Fentanyl Trafficker Who Hid Drugs in Home Where His Children Slept Is Sentenced to 66 Months After Undercover Sting

WASHINGTON - Fredrick Crawford, 33, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 66 months in connection with trafficking nearly 10 ounces of fentanyl to an undercover officer in Northeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

"Crawford sold fentanyl, one of the deadliest substances on earth. He did it a half-dozen times with an undercover officer and was negotiating a seventh deal for half a kilo more. All the while, he was stashing his poison in the same home where his young children slept," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "Fentanyl kills. Dealers who flood our streets with it will face the full force of federal prosecution."

Crawford, aka "Playboy," pleaded guilty on Feb. 20, 2026, before Judge Amit P. Mehta to one count of unlawful distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. In addition to the 66-month prison sentence, Judge Mehta ordered Crawford to serve 48 months of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 78-month prison term.

According to court documents, beginning in April 2025, Crawford conducted sales of fentanyl inside a vehicle parked at a lot on the 2400 block of Market Street NE. Four of Crawford's six transactions involved 40 grams or more of the narcotic. Between April and August 2025, Crawford sold a combined total of about 278 grams, worth about $15,000.

In September 2025, Crawford began negotiations with the undercover officer for a seventh transaction for a much larger quantity: a half kilogram of fentanyl for $17,500.

On Oct. 1, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Crawford's Upper Marlboro residence, which he had used as a stash location. Officers recovered more than $10,000 in cash, a large quantity of ammunition of various calibers, a drum magazine containing 40 rounds, and five types of drugs in distribution quantities that included fentanyl, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, marijuana, and the narcotic cough syrup, Promethazine.

A substance that field-tested positive for fentanyl and cocaine was found in a dresser alongside drug packaging materials, a digital scale, a cutting agent used to prepare drugs for distribution, and additional Promethazine. About 21 grams of crack cocaine in loose rock form was recovered from a basement toilet, consistent with an attempt to destroy evidence. Crawford's two young children, both under 10, were in the basement at the time.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Office.

The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah Paisner, with valuable assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nihar Mohanty and Anthony Scarpelli.

Crawford as he made his sixth sale of fentanyl to an undercover officer on Aug.15, 2025.

Evidence photos of the six quantities of fentanyl purchased from Crawford during the controlled buys.

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