Crime
Fentanyl trafficker and D.C. rapper Columbian Thomas aka Cruddy Murda sentenced to 13 years in federal prison
WASHINGTON — Columbian Thomas, a 26-year-old Washington D.C. rapper known as “Cruddy Murda,” has been sentenced to 160 months in federal prison for his involvement in a large-scale fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.
The conspiracy involved the distribution of hundreds of thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl across the United States, including the District of Columbia.
Thomas’s sentencing is a result of an investigation launched following the tragic overdose death of Diamond Lynch, a young mother from Southeast D.C.
Law enforcement agencies uncovered a complex network of traffickers transporting fentanyl from Mexico to Southern California and ultimately to the District of Columbia.
This investigation has led to the arrest of over two dozen individuals involved in the conspiracy, operating across multiple states.
Thomas pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl. He frequently traveled to Southern California to obtain counterfeit oxycodone pills from a known supplier and subsequently transported them back to Washington D.C. Thomas often flaunted his involvement in drug trafficking on social media.
On June 2, 2023, law enforcement arrested Thomas, seizing approximately 100 blue M-30 fentanyl pills and a loaded Glock 21 Gen4 pistol equipped with a “giggle switch.” Since the initiation of the investigation, authorities have seized over 450,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills, 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder, and 30 firearms from the traffickers involved.
The scale of this fentanyl trafficking operation highlights the significant threat it poses to communities nationwide. Many unsuspecting individuals have fallen victim to the deadly consequences of counterfeit drugs.
Columbian Thomas is not the only individual facing charges in connection with this conspiracy. Other co-defendants include:
- Hector David Valdez (26, California): Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and money laundering.
- Craig Eastman (20, Washington, D.C.): Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, with sentencing scheduled for January 7, 2025.
- Raymond Nava, Jr. (20, California): Sentenced to 14 years for similar charges.
Indio, CA – A 26-year-old man, identified as Lorenzo Segoviano, was shot and killed outside the Food 4 Less store in Indio on Saturday evening, according to the Indio Police Department.
Authorities responded to reports of a shooting around 5:40 p.m. at the shopping center.
Upon arrival, first responders located Segoviano suffering from a gunshot wound.
Despite immediate life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary investigations revealed that an altercation occurred inside the store between Segoviano and the suspect.
The situation escalated from a verbal dispute to a physical confrontation outside the store.
During the altercation, the suspect allegedly produced a firearm, prompting Segoviano to attempt to flee.
As Segoviano was running away, the suspect fired multiple shots, striking him.
Segoviano collapsed shortly after and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Witnesses reported seeing the suspect fleeing southeast from the location.
Indio police officers quickly responded and detained a 19-year-old male suspect within the shopping center vicinity.
He was subsequently booked into the John Benoit Detention Center on charges of murder.
The suspect is scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday and is currently held at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta on $1 million bail.
The investigation remains active. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Indio Police Department at (760) 391-4057.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through local crime stoppers channels.