Defendants face a total of approximately 887 years in prison if convicted of all charges
Baltimore, Md. (June 23, 2023) - Today, State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Acting Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley, and Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) Executive Director Shantay Jackson announced the arrests and indictments of eight members of an alleged Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) responsible for the sale of cocaine and fentanyl in and around the 1700 block of N. Carey Street. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at trial.
“My prosecutors have, once again, diligently delivered a successful takedown of a criminal organization that was deeply damaging to the surrounding community. I, especially, appreciate the skillful coordination between BPD, MONSE, and our MIU prosecutors,” said State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “These arrests have resulted in the removal of deadly weapons and drugs that instigate violence and trauma in the Sandtown-Winchester community. I thank our partners at City Hall, BPD, MONSE, and my ASAs for helping us bring these individuals to justice.”
In January 2023, the Baltimore Police Department Group Violence Unit (GVU) began investigating a DTO selling fentanyl and cocaine in the 1700 block of N. Carey Street and surrounding areas. Detectives identified eight individuals as members of the DTO: Raheem Gaither, Jonathan Chambers, Gregory Carmichael, Tyshaun Wallace, Keyshawn Edwards, Stephon Martin, William Martin, and Everett Leroy Jones. During the course of the five-month investigation, BPD GVU detectives seized two firearms, approximately 1,145 vials of cocaine, and approximately 1,505 gel capsules of fentanyl/fentanyl mixture.
“Creating sustainable public safety outcomes requires both relentless pursuit of violent groups and coordination of services for those who need them to step away from violence, which is exactly what GVRS is all about,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “The takedown announced today delivered the message yet again, if these group members do not stop the violence, we will follow up on our promise to hold them accountable. By getting these individuals off our streets, we are making our city safer for everyone.”
"GVRS isn’t just about gun violence. Group-related violence in our communities can take many forms," said MONSE Executive Director Shantay Jackson. "Through this group's connection to gun violence and trafficking in deadly narcotics poisoning our neighborhoods, they have actively made the decision to perpetuate harm and trauma through multiple forms of violence in the Sandtown-Winchester community. Removing them from our streets is an important step in helping Baltimore realize its potential and giving residents back their right to live without fear."
The investigation culminated in the execution of eleven search warrants, including four search warrants for vehicles and seven search warrants for residences located in Cockeysville, Windsor Mill, Elkridge, and Baltimore City. The following items were recovered during the execution of the search warrants and arrests of the DTO members on June 6, 2023:
- Seven firearms
- Approximately 488 grams (½ kilo) of suspected cocaine
- Approximately 890 vials of suspected cocaine
- Approximately 3,712 grams of suspected marijuana
- Over $200,000 in various denominations
“These arrests show our ongoing commitment to the Group Violence Reduction Strategy and that we are using all the tools available to reduce violent crime in our city,” said Acting Police Commissioner Richard Worley. “While some may question our ongoing efforts with this strategy, today’s announcement is an indication that we are keeping our foot on the gas in the drive to make our neighborhoods safer.”
Each of the members of the DTO has been indicted on the following charges:
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