Ward 8 Apartment Owners Sued as D.C. Alleges Drug Sales, Squatters and 190 Police Calls

September 22, 2026

The District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against the owners of a 36-unit apartment building in Ward 8, alleging it has become overrun with drug activity and squatters that endanger residents and the surrounding community. Tenants report repeated crack cocaine use in common areas, with fumes entering apartments, while police have logged 190 service calls this year including 25 drug-related incidents and multiple arrests. Despite owners Marquis Bailey and Dion Robertson initially acknowledging the severity and agreeing to implement security measures in August communications with officials, they subsequently failed to take action or respond to further contact.

Who is affected

Tenants of the 36-unit building at 1828 Q Street SE, including a pregnant mother with three children
Neighboring community members near the property
Students and staff at nearby Boone Elementary School, Kramer Middle School, and Anacostia High School
Children and families at a nearby child care center serving infants as young as 6 months
Building owners 1828 Q Street SE Apartments LLC, Marquis Bailey, and Dion Robertson

What action is being taken

The District of Columbia is suing the building owners under the Drug-, Firearm-, or Prostitution-Related Nuisance Abatement Act
The lawsuit is seeking a court order to declare the building a drug-related nuisance and require security measures
The District is requesting statutory damages, attorneys' fees, and costs

Why it matters

This case represents a significant public health and safety crisis affecting vulnerable residents, including children living in the building and attending nearby schools. The situation demonstrates the broader issue of landlord accountability for maintaining safe housing conditions and preventing properties from becoming hubs for criminal activity. The legal action signals the District's willingness to use enforcement mechanisms when property owners fail to cooperate voluntarily, setting a precedent for how the city addresses negligent property management that endangers entire neighborhoods.

What's next

D.C. Superior Court will consider the District's request to declare the building a drug-related nuisance
If granted, the court would order owners to hire security personnel, secure vacant apartments, install cameras and adequate lighting, and remove blight from the property
The court will determine statutory damages for each day since the owners were notified of violations

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer