WASHINGTON — Two members of the Kennedy Street Crew (KDY), a violent drug trafficking organization, were sentenced today to federal prison for their roles in operating open-air drug markets in Northwest Washington, D.C. Aaron DeAndre Mercer, 33, and Ronald Lynn Dorsey, 30, both of Washington, D.C., received prison terms for their involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering activities that fueled the KDY Crew’s illegal operations.
Mercer, also known as “Curby,” was sentenced to 10 years in prison for being a bulk supplier of fentanyl, cocaine base, and marijuana to the KDY organization. Dorsey, also known as “HBGeezy,” was sentenced to 30 months for his role in laundering the group’s drug proceeds by setting up shell companies and using casinos to disguise illegal profits.
The sentences were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, along with FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist, DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget, ATF Special Agent in Charge James VanVliet, and IRS Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter.
Mercer pleaded guilty in June 2024 to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, marijuana, and cocaine base. Dorsey pleaded guilty in February 2024 to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to court documents, KDY operated open-air drug markets along an 11-block stretch of Kennedy Street in Northwest Washington, D.C., and surrounding streets. The organization was heavily armed to protect its territory and facilitate its drug trade.
Mercer played a key role in the trafficking of bulk quantities of fentanyl, cocaine base, and marijuana, while Dorsey helped launder the drug proceeds by establishing two fake businesses—Heavy Baggz LLC and HBG LLC. These entities were falsely portrayed as legitimate operations, but tax records confirmed that neither reported income. Additionally, Dorsey and a co-conspirator used the businesses to apply for and receive forgivable loans from the Small Business Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, which were allegedly used to purchase drugs for KDY’s trafficking operations.
Dorsey further concealed illicit income by frequenting local casinos, where he wagered drug proceeds and then cashed out with minimal losses, making the money appear legitimate.
The case was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) initiative, which focuses on dismantling high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a multi-agency approach.