1 Indicted For Alexandria Murder, 17 Indicted For Racketeering

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Alexandria Commonwealth's Attorney's office announced Wednesday 17 people were indicted in a racketeering scheme, and one was indicted for murder.

The charges are in relation to a drug trafficking organization that allegedly sold large amounts of marijuana in Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. A member of the organization is alleged to have killed Yousef Omar, 23, in the 4800 block of West Braddock Road in Alexandria. The commonwealth's attorney's office alleges that the murder was done "in furtherance of the drug trafficking organization." This was the city's third homicide of 2020.

The defendant, Ahmed Mohammed Shareef, 23, of Cosa Mesta, California, was indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of murder, and conspiracy to commit racketeering. The first-degree murder charge could carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. The racketeering charge could have a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a fine up to $1 million. Shareef is in custody in California pending extradition to Alexandria.

Sixteen other defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering. Trial dates have not yet been determined.

"I want to thank the Alexandria Police Department’s Vice/Narcotics Section and the multitude of partner law enforcement agencies for their diligent and professional work on this investigation," said Commonwealth's Attorney Bryan Porter in a statement. "Firearms and violence follow racketeering organizations as the number of weapons seized and the alleged murder charge illustrate. Illegal money, no matter how it is obtained, begets the potential for robbery, assault, and homicide."

The investigation led by the Alexandria Police Department's vice and narcotics unit involved law enforcement agencies in Virginia, DC, Maryland, Washington state and California. At least 23 firearms were seized, including three assault rifles and multiple high capacity magazines. Law enforcement also seized at least $274,795, more than 150 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $500,000, cocaine and other controlled substances, electronic money counting machines, fake identification cards and driver's licenses, vehicles used in the organization's racketeering activity, and more.