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.

Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty in the Robberies and Attempted Robberies of Baltimore Check-Cashing Stores, Liquor Store, and Bank

Stole More Than $32,000 in Three Robberies; Attempted Two More Robberies

BALTIMORE—Evan Foreman, age 34, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to robbery and using a gun in furtherance of a robbery in connection with five robberies or attempted robberies of two check cashing stores, a liquor store, and a bank.

The guilty plea 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; Acting Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Barksdale; and Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department.

According to his plea agreement, from prior to August 2010 to at least June 20, 2011, Evan Foreman conspired with his brothers, Michael and Brian Foreman; his neighbor Christopher Horton; and others to rob commercial establishments in the Baltimore area. The robbers scouted the location of the store or bank and borrowed a gun from a third party who would receive part of the stolen money.

Evan Foreman admitted that he and at least one other conspirator robbed One Stop Shop, a liquor store located at 4905 Frankford Avenue in Baltimore, on July 27, 2010, in which he used a handgun to steal $600; robbed Gold’s Check Cashing store located at 10 West 22nd Street in Baltimore, on October 27, 2010, in which he used a pistol to steal $21,684.61 in cash and checks; attempted to rob a PNC Bank branch located within the Giant supermarket at 9730 Groffs Mill Drive in Owings Mills, Maryland on December 27, 2010, at which Horton worked; attempted to rob an ACE check cashing store located at 200 North Highland Avenue in Baltimore, on January 21, 2011, in which he beat a woman before giving up his attempted robbery; and used a firearm to rob the same PNC Bank of $10,600 on February 14, 2011 while Horton was working at the bank.

Foreman faces a maximum sentence of 20 years for robbery and life in prison for possessing a gun in furtherance of a crime of violence. U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar has scheduled sentencing for January 2, 2013.

Michael Foreman, age 45; Brian Foreman, age 39; and Christopher Horton, age 30, all of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty to their participation in the scheme. Brian Foreman was sentenced on September 7, 2012 to 51 months in prison. Michael Foreman and Christopher Horton are awaiting sentencing.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, the Baltimore City Police Department, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin M. Block, who is prosecuting the case.

Two Leaders of Baltimore Drug Ring Exiled to 45 Years in Prison

Cocaine Supplied By Los Zetas Mexican Drug Cartel

BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced Wade Coats, age 47, of Baltimore, and Jose Cavazos, age 44, of Midlothian, Texas, today each to 45 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Coats was also sentenced for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

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

“A substantial portion of the illegal drugs distributed in Maryland are imported from the Mexican border,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “This case demonstrates the international ties of a local drug dealer.”

According to evidence presented at the five-day jury trial, from 2005 to February 2010, Coats and his co-defendant James Bostic, age 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, received cocaine and marijuana from the Los Zetas Mexican Drug Cartel, which he and other conspirators distributed. From 2005 to April 28, 2009 Cavazos would receive 20-25 kilograms of cocaine from the cartel twice a month for delivery to Coats. Cavazos or his employees would drive the cocaine to Baltimore.

On April 27, 2009, law enforcement saw Coats and co-defendant Ronald Brown conduct what appeared to be a drug transaction. Brown had received approximately five to 10 kilograms of cocaine from Coats over the previous six months. Agents followed Coats to a Baltimore hotel where Coats removed several bags from his trunk, entered the hotel, and returned to his car shortly thereafter without the bags. Later that evening, law enforcement saw Coats exit a business located on North Duncan Street in Baltimore with bags that he placed in his trunk. Agents stopped Coats outside his car and Coats became nervous. After Coats denied visiting the hotel earlier that day, agents searched Coats and seized a gun and $7,000 in cash. Coats was arrested.

Agents executed a search warrant at Coats’ hotel room and found Cavazos inside. Agents seized several cell phones and a suitcase containing $275,000 in heat-sealed bricks of cash wrapped in aluminum foil from the hotel room. They arrested Cavazos and seized another suitcase containing $335,000 in heat-sealed bricks of cash from Cavazos’ car parked in the hotel’s garage.

Trial evidence established that Coats and Cavazos were both organizers and leaders of an extensive cocaine trafficking enterprise. Coats and Cavazos had multiple employees transporting drugs and money, and both defendants had other business partners and customers with whom they dealt. Coats and Cavazos were responsible for the distribution of between 1,500 kilograms of cocaine and 7,000 kilograms of marijuana.

Co-defendant James Bostic, age 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the drug distribution scheme and was sentenced to 210 months in prison. Co-defendant Ronald Brown, age 45, of Baltimore also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

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

UPPER MARLBORO MAN EXILED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON FOR THE VIOLENT ARMED ROBBERY OF A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. sentenced Bryon Mitchell, age 45, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, today to 25 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for armed robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Judge Williams also found that Mitchell is a career offender based on two previous convictions for crimes of violence.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge Ashan Benedict of the ATF - Baltimore Field Division; Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks; and the Prince George's County Police Department.

According to Mitchell's plea agreement, on May 29, 2011, Mitchell robbed a fast food restaurant in the 9400 block of Annapolis Road in Lanham, Maryland. During the robbery, Mitchell brandished a firearm and demanded that the store manager open the registers and safe. Mitchell pistol-whipped the manager who eventually complied with Mitchell's demands. Mitchell then forced the manager and a store employee into the freezer and fled with two bags containing a total of $850 in cash stolen from the restaurant.

Police arrived at the restaurant and with the help of eyewitnesses, saw Mitchell running away carrying the two bags of money and the gun. During the chase, Mitchell dropped one of the bags containing money. Mitchell, with his gun in his hand, then ran up to a vehicle that was stopped at a traffic light on Annapolis Road and jumped through the open passenger window. There were two adults and two children in the vehicle. Police surrounded the vehicle and successfully removed Mitchell from the vehicle, and recovered the gun and the remaining money stolen from the restaurant.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, the Prince George's County Police Department and the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Emily N. Glatfelter, who prosecuted the case.

ROBBER SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR USING AND FIRING A GUN DURING THE ROBBERY OF A KENT COUNTY PHARMACY

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced David Lee Dingess, age 27, of Middletown, Delaware, today to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for using, carrying and discharging a firearm during an armed robbery of a pharmacy.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge Ashan Benedict of the ATF - Baltimore Field Division; Kent County Sheriff John F. Price IV; and Kent County State's Attorney Robert Strong.

According to Dingess' guilty plea, on May 20, 2010, Dingess entered the Millington Pharmacy, located in Millington, Maryland, pointed a loaded firearm at the pharmacy employees and demanded oxycodone. The pharmacy employees placed the medication in a brown bag, which Dingess took, then fled through the rear exit of the pharmacy. The pharmacist and a delivery man pursued Dingess, who fired his gun before getting into a black Honda Civic and driving away. Dingess was later arrested and identified as the person who had robbed the Millington Pharmacy.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Kent County Sheriff's Office, and the Kent County State's Attorney's Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys John W. Sippel, Jr. and Debra L. Dwyer, who prosecuted the case.

Member of 18th Street Gang Sentenced to Over 24 Years in Prison for a Racketeering Conspiracy Related to Gang Activities

Participated in 2009 Abduction and Murder of a 15-Year-Old Boy

GREENBELT, MD—U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus sentenced Silvia Martinez, a/k/a “Crazy,” age 23, of Washington, D.C., to 293 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise in connection with her activities as a member of the 18th Street gang.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge Marino F. Vidoli of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives-Baltimore Field Division; Chief Mark P. Sroka of the Gaithersburg Police Department; Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department; Chief Cathy Lanier of the Metropolitan Police Department; Chief Larry Brownlee of the Maryland National Capital Park Police-Prince George’s County Division; Montgomery County Sheriff Darren Popkin; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy; and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks.

According to her plea agreement, from 2007 through March 2010, Martinez, a native of El Salvador, was a member of the 18th Street gang. The gang originated in the Los Angeles, California area and operates in Central America and across the United States, including Maryland. The gang is divided into subsets called cliques and operates according to rules that the gang enforces by punishment for their violation, including beating the violating gang member. For serious transgressions, the gang will “green light,” or order, the murder of a gang member.

