Cannaday sentenced to six months in prison

A former GW counselor who kept drugs and guns in his apartment near campus was sentenced to six months in prison on Tuesday.

Former multicultural counselor Lawrence Cannaday leaving the D.C. Superior Court in March. Anne Wernikoff/assistant photo editor

Lawrence Cannaday, 52, who worked in the Multicultural Student Services Center from 1992 to 2006, was found guilty of four drug-related offenses at the D.C. Superior Court in March. In addition to jail time, Cannaday was given 18 months probation and ordered to complete a substance abuse program and 100 hours of community service.

Cannaday was arrested last August in a raid by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Metropolitan Police Department officers that revealed two handguns, cocaine, marijuana, money counters and nearly $3,000 in cash in his on-campus apartment near the corner of 21st and F streets. Though Cannaday was accused of selling drugs in a drug-free zone, he was acquitted of all dealing-related charges.

All four offenses he was convicted of carry jail time. The possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition both carried a sentence of one year, but that sentence was reduced to a total of a six-month incarceration, according to the court documents.

Jail time for the other charges, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia will run concurrently with the six-month sentence. Judge Russell Canan also ordered Cannaday to 18 months probation and recommended inpatient treatment for his drug addictions.

The prosecution testified during trial that Cannaday tested positive for cocaine and opiates as late as March 12.