Man Arrested in Pentagon City Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl, Gun Charges

A man arrested last year in Pentagon City pleaded guilty Friday to two drug charges, including possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Willie Gene Thorne, 29, of D.C., also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in a drug trafficking crime, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

In September, a search of Thorne's vehicle in the parking lot of the Fashion Center at Pentagon City uncovered 91 grams of fentanyl, a digital scale, a razor blade and more than 80 small baggies. A loaded, stolen handgun was also found in Thorne's waistband, according to prosecutors.

Thorne was observed speeding in the parking lot before illegally parking in a handicapped spot, police said. After he left the scene, officers identified a large bag in the vehicle containing a white, powdery substance.

Thorne initially resisted arrest after returning to his vehicle, police said, complying after being threatened with a Taser.

Thorne faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years or up to life in prison, although typical federal sentences are less than the maximums. He will be sentenced on September 6.

More information below from the U.S. Attorney's Office press release.

A Washington man pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, on September 6, 2023, while conducting vehicle checks in the garage of the Pentagon City Fashion Center, an Arlington County police officer observed a vehicle speeding through the garage before park in a disabled space without a handicap sticker. The vehicle was registered to Willie Gene Thorne, 29, who had at least one outstanding arrest warrant from Pennsylvania.

The officer inspected the vehicle and noted a piece of aluminum foil with burn marks, a large bag containing a white powdery substance, two straws, and a plastic bag containing several small bags. The officer called for additional officers to assist.

When Thorne returned to his vehicle, he initially resisted arrest before complying when threatened with a Taser. In his waistband, Thorne had a loaded and stolen 9mm handgun. A search of the vehicle revealed, among other items, a bag containing 91 grams of fentanyl, a digital scale, a razor blade and approximately 84 bags. Thorne also had a straw containing residue and approximately 100 bags in his pants pocket.

Thorne is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 6 and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to life in prison. Actual penalties for federal crimes are generally less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Arlington County Police Chief Charles “Andy” Penn made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton accepted the plea.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Christopher M. Carter is prosecuting the case.