Leader of Baltimore County Heroin Distribution Organization Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Adrian Spence, a/k/a “AJ,” and “SP,” age 28, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin. Judge Bennett also entered an order requiring Spence to forfeit $26,320 seized from his residence during the execution of a search warrant.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board, Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.

According to his plea agreement, law enforcement began an investigation into a drug conspiracy involving the distribution of heroin in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. The investigation revealed that Adrian Spence was a leader of a heroin distribution ring in Baltimore County. Evidence revealed numerous calls in which Spence: coordinated drug sales in and around the Baltimore County area; directed his codefendant to “start stomping on it” and “crushing it down,” referring to cutting the heroin for a subsequent sale; and attempted to secure sources of heroin for later re-sale. On July 31, 2015, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Spence’s residence and recovered: $26,320 in cash; cellular phones; and other items.

Spence admitted that the amount of heroin reasonably foreseeable to him in, and in furtherance of, this conspiracy amounts to between one and three kilograms of heroin. Spence also admitted that he was an organizer and leader of a drug trafficking organization of more than five individuals.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised HSI-Baltimore, the ATF, Baltimore City and Baltimore County Police Departments, and the Baltimore City and Baltimore County State’s Attorneys’ Offices for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Jason D. Medinger, Christina Hoffman, and Daniel C. Gardner, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.