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Attorney General Anthony Brown said that following a long-term investigation into trafficking throughout the region, the "Wick Squad,” which operated in the 2500 block of Edmondson Avenue in Baltimore, has been broken up.
Charges in multiple indictments include:
- Illegal possession of firearms;
- Distribution of fentanyl;
- Distribution of cocaine.
In April last year, the AG’s office and Baltimore Police Department launched their investigation into the Wick Squad, including undercover drug purchases of fentanyl, resulting in multiple warrants that led to the seizure of 11 firearms and large amounts of controlled dangerous substances (CDS), ammunition, and packaging material.
“With these indictments, nine violent criminals can no longer pose a threat to public safety and disrupt the communities in which they operated,” Brown said. “This case represents just the beginning of our plan to strategically target organized crime and reduce drug trafficking and gun violence.”
- Jermaud Harris, 34, of Baltimore, is charged in a 40-count indictment, including charges of illegal possession of a regulated firearm with a disqualifying conviction, distribution of Fentanyl, and possession of a firearm with a nexus to a drug trafficking crime. Harris is being held without bail and has a trial date in May 2023.
- Dernell Faulkner, 33, of Baltimore, is charged in a 34-count indictment, including charges of distribution of fentanyl and illegal possession of ammunition. Faulkner has a trial date in May 2023.
- Jermal Thompson, 32, of Baltimore, is charged in an eight-count indictment, including charges of possession of a firearm with a nexus to a drug trafficking crime and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Thompson has a trial date in May 2023.
- Tevin Holmes, 31, of Baltimore, is charged in a seven-count indictment, including charges of illegal possession of a regulated firearm and distribution of cocaine. Holmes is being held without bail and has an arraignment date in February 2023.
- Justin Gregory, 30, of Baltimore, is charged in an eight-count indictment, including charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute CDS, illegal possession of ammunition, and possession of CDS production equipment. Gregory has a trial date in May 2023.
- Devon McKoy, 31, of Lynchburg, Virginia, is charged in a two-count indictment, including a charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. McKoy is being held without bail and has a trial date in May 2023.
In addition to the above-listed indictments, three cases were charged earlier in 2022 while the broader investigation was still ongoing. All three of those cases have already resulted in convictions:
- On Dec. 6, 2022, Jerome Lewis, 35, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a regulated firearm with a disqualifying conviction and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Lewis was sentenced to 12 years in prison, suspending all but five years to be served without parole. Upon his release from prison, he will be on three years of supervised probation.
- On Dec. 6, 2022, Arthur Beard, 29, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to a loaded handgun on a person and possession of CDS. Beard was sentenced to four years in prison, with all but three years suspended followed by two years of supervised probation.
- On Dec. 8, 2022, James Jones, 29, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to a loaded handgun on a person and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Jones was sentenced to 20 years in prison with all but three years suspended. Upon his release, he will serve three years of supervised probation.
“This is an example of our Group Violence Reduction Strategy in action,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said.
“Imprisonment should not be a first resort, but if people decide that they are going to deny the opportunities on the table and continue down the path of crime and violence, we are going to hold them accountable with swift, certain, and legitimate consequences”
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