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BALTIMORE, MD (March 17, 2025) – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced
the sentencing of James Brunson, 41 of Baltimore, Maryland, for conspiring to supervise a
criminal organization, among other charges. Brunson and co-defendant Ernest Hudson, 38, also
of Baltimore, were the leaders of a violent drug trafficking organization that was operating in the
city of Baltimore, primarily in the Shipley Hill, Booth-Boyd, and Fayette Street neighborhoods.
Ultimately, 33 individuals were charged for their various roles in the organization, primarily for
the distribution of controlled dangerous substances, including fentanyl, as well as firearm
charges. The charges stemmed from a 16-month long investigation by the Baltimore Police
Department, which was led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit. The investigation
was part of Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS).
“All Marylanders deserve to live in safe, thriving communities free from the threat of
violence,” said Attorney General Brown. “This case is a testament to our relentless pursuit of
those who flood our neighborhoods with deadly drugs and firearms. Cases like this one that
remove guns, drugs, and dangerous people from our streets make our communities safer and
serve as a clear warning: if you choose to spread violence and terrorize our neighbors, we will
find you, we will prosecute you, and you will be held fully accountable.”
“GVRS continues to allow us to pursue the violent groups who are most responsible for harming
our communities,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “While we offer those at the highest risk of
violence a way out of the life through services and life coaching, we have to balance support for
those who want it with accountability for those who make the choice to continue to use guns and
participate in violent groups. This strategy continues to work because of the dedication,
commitment, and follow-through of all our law enforcement and violence intervention partners. I
want to thank Attorney General Brown, BPD, and all of our partners for their tireless work to
ensure those who make the wrong choices face the consequences of their actions and continue to
help us make historic progress in violence reduction in Baltimore.”
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that violent crime has no place in our city,” said
Police Commissioner Worley. “I want to personally thank the dedicated officers of the
Baltimore Police Department and our law enforcement partners for their relentless commitment
to making our communities safer. Their hard work and collaboration were instrumental and we
will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle criminal organizations and protect the people of
Baltimore.”
“This announcement is only possible through strong collaboration with the Attorney General’s
Office, BPD, and partners across the justice system. Together, we are sharing a clear, unified
message that there will be accountability for continuing to engage in violence,” said Stefanie
Mavronis, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement
(MONSE). “We will diligently continue our work to keep people safe, alive, and free through
life-changing, real-time interventions for those at the highest risk of involvement in violence.”
On August 12, 2024, Hudson pleaded guilty before the Honorable Judge Jennifer Schiffer of the
Baltimore City Circuit Court to several charges, including supervising a criminal organization,
distribution of a large amount of fentanyl, and possession of a firearm after being convicted of a
felony. Hudson was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with the first 5 years to be served without
the possibility of parole.
The investigation revealed that Hudson was a high-ranking member of the organization and
distributed large volumes of controlled dangerous substances to individuals, including
undercover detectives. Hudson also helped to supply others, including other members of the
organization with controlled dangerous substances, including mixtures containing fentanyl, parafluorofentanyl, heroin, tramadol, 4-anilino-n-phenethylpiperidine (4-ANPP), 6-
monoacctylmorphine, and cocaine. Hudson also frequently possessed handguns and bragged
about his involvements in shootings and other violence
On March 10, 2025, Brunson, another high-ranking member of the organization, pleaded guilty
before the Honorable Judge John Addison Howard of the Baltimore City Circuit Court to several
charges, including conspiring to supervise a criminal organization and the illegal possession of a
regulated firearm. The State recommended a sentence of 20 years. Brunson was sentenced to
serve 20 years in prison, with the first 15 years suspended in favor of 3 years of supervised
probation. Brunson will serve the first 5 years of that sentence without the possibility of parole.
