Former D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services Employee Gets Prison Term for Sexually Abusing a Minor in His Care

WASHINGTON-Kelvin Powell, 63, of Temple Hills, Maryland, was sentenced today for the sexual abuse of a 17-year-old minor, who was in the custody of his former employer, the D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Powell was found guilty on July 1, 2025, on four counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a ward, four counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor, four counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a ward, and four counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor, by a Superior Court jury. The Honorable Judge Rainey Brandt ordered Powell to serve 20 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. Powell is also required to register as a sex offender.

"The court's sentencing demonstrates that no one is above the law and that justice will prevail," said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. "The collaborative efforts of my Office, FBI and MPD is a reminder that criminal actions, especially from a child sexual predator, will be met with serious consequences, especially on behalf of our most vulnerable victims."

"Powell is a sexual predator who repeatedly abused a 17-year-old," said Reid Davis, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal Division. "As his sentencing demonstrates, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will pursue public servants who use their positions to prey on individuals in their care and custody."

According to the government's evidence, Powell was a Youth Development Representative (YDR) at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS)'s Youth Services Center (YSC). DYRS is the District of Columbia government agency responsible for the supervision, custody, and care of young people detained while pending charges for a delinquent act. As a YDR, Powell was responsible for the care, custody, and control of the juvenile residents being detained at YSC.

Between December 2021 through February 2022, Powell used his position and his authority to repeatedly sexually abuse a then-seventeen-year-old minor ward residing at YSC. During that time, Powell repeatedly isolated the minor in areas of YSC that were not covered by video surveillance cameras. In those areas, Powell repeatedly sexually abused the minor by committing sexual acts and sexual contacts to her. In an incident captured by surveillance cameras, Powell sexually abused the minor by groping her clothed buttocks in a hallway at YSC.

Joining in the announcement was FBI Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis of the Washington Field Office's Criminal Division.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Special Agent in Charge Davis commended those who investigated the case from the FBI's Washington Field Office. They also commended the valuable assistance provided by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. In addition, they acknowledged the efforts of former Assistant United States Attorneys Risa Berkower and Cara Gardner, who provided critical assistance. Finally, they thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Tim Visser, Jessica Wash, and Niki Holmes, who prosecuted the case.