A federal grand jury has indicted Jerod Adam Taylor, a 39-year-old resident of Lexington Park, Maryland, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment was returned on February 27, 2025. Taylor appeared in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt before Magistrate Judge Gina L. Simms on March 17, 2025, and was ordered to be detained.
The announcement came from Kelly O. Hayes, the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, alongside Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives- Baltimore Field Division (ATF).
According to the indictment details, law enforcement conducted a search at Taylor's residence on November 7, 2024. During this search, they recovered a Vulcan Arms Model AK47 7.62 caliber rifle among other items. It is alleged that Taylor was aware of his prior felony conviction which legally prohibited him from possessing firearms or ammunition.
If found guilty of the charges against him, Taylor could face up to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. However, sentences for federal crimes are often less than the maximum penalty as determined by a federal district court judge who will consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
It is important to note that an indictment does not equate to guilt; an individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent until proven guilty through subsequent legal proceedings.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021.
Kelly O. Hayes acknowledged the efforts of both the ATF and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office in their investigation work while expressing gratitude towards Assistant U.S. Attorneys LaShanta Harris and Chris Sarma who are handling prosecution duties for this federal case.
For further information about initiatives by Maryland’s U.S Attorney’s Office or available community resources visit www.justice.gov/usao-md or https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
