A Baltimore man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for his involvement in a firearms trafficking conspiracy and the distribution of methamphetamine. Brian Keith Adams, 35, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin and will also serve five years of supervised release.
The sentencing was announced by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, along with officials from several law enforcement agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Maryland State Police (MSP), Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS), Baltimore Police Department (BPD), Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD), and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).
According to court documents, ATF agents began investigating Adams in December 2023 after suspecting he was transporting firearms into Baltimore from North and South Carolina. Adams did not have a federal firearms license and was legally barred from possessing firearms. Between February and June 2024, Adams sold over 100 firearms to an undercover agent as well as more than 100 grams of methamphetamine-containing substances. These transactions took place in both Maryland and North Carolina. During one sale, Adams carried a loaded firearm for protection.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program that coordinates efforts among law enforcement agencies to reduce violent crime and gun violence within communities. The Department of Justice launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021 that emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting prevention-focused organizations, targeting enforcement efforts strategically, and evaluating outcomes.
"U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF, USPIS, HSI, MSP, DPSCS, BPD, PGPD, and CMPD for their work in the investigation," according to the announcement. "Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Y. Hagan who is prosecuting the case."
Further information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-md or https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
