Travis Sentell Howell, a 46-year-old resident of Baltimore, Maryland, has entered a guilty plea for distributing 80 kilograms of cocaine. The announcement was made by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, alongside Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski from the FBI's Baltimore Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian from the DEA's Washington Division.
The investigation into Howell began in fall 2022 when the FBI and DEA launched a probe into a drug trafficking conspiracy in Baltimore. Howell was identified as one of several individuals involved in distributing cocaine. Investigators used court-authorized wiretaps on Howell’s phones to intercept calls where he and his co-conspirators discussed their operations using coded language.
Howell reportedly obtained large quantities of cocaine from the west coast and redistributed it within Baltimore. Payment for these drugs included traveling to the west coast with substantial amounts of cash for couriers.
On June 4, 2024, federal search warrants were executed at various residences linked to the drug trafficking organization, including one associated with Howell. The search yielded $13,182 in cash, a money counter, and luxury items like a gold Rolex watch. Other locations connected to the conspiracy revealed over five kilograms of cocaine and equipment related to drug distribution.
Following these searches, Howell admitted to receiving multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine over several years and redistributing them locally. He confessed that during a trip to Los Angeles shortly before his arrest, he transported $180,000 as payment for cocaine intended for further distribution in Baltimore.
If the court accepts the plea agreement reached between parties involved, Howell will face nine years in federal prison with sentencing set for August 18.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative aimed at dismantling high-level criminal networks through coordinated efforts among various law enforcement agencies.
U.S. Attorney Hayes praised both the FBI and DEA for their investigative work and acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Simpkins who is handling prosecution duties.
Further details about resources available through the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office can be found on their official website.