2 Prince George's Men Convicted In Drug Trafficking Ring

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Two Prince George's County men have been found guilty by a federal jury for their roles in a drug trafficking ring that distributed cocaine, fentanyl and PCP in the Washington, D.C., area.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, officers with the Prince George’s County Police Department intercepted a package containing six kilos of PCP at a FedEx facility in Maryland. The officers set up a controlled delivery of the package and stopped Kenneth Watts, 57, of Upper Marlboro, after he picked it up.

In Watts’ cell phone, investigators found text messages linking him to the package and to co-defendant Melvin Grayson.

Through controlled purchases and wiretaps, evidence showed that Grayson distributed PCP, fentanyl, cocaine and heroin, in the D.C. metropolitan area. The investigation also showed that James Kinard, 47, of Temple Hills and others conspired with Grayson to distribute the narcotics.

In search warrants carried out at various residences, agents recovered four firearms, more than 2.5 kilos of PCP, more than 100 grams of fentanyl and about $50,000 in cash, according to the prosecution.

The jury found both defendants guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of PCP. The jury also found Kinnard, guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Watts and Kinard each face a minimum-mandatory sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Their sentencing has been set for Aug. 7.

Watts has two prior felony drug convictions. Kinard has a prior 1995 conviction for second-degree murder while armed and a prior 2016 conviction assault with intent to commit robbery while armed and related offenses. Kinard was on supervised release during the investigation in this case.

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