7th person sentenced for participating in Northwest Baltimore drug trafficking organization, AG says
BALTIMORE -- A seventh person was sentenced after pleading guilty to participating in a drug trafficking operation in Northwest Baltimore, according to the Maryland Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
The Attorney General's Organized Crime Unit, in partnership with Baltimore City Police and the DEA, began investigating members of a drug trafficking organization in May 2023.
According to the OAG, members of the organization referred to the area as "LND" or Longwood-North-Dukeland, which are the names of the streets located in and around:
- The 3100 block of West North Avenue
- The 1800 block of North Rosedale Street
- The 3100 block of Westwood Avenue
- The intersection of West North Avenue and North Dukeland Street
Officials used a variety of methods, including having undercover detectives make controlled drug and firearm purchases.
In January 2024, multiple search warrants were executed, including one at the Baltimore County home of Micquan Leonard, a gun supplier for the organization, according to the OAG. The search of his home led officials to recover 10 firearms and cocaine.
The recovered firearms included two illegal assault rifles, two stolen firearms and a ghost gun, according to the OAG.
As a result of the investigation, 10 people were charged with illegal possession of firearms, conspiracy to distribute narcotics and more, the OAG said.
"Drugs and guns poison our communities and force our neighbors to live in violence and fear," said Attorney General Anthony Brown. "These investigations took illegal firearms and dangerous drugs off our streets, and the sentences send a clear message to traffickers that they will be held accountable for their criminal behavior."
According to the OAG, the following seven people have been charged and sentenced:
- Deshawn Grey, 22, was sentenced to two years in prison in May 2024
- Darrell Halsey, 48, was sentenced to three years of probation in May 2024
- David Robinson, 31, was sentenced to five years in prison without the possibility of parole in June 2024
- Davon Gilmore, 41, was sentenced to four years in prison in July 2024
- Ronald King, 38, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in July 2024
- Kedric Green, 28, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in July 2024
- Micquan Leonard, 44, was sentenced to eight years in prison in November 2024
Keon Powell, 32, is set for trial on January 7, 2025, and three other cases are pending.
According to the OAG, two people have outstanding warrants.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Eric Steven Smith, 59, or Martina Staggers, 52, is asked to call the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office at 410-396-7591.
On Monday, the Attorney General's Office also announced the takedown of four other drug trafficking organizations. The investigation, which law enforcement called "Operation Tornado Alley," resulted in the arrest of nearly 40 individuals.
