BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore drug dealer has been sentenced to prison in connection with a fatal overdose in Joppa.

U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Aaron Arthur Fields (A.K.A. “Handz”), 33, of Baltimore, to 10 years in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for distribution of controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of crack cocaine and cocaine.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler; Harford County Drug Task Force, a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, comprised of members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, the Aberdeen Police Department, the Bel Air Police Department, and the Havre de Grace Police Department.

On November 4, 2018, deputies with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Joppa residence for a report of a fatal overdose. Emergency medical services personnel and deputies arrived and located two victims on the bedroom floor. One victim was found dead and the second victim was revived and transported to the hospital for treatment.

In another bedroom, officers located a line of white powder on a book with a piece of a red straw. The white powder was tested and determined to be a fentanyl and cocaine mixture. The medical examiner concluded that the first victim’s death was due to acute intoxication by fentanyl and cocaine.

As part of the investigation into the victim’s death, their cellphone was seized and searched. A search of the cellphone contents revealed that the victim had contacted an individual the night that the two individuals overdosed. The communications indicated that the victim had to meet with Fields to purchase drugs on the night of November 4, 2018. Fields admitted that he distributed controlled substances to the victim and that they subsequently died.

Additionally, during a traffic stop on April 10, 2019, investigators recovered three grams of heroin from a second individual investigators believed to have purchased from Fields. The second individual admitted that they purchased drugs from Fields and confirmed Fields’ identity after officers showed them a picture of Fields.

As stated in his plea agreement, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Fields’ Baltimore residence where investigators recovered 126 grams of cocaine. Investigators also recovered 28 grams of crack cocaine, 48 grams of cocaine, and $1,911 in cash from Fields’ person during his arrest in Rosedale. Fields admitted that he possessed the crack cocaine and cocaine with intent to distribute it. Fields also admitted that he conspired with others to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.

Fields had pleaded guilty to the charges on April 1st.

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