PCP and Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Maryland man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for distributing large quantities of liquid PCP and fentanyl in Southeast Washington. Authorities say the sales occurred in broad daylight on city streets, posing a serious threat to public safety.

Kenneth Dawson, 47, of Oxon Hill, Maryland, was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court to 60 months in federal prison following his guilty plea to drug distribution charges.

The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian, and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith.

Multiple Drug Sales in Southeast D.C.

According to court records, Dawson was involved in at least seven drug transactions between June 2024 and November 2024, all of which took place near the busy intersection of 16th Street SE and Marion Barry Avenue SE in the Anacostia neighborhood.

Dawson sold liquid PCP and fentanyl to confidential informants and undercover officers, often during daytime hours on public streets.

One of the most notable incidents occurred on June 27, 2024, when Dawson exchanged:

102 grams of liquid PCP
$100 worth of powdered fentanyl
for $800 in cash from a confidential informant.

On six other occasions throughout the summer and fall, Dawson continued to sell narcotics—ranging from PCP to 97 fentanyl pills—to undercover agents. Each of the transactions was captured on video by law enforcement.

Arrest and Search Warrant

Dawson’s criminal activity came to a halt on December 13, 2024, when federal agents arrested him at his home in Oxon Hill. Authorities executed a federal search warrant at the residence, where they discovered:

Additional quantities of liquid PCP
Drug paraphernalia related to PCP use and distribution
A loaded large-capacity firearm magazine

Federal prosecutors noted that Dawson is legally prohibited from possessing ammunition due to his criminal record.

Guilty Plea and Charges

On February 28, 2025, Dawson pleaded guilty to:

One count of distribution of fentanyl
One count of distribution of 100 grams or more of a liquid mixture containing PCP

Given the volume and frequency of the drug sales, along with the presence of ammunition, the court handed down a sentence of 60 months (5 years) in federal prison.

Joint Law Enforcement Effort

This case was the result of a collaborative investigation involving multiple agencies:

The DEA Washington Division
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
The Metropolitan Police Department
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia

Prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas G. Strong and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren R. Randell.

Officials emphasized that targeting street-level drug trafficking—especially in neighborhoods already struggling with gun violence and addiction—remains a high priority.