U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland

Jonathan Drew Bartgis, 26, of Frederick, Maryland, pled guilty to one count of firearms trafficking and one count of unlawful possession of a machinegun. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement began investigating a channel on the social media application Telegram that advertised the sale of firearms and machinegun conversion devices. These conversion devices, also known as “Glock switches,” are designed to convert semi-automatic Glock-style pistols into fully automatic firearms. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Frederick Police Department are investigating this case. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eMfrbg2b.

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Roddrick Navara Shelby, 48, of Laurel, Maryland, to 70 months in federal prison for distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl. According to the guilty plea, in November 2024, the DEA and MCPD began investigating Shelby in connection with suspected fentanyl trafficking. The DEA Washington DC and Montgomery County Police Department investigated this case. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eEAn7z3K.

After a two-day trial, a federal jury convicted Lester Massey, Jr., 42, of Oxon Hill, Maryland, of being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition. According to the evidence presented at trial, on August 11, 2023, ATF agents, with the assistance of PGPD officers, executed a court-ordered search-and-seizure warrant at Massey’s residence, recovering 243 live rounds of ammunition throughout the apartment. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Prince George’s County Police Department are investigating this case. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eWamcPHs.

U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher sentenced Robin Joseph, 64, of Murells Inlet, South Carolina, today, to 39 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, six months of which will be home detention. On April 25, 2025, Joseph pled guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft in connection with a decades-long embezzlement scheme that caused losses of more than $1.4 million.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Baltimore Field Office investigated this case. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eW6KYNpD.

U.S. District Court Judge Brendan A. Hurson sentenced Harrison James Miller, 32, of Hagerstown, Maryland, to 37 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release. Miller previously pled guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child as well as commission of a felony crime involving a minor by a registered sex offender. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Baltimore Field Office; Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office; and Hagerstown Police Department investigated this case. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/dxqviibV.

U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Vincent Edison, 45, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession of firearms by a prohibited person. Edison led a fentanyl trafficking operation that distributed large quantities of fentanyl throughout the state of Maryland.  The DEA Washington DC, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, and Baltimore County Police Department investigated this case. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/efqgQbX9.

U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Jennifer Watkins, 48, of Marlton, New Jersey, to 36 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, in connection with her role as a co-conspirator in a multi-million-dollar bank fraud conspiracy. Watkins and her co-conspirators schemed to fraudulently obtain more than $35 million in Small Business Administration loans from financial institutions that they used to purchase hotels. The Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General and FDIC Office of Inspector General - Mid-Atlantic Region investigated this case. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eJdEzjqu.

Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Anomah Ndonwi, 32, of Chillum, Maryland, to 30 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. The scheme involved various non-delivery schemes, including victims throughout the United States who responded to internet websites offering the sale of pets such as dogs and horses. The Washington Field Office, U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service investigated this case. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eewutAM9.

Zakria Hussain, 28, of Prince George’s County, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, relating to the submission of fraudulent CARES Act unemployment insurance claims.  According to the plea agreement, beginning in at least March 2021, and continuing until about August 2022, Hussain and his co-conspirators engaged in a scheme to defraud the United States, the State of Maryland, multiple financial institutions, and multiple individuals, including at least six identity theft victims. The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Baltimore Field Office are investigating this case. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eT73j5MS.

Evan Strauss, 27, of Moneta, Virginia, pled guilty to conspiracy, cyberstalking, interstate threatening communications, and threats to damage or destroy by means of fire and explosives. According to the guilty plea, Strauss helped create and operate an online group known as “Purgatory.” The group used multiple online social-media platforms, including Telegram and Instagram, to coordinate and plan swatting and doxxing activities and to announce and brag about swats that they conducted.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Baltimore Field Office are investigating this case. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/e2jUbnVg.