In addition to Hudson and Brunson, the following members of the organization have pleaded
guilty and been sentenced:
Antonio Ben, 36, of
Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization and
two counts of
distribution of a
controlled
dangerous
substance, cocaine
and fentanyl
| December 14,
2023
| 2 years
|
Darrick Brown, 56,
of Parkville
| Participation in a
criminal
organization and
conspiracy to
distribute
controlled
dangerous
substances
| January 2, 2024
| 14 years with all
but 18 months
suspended
followed by 2
years of
supervised
probation
|
Terrell Cash, 43, of
Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization and
conspiracy to
distribute
controlled
dangerous
substances
| May 24, 2024
| 20 years with all
but 4 years
suspended to be
followed by 3
years of
supervised
probation
|
Alicia Evans, 36, of
Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization
| December 14,
2023
| 6 months and 19
days
|
Tramaine Evans,
23, of Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization and
distribution of
fentanyl
| July 12, 2024
| 4 years with all
but 192 days
suspended
|
Jeshaiah Gibson,
28, of Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization
| December 18,
2023
| 6 months and 14
days
|
Javon Groomes,
30, of Taneytown
| Conspiracy to
distribute
controlled
dangerous
substances
| July 15, 2024
| 3 years with all
but 4 days
suspended to be
followed by 2
years of
supervised
probation
|
Keith Hardy, 29, of
Windsor Mill
| Conspiracy to
distribute
controlled
dangerous
substances and
distribution of
fentanyl
| August 12, 2024
| 2 years with all
but 4 months
suspended to be
followed by 3
years of
supervised
probation
|
Damon Hite, 47, of
Windsor Mill
| Conspiracy to
distribute
controlled
dangerous
substances
| July 12, 2024
| 8 years with all
but 143 days
suspended to be
followed by 2
years of
supervised
probation
|
Jashawn Johnson,
28, of Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization, distribution of
cocaine, and
possession with
intent to distribute
fentanyl
| May 13, 2024
| 12 years with all
but 2 years
suspended to be followed by 3
years of
supervised
probation
|
Antwan Jones, 24,
of Baltimore
| Two counts of
distribution of a
controlled
dangerous
substance, cocaine
and fentanyl
| June 24, 2024
| 6 years
|
Tony McClamy,
38, of Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization and
possession with
intent to distribute
cocaine
| July 5, 2024
| 3 years and 4
months
|
Dea’ndre
McCormick, 30, of
Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization,
distribution of
cocaine, and
distribution of a
heroin and
fentanyl mixture
| December 15,
2023
| 3 years with all
but 2 years and 5
days suspended to
be followed by 2
years of
supervised
probation
|
Keith Miller, 35, of
Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization,
conspiracy to
distribute
controlled
dangerous
substances, and
possession with
intent to distribute
fentanyl
| November 18,
2024
| 20 years with all
but 4 years
suspended to be
followed by 3
years of
supervised
probation
|
Troy Moore, 35, of
Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization and
conspiracy to
distribute
controlled
dangerous
substances
| March 7, 2024
| 8 years with all
but 10 months and
26 days suspended
to be followed by
2 years of
supervised
probation
|
Damon Patterson,
40, of Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization and
possession with
intent to distribute
cocaine
| June 14, 2024
| 6 years with all
but 458 days
suspended to be
followed by 3
years of
supervised
probation
|
Malik Richardson,
30, of Lansdowne
| Participation in a
criminal
organization,
conspiracy to
distribute
controlled
dangerous
substances, and
distribution of a
heroin and
fentanyl mixture
| December 15,
2023
| 5 years with all
but 4 years, 2
months and 14
days suspended to
be followed by 2
years of
supervised
probation
|
James Sanders, 40,
of Baltimore
County
| Participation in a
criminal
organization, two
counts of
possession of a
firearm after being
convicted of a
felony, and
possession with
intent to distribute
fentanyl
| June 24, 2024
| 10 years with all
but 8 years
suspended with
the first 5 years
without the
possibility of
parole to be
followed by 3
years of
supervised
probation
|
Clifford Sellman,
54, of Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization and
possession with
intent to distribute
fentanyl
| June 24, 2024
| 5 years
|
Corey Smith-Rosenboro, 33, of
Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization,
distribution of
cocaine, and
possession with
intent to distribute
cocaine
| August 12, 2024
| 2 years
|
Andra Smother, 43,
of Middle River
| Participation in a
criminal
organization and
possession of a
firearm after being
convicted of a
felony
| June 3, 2024
| 15 years with all
but 5 years
without the
possibility of
parole suspended
to be followed by
3 years of
supervised
probation
|
Tyrone Stuckey,
38, of Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization and
possession with
intent to distribute
cocaine
| July 10, 2024
| 2 years
|
Earl Tates, 42, of
Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization and
distribution of
fentanyl
| August 8, 2024
| 5 years with all
but 1 year
suspended to be
followed by 2
years of
supervised
probation
|
Kirk Taylor, 45, of
Baltimore
| Participation in a
criminal
organization and
distribution of a
controlled
dangerous
substance
| May 17, 2024
| Ordered to attend
in-patient
substance abuse
treatment
|
Dex Williams, 44,
of Baltimore
| Possession of a
firearm after being
convicted of a
felony
| June 24, 2024
| 5 years with all
but 1 year and 8
days suspended to
be followed by 2
years of
supervised
probation
|
James Woodfolk,
27, of Baltimore
| Conspiracy to
participate in a
criminal
organization and
distribution of
fentanyl
| August 12, 2024
| 10 years with all
but 7 months and
5 days suspended
to be followed by
3 years of
supervised
probation
|
Three cases remain open where the defendants have outstanding warrants for their arrest and
have not yet been apprehended. Those individuals are Nicholas Jones, Lamont Laws-Rosenboro,
and Shytia Moody.
In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked his Office’s Criminal
Division, including Chief Katie Dorian, Organized Crime Unit Chief Paul Halliday and Assistant
Attorneys General Shannon Price and Eric Sullivan, who prosecuted this case. Attorney General
Brown also thanked Baltimore Police Department Commissioner Richard J. Worley Jr.,
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott and his Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, as
well as the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Ivan J. Bates, for their assistance with this
investigation and prosecution. Attorney General Brown also thanked Governor Wes Moore for
assistance and funding through the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN).
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