Prolific Wholesale Fentanyl Distributor Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison After His Trial

Conviction on Federal Charges for a Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy and Related Firearms Charges

Law Enforcement Seized More than $4 Million in Cash and 10 Kilograms of Fentanyl from the Defendant—Enough to Kill 5 Million People

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Paul Alexander, a/k/a David Paul Hayes and Shorty, age 47, of Hanover, Maryland, to 35 year in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, on five federal charges including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substances—specifically fentanyl, possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Judge Bennett also ordered that Alexander forfeit more than $4 million in cash seized during the investigation, three luxury vehicles, seven Rolex watches, two Cartier bracelets with diamonds, a diamond tennis bracelet, and two designer bags.  The jury returned its verdict in the evening on Monday, October 1, 2019.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.

“More people die of opioid overdoses than murder in Maryland, while drug dealers spend their profits on luxury cars and jewelry,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “Fentanyl dealers, like Paul Alexander, sell death and despair, and dealing in fentanyl and using a gun increases their odds of federal prosecution.  As a result of his conviction, Paul Alexander will now spend 35 years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever.  He will also forfeit to the government all of the proceeds from his drug business, including the cash, cars, jewelry, and other items he bought with drug money.”

According to the evidence presented at his five-day trial, from April 2018 through January 2019, Paul Alexander distributed large amounts of fentanyl in and around the Baltimore area.  An 11-month investigation by DEA into Alexander’s drug trafficking activities resulted in the seizure of more than 10 kilograms of fentanyl—enough fentanyl to kill 5 million people—and over $4 million in cash from Alexander’s car and apartments on January 2, 2019.

The evidence showed that Alexander distributed fentanyl on several occasions to a Baltimore County drug trafficker in 2018.  In addition, he was observed conducting narcotics-related transactions with another drug dealer, and surveillance video at his apartment complex revealed that Alexander used several vehicles to store and deliver drugs.  The evidence proved that Alexander utilized vehicles and residences in the names of relatives and associates in furtherance of his drug trafficking operation.

Witnesses testified that the DEA and Anne Arundel County police executed search warrants on January 2, 2019, at two apartments associated with Alexander.  Law enforcement testified that they recovered a loaded pistol with an extended magazine that contained 24 rounds of ammunition, multiple bags filled with over $4 million in cash, jewelry, and narcotics distribution paraphernalia.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Anne Arundel County Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations for their assistance.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew DellaBetta and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner, who tried the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anatoly Smolkin, who handled pre-trial litigation.