Virginia drug dealer going to prison for trafficking fentanyl — Stock Photo - Man in prison.

WASHINGTON — A 20-year-old man from Alexandria, Va., was sentenced Thursday to 108 months in federal prison for his role in a large-scale narcotics trafficking operation, which involved smuggling fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills from Southern California to the District of Columbia, authorities said. Trayveon James Johnson, also known as “Treyski,” was one of 24 individuals charged in the drug conspiracy.

U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly sentenced Johnson after he pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Johnson’s sentence includes five years of supervised release following his prison term, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

Prosecutors said Johnson was part of a trafficking network that obtained fentanyl pills from Southern California and transported them to the D.C. area. The drugs were smuggled in luggage, personal items, or sent through commercial mail carriers. Johnson collaborated with D.C.-based associates to redistribute the drugs, court documents show.

The investigation into the trafficking ring began after the overdose death of Diamond Lynch, a mother in Southeast D.C., which led authorities to uncover the broader operation. Federal agents have since seized over 450,000 fentanyl pills, 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder, and 30 firearms connected to the network, officials said.

Despite being aware of fentanyl’s dangers, Johnson continued his involvement in the conspiracy. Investigators cited a December 2022 text exchange where he discussed the availability of “blues,” a street term for fentanyl-laced pills. One of his co-conspirators, Mathias Tsegaye, died of a fentanyl overdose in January 2023, according to court filings.

Shore News Network Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.