On January 18, 2009, Martinez and other gang members, including Joel Ventura Quintanilla and Ysaud Flores, participated in the kidnapping and murder of 15-year-old Dennys Alfredo Guzman-Saenz, who was thought to be a rival gang member. Ventura Quintanilla and another gang member forced Guzman-Saenz into a car in Langley Park, Maryland, then took him to Gaithersburg, Maryland, where Martinez and other gang members became involved. Martinez and other gang members took Guzman-Saenz to a park in Gaithersburg where he was stabbed and beaten by several gang members, including Martinez, causing his death. Guzman-Saenz’s body was found in a creek in the park the next morning.

On February 8, 2009, Martinez and other gang members were at a residence in Gaithersburg discussing the killing of rival gang members. Martinez rode in a car with other gang members into the District of Columbia in search of rival gang members. Ventura Quintanilla and another gang member in the car were both armed with guns. After the car stopped near a restaurant, Ventura Quintanilla and the other gang member approached two men who were standing in front of the restaurant. Ventura Quintanilla shot two men, killing one of the victims, Manuel Garcia-Fuentes, age 24.

Judge Titus previously sentenced gang members Joel Ventura Quintanilla, aka “Clon,” age 25, and Ysaud Flores, a/k/a “Snyder,” age 33, both of Germantown, Maryland, to life in prison and 22 years in prison, respectively. Martinez, Ventura Quintanilla and Flores were also convicted on related state charges in Montgomery County Circuit Court, where Ventura Quintanilla was sentenced to life in prison, and Flores was sentenced to life in prison, with all but 75 years suspended. Martinez is awaiting sentencing in the state case.

A total of seven 18th Street gang members, including Martinez, Ventura Quintanilla, and Flores, have been convicted in federal court on charges related to their gang activities and sentenced to between 94 months and life in prison.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the members of ATF-led Regional Area Gang Enforcement (RAGE) Task Force, including the Gaithersburg Police Department, the Prince George’s County Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maryland National Capital Park Police-Prince George’s County Division, as well as the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI, and the Montgomery County and Prince George’s County State’s Attorneys’ Offices for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys William Moomau and Jonathan Lenzner, who prosecuted the case.

Member of Baltimore-Area Heroin Organization Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

Organization Used a Home Located Less Than 1,000 Feet from a Baltimore Charter School to Process and Distribute Heroin

BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Michael Felton, age 39, of Baltimore, today to 20 in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and for being a felon in possession of a gun. Felton was convicted by a federal jury on April 25, 2012, after a 10day trial.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Maryland-Delaware Division; Assistant Director in Charge James W. McJunkin of the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Washington Field Office; Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III; Major Michael Kundrat, Senior Commander of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police; Michael A. Pristoop, Chief of the Annapolis Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Chief James Teare, Sr.; Colonel Marcus Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Special Agent in Charge Ava Cooper-Davis of the Drug Enforcement Administration-Washington Field Division; and Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department.

According to trial testimony, as part of a long-term investigation being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into a heroin drug trafficking organization, calls intercepted over Christian Gettis’ phone revealed that Gettis distributed significant quantities of heroin in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Law enforcement intercepted conversations between Gettis and Felton during which Felton arranged to purchase heroin from Gettis to resell to his own customers. During the investigation, a search was executed at Felton’s home and law enforcement recovered a loaded .40 caliber handgun

The testimony showed that the conspirators used a home that was less than 1,000 feet from a charter school in Baltimore City to process and distribute heroin. The investigation revealed that the conspirators distributed heroin in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, and a housing project in Annapolis.

The jury found that Felton conspired to distribute between one and three kilograms of heroin.

To date, 27 defendants have pleaded guilty to their participation in the Gettis drug trafficking conspiracy. Judge Motz previously sentenced Christian Devlon Gettis, a/k/a “Cutty Rock,” “C,” and “Chris,” age 39, of Baltimore, the leader of a heroin distribution organization, to 16 years in prison and sentenced co-defendant and heroin supplier Charles C. Guy, a/k/a “Captain,” “Beloved,” “B,” “Billy,” “Billy Guy,” “Gary Peterson,” and “Damon Lamont Hackett,” age 43, of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, to 17 years in prison after both pleaded guilty.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised FBI agents in Baltimore, Annapolis, and Washington, D.C.; the Baltimore Police Department; MdTA Police; the Annapolis Police Department; the Anne Arundel County Police Department; the Maryland State Police; FBI agents in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; the DEA; and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the searches and the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Ayn B. Ducao and Christopher J. Romano, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.