Man Arrested In Pentagon City Garage Pleads Guilty On Drugs Charge

ARLINGTON, VA — A 29-year-old Washington man, who police arrested last September in a Pentagon City Fashion Centre garage, pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in a drug trafficking crime.

On Sept. 6 2023, an Arlington County Police officer was conducting vehicle checks in the shopping mall's garage, when he saw a vehicle speeding through the garage and then park in a handicap spot without a handicap sticker, according to court documents.

The officer ran a check on the vehicle's tags and discovered that it was registered to Willie Gene Throne, who had at least one outstanding arrest warrant out of Pennsylvania, according to court documents.

Inspecting the vehicle, the officer noticed a piece of aluminum foil with burn marks, a large bag filled with a powdery substance, and two straws. He also found a plastic bag that contained several small baggies. The officer contacted ACPD requested assistance, according to court documents.

When Thorne returned, he began to resist arrest, but he complied after being threatened with a taser.

The officers found a loaded 9mm handgun in Thorne's waistband. The weapon turned out to be stolen, according to police. After searching the vehicle, police found a bag containing 91 grams of fentanyl, a digital scale, a razor blade, and about 84 baggies. They also found a straw with residue in the Thorne's pants pocket, as well as about 100 baggies.

Thorne will return to court on Sept 6 for sentencing, when he will face a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison.