White Plains Man Receives Nine-Year Sentence for PCP Trafficking Conspiracy

A White Plains, Maryland man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute phencyclidine, commonly known as PCP. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Bengi Bernard Knox, 47, was also ordered to serve four years of supervised release following his incarceration. The sentencing by the Honorable Lydia K. Griggsby is part of a broader investigation into drug trafficking activities within Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Knox pleaded guilty to the charges on February 20, 2025. Court documents indicate that from at least December 2022 to March 29, 2023, Knox conspired with others, including Kevin Lee Simon, Jr., and Malik Marvin Lloyd, to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute PCP. The investigation revealed instances where Knox was directly involved in facilitating PCP transactions. On January 5, 2023, Knox met with Lloyd in Washington, D.C., after which Lloyd was observed carrying a vial of PCP. The following day, law enforcement witnessed Knox and Lloyd exchanging money in Northeast Washington, D.C., related to the prior day’s PCP distribution. Further communications detailed in the case showed Knox being informed by Simon about a new PCP supplier and discussing pricing for bulk quantities of the drug.

The scope of the conspiracy extended to significant quantities of controlled substances. On March 29, 2023, law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD), executed search warrants at Knox’s residence and vehicle in White Plains. During these searches, officers recovered approximately 60.992 grams of PCP, along with quantities of cocaine and a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl. The seized drugs were found to be possessed with the intent to distribute. In addition to the narcotics, law enforcement also discovered a 9mm pistol with ammunition and over $2,200 in U.S. currency. The firearm was reportedly found in Knox’s closet, in close proximity to a bottle of PCP.

The investigation also resulted in sentences for Knox’s co-defendants. On May 29, 2025, Kevin Lee Simon, Jr. was sentenced by Judge Griggsby to 12 years in prison for his role in the conspiracy. His charges included conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a significant quantity of PCP, possession with intent to distribute PCP and cocaine base, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Malik Marvin Lloyd received an eight-year prison sentence on June 5, 2025, for charges related to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute PCP, as well as possession with intent to distribute PCP and cocaine base.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. The OCDETF program is designed to identify, disrupt, and dismantle high-level drug trafficking operations, money laundering, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations by employing a coordinated, intelligence-driven approach that combines the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the DEA, ATF, and PGPD in conducting this investigation.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland

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