Washington man caught at Arlington mall pleads guilty to federal drug and firearms charges.
Alexandria, VA – A Washington man has been caught red-handed with 91 grams of fentanyl and a loaded gun at an Arlington mall. Willie Gene Thorne, 29, a resident of Washington, D.C., was arrested on September 6, 2023, after a Arlington County Police officer spotted him speeding through the Pentagon City Fashion Centre garage and parking in a handicap spot without a sticker.
The officer, who had an outstanding warrant for Thorne’s arrest from Pennsylvania, noticed a patch of aluminum foil with burn marks, a large bag of a white, powdery substance, two straws, and a plastic bag containing several small baggies in Thorne’s vehicle. When Thorne returned to his vehicle, he initially resisted arrest before complying when threatened with a taser.
In his waistband, Thorne had a loaded, stolen 9mm handgun. A search of the vehicle revealed a bag containing 91 grams of fentanyl, a digital scale, a razor blade, and approximately 84 baggies. Thorne also had a straw with residue and approximately 100 baggies in his pants pocket.
Thorne is scheduled to be sentenced on September 6 and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber, DEA Special Agent Jarod Forget, and Arlington County Chief of Police Charles “Andy” Penn made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton accepted the plea. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher M. Carter is prosecuting the case.
Thorne’s arrest is a stark reminder of the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of law enforcement’s role in keeping our communities safe. We will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt the flow of illicit substances and hold those accountable who seek to profit from the suffering of others.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-123.
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Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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