NEWPORT NEWS, VA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Virginia, Eastern), published as received.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Washington, D.C. man was sentenced today to life in prison for committing murder with a firearm, robbery, and conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine.

According to court documents, on January 15, 2017, Dawhan Archible, 27, and his co-conspirators, murdered Luke Michael Dudley, 23, with a firearm in the aftermath of a drug deal. Archible is a self-proclaimed “bloods boss” and admitted he has been in the Bloods gang since he was 13 years old.

On the morning of the murder, Archible traded heroin for cocaine, which he then traded with Dudley for what he believed to be Percocet pills. Following the drug transaction, Archible learned that Dudley had provided him fake drugs instead of Percocet. In response, Archible and his co-conspirators broke into Dudley’s rooming house in Newport News and confronted him. Archible directed a co-conspirator to bring a firearm. Archible shot Dudley several times with a 9mm Glock pistol and then handed the gun to his co-conspirator, who also shot Dudley.

Later that afternoon, local law enforcement officers responded to a burglary call and found Dudley deceased from 17 gunshot wounds to the head, torso, and extremities. Archible’s DNA was linked to blood recovered from the scene.

Archible was sentenced to life in prison for the use of a firearm resulting in death. Additionally, he was sentenced to a consecutive term totaling 20 years in prison for robbery and conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division; and Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak.

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard J. Zlotnick and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa McKeel and Brian Samuels prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:20-cr-15.