(Crime Time Now) – An inmate at the District of Columbia Central Detention Facility and two family members have pleaded guilty to charges related to a scheme to smuggle and distribute drugs within the facility in 2023, federal authorities said.
A District of Columbia inmate, along with his mother and brother, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a drug trafficking conspiracy that involved smuggling contraband into the District of Columbia Central Detention Facility (CDF), according to court statements.
Prosecutors said that on May 23, 2023, correctional officers recovered approximately 31 sheets of paper soaked with synthetic cannabinoids and substances containing fentanyl and heroin from the cell of 28-year-old Malique Lewis. At the time, Lewis was being held at the facility while awaiting trial on separate charges, including kidnapping, murder, and firearm offenses. He has since been convicted in that case and is serving a life sentence.
According to court filings, Lewis coordinated the smuggling operation from the facility using third-party prison calling accounts. Authorities said he communicated with his mother, Teleka Lewis, 47, and his brother, Michael Lewis, 32, as well as a drug supplier, to arrange the delivery of narcotics disguised as legal documents.
Investigators said the substances were concealed in an accordion-style legal folder designed to resemble legitimate paperwork. The folder was prepared by Michael Lewis and then delivered by Teleka Lewis to Malique Lewis’s legal counsel for transport into the detention facility. Officials stated there is no evidence the attorney was aware that the documents contained illicit drugs.
Authorities said Malique Lewis intended to distribute, and did distribute, the substances to other inmates in the facility. Prosecutors also alleged that Teleka Lewis handled financial transactions from the operation, including receiving and sending payments through digital platforms such as Cash App and Apple Pay.
Malique Lewis and Teleka Lewis both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl, heroin, and synthetic cannabinoids within a federally contracted prison. They are scheduled to be sentenced on August 21 and each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Michael Lewis pleaded guilty to providing contraband in a prison, a misdemeanor offense. He is also scheduled for sentencing on August 21 and faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison.
Sentencing for all three defendants will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was announced by the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and the FBI Washington Field Office. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the D.C. Department of Corrections Office of Investigative Services. Prosecutors from the Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are handling the case.
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