Baltimore Felon Exiled to 9 Years in Prison For Possessing a Gun and Ammunition

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Justin Harris, age 28, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to nine years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a gun and ammunition.

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 Commissioner Anthony W. Batts of the Baltimore Police Department.

According to Harris’ plea agreement, on January 17, 2012, an undercover Baltimore Police officer saw a woman offering crack cocaine for sale in the 1800 block of N. Collington Avenue in Baltimore. The undercover officer provided the woman with pre-recorded buy money, and saw the woman walk into a home on N. Collington Avenue where she obtained the drugs. The home was Harris’ residence. A search warrant was executed on January 30 at the home. Harris was present. Law enforcement seized a handgun with an obliterated serial number, and 10 cartridges, along with 4.7 grams of cocaine, marijuana and drug trafficking paraphernalia.

Harris had previously been convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing a gun or ammunition.

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