A Washington, D.C. man has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to selling synthetic drugs near a school while armed with a loaded firearm.
John Parker, 23, was sentenced to 27 months in prison and six years of supervised release after admitting to unlawful possession with intent to distribute N, N-Dimethylpentylone—a synthetic stimulant known on the street as “boot”—within a protected school zone, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The incident occurred on the evening of August 24, 2023, near 7th and H Streets NW, roughly 400 feet from a school. Park Police officers observed a hand-to-hand exchange in which Parker received cash and handed over a white powdery substance. He was followed into a nearby drug store and taken into custody.
A loaded Ruger LCP semi-automatic pistol was recovered from Parker’s waistband during the arrest. He was previously convicted in D.C. Superior Court for carrying a pistol without a license, making his possession of the weapon illegal under federal law.
Police also seized a plastic bag containing 54.6 grams of a white rock-like substance, 75 capsules, six additional capsules in purple casing, and $211 in cash. Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of N, N-Dimethylpentylone, a Schedule I controlled substance.
Sentencing follows synthetic drug trafficking near DC schools
Parker pleaded guilty on March 5 to both charges, acknowledging he sold the substance within a designated school zone, which carries enhanced penalties under federal law.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized the proximity of the drug deal to a school and the danger posed by the combination of armed drug trafficking and synthetic narcotics.
N, N-Dimethylpentylone has been increasingly found in street drugs across the country and is associated with heightened risks due to its potency and lack of regulation. Often sold in capsule or powder form, the drug is part of a class of synthetic cathinones.
Under the sentence handed down in U.S. District Court, Parker will remain under federal supervision for six years following his release, with strict conditions including monitoring and restrictions on movement and associations.
The case was prosecuted as part of ongoing federal and local efforts to reduce drug activity and firearm possession in designated school zones and high-risk areas of the District.