Washington, DC Drug Dealers Sentenced To Federal Prison For Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel today sentenced Jamila Kibibi Hargrove, a/k/a Ms. Bossy, age 42; and Lonnell Staton, a/k/a Papi Chulo, age 38, both of Washington, D.C., to five years and eleven years in federal prison, respectively, for their roles in a cocaine distribution conspiracy.  Hargrove and Staton each pleaded guilty in September 2018 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. 

The sentences, which were imposed yesterday, were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Jesse Fong of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington Field Office; Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and St. Mary’s County Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron.

According to their plea agreements, Staton and Hargrove conspired with James Ronnell Davis and others to distribute at least three kilograms of cocaine.  Specifically, Staton and Hargrove purchased cocaine from Davis, who used his business, Shades, Suds and Sounds LLC (SS&S), as a front to distribute cocaine. 

Staton, Hargrove, and Davis used disposable, prepaid cellular telephones, commonly referred to as “burner phones,” and frequently switched phones in an effort to thwart law enforcement.  Hargrove purchased and provided the burner phones to Staton and Davis in furtherance of the drug conspiracy.

During several phone calls that were intercepted by law enforcement, Davis, Staton, and Hargrove made arrangements to meet in order for Staton and Hargrove to purchase drugs.  Those purchases were made at SS&S as well as at other locations including in Temple Hills, Maryland.

Search warrants executed at Hargrove’s residence, an apartment used by the couple, and vehicles driven by Staton and Hargrove resulted in the seizure of numerous cellular telephones, over $8,200 in cash, and three identically packaged bricks found in a backpack, with each brick containing approximately one kilogram of cocaine, as well as packaging material which had Staton’s fingerprints on it, digital scales, and other drug paraphernalia.

On November 7, 2018, a federal jury convicted James Ronnell Davis, a/k/a Twin, Slim and Slick, age 41, of Springfield, Virginia, for a cocaine distribution conspiracy, two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Judge Hazel has not set a date for Davis’ sentencing.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the DEA, the Prince George’s County Police Department, and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine K. Dick, who is prosecuting the case.

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