Kenneth Watts and James Kinard, both from Maryland, have been convicted by a federal jury for their involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy. The operation distributed significant quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and PCP across the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area. The conspiracy also involved the use of firearms to protect their narcotics operations.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the verdicts alongside FBI Assistant Director Steven J. Jensen, DEA Special Agent Ibrar A. Mian, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
The jury found Watts and Kinard guilty of conspiring to distribute more than one kilogram of PCP. Additionally, Kinard was found guilty of conspiracy involving 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Sentencing is set for August 7, 2025, with both facing a minimum sentence of ten years in federal prison.
Watts has previous felony drug convictions, while Kinard has past convictions including second-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to commit robbery while armed.
Three co-defendants entered guilty pleas before the trial commenced on May 7. Melvin Grayson admitted guilt to distributing cocaine, fentanyl, and PCP; Tyrone Ragland pleaded guilty to distributing one kilogram of PCP; Charles Cunningham admitted to unlawful firearm possession as a felon.
Court documents revealed that Prince George’s County Police intercepted six kilos of PCP at a FedEx facility in Maryland. A controlled delivery led officers to arrest Watts after he collected the package. Evidence linked him to Grayson through text messages on his phone.
Investigations involving controlled purchases and wiretaps indicated Grayson's role in distributing various drugs throughout the D.C. area with assistance from Ragland, Cunningham, Kinard, and others. Searches conducted recovered firearms, drugs worth millions in cash.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nihar R. Mohanty and Iris Y. McCranie are prosecuting the case.
