Washington Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearm Charges in Pentagon City Incident

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Today, a Washington man pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, on September 6, 2023, an Arlington County Police officer conducting vehicle checks at the Pentagon City Fashion Centre garage observed a vehicle speeding and parking in a handicapped spot without a permit. The vehicle was registered to Willie Gene Thorne, 29, who had an outstanding arrest warrant from Pennsylvania.

Upon inspection, the officer noticed a piece of aluminum foil with burn marks, a large bag of white powder, two straws, and a plastic bag containing several smaller baggies. Additional officers were called for assistance.

When Thorne returned to his vehicle, he initially resisted arrest but complied after being threatened with a taser. A search revealed a loaded, stolen 9mm handgun in his waistband. The vehicle contained 91 grams of fentanyl, a digital scale, a razor blade, and approximately 84 baggies. Thorne also had a straw with residue and about 100 baggies in his pants pocket.

Thorne is scheduled to be sentenced on September 6 and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison. Sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties, with the final sentence determined by a federal district court judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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