Drug Convictions for Gang Operating Open-Air Drug Market in Congress Heights
Monday, September 16, 2024
Defendants Used Fully Automatic ‘Ghost Guns’
WASHINGTON – Andre Alonte Willis aka “Boogie,” 32, and Broadus Jamal Daniels aka “Wardy,” 29, both of Washington, D.C. were found guilty today of drug and gun charges related to a drug trafficking conspiracy. The verdicts were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge James Van Vliet of the ATF Washington Field Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Willis and Daniels were both found guilty of conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, unlawful possession of machine guns, and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Daniels was also found guilty of possessing machine guns in furtherance of drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson scheduled sentencing hearings for February 2024.
“These guilty verdicts are the latest step in our ongoing effort to federally prosecute those who are driving violence or whose conduct is a magnet for violence,” said US Attorney Graves. “These defendants have been found guilty of illegally possessing numerous firearms and possessing a conversion device that could transform a handgun into a machine gun. We, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to identify those driving violence within our community and work to hold them accountable for crimes that will remove them from our community for lengthy periods of time.”
According to the evidence presented at trial, Willis was a “big homie” in the D.C. street crew known as “Push Dat Shit” or “PDS.” PDS maintained gang territory in the 3300 – 3500 blocks of Wheeler Road, Southeast, and adjacent areas, and operated an open air drug market outside the Holiday Market located at 3509 Wheeler Road, Southeast. In approximately August 2018, PDS became allied with a neighboring street gang known as Jugg Gang, or “JG,” including JG “big homie” Daniels.
Between August 2018 and April 2023, members of the allied PDS/JG street crew sold drugs from Holiday Market and from “trap houses” that they maintained in apartment buildings surrounding that location. As their drug business grew, PDS/JG became the target of drive-by shootings conducted by rival gangs – shootings they referred to as “spinning the block.” Beginning in approximately August 2019, a PDS/JG member began assembling AR-Pistol assault rifles from “kits” purchased from online retailers and modifying them to be capable of fully automatic fire. Such firearms are defined as “Privately Made Firearms” by the ATF but are frequently referred to as “ghost guns” on the street.
As was proved at trial, PDS/JG members used, carried, and possessed these “ghost gun” AR-Pistol machine guns in order to defend their territory from rival gangs, and also to “spin the block” on rival gangs in order to deter and dissuade their rivals from entering PDS/JG territory.
Andre Alonte Willis, also known as “Boogie,” faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. Willis’ sentencing is scheduled for February 6, 2024. Broadus Jamal Daniels, also known as “Wardy” and “JG Wardy” faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 65 years in prison. Daniels’ sentencing is scheduled for February 14, 2024.
This conviction is part of an ongoing joint investigation which has now resulted in 22 convictions and the seizure of two vehicles, 35 firearms, four machine guns, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, approximately 60 pounds of marijuana, 41 grams of cocaine base, dozens of oxycodone pills, and approximately $500,000 in cash.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the ATF’s Washington Field Division, and the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James B. Nelson and Justin F. Song and Paralegal Specialist Melissa Macechko.