Waldorf Man Gets 16 Years for D.C. Hit

WASHINGTON – A Maryland man will spend the next sixteen years behind bars for the cold-blooded murder of a D.C. resident, a case fueled by jealousy and betrayal. Keyon Slaughter, 28, of Waldorf, Maryland, was sentenced today for the December 2022 killing of Dana Bailey, Jr., U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced.

Slaughter pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed on June 20, 2025. The Honorable Danya Dayson handed down the 16-year sentence on September 12, 2025, along with an additional five years of supervised release. The details of the crime paint a grim picture of premeditation and disregard for human life.

According to court documents, Slaughter entered the residence of Dana Bailey, Jr. in Southeast D.C. on December 5, 2022, at approximately 10:15 a.m. A confrontation quickly escalated, and Slaughter allegedly shot Bailey once in the chest with a .40 caliber handgun, resulting in immediate death. Slaughter then fled the scene, leaving a family shattered and a community on edge.

The motive? Slaughter was involved in a relationship with the wife of the victim. She was subsequently indicted and pleaded guilty to obstructing justice in the investigation, highlighting a disturbing pattern of complicity. This wasn’t Slaughter’s first brush with the law either. He was on supervised probation for a 2019 armed robbery conspiracy conviction in Charles County, Maryland, at the time of the murder, demonstrating a clear disregard for the law.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives arrested Slaughter in July 2023, and he has been held in custody ever since. MPD Chief Pamela Smith joined U.S. Attorney Pirro in lauding the thorough investigation conducted by the Homicide Branch, a testament to their dedication in bringing violent offenders to justice.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles R. Jones, who skillfully prosecuted the case, also received commendation from both Pirro and Smith. This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the commitment of federal and local law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.

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