Marcel Vines, 28, who is currently serving a life sentence for kidnapping and murder, has been sentenced to an additional 46 months in federal prison. The new sentence comes after Vines pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess contraband while incarcerated at the Central Detention Facility (CDF) of the D.C. Department of Corrections.
According to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, “Vines, a member of the violent Clay Terrace Crew, pleaded guilty July 29, 2025, to conspiracy to commit and offense against the United States, that is possession of contraband in prison.” The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Kelly.
The announcement was made alongside Director Tom Faust of the D.C. Department of Corrections, FBI Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis of the Washington Field Office Criminal Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Vines was previously convicted on August 19, 2024, for his role in the kidnapping and murder of Kerrice Lewis and Armani Coles. Both victims were abducted at gunpoint before being killed; one victim was held in a car trunk for over 90 minutes before being shot and left in a burning vehicle.
On March 7, 2025, Judge Dabney L. Friedrich sentenced both Vines and co-defendant Malique Lewis to life plus 60 years for their crimes. The newly imposed sentence will be served consecutively.
Court documents state that Vines and other detainees from Clay Terrace worked with two correctional officers beginning in February 2024—or possibly earlier—to smuggle weapons and drugs into CDF.
Investigations led by the DOC Office of Investigative Services resulted in several seizures: On February 28, officers intercepted items including a switchblade knife, an iPhone with charger, marijuana wrapped in plastic wrap, tobacco products, gambling dice, sheets containing synthetic cannabinoids (MDMB4en-PINACA), additional marijuana packages, and about 100 cigarettes.
A subsequent search on July 25 uncovered further contraband such as fentanyl pills (with a significant portion found in Vines’ cell), cigarettes soaked in unknown liquids (including some from Vines’ cell), suboxone strips also largely found with Vines, pieces of paper soaked with unknown substances, cellular phones, and more cigarettes.
The case was investigated by the DOC Office of Investigative Services together with the FBI Washington Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Gold and Sarah Santiago prosecuted the case.
