Baltimore City Police Officer Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Trafficking Heroin While on Duty

Provided Heroin to a Co-Conspirator on the Police Station Parking Lot

BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced Baltimore City Police officer Daniel Redd, age 41, of Baltimore, today to 20 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute a kilogram or more of heroin and for using a gun in a drug trafficking crime.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge Timothy P. Groh of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Special Agent in Charge Ava Cooper-Davis of the Drug Enforcement Administration-Washington Field Division; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; and Acting Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Barksdale.

“Using a police officer’s badge and gun to commit crime is a particularly egregious threat to the community. This case highlights the fact that the law enforcement community will not tolerate crime, especially when committed by those sworn to oppose it,” said Timothy P. Groh, Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge. “It should serve as a warning that local, state, and federal agencies are working together to root out those that would hide behind a position of authority to break the law and bring them to justice.”

Acting Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Barksdale said, “I commend the Baltimore Police officers that initiated this investigation and our federal partners who worked so hard to help send a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated among the ranks of the Baltimore Police Department.”

According to Redd’s plea agreement, from January to June 30, 2011, Redd conspired with others to distribute between one and three kilograms of heroin.

Specifically, on March 2, 2011, Redd met with a co-conspirator to obtain 40 grams of heroin while on duty as a Baltimore Police officer. Redd was dressed in his full uniform and carried his service firearm. On March 6, 2011, Redd provided protection for another co-conspirator who was meeting with a heroin customer. Redd had provided the co-conspirator with heroin to sell to the customer. Redd carried a gun during the transaction and would have used it if necessary to protect the co-conspirator.

Finally, on March 31, 2011, on the parking lot of the Northwest District Police Station, Redd provided 200 grams of heroin to a co-conspirator while on duty, dressed in full uniform and carrying his service firearm.

Co-defendants Abdul Zakaria, age 38; Malik Jones, age 42; Dyrell Garrett, age 34; and Shanel Stallings, age 33, all previously pleaded guilty to their participation in the conspiracy. Zakaria and Jones were each sentenced to 48 months in prison; Garrett was sentenced to 37 months in prison; and Stallings was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI , DEA, the Baltimore Police Department, and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Peter M. Nothstein, James T. Wallner, and James G. Warwick, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.