WASHINGTON — A Waldorf man was sentenced Friday to more than seven years in federal prison for his role in a multi-year conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine in Washington, D.C.
Michael Owens, 38, of St. Charles, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 87 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden also ordered Owens to serve five years of supervised release and pay a forfeiture money judgment of $30,000.
Federal prosecutors said Owens participated in a drug trafficking network that distributed fentanyl and cocaine in the District from at least August 2022 through about November 2023.
According to court papers, Owens worked as a redistributor in the conspiracy, obtaining bulk quantities of fentanyl and cocaine from co-conspirator Ronnie Rogers and reselling them in smaller quantities to other distributors and buyers.
Prosecutors said Rogers supplied Owens with fentanyl in two-gram bundles, each divided into 10 individual packages. Owens repaid Rogers after making sales.
Investigators intercepted wiretap communications in which Owens and Rogers discussed drug debts, supply quantities and plans in the event either was raided by law enforcement.
In one March 2023 intercepted communication, prosecutors said Owens told Rogers that his customers “loved” what he was selling and asked for stronger fentanyl. In another communication, Owens said he was nearly finished distributing a supply of fentanyl and cocaine and was ready to be resupplied.
As part of his plea agreement, Owens admitted responsibility for between 400 grams and 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl and between 500 grams and two kilograms of cocaine.
“Owens was an active participant in a drug trafficking network that moved massive quantities of fentanyl and cocaine into the District,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said in a statement. “When he learned his customers ‘loved’ what he was selling, he sought an even more potent supply. That kind of indifference fuels fatal overdoses.”
Rogers, 71, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 236 months in prison. Co-defendant Wayne Glymph, 49, of Port Tobacco, was sentenced to 162 months. Co-defendant Samuel Braxton, 57, of Temple Hills, who prosecutors said led the organization while incarcerated at FCI Fort Dix, was also sentenced to 162 months.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration Washington Division Office, FBI Washington Field Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Alexandria Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department and Metropolitan Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Eliopoulos and Matthew W. Kinskey.
The operation was supported in part by the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network, which receives grant funding and strategic assistance from the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy.
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