HSI Washington, D.C. investigation leads to indictment for Washingtonian for fentanyl trafficking and firearms charges

WASHINGTON – An investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C. field office; U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Washington division; and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), led to a Washingtonian being indicted for drug trafficking and firearms charges on Dec. 18 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Kahlil Felder, 39, of Southeast Washington D.C., was arraigned on a four-count indictment 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.

“Kahlil Felder will have his day in court, but he stands accused of attempting to distribute a significant amount of poison throughout the Washington, D.C. area,” said HSI Washington, D.C. Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon. “Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, so the amount that Felder is accused of attempting to distribute could have potentially harmed a multitude of people. The fact that he was allegedly in unlawful possession of firearms amplifies the gravity of the crimes. HSI Washington, D.C. will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to keep our residents safe from the tragic repercussions of fentanyl and illegal firearms.”

According to the investigation, Felder unlawfully, knowingly and intentionally distributed a mixture containing a detectable amount of fentanyl in October 2022, and possessed with intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl on Dec. 13, 2023. The investigation further alleges that on Dec. 13, 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 Dec. 13, law enforcement officers discovered two loaded semiautomatic pistols — a Glock 36, 45mm and a Springfield Hellcat 9 mm — as well as more than five kilograms of suspected fentanyl. The fentanyl included thousands of pre-packaged baggies filled with the suspected drug. Investigators also found tools and materials for packaging and distributing 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 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 sentence of life in prison. The possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a crime is punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, carrying a statutory maximum of 15 years in prison. The charges also carry potential financial penalties.

This case is being investigated by the HSI Washington, D.C.; USPIS Washington; and MPD’s Violent Crime Suppression Division. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)