The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced on July 31 that 14 Baltimore men have been indicted following a federal investigation into an alleged open-air drug market operating in West Baltimore.
A federal grand jury charged Walter Epps, Luther Amos, Antoine Benjamin, Wendell Boykins Jr., Davon Brown, Zy’quin Coleman, Xavier Cooper, Antonio Curtis, Keith Fryson, James Keene, Antonio Mason, Miayon Medley, Gregory Alexander Partlow, and Darien Whitaker with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; and aiding and abetting. The charges are connected to Operation Tug of War led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
According to the indictment released by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes along with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer from ATF Baltimore; Ivan J. Bates from the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City; and Police Commissioner Richard Worley from the Baltimore Police Department (BPD), the group allegedly operated multiple “street shops” selling fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine primarily on North Carey and Woodyear Streets. The indictment alleges that Epps oversaw one street shop alongside several others who held supervisory roles coordinating sales activities including resupplying drugs and collecting money.
Law enforcement executed arrest and search warrants on July 29 as part of this operation. Authorities seized seven firearms; over 450 rounds of ammunition; several hundred gel caps suspected to contain fentanyl; more than one kilogram of suspected cocaine; additional quantities of suspected fentanyl; over six pounds of marijuana; approximately 1,500 pills containing a suspected controlled substance; about $15,000 in cash; and 32 phones during these actions.
Hayes said, “This operation and arrests highlight our continued commitment to holding individuals accountable who endanger the welfare of others. Illicit drug activity — whether in open-air markets or elsewhere — threatens public safety and has no place in our communities. We’re committed to collaborating with our law-enforcement partners to hold those who traffic drugs accountable and to eradicate criminal activity throughout Maryland.” Doerrer said, “I am proud of the work our ATF special agents did with our federal, state and local partners…to hold those who flood our neighborhoods with dangerous drugs accountable.” Bates said, “Open-air drug markets wreak lasting harm on our neighborhoods by fueling violence driving addiction…Together we are sending a clear message that those who profit from poisoning our communities will be identified, investigated and held fully accountable for the trauma they have inflicted.” Worley said, “Today’s announcement reflects the hard work…of the Baltimore Police Department…These investigations are about more than making arrests they’re about improving quality of life for residents by disrupting violence…Together…we remain committed to making Baltimore safer.”
If convicted on all counts related to conspiracy or possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison per count—with some facing mandatory minimums or up to 40 years if larger quantities are involved. Sentencing is determined by a federal judge after consideration under U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt—all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland serves nearly six million residents across Maryland as part of the U.S. Department of Justice employing over 200 personnel across its divisions while prosecuting federal crimes, handling civil cases for the United States, collecting government debts, enhancing quality-of-life through justice administration—and counts alumni serving prominent government leadership roles according to its official website.