Elkridge Felon Facing Federal Indictment for Federal Drug Distribution and Firearms Charges Allegedly Committed While on Federal Supervised Release

 Allegedly Distributed Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Marijuana and Posted Photos of Himself with Large Amounts of Cash on Social Media, as a Symbol of His Success

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury today returned an indictment charging Delmarcus Branford, a/k/a “Baydo,” age 31, of Elkridge, Maryland, for the federal charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances—specifically, fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  According to court documents, Branford allegedly committed these crimes while on federal supervised release.

The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Chief Amal E. Awad of the Anne Arundel County Police Department; Chief Edward Jackson of the Annapolis Police Department; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Marilyn Mosby.

The three-count indictment and other court documents allege that during 2020 Branford conducted drug transactions, including selling crack cocaine to undercover law enforcement officers on several occasions.  Branford was subsequently indicted under seal in Baltimore City Circuit Court and a federal arrest warrant was issued base on a notice of violation of supervised release.  Court documents further allege that Branford continued selling drugs, posting several photos of himself with large amounts of cash, luxury vehicles and high-end clothing and other items on social media, as a symbol of his success in his illicit business.

As detailed in court documents, Branford was arrested on August 19, 2021 on the federal warrant for violation of his supervised release.  Simultaneously, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Branford’s residence, seizing approximately $38,854 in cash, cell phones, and other electronic devices.  A search warrant was also obtained for the Maserati that law enforcement had observed Branford driving, after a trained controlled substance-detecting K-9 positively alerted to the presence of drugs.  Court documents alleges that during the search of the Maserati, law enforcement recovered a semi-automatic firearm; a black trash bag and a gray bag both containing controlled substances; and a digital scale with drug residue.  From the vehicle, law enforcement allegedly recovered a total of approximately 499.46 grams of cocaine; 25.66 grams of fentanyl; and a large quantity of marijuana.

Search warrants were subsequently obtained for cell phones used by Branford that were seized during the August 19, 2021 search.  The phones allegedly contain evidence of drug trafficking, including videos and photos of drugs, and shrink-wrapped bundles of cash.

If convicted, Branford faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to life in federal prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  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.  Branford is expected to have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, at a later date.  Branford has been detained since his arrest on the federal warrant for violating his supervised release and a federal criminal complaint filed on September 28, 2021.

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. 

This case is 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.

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the FBI, the DEA, the Anne Arundel County, Annapolis, and Baltimore Police Departments, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas P. Windom and LaRai Everett, who are prosecuting the case.