Indictment Charges District Man, Kahlil Felder, 39, with Fentanyl Trafficking and Firearms Counts
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Defendant Possessed Over 400 Grams of Fentanyl and Two Semi-Automatic Pistols
WASHINGTON –Kahlil Felder, 39, of Southeast Washington D.C., was arraigned on a four-count indictment yesterday in U.S. District Court charging him with possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, and using, carrying, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, among other charges. Felder was ordered detained pending trial.
The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon, of Homeland Security Investigations Washington Field Office, Inspector Damon Wood, with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service "Washington Division", and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department.
According to the indictment, Felder, aka, Kahlil Gibron Hewitt, unlawfully, knowingly, and intentionally, distributed a mixture containing a detectable amount of fentanyl on October 22, 2022, and possessed with intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl on December 13, 2023. The indictment further charges that, on December 13, 2023, Felder possessed two firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possessed two firearms as a prohibited person—that is, a person convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
During a search of Felder’s residence on December 13, law enforcement officers discovered two loaded semiautomatic pistols – a Glock 36, 45mm, and a Springfield Hellcat 9 mm– and more than five kilograms of suspected fentanyl. The fentanyl included thousands of pre-packaged baggies or “zips” filled with suspected fentanyl. Investigators also found tools and materials for packaging fentanyl, including a scale, test kits, gloves, a respirator, a sifter, and a money counter.
The investigation of this case had the sponsorship and support of the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF specializes in the investigation and prosecution of drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises.
The charges of possession with intent to distribute over 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking carry a statutory maximum of life in prison. The possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year carries a statutory maximum of 15 years in prison. The charges also carry potential financial penalties. The maximum statutory sentence for federal offenses is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes.
This case is being investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations Washington Field Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Washington Office, and MPD’s Violent Crime Suppression Division.
It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Hart and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jordan Leiter and Javier Urbina of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.