Guilty pleas by dealers running open-air drug market at Shell Gas Station in Washington DC

By Gangsters Inc. Editors

Two men pleaded guilty on Monday to felony charges in connection with their roles in an open-air drug market in Southeast Washington DC. Douglas Campbell, of District Heights, Maryland, and his brother Delonte Campbell, of Southeast Washington D.C., both 27 years old will be sentenced on August 3.

Douglas Campbell pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Delonte Campbell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute a controlled substance, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

Open-air drug market at the Shell Gas Station

The brothers are among six defendants charged with operating an open-air drug market at the Shell Gas Station located at 4700 South Capitol Street SE (photo above). Law enforcement observed individuals, including the six defendants charged, dealing drugs out in the open there.

The gas station drew individuals who conducted daily drug transactions in the parking lot and surrounding area of the gas station, often while armed with firearms. The Shell Gas Station was the scene of increased violence suspected to be connected to drug trafficking in the months leading up to the defendants’ arrests.

Hand gestures and social media ads

The drug dealers trafficked narcotics at the Shell Gas Station through hand gestures and social media advertisements. Once a potential customer was procured, these individuals often measured and distributed controlled substances to their customers in plain view.

The crew sold alongside each other, coordinated sales with each other, and were in frequent communication through telephone and social media messaging, coordinating their activities with the goal of selling marijuana to customers at the Shell while securing their narcotics and drug trafficking proceeds with firearms, often carrying weapons in plain view.

Each of the six defendants charged for their role in the conspiracy have now pleaded guilty. Lavon Alphonso Blakeney, 28, of Southeast Washington D.C., and David Ashton, 24, of Hyattsville, Maryland, each pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Keonte Obatunde Lorenzo Lewis, 20, of Southeast Washington D.C., pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school and carrying a pistol without a license. Finally, Tyrell Davon Jones, 28, of Temple Hills, Maryland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute a controlled substance and carrying a pistol without a license. All are awaiting sentencing.

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