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Feds charge 20 men in Northwest Baltimore drug ring, over a dozen guns seized during investigation

(l-r), U.S. Attorney/Maryland, Robert Hur, Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison

 A federal grand jury has indicted 19 Baltimore men on federal charges related to an alleged drug distribution conspiracy operating in Northwest Baltimore near the intersection of Liberty Heights Avenue and Garrison Boulevard. 

 The indictment was returned on June 27, 2019, and was unsealed Wednesday upon the execution of search warrants and the arrests of the defendants.  The following defendants, all from Baltimore, are charged in the indictment:
 
            Brandon Crawford, a/k/a Goat, age 38;
            Robert Anderson, a/k/a Rock, age 46;
            Daryl Burke, age 23;
            Linwood Davis, age 23;
            Marcus Hall, a/k/a Pill, age 18;
            Lewis Hayward, a/k/a Junebug, age 59;
            Antonio Johnson, a/k/a Sosa and Tony, age 26;
            Christopher Jones, age 24;
            Robert Jones, age 37;
            Moses Lewis, a/k/a Moe, age 35;
            Ronald McCormick, a/k/a Sleezy, age 36;
            Donald McNeill, age 35;
            Michael Mercer, age 32;
            James Murray, a/k/a Crazy James, age 21;
            Jermaine Porter, a/k/a Pistol, age 27;
            Ivan Potts, a/k/a Spottie, age 33;
            Sean Weston, age 52;
            Donte White, age 30; and
            Michael Williams, a/k/a Mega, age 28.
 
Another defendant, also named Michael Williams, age 28, of Baltimore was arrested Wednesdayand charged by criminal complaint. 
                                       
The federal charges were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
 
“Armed drug traffickers are on notice that federal, state and local law enforcement are working together to target leaders and key members of violent gangs operating in Baltimore City,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We will not tolerate those who peddle death through drugs and gun violence in our neighborhoods. Gun crime can lead to federal time, where there is no parole—ever.  Please put down the gun.  You’ll save a life, maybe even your own.”
 
According to the indictment and court documents, beginning no later than 2018 and continuing through the filing of the indictment, the defendants allegedly operated a drug distribution operation in Northwest Baltimore, distributing heroin, crack and powder cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana in the area of Liberty Heights Avenue and Garrison Boulevard.   The indictment further alleges that several of the defendants illegally possessed firearms in relation to drug trafficking.  Before the indictment was returned, more than a dozen guns were seized from these defendants during the investigation.
 
Although not alleged in the indictment, the affidavit filed in support of the search warrants executed today alleges that the defendants are part of an organization called LNG.  According to the affidavit, LNG is comprised of two allied groups who work together:  the Yellow Bus Gang (YBG) Crips and the Black Guerilla Family (BGF).  The affidavit alleges that LNG members participate in violent acts, including a gunfight on January 19, 2019, that occurred at approximately 11 a.m.
 
Fifteen of the 20 defendants have been arrested and law enforcement executed search warrants at 14 locations today, seizing electronic devices, guns, drugs, drug paraphernalia, drug packaging materials, and cash.  Law enforcement is still searching for Antonio Johnson, Ivan Potts, Daryl Burke, Robert Anderson, and Christopher Jones.
 
If convicted, all of the defendants except C. Jones face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for the drug conspiracy.  C. Jones faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison for the drug conspiracy.  McNeill and Mercer each face a maximum of 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, respectively, and R. Jones faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.  For illegal possession of a firearm by a prohibited person Porter, White, Davis, C. Jones, and Mercer each face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; McNeill and Lewis face a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison; and R. Jones faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison.  Lewis and McNeill each face a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison for possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, while Mercer and R. Jones face a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison for the same charge.  Finally, Sean Weston faces a maximum of three years in prison for selling drug paraphernalia.
 
The defendants began had initial appearances Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.  Hall, Davis, McNeill, and Porter have been detained pending detention hearings which are scheduled to begin Thursday.