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.
Crime
18-year-old Kyler Naely charged for the murder in shooting death of 16-year-old Ja’Tycie Williams
An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged in a deadly shooting that occurred in October, which claimed the life of a 16-year-old and injured another.
The incident began on October 6, 2024, shortly after 12:45 a.m., when officers were called to a shooting on I-244 near Yale Avenue.
Upon arrival, they discovered a gray SUV riddled with bullet holes and shattered windows. Investigators determined that seven people were inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Two occupants of the vehicle suffered gunshot wounds.
One victim, 16-year-old Ja’Tycie Williams, sustained critical injuries and succumbed to them several weeks later. The other victim suffered a minor gunshot wound to the arm and survived.
Preliminary investigations revealed the incident was linked to a fight at the Tulsa State Fair earlier that evening.
Witnesses reported that the altercation, which occurred as the group was leaving the fairgrounds, likely escalated into the highway shooting.
Following an in-depth investigation, Tulsa Police Homicide Detectives identified 18-year-old Kyler Naely as the suspect responsible for the shooting.
On November 19, 2024, Naely was arrested, charged with first-degree murder, and booked into the Tulsa County Jail.
Authorities emphasize that the case remains under investigation and are urging anyone with additional information to contact Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS. Callers can remain anonymous.