Leader of 4x4 Drug Organization Exiled to 20 Years in Prison

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Dearius Forrester, a/k/a “D,” “Little D,” “Muffler” and “Chicken,” age 24, of Rosedale, today to 20 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute powder and crack cocaine.

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 Forrester’s plea agreement, the indictment and other court documents, from at least June 2009 through August 2010, Forrester led a drug distribution organization that operated in the Northeast Baltimore neighborhood known as the “4x4." The “4x4” is a small, relatively closed neighborhood consisting of four streets running north-south and four streets running east-west. Ravenwood, Elmora, Lyndale and Elmley Avenues all run east and west and are one-way streets. Greenview, St. Cloud, Highview and Longview Avenues all run north and south and are two-way streets.

The area is bordered on the east and west ends by Edison Highway and Belair Road, respectively.

According to his plea and other court documents, law enforcement overheard Forrester and his co-conspirators discussing their drug activities. Forrester admitted that during the time of the conspiracy he distributed crack and powder cocaine, collected money from drug customers and distributors, and assisted the drug trafficking activities of other members of the drug conspiracy. During the time of the conspiracy, Forrester was responsible for the distribution of 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, and 5 kilograms or more of powder cocaine.

Co-defendants Raymond Moore, a/k/a “Money,” age 20, and Tony Robinson, a/k/a “Peterman,” and “Pete,” age 30, both of Baltimore, each pleaded guilty to the same charge and were sentenced to 10 years in prison.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked ATF’s Violent Crime Impact Team, the Baltimore City Police Department and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorney Michael C. Hanlon and former Special Assistant United States Attorney Traci L. Robinson, a cross-designated Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorney, who prosecuted the case.