AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885

December 8, 2006

11 ARRESTED IN EDMONDSON VILLAGE IN COORDINATED FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORT

135 Agents and Officers Execute 18 Search Warrants

BALTIMORE, Maryland - Federal, state and local law enforcement joined forces today to arrest 11 individuals on federal and state criminal charges related to a wide and complex drug distribution network that operated primarily in the Edmondson Village area of Baltimore, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy. Five of the defendants face federal charges and six face state charges. 135 federal, state and local agents and officers executed 18 search warrants today in connection with the arrests.

U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein stated, "This coordinated operation reflects the commitment of federal, state and local law enforcement officials to work cooperatively to remove the drug dealers who spread poison and violence on the streets of Edmondson Village. Our citizens deserve to live on streets that are free of drugs and violent crime."

Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy said, “Our message today should be clear: local, state and federal law enforcement will not tolerate these criminal activities and we will use every available tool to dismantle these illegal drug gangs and prosecute these individuals to the fullest extent possible. Our partnerships, collaborations and cooperation are stronger than ever and we are working together to make Baltimore a safer place to live, work and play.”

Special Agent in Charge Gregory K. Gant of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said, “ATF’s Violent Crime Impact Team (VCIT), in conjunction with the Baltimore City Police Department dismantled a very violent drug organization in the Edmondson Village area of West Baltimore. This organization’s sole purpose was to distribute illegal narcotics, which created a dangerous environment where people live and work. ATF and our law enforcement partners are committed to making the streets of Baltimore safer for our citizens and our children, and today we are confident that we have made a significant impact on violent crime in our communities.”

In two separate indictments a federal grand jury charged Antoine Turner, also known as Fyffe, age 28; Gregory Williams and Sean Matthews, both age 24; Robert Lee Daniels, age 40; Jacqueline Brandon, age 44; Davon Brown, also known as Jay, age 27; Kennard Whitley, age 26, and Kevin Parsons, age 41 with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine and heroin. All of the defendants are from Baltimore. The indictments were returned on December 5, 2006 and were unsealed today. All the defendants were arrested except Gregory Williams, Sean Matthews and Robert Daniels, who are still being sought.

A Baltimore City grand jury today indicted Erica Jones, age 27; Catherine Stiles, age 23; Andre McLaughlin, age 43; David McLaughlin, age 19; Joshua Whitfield, age 30; Ellen Scullen, age 43; Jacque Brown, age 30; Roy Chandler, age 37 and Charles Owens, age 19 with conspiracy to distribute and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine and heroin. All of the defendants have been arrested except David McLaughlin, Catherine Stiles and Jacque Brown who remain at large and are still being sought.

During today’s operation the defendants were arrested in locations throughout Baltimore and several of their residences and other related sites were searched.

The defendants in the federal case face a a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum prison term of 5 years, and a fine of $2,000,000 for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Federal defendants Turner, Brandon, Brown and Parsons had an initial appearance today in U.S. District Court in Baltimore and were detained, pending detention hearings next week. Antoine Turner and Jacqueline Brandon will have detention hearings on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. and Davon Brown and Kevin Parsons will have their detention hearings on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. Kennard Whitley is in state custody on unrelated charges.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy commended the investigative work performed by the Baltimore City Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Maryland State Police and thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore County Police Department and Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance. Mr. Rosenstein and Mrs. Jessamy also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael C. Hanlon and James Wallner, who are prosecuting the federal cases and Assistant State’s Attorneys Melissa Copeland and Michael Studdard, who are prosecuting the state cases.