Career Offender Sentenced To 14 Years In Federal Prison On Federal Drug Trafficking Charges

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Tony Washington, age 33, of Baltimore, today to 14 years in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release, for combining, conspiring, confederating, and agreeing to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.  

In July 2018, Washington was convicted on the sole charge of possession with intent to distribute heroin after a two-week trial.

Between July 2015 and April 2016, the defendant, and co-defendants, Jamal Carter, DeAndre Smith, Dymir Rhodes, and others managed a drug trafficking operation in and around an apartment complex in Baltimore known as “Pedestal Gardens.” Washington acted as a distributor for the organization and routinely distributed “packs” of heroin to customers. Typically, each “pack” contained approximately 50 gel capsules of the drug, or approximately 5 grams. Washington was one of thirteen defendants indicted in the case. Twelve of the defendants, including DeAndre Smith, pled guilty prior to trial.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Interim Commissioner Gary Tuggle of the Baltimore Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.

During the course of the investigation, law enforcement officers obtained authorization to intercept communications over Carter’s cellular telephone, in which Washington communicated with other members of the conspiracy to coordinate the distribution of drugs.  

In addition to distributing heroin, Washington and other members of the conspiracy stored and possessed firearms.  Pedestal Gardens is located in close proximity to Mashburn Elementary School.  During surveillance of the drug shop, law enforcement officers observed school children walking to school past Pedestal Gardens where Washington and other members of the conspiracy distributed heroin.

During a pre-trial motion’s hearing, Washington testified under oath concerning his waiver of his Miranda rights.  In sentencing Washington, the Court concluded that Washington testified falsely and considered those false statements in determining Washington’s sentence.

Co-Defendants:

Deandre Smith, age 28, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy. Sentenced to 25 years in federal prison;

Garrion McCellan, age 30, pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy and using a firearm to murder two individuals in furtherance of the conspiracy. Sentenced to 25 years in federal prison.

Jamal Carter, age 24, of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy. Sentenced to 11 years in federal prison;

Dymir Rhodes, age 32, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy.  Sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.

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.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel C. Gardner and Christopher J. Romano who are prosecuted this case.