John Parker, a 23-year-old resident of the District of Columbia, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for distributing a synthetic stimulant known as "boot" near a school and for illegal possession of a firearm. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., along with officials from the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, the United States Park Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department.
Parker entered a guilty plea on March 5, 2025, admitting to charges of unlawful possession with intent to distribute N,N-Dimethylpentylone near schools and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Jia M. Cobb mandated that Parker serve 72 months under supervised release.
Court documents reveal that on August 24, 2023, at approximately 8:30 p.m., officers from the United States Park Police observed an unidentified male approach Parker near 7th and H Streets, roughly 400 feet from a school. The male handed Parker cash in exchange for an unknown quantity of white powder. Officers subsequently followed Parker into a nearby drug store where they detained and arrested him.
A search conducted by officers uncovered a loaded Ruger LCP semi-automatic pistol concealed in Parker's pants. He had previously been convicted in D.C. Superior Court for carrying an unlicensed pistol.
Further investigation led to the recovery of various items including a clear-knotted plastic bag containing what appeared to be white rock-like substances weighing 54.6 grams; another plastic bag with 75 clear capsules filled with similar substances; six purple capsules each containing white rock-like substances; and $211 in cash. Laboratory analysis by the Drug Enforcement Administration confirmed that the substance weighing 54.6 grams tested positive for N,N-Dimethylpentylone, classified as a Schedule I controlled substance.
The case was jointly investigated by U.S. Park Police and the Metropolitan Police Department with support from the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory Cole.
