We All Matter News 
Federal Crackdown Targets Drug Sales Near D.C. Elementary School
Federal prosecutors have charged 14 people in connection with an alleged crack and powder cocaine distribution network operating within 1,000 feet of Hendley Elementary School in Washington, D.C.’s Washington Highlands neighborhood. The two-year investigation culminated this week in a sweeping law enforcement action aimed at dismantling what officials described as a persistent open-air drug market unfolding in full view of children.
According to the indictment, each defendant faces charges of conspiracy to distribute at least 280 grams of cocaine base and 500 grams of powder cocaine near the school. Prosecutors allege that drug transactions were routinely carried out in broad daylight — often as students walked to and from school — creating a climate where illegal activity became a daily backdrop to childhood.
“This is poison being sold steps away from where our children are supposed to be safe,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said during a press conference. She described the sales as more than a criminal enterprise, calling them a direct threat to young people and families already grappling with economic hardship and systemic neglect.
For many residents, the case underscores the painful intersection of public safety and community disinvestment. Neighborhoods like Washington Highlands have long struggled with underfunded schools, limited youth programming, housing instability, and cycles of violence. Advocates argue that while accountability for criminal conduct is essential, it must be paired with serious investment in jobs, education, mental health care, and addiction treatment to prevent similar crises from recurring.
Arrests, Seizures, and Firearms Charges
The 14 individuals were arrested Wednesday as part of coordinated operations across Washington, D.C., and Maryland. Those charged include Tevin Moody, 32; Geraldo Landy, 38; Norman Moore, 36; Lenon Wright, 34; Ali McShay, 31; Lonnell Thomas, 27; Marquette Paris, 34; Jeremiah Prince, 21; Joseph Moore, 43; Raekwon Womak, 21; Kivarrie Greene, 22; De’Lonte Jackson, 32; Derrick Manuel, 34; and Malik Heard, 25.
In addition to the drug conspiracy charges, Kivarrie Greene faces an unlawful firearms possession charge.
Authorities executed 19 search warrants during the operation and reported seizing:
- 28 firearms
- 2.4 kilograms of crack cocaine
- 1 kilogram of powder cocaine
- 29 grams of fentanyl
- 12 pounds of marijuana
Christopher Goumenis, Special Agent-in-Charge for the DEA’s Washington Division, said the investigation targeted individuals whom officials describe as repeat offenders with access to both weapons and narcotics.
Impact on Children and Community
Perhaps most disturbing, prosecutors shared an image allegedly showing a woman purchasing cocaine while accompanied by a 5-year-old child. Pirro condemned the act as a form of child endangerment and announced plans to urge the D.C. City Council to strengthen local laws addressing situations where children are exposed to drug transactions.
“Selling drugs near schools is an assault on the most vulnerable among us,” Pirro said. “We cannot allow children to grow up believing this is normal.”
Investigators documented at least 165 alleged drug purchases during the course of the probe. Officials also stated that members of the implicated street crew have been linked to additional violent crimes, including robberies, shootings, and carjackings.
Community leaders say the solution must go beyond handcuffs. While residents want dangerous activity removed from their streets, they also point to the urgent need for sustainable public investment. Safe neighborhoods require more than enforcement — they demand affordable housing, youth mentorship, accessible substance use treatment, and economic opportunity that gives young people real alternatives.
The arrests mark a significant law enforcement action, but many advocates stress that long-term safety will depend on whether policymakers commit to building a just and equitable foundation for communities that have too often been left behind. Protecting children means not only prosecuting crime, but transforming the conditions that allow it to flourish in the first place.
