WASHINGTON — A father and son are facing years in prison for selling fentanyl in Southeast D.C.
According to the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, Alphonso Lorenzo Murray, 50, and Marquette Alonzo Murray, 31, were sentenced Friday on drug charges connected to an open-air narcotics market on Yuma Street in Southeast D.C.
Court documents show police began investigating the open-air narcotics market in December 2022. During this time, officials say several men worked together to distribute a variety of drugs.
On Aug. 9, 2023, officials say an undercover investigator purchased 9.03 grams of fentanyl pre-packaged into 60 plastic bags from Marquette Murray with the help of his father, Alphonso Murray. More than a month later, an undercover officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) bought 10 grams of fentanyl in 56 small bags from Alphonso Murray. Another month after that, MPD says another undercover officer was able to buy 15.87 grams of fentanyl from Alphonso Murray.
Alphonso Murray was arrested at his home on Adams Street in Northeast D.C. on Nov. 29, 2023. During the arrest, officials say police found 5.67 grams of crack cocaine. His son, Marquette Murray, was arrested more than a week later at his apartment in Northeast.
Alphonso Murray pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine. As part of a plea agreement, he acknowledged he had distributed 42.179 grams of fentanyl, 15.87 grams of fentanyl analogue, and 5.67 grams of crack cocaine. Alphonso Murray was sentenced to 45 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
Like his father, Marquette Murray pleaded guilty in May, however, his charges included possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. He was sentenced Friday to 60 months and prison and ordered to serve five years of supervised release.
If you, or someone you know, has substance abuse issues there is help available. Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline at (800) 662-4357.
Naloxone, commonly known as NARCAN, is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and can be purchased over the counter or requested from many health departments at no cost. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says naloxone has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system. According to the CDC, it may be administered on people of all ages.
Where to find Naloxone in DC, Maryland and Virginia:
Maryland: Department of Health
Virginia: Department of Health
