BALTIMORE, MD—A Perry Hall man was sentenced to federal prison on Monday for his role in a fentanyl distribution ring, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced.
U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson sentenced Terrell Ridgley, 34, to 87 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Ridgley had previously been convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to his guilty plea, Ridgley was part of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by co-defendant Tyon Bailey. An undercover agent made several fentanyl purchases from Bailey in late 2023 and early 2024. During this time, authorities observed Ridgley meeting with Bailey and other members of the DTO.
On Jan. 3, 2024, law enforcement observed Ridgley carrying what appeared to be controlled dangerous substances in his sweatshirt. After a K-9 unit scanned his vehicle, officers found narcotics.
A more significant incident occurred on Feb. 12, 2024, when Ridgley was involved in a car crash on I-695. He then met Bailey and another associate at a nearby auto repair shop. Authorities engaged the men and recovered approximately 250 grams of fentanyl, 100 grams of cocaine, and a large amount of cash and jewelry from Bailey. A Glock 23 firearm loaded with 23 rounds was also found in a vehicle the men had been near.
In August 2024, a court-authorized wiretap recorded Ridgley discussing fentanyl distribution with Bailey, specifically mentioning “blue stuff” stored at Bailey’s home, a reference to a blue-powder form of fentanyl that the undercover agent had previously purchased.
On Oct. 3, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ridgley’s Perry Hall residence. Investigators saw him flushing a purple fentanyl mixture down the toilet but were able to salvage some of it. The search of his home also yielded more than 400 grams of fentanyl and cocaine, as well as cutting agents used to prepare the drug for distribution. Ridgley admitted that he possessed the drugs with the intent to distribute.
Sentencing for co-defendants Tyon Bailey and Jaron Rhodes is scheduled for Sept. 24 and Oct. 15, respectively.
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