WASHINGTON – A federal jury has found 46-year-old Jermaine Fairnot guilty of multiple narcotics and firearm-related charges stemming from his activities in the parking lot of the King Greenleaf Recreation Center in Southwest Washington. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the verdict today, highlighting the seriousness of Fairnot’s offenses, which include possession of PCP while armed with a loaded gun in close proximity to a children’s playground.
Fairnot, a three-time convicted felon, was convicted on two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, two counts of unlawful possession with intent to distribute PCP, and one count of unlawful possession of PCP within 1,000 feet of a playground. Following a four-day trial, the jury deliberated for approximately six hours before reaching a unanimous verdict. Chief Judge James E. Boasberg has scheduled sentencing for November 24, 2026, where Fairnot faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that on October 14, 2022, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) encountered Fairnot and several other men near a Toyota Camry registered to him at the recreation center. When officers approached, the group dispersed, prompting police to investigate the vehicle. They discovered a loaded Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol, approximately four ounces of PCP, and 56 empty vials hidden inside the car.
After Fairnot was arrested on November 9, 2022, officers executed a search warrant on his vehicle, uncovering additional narcotics and firearms, including 4.85 grams of cocaine base and a loaded Glock semi-automatic pistol. Given his prior narcotics convictions, Fairnot was prohibited from possessing firearms, which added to the severity of the charges against him.
This case underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement in the District to combat drug-related crime and enhance public safety, particularly in neighborhoods like Southwest D.C. The investigation involved collaboration between the MPD, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Helfand and Joshua Satter are prosecuting the case.
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