Two Drug Trafficking Co-Conspirators Sentenced to 15-Year Prison Terms
Defendants Distributed Large Quantities of PCP, Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Crack
WASHINGTON –Charles Cunningham, 59, and Tyrone Ragland, 57, both of the District of Columbia, were each sentenced today to 15 years in prison for their roles in a drug conspiracy that trafficked large quantities of PCP, fentanyl, cocaine and cocaine base (crack) in the metropolitan area and for possessing illegal firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office Cross Border Task Force and the DEA Washington Division, with assistance from MPD’s Violent Crime Suppression Division and the Prince George’s County Police Department. The Cross Border Task Force is a part of the FBI’S Safe Streets Initiative and targets the most egregious and violent street crews operating in the District of Columbia.
Cunningham pleaded guilty on May 7, after a jury was selected but before the trial began, before U.S. District Court Judge Jia M. Cobb to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon with a sentencing enhancement under the Armed Career Criminal Act. In addition to the 180-month prison term, Judge Cobb ordered three years of supervised release.
Ragland, aka “Tech,” pleaded guilty on May 7, after a jury was selected but before the trial began, before Judge Cobb to a charge of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram of PCP. In addition to the 180- month prison term, Judge Cobb ordered Ragland to serve five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, through controlled purchases and wiretaps, evidence showed that a co-defendant Melvin Grayson distributed PCP, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Ragland, Cunningham, and others conspired with Grayson to distribute the narcotics. In search warrants conducted at various residences, agents recovered six firearms, more than 2.5 kilos of PCP, more than 100 grams of fentanyl, and approximately $50,000 in cash.
On Jan. 11, 2023, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Cunningham’s residence on 13th Street, NE, and recovered large quantities of narcotics: over 1,500 grams of PCP, over 50 grams of cocaine, over 50 grams of cocaine base, and over 270 grams of fentanyl. In the oven, next to a pouch of various drugs packaged for distribution, Cunningham kept a loaded Glock 31 handgun. During the conspiracy, Cunningham stashed bulk quantities of PCP and fentanyl at his residence to provide to his coconspirators for redistribution.
Also on Jan. 11, 2023, FBI agents executed search warrants at two residences associated with Ragland. In his Eastern Ave SW apartment (where he primarily resided), agent recovered dozens of glass vials used for PCP distribution, multiple cell phones, and a digital scale. In a 6th Street SW, residence where Ragland had unfettered access, agents found a firearm stashed between the mattress and the bed’s headboard, about 626 grams of PCP, 41 grams of cocaine, and $16,230 in cash.
The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nihar R. Mohanty and Iris Y. McCranie of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
