Baltimore County father and son sentenced for laundering drug trafficking Bitcoin proceeds intended for federal forfeiture

GREENBELT, MD—A father and son have been sentenced to prison for laundering drug trafficking Bitcoin proceeds. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has sentenced Joseph Farace, age 72, of Sparks, to 19 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for a money laundering conspiracy. On January 5, 2023, Judge Griggsby sentenced his son, Ryan Farace, age […]

Drug dealer with stash house in Baltimore County sentenced to 12 years in prison

BALTIMORE, MD—A drug dealer who had a stash house in Baltimore County has been sentenced to prison. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III on Monday sentenced Romesh Vance, 32, of Baltimore, to 150 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute between four and 12 kilograms of fentanyl and for violating his […]

DEA warns of sharp increase in trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is warning the American public of a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine. Xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” is a powerful sedative that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for veterinary use. “Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier,” said Administrator […]

Baltimore County Police Department, federal authorities dismantle multi-state drug trafficking ring

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown on Wednesday announced the indictments of six defendants for their participation in an interstate cocaine trafficking conspiracy that resulted in the seizure of 15 kilograms of cocaine, 400 grams of crack cocaine, 10 firearms including two assault-style rifles and a fully automatic Glock 30 handgun, and over $493,000 of narcotics proceeds. The investigation, […]

Nine Baltimore men indicted for participating in criminal gang, one indicted for murder of Marquis Carter

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown on Monday announced the indictments of nine Baltimore men for their participation in a criminal gang that operated throughout the Baltimore area distributing drugs and carrying out violent acts. One of those men is responsible for the November 2022 homicide of Marquis Carter of Baltimore. The defendants are Keontae Moore, 23; Dayvonta Mackey, […]

Director of Towson pain management clinic sentenced for conspiracy to distribute, dispense oxycodone

BALTIMORE, MD—The director of a Towson pain management clinic has been sentenced for conspiracy to distribute and dispense oxycodone. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III on Tuesday sentenced Norman Rosen, 84, of Towson, to four months of home detention as part of 18 months of probation, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and dispense […]

Harford County man sentenced to 20 years in prison for drug distribution conspiracy

BALTIMORE, MD—A Harford County man will spend 20 years behind bars for his part in a drug distribution conspiracy. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III on December 19 sentenced Che Jaron Durbin, 44, of Aberdeen, to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine […]

Maryland man faces federal charges for distribution of fentanyl resulting in death of a minor

GREENBELT, MD—A Maryland man is now facing federal charges for distributing fentanyl that resulted in the death of a minor victim. A criminal complaint has been filed charging Mikiyas Maryie Kefyalew, a/k/a “Mick”, 24, of Silver Spring, with distribution of fentanyl resulting in the death of a minor victim. The criminal complaint was unsealed upon his arrest on September 16, […]