Partnership Between Baltimore, Federal Prosecutors Targets Fentanyl Dealers

Federal prosecutors on Wednesday announced a new partnership with Baltimore law enforcement designed to combat the lethal fentanyl crisis in Maryland.

Going forward, every arrest Baltimore police make that involves fentanyl distribution will be reviewed jointly by the city state's attorney's office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. attorney's office, U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur announced. They'll determine whether each case should be handled in state or federal courts. Federal law carries harsher penalties for those who pose the greatest risk to public safety.

“State and federal law enforcement and prosecutors in Baltimore City are working together to arrest and prosecute those who peddle deadly fentanyl on our streets and in our neighborhoods,” Hur said in a statement. “More and more people are dying from fentanyl overdoses in Baltimore City and throughout the state. We must do everything we can to reduce overdose deaths from this drug and from all opioids.”

Steve Ray reports:

By the end of 2018, there are projected to be more than 2,000 fentanyl deaths in Maryland. In Baltimore, twice as many will die of fentanyl this year than in homicides. The synthetic opioid, 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine, is driving much of the rise in overdose deaths statewide. It's often added to heroin or sold as heroin, which leads users to potentially fatal overdoses, according the the DEA. Just two milligrams can kill.

Someone convicted in federal court of distributing 40 grams of fentanyl--enough to kill 20,000 people--could face at least five years in federal prison. Someone convicted of distributing 400 grams could go to prison for at least 10 years, and if the distribution leads to a death, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in federal prison.

The initiative got going Wednesday with three indictments against four people, all being investigated by the DEA, Baltimore police and other local law enforcement. All were charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Gari Terrell Miller, 28, of Clinton, faces five to 40 years in prison if convicted, and remains held pending trial. Davon Nelson, 33, and Terrell Perry, 34, both of Baltimore, face up to 20 years in prison. Both await initial appearances in federal court, but are held on state charges. Aubrey Heckstall, 36, of Baltimore faces up to 20 years in prison and is awaiting his initial appearance.

The new strategy is in addition to existing opioid efforts, including proactive criminal investigations, prosecutions of doctors and pharmacists who illegally distribute opioids, and outreach to Maryland communities.