A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Juan Hester, a/k/a “Q,” age 40, and Davon Rogers, a/k/a “Stew,” age 39, both of Baltimore, with the attempted murder of a federal Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) agent; with using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. The indictment also charges Hester with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Baltimore District Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to the four-count indictment, on December 29, 2021, the defendants attempted to kill a Special Agent of the DEA, while the Special Agent was engaged in the performance of his official duties. Further, the indictment alleges that from 2020 until December 29, 2021, Hester and Rogers conspired to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and crack cocaine. The indictment alleges that on December 29, 2021, Hester possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams of more of fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin. Finally, the indictment alleges that on December 29, 2021, the defendants used, carried, and brandished a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, specifically, the attempted murder of a DEA agent.
If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the attempted murder of a federal agent and a consecutive 10 years in federal prison for using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Rogers faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Hester faces a maximum of life in federal prison for the conspiracy and for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The defendants are scheduled to have their initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on June 10, 2022, starting at 1:30 p.m.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN, an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the DEA, ATF, the Washington-Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program (HIDTA), the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joan C. Mathias and Darryl L. Tarver, who are prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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