Terrell Ridgley, a 34-year-old resident of Perry Hall, Maryland, has entered a guilty plea to charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The announcement was made by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, alongside Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Baltimore Police Department Commissioner Richard Worley, and Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
The case against Ridgley stems from his involvement in a drug trafficking organization led by co-defendant Tyon Bailey. According to court documents, an undercover agent purchased fentanyl from Bailey on several occasions between late 2023 and early 2024. During this period, authorities observed Ridgley interacting with Bailey and other members of the organization.
On January 3, 2024, law enforcement witnessed Ridgley exiting a vehicle carrying what appeared to be illegal substances. A subsequent K-9 scan revealed narcotics in his vehicle. Further developments occurred on February 12 when Ridgley's car crashed on I-695; shortly thereafter he met with Bailey at an auto repair shop where law enforcement recovered significant quantities of fentanyl and cocaine as well as cash and jewelry.
Wiretap interceptions authorized by the court captured conversations between Ridgley and Bailey discussing fentanyl distribution in August 2024. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ridgley's residence in October that year where they found over 400 grams of fentanyl along with cocaine.
Ridgley admitted possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute it. He faces up to 20 years imprisonment with sentencing scheduled for September 22.
This prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative aimed at dismantling major drug traffickers and criminal organizations through collaborative efforts among various agencies including DEA, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations among others.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended DEA, BPD, and DPSCS for their investigative work while acknowledging Assistant U.S. Attorney James O’Donohue's role in prosecuting the case.
For further details about initiatives by the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office visit their official website.
