DC man sentenced after gun, fentanyl bust

A D.C. man with a prior felony conviction has been sentenced to more than three years in prison after being caught with a loaded firearm and dozens of fentanyl pills he intended to sell, federal prosecutors announced. Lanoix Pierrelus, 26, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 41 months in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. In addition to the prison term, a judge ordered him to serve three years of supervised release. Pierrelus previously pleaded guilty on Aug. 26, 2025. Federal prosecutors had sought a 51-month sentence. At the time of the offense, Pierrelus was on court-ordered supervision for a prior felony firearm conviction. On Oct. 22, 2024, Metropolitan Police Department officers on patrol observed a group gathered near a vehicle in a high-crime area. Police say Pierrelus moved toward the rear of the car and crouched down as officers approached. Officers recovered a loaded Ruger Model 57 pistol from the area, with a round in the chamber and 21 rounds in the magazine. Following his arrest, officers searched Pierrelus and found a satchel containing 50 blue pills marked "M30." The pills were initially believed to be oxycodone but were later confirmed by a DEA lab to be fentanyl, with a total weight of about 5.4 grams. Authorities say Pierrelus admitted he intended to sell the pills.