Tamonie Chambliss, a member of the "Clay Terrace Hitsquad," received a 46-month prison sentence for multiple charges, including firearm possession by a felon and intent to distribute marijuana. According to a press release on the U.S. Department of Justice website, Chambliss, 28, from Capitol Heights, Maryland, was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after his imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Kelly. In the announcement, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves stressed the collaboration between federal and local law enforcement in the conviction of Chambliss, who had previously served time for a gun-point robbery in 2017.
The investigation, which took place over several months, brought forth evidence of the group's involvement in substance sales and violent crimes. The "Clay Terrace Hitsquad," also known as the "Double Back Gang," was prominent in distributing drugs like PCP, crack cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana, as well as engaging in illegal firearm transactions. Social media was a marketing tool for Chambliss, who sold his marijuana packaged with his likeness emblazoned across it, the U.S. Department of Justice detailed.
An incident on March 7, 2023, played a significant role in Chambliss's arrest when police spotted a suspicious, unregistered Lexus. As officers approached, individuals near the vehicle scattered and refused to provide identification, including one fictitious insurance card that listed Chambliss as the operator. A consequent search revealed contraband and ammunition, which, along with credit cards and registration under Chambliss's name, were found within the sedan. This information significantly contributed to his subsequent legal troubles.
Further searches of addresses linked to Chambliss resulted in the discovery of more drugs and a loaded Glock 30S handgun. Despite his prior conviction, which prohibited him from firearm possession, Chambliss admitted to owning the weapon. Arrested by U.S. Marshals on March 15, 2024, in Laurel, Maryland, Chambliss was found with an additional stash of marijuana in plain view, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
His indictment, spanning six counts related to drug trafficking and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, encapsulates the determined efforts of the Metropolitan Police Department's Violence Reduction Unit and the FBI Washington Field Office. Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ernesto J. Alvarado and Adam Stempel led the prosecution, aiming to undercut the cycle of drugs and violence pervasive in Northeast Washington, D.C. As of now, Chambliss awaits the end of his 46-month sentence, a period intended for reflection and, perhaps ideally, reform. The case stands as a stark reminder of the enduring interplay between criminal enterprise and the ceaseless endeavor of law enforcement to restore order and security to the streets.
