Newly appointed Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, is making waves just weeks into her tenure. Determined to tackle violent crime, drug trafficking, and public safety threats head-on, Pirro has unleashed a sweeping crackdown across the nation’s capital.
A Week of High-Profile Convictions
In a single week, Pirro’s office announced a string of convictions and sentences:
- Robbers sentenced for kidnapping and assaulting a woman in her own home.
- Three men sentenced for fentanyl trafficking.
- A marijuana dealer with a machine gun sentenced to 27 months in federal prison.
- A father convicted of first-degree child sexual abuse involving his 12-year-old child.
Beyond these cases, her team has been aggressively pursuing large-scale drug conspiracies that have long plagued D.C. neighborhoods.
Dismantling a Major Drug Network
Last week, two D.C. men—Jamiek “Onion” Bassil, 32, and Charles “Cheese” Manson, 34—were sentenced to 135 months and 175 months in federal prison, respectively. They were key figures in a fentanyl and crack cocaine distribution network tied to the notorious “21st and Vietnam” crew, which dominated an open-air drug market in Northeast D.C.
Court documents show the crew operated daily from the 2100 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. Bassil pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, while Manson admitted to conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking, and assault with a dangerous weapon.
Linked to a 2024 Shooting
The investigation also revealed Manson’s involvement in a March 7, 2024 shooting on I Street, NE, where he allegedly fired at a dog walker while wearing a ski mask and carrying a revolver—fortunately missing both the person and the dog. Authorities believe the incident stemmed from a dispute between the crew and the dog’s owner. Manson was arrested eight days later.
Pirro’s Pledge: Clean Up D.C.
Since taking office, Pirro has vowed to target repeat offenders, dismantle drug networks, and push for tougher sentences on violent criminals.
“We are sending a clear message—if you endanger our neighborhoods, traffic deadly drugs, or commit acts of violence, you will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Pirro said.
Her aggressive start signals that under Pirro’s leadership, D.C. can expect a no-nonsense approach to law and order.