Fredericksburg Woman Charged In Federal Fentanyl Conspiracy Case Released On Bond

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A Fredericksburg woman accused of laundering money for a large-scale fentanyl distribution ring was released on a personal recognizance bond Thursday following her initial appearance in federal court.

Lataija Ancrum, 25, of Dumfries, is charged with conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. According to a criminal affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, federal agents allege Ancrum worked with her husband, Khalil Williams, to move drug proceeds between Virginia redistributors and suppliers in Phoenix.

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A Drug Enforcement Administration special agent stated in an affidavit that Ancrum used her CashApp account to transfer at least $50,200 to Phoenix-based co-conspirators between September 2023 and February 2024. Investigators allege Williams frequently directed co-conspirators to send drug payments to Ancrum because, as Williams allegedly told one contact, “Iont even kno how use this Apple Pay sh*t lls she be doin it".

The investigation involved multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl pills by confidential sources. In one instance, agents matching a photograph of fentanyl pills found on the couple's iCloud accounts to the granite countertops in their former Fredericksburg residence, which Ancrum leased.

While her husband and two other co-conspirators have already pleaded guilty and received sentences ranging from two to 10 years, Ancrum was arrested Wednesday in Woodbridge.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Ivan D. Davis ordered Ancrum’s release Thursday under several conditions. She is prohibited from leaving the Washington D.C. metropolitan area without approval and must "avoid all contact, directly or indirectly, with any person who is or may be a victim or witness in the investigation or prosecution".

Ancrum was also warned that committing a federal felony while on release carries an "additional prison term of not more than ten years".

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at 2 p.m. before Magistrate Judge Lindsey R. Vaala in Alexandria.

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