Four members of the “Push Dat Sh*t” (PDS) street crew were found guilty by a federal jury on Aug. 3 in connection with their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed marijuana and oxycodone in Southeast Washington, D.C., and used machine guns to protect their territory and kill an innocent bystander, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Pirro said, “We continue to take down the drivers of violence in our community, and these convictions reflect that commitment. The defendants were part of a violent crew that fueled senseless, retaliatory attacks and put entire neighborhoods at risk. Their actions weren’t just destructive—they cost an innocent young man his life. Today’s verdict sends a clear message: we will not tolerate armed gangs terrorizing D.C., and we will use every tool available to hold violent offenders accountable and protect the public.”
Markquette Rajon Cowan, Christopher Jordan Broady, Joshua Nicholas Stephenson, and Larry Duncan were each found guilty on charges including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to use firearms—including machine guns—in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, first-degree murder while armed, causing death through use of a firearm during a drug offense, as well as related firearms counts. Sentencing is scheduled for November and December 2026 before U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson; each defendant faces up to life in prison with mandatory minimums for certain offenses.
Evidence presented at trial showed PDS operated primarily from Congress Heights beginning as early as April 2018, maintaining gang territory along Wheeler Road SE where they ran an open-air drug market outside Holiday Market. In August 2018 they allied with Jugg Gang (JG), selling drugs from both Holiday Market locations and nearby apartments used as “trap houses.” Members carried firearms—including so-called “ghost guns”—to defend territory or retaliate against rivals through acts referred to as “spinning the block.” On May 9, 2019, Cowan and Broady fatally shot Mark Milline Jr., who had no gang affiliation; he was struck thirteen times with RIP ammunition.
Other members previously sentenced include Eugene Tracey Hill (15 years), Dartanyan Ricardo Hawkins (5 years), Isjalon Jermiah Armstead (10 years), Andre Alone Willis (20 years), and Broadus Jamal Daniels (35 years) for related offenses involving drugs or firearms.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office alongside local police agencies and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emma McArthur, Matthew Mattis, and Alyssa Levey-Weinstein.