plain sight, and Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds. The investigation was conducted by the ATF’s Washington Field Division, the DEA’s Washington Division, and the Metropolitan Police Department.

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