Around Maryland, Crime, Police/Fire

Baltimore County resident who ran drug trafficking organization sentenced to 10 years in prison

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore County man who ran a drug trafficking organization in the Baltimore area has been sentenced to prison. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Ernest Lee Bailey, 51, of Owings Mills, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and …


Around Maryland, Crime, Police/Fire, Sci-Tech

Baltimore County father and son sentenced for laundering drug trafficking Bitcoin proceeds intended for federal forfeiture

GREENBELT, MD—A father and son have been sentenced to prison for laundering drug trafficking Bitcoin proceeds. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has sentenced Joseph Farace, age 72, of Sparks, to 19 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for a money laundering conspiracy. On January 5, 2023, Judge Griggsby sentenced his son, Ryan Farace, age …


2023 National Drug Take Back Day set for this weekend

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland State Police are asking residents to properly dispose of unwanted prescription drugs during national drug take back day. Citizens can drop off unused prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at all 23 Maryland State Police barracks. Maryland State Police are participating as part of the 25th National Prescription Drug Take Back …

Attorney General Brown announces seizure of 37 firearms, more than 8 kilograms of fentanyl

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown this week announced the indictments of four individuals for their roles in a criminal enterprise responsible for trafficking large amounts of fentanyl and cocaine. The investigation resulted in the seizure of 37 firearms, including three assault weapons, three handguns equipped with Glock switch attachments (allowing them to operate as fully automatic weapons), over …

Maryland physician sentenced in felony Medicaid fraud investigation

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has announced the sentencing of Vitalis Ohakwe Ojiegbe, 68, of Bowie, who pleaded guilty to one count of Medicaid Fraud for writing prescriptions for controlled dangerous substances without a legitimate medical purpose in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County in June. The Honorable Judge Carol Coderre sentenced Ojiegbe to a five-year suspended …

Drug dealer with stash house in Baltimore County sentenced to 12 years in prison

BALTIMORE, MD—A drug dealer who had a stash house in Baltimore County has been sentenced to prison. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III on Monday sentenced Romesh Vance, 32, of Baltimore, to 150 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute between four and 12 kilograms of fentanyl and for violating his …

Baltimore County, Harford County men sentenced to prison for their roles in drug trafficking ring

BALTIMORE, MD—A man from Baltimore County and a man from Harford County have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a drug trafficking ring. U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin on Wednesday sentenced Jermaine Steward, 33, of Gwynn Oak, to nine years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, after Steward pleaded guilty to federal charges …

Maryland State Police to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 22

PIKESVILLE, MD—The Maryland State Police, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, are asking residents to dispose of unneeded prescription medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Maryland State Police barracks statewide. According to Maryland Department of Health statistics, from January 2022 to …