WASHINGTON — Three men involved in what federal authorities described as a D.C.-area “drug crew” have been charged with conspiracy to distribute the synthetic opioid fentanyl and other illegal drugs, according to a newly unsealed indictment.

The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia said 54-year-old Donnell Leroy Williams, of Hyattsville, Maryland, sold drugs, alongside his son, 30-year-old Antonio Donnell Shelton, around the D.C. area.

The father and son team were known as “Bubbles” and “Little Bubbles,” prosecutors said.

A third man, 37-year-old Demetrius Antonio Johnson, known as “Bake,” was also involved in the drug ring, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Williams started selling drugs to an undercover Fairfax County police detective last May, and at one point sold the undercover officer 1/2 a kilogram of fentanyl for $40,000.

The FBI arrested Williams Nov. 7.

When investigators searched Williams’ home, prosecutors said they found a large amount of fentanyl packaged in small baggies, large amounts of crack cocaine, marijuana and a loaded handgun.

The three men have been charged with conspiracy to distribute 400 gram or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of heroin and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine. Williams is also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

The maximum penalty on those charges is life in prison.