Federal Grand Jury Indicts Well-Known Baltimore Defense Attorney

A federal grand jury on Wednesday prominent Baltimore defense attorney Ken Ravenell, according to federal court records.

Ravenell, 60, of Monkton, was indicted Wednesday on federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit money laundering and narcotics conspiracy.

If convicted, Ravenell could face up to 20 years in federal prison for the racketeering conspiracy charge, up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to commit money laundering charge, and up to life in prison for the narcotics conspiracy charge. Prosecutors also intend to seek asset forfeiture in the event Ravenell is convicted on any charge.

Prosecutors allege he took payments from a drug trafficker client and the trafficker's associates in exchange for telling the client and his associates how to dodge investigators. Prosecutors allege he laundered drug money and obstructed justice to protect the client and his associates. The money was laundered through establishments that included a Glen Burnie restaurant, according to the indictment.

Prosecutors allege he coached co-conspirators about law enforcement techniques and used his firm's accounts to launder hundreds of thousands of dollars. He allegedly lied to employees about the purpose of payments he directed them to make on behalf of the drug traffickers. He also allegedly received a large sum of money from drug sales as compensation for laundering the money and protecting the drug traffickers.

Ravenell and a co-conspirator allegedly obtained information about arrested co-conspirators, including whether or not they were cooperating. He also allegedly obtained access to co-conspirators whom he did not represent and attempted to influence their testimony and attempt to cause them to swear out false affidavits and make false statements to investigators.

Prosecutors also allege he participated in a conspiracy to distribute at least 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.

In June, agents from the Internal Revenue Service and Drug Enforcement Administration executed search warrants at Ravenell's midtown Baltimore office.

U.S. District Judge Liam O'Grady, typically assigned to the Eastern District of Virginia, has been assigned to preside over the case.

Breaking: federal court records show Baltimore defense atty Ken Ravenell has been indicted on 3 criminal counts: Rico Conspiracy, Money Laundering and Narcotics Conspiracy — Jayne Miller (@jemillerwbal) September 18, 2019