Baltimore Crack Dealer And Previously Convicted Felon Exiled To 10 Years In Prison

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Craig Martin, age 40, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 10 years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, after Martin pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Judge Blake found that Martin is a career offender based on at least two previous drug convictions.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Gerido of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; and Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts.

According to Martin’s plea agreement, on May 16, 2012, ATF agents and task force officers executed a search warrant at Martin’s residence in the 5500 block of Cedonia Avenue in Baltimore. Martin was found in the kitchen of the house. Stairs to the basement, where Martin and his wife appeared to be living, were located in the kitchen. During the execution of the search warrant, agents found a clear plastic bag in the kitchen garbage can containing five clear plastic baggies, each of which contained at least 20 small ziplock baggies with crack cocaine. The total weight of the crack cocaine was approximately 12 grams. Agents also found a digital scale with cocaine residue and blue ziplock packaging materials in the dining room.

At today’s sentencing hearing the government also presented evidence that during the search, agents also found a box of .45 caliber ammunition in a dresser drawer in Martin’s basement bedroom and a box of .44 caliber ammunition on top of the dresser. Martin is prohibited from possessing a gun or ammunition as a result of his previous felony convictions.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore City State’s Attorney=s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth S. Clark, who prosecuted the case.