Baltimore, Maryland – During the month of July, the U.S. Attorney’s Office charged 16 alleged felons in federal court with illegal possession of firearms in Baltimore City under the Maryland Exile Program, which specifically targets gun crime by combining local, state, and federal law enforcement efforts; community action and revitalization; and public awareness.  The use of federal resources and statutes, which carry significant terms of imprisonment, is especially helpful in prosecuting repeat violent offenders, who pose the greatest threat to public safety.  

The federal charges were announced by United States Attorney Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby of the State’s Attorney’s Office for Baltimore City; and Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh.

“Reducing violent crime in Baltimore is job one.  We have remained focused on reducing the gun crime that plagues our City, in spite of the challenges posed by the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “We and our partners will continue to do everything we can to focus on prosecuting the repeat violent offenders who wreak havoc in and terrorize Baltimore’s neighborhoods.”

“Violent offenders brazenly use firearms in Baltimore with no regard for human life and the innocent people who live here. ATF and our partners continue to do everything in our power to bring these criminals to justice,” said ATF Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones. “When both law enforcement and attorneys at the local, state, and federal level work as a team, it allows investigators to utilize every available resource, expand investigations, and ensure successful prosecutions. The community is a member of this team too. We urge Baltimore citizens to come forward with any information that will help law enforcement get trigger-pullers out of these neighborhoods.”

The 16 defendants listed below, all from Baltimore, were charged in federal court in July for illegal possession of a firearm by a prohibited person:

Quanta Butler, age 43;

Tavon Conyers, age 40;

Rashaun Curtis, age 22;

Michael Eaddy, age 33;

Antonio Johnson, age 20;

Desmond Johnson, age 25;

Demetrius Mayes, age 32;

Richard McCardell, age 38;

Dwayne Purdie, age 27;

Nathaniel Ratchford, age 35;

Reginald Raysor, age 28;

Michael Sanders, age 36;

James Stansbury, age 48;

Sedrick Sutton, age 30;

Larry Warfield, age 28; and

Bryant Williams, age 34.

 

Four of the defendants—Butler, Desmond Johnson, Mayes, and Raysor—were previously convicted and/or investigated as part of federal investigations of gangs operating in the Cherry Hill area of Baltimore.

The United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are continuing our efforts to address the gun violence plaguing the Baltimore area by using federal statutes prohibiting felons from possessing firearms.  These types of reactive gun cases are part of the Exile program.  Maryland EXILE is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), our violent-crime reduction strategy.  The United States Attorney’s Office, through the use of Project Safe Neighborhoods and Project Guardian, will continue to pursue felons with guns who constitute a clear and present danger to the safety and welfare of the citizens of Baltimore.             

If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and/or ammunition.  Several of the defendants are facing additional charges related to drug distribution.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  All of the defendants will have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in the near future, if they have not already. 

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

These cases are all part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The cases are also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.        

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF, the Baltimore Police Department, the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, and the Maryland Attorney General’s Office for their work in these investigations.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia C. McLane, Brandon Moore, Christine Goo, Lindsey McCulley, Michael C. Hanlon, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Tuomey, Richard Gallena, and Lindsay DeFrancesco, who are prosecuting the cases.

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Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted 19 Baltimore men on federal charges related to an alleged drug distribution conspiracy operating in Northwest Baltimore near the intersection of Liberty Heights Avenue and Garrison Boulevard.  The indictment was returned on June 27, 2019, and was unsealed today upon the execution of search warrants and the arrests of the defendants.  The following defendants, all from Baltimore, are charged in the indictment:

            Brandon Crawford, a/k/a Goat, age 38;

            Robert Anderson, a/k/a Rock, age 46;

            Daryl Burke, age 23;

            Linwood Davis, age 23;

            Marcus Hall, a/k/a Pill, age 18;

            Lewis Hayward, a/k/a Junebug, age 59;

            Antonio Johnson, a/k/a Sosa and Tony, age 26;

            Christopher Jones, age 24;

            Robert Jones, age 37;

            Moses Lewis, a/k/a Moe, age 35;

            Ronald McCormick, a/k/a Sleezy, age 36;

            Donald McNeill, age 35;

            Michael Mercer, age 32;

            James Murray, a/k/a Crazy James, age 21;

            Jermaine Porter, a/k/a Pistol, age 27;

            Ivan Potts, a/k/a Spottie, age 33;

            Sean Weston, age 52;

            Donte White, age 30; and

            Michael Williams, a/k/a Mega, age 28.

Another defendant, also named Michael Williams, age 28, of Baltimore was arrested today and charged by criminal complaint.                                             

The federal charges were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.

“Armed drug traffickers are on notice that federal, state and local law enforcement are working together to target leaders and key members of violent gangs operating in Baltimore City,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We will not tolerate those who peddle death through drugs and gun violence in our neighborhoods. Gun crime can lead to federal time, where there is no parole—ever.  Please put down the gun.  You’ll save a life, maybe even your own.”

According to the indictment and court documents, beginning no later than 2018 and continuing through the filing of the indictment, the defendants allegedly operated a drug distribution operation in Northwest Baltimore, distributing heroin, crack and powder cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana in the area of Liberty Heights Avenue and Garrison Boulevard.   The indictment further alleges that several of the defendants illegally possessed firearms in relation to drug trafficking.  Before the indictment was returned, more than a dozen guns were seized from these defendants during the investigation.

Although not alleged in the indictment, the affidavit filed in support of the search warrants executed today alleges that the defendants are part of an organization called LNG.  According to the affidavit, LNG is comprised of two allied groups who work together:  the Yellow Bus Gang (YBG) Crips and the Black Guerilla Family (BGF).  The affidavit alleges that LNG members participate in violent acts, including a gunfight on January 19, 2019, that occurred at approximately 11 a.m.

Fifteen of the 20 defendants have been arrested and law enforcement executed search warrants at 14 locations today, seizing electronic devices, guns, drugs, drug paraphernalia, drug packaging materials, and cash.  Law enforcement is still searching for Antonio Johnson, Ivan Potts, Daryl Burke, Robert Anderson, and Christopher Jones.

If convicted, all of the defendants except C. Jones face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for the drug conspiracy.  C. Jones faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison for the drug conspiracy.  McNeill and Mercer each face a maximum of 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, respectively, and R. Jones faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.  For illegal possession of a firearm by a prohibited person Porter, White, Davis, C. Jones, and Mercer each face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; McNeill and Lewis face a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison; and R. Jones faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison.  Lewis and McNeill each face a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison for possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, while Mercer and R. Jones face a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison for the same charge.  Finally, Sean Weston faces a maximum of three years in prison for selling drug paraphernalia

The defendants began having initial appearances today in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.  Hall, Davis, McNeill, and Porter have been detained pending detention hearings which are scheduled to begin tomorrow.

An indictment or criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment or criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation, and recognized the U.S. Marshals Service, the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, the Baltimore County Police Department, the IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Enforcement and Removal Operations for their assistance with today’s arrests and search warrants.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew DellaBetta and James T. Wallner, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                                 at (410) 209-4885

 

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Antonio Johnson, age 49, of Baltimore, Maryland, today on ten counts of Hobbs Act robbery. 

The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Commissioner Darryl DeSousa of the Baltimore Police Department.

According to the 10-count indictment, between January 23, 2018 and February 12, 2018, Johnson robbed ten Baltimore restaurants at gunpoint. Johnson is currently detained.

Johnson faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the robberies. 

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI and the Baltimore City Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew DellaBetta who is prosecuting the case.