A District of Columbia (D.C.) inmate, his mother, and his brother pleaded guilty yesterday to drug conspiracy and the smuggling of contraband into the District of Columbia Central Detention Facility (CDF) in 2023.
According to statements made in court, on May 23, 2023, D.C. correction officers seized approximately 31 sheets of paper soaked in a synthetic cannabinoid and a mixture or substance containing fentanyl and heroin from the cell of Malique Lewis, 28, of D.C., when Malique was an inmate at the CDF. At the time, Malique was awaiting trial on kidnapping, murder, and firearm charges. He has since been convicted of those charges and is serving a life sentence.
In furtherance of the conspiracy and to facilitate the introduction of controlled substances into the CDF, Malique Lewis communicated with his mother, Teleka Lewis, 47, and his brother, Michael Lewis, 32, both of D.C., as well as the drug supplier, through third-party calling prison accounts. Malique and Teleka arranged to have Michael pack an accordion style legal folder with controlled substances that were disguised as “legal papers” to enable their introduction into the CDF and delivery to Malique. Teleka then delivered this folder to Malique’s legal counsel so that it could be covertly introduced into the prison facility and delivered to Malique. There is no evidence that the lawyer knew that the papers were laced with drugs. Malique intended to distribute, and did distribute, controlled substances to other inmates at the CDF.
Teleka, at Malique’s direction, also managed the proceeds and finances derived from the scheme on Malique’s behalf, including by receiving and making payments for the drugs that were sold inside the CDF through online payment services such as Cash App and Apple Pay.
Malique and Teleka pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute controlled substances, to include fentanyl, heroin, and synthetic cannabinoids, within a federally contracted prison. They are scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 21 where they both face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Michael pleaded guilty to providing contraband in a prison, a misdemeanor crime. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 21 and faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent Jeffrey Lee Tyler of the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Washington Field Office and D.C. Department of Corrections Office of Investigative Services are investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Jared Hernandez of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting the case.
