District Man Sentenced to 102 Months in Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearms and Operating an Unlicensed Marijuana Dispensary

            WASHINGTON – Terron Demise Barnes, also known as “Ali Vegaz,” 41, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 102 months in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Weddel, of the ATF Washington Field Division, and Chief Robert J. Contee, III, of the Metropolitan Police Department (“MPD”).

            Barnes pleaded guilty on January 27, 2023. As part of the plea agreement, Barnes admitted to operating “Pak Religious, LLC” from his apartment in Northeast Washington, D.C., from approximately June 2019 through his arrest on July 2, 2020. Barnes advertised “Pak Religious” on the Instagram social media application, where he recruited buyers, in part, by falsely advertising himself as a “licensed D.C. marijuana dispensary.” 

            In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Kelly ordered 48 months of supervised release.

            According to the government’s evidence, federal agents and MPD officers executed a search warrant at Barnes’ apartment on July 2, 2020.  During the search, agents found and seized the following items, which Barnes agreed to forfeit as part of his plea agreement:

1. A Spikes Tactical AR-Style Pistol with an extended magazine;
2. A Glock, Model 23, .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun fitted with an extended magazine and laser sight;
3. 100 total rounds of ammunition, including ammunition for 9mm and .45 caliber firearms;
4. Approximately twenty-four pounds, or 11.328.5 grams, of marijuana and THC-infused products;
5. 52 Oxycodone pills not prescribed to Barnes;
6. Six bottles of Promethazine with Codeine syrup not prescribed to Barnes;
7. Three ledger books;
8. $18,377 in United States Currency; and
1. A Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicle which had been reported stolen in Prince George’s County, Maryland in May 2020.

            In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, Acting Special Agent in Charge Weddel, and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case, including FBI, ATF, and MPD. Finally, they cited the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorney James B. Nelson, who investigated and prosecuted the case.