Allan Shaw, a 36-year-old Baltimore resident, has pleaded guilty to federal charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. The announcement was made by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, along with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department (BPD).
According to court documents, on December 31, 2024, officers from the BPD used Citi-Watch camera surveillance in the 300 block of Monroe Street in Baltimore. Officers observed Shaw offering controlled substances to people on the street and entering his red Dodge Ram truck several times.
Law enforcement reported witnessing Shaw conduct a hand-to-hand drug transaction involving an orange pill bottle. Officers arrested Shaw and found an orange prescription bottle containing 18 oxycodone pills during a search.
A subsequent search of Shaw’s vehicle led to the discovery of cocaine base, a tan-and-black Polymer80 9mm semi-automatic handgun without a serial number, and about four rounds of 9mm ammunition. Due to a previous felony conviction, Shaw is not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition.
At the time he was taken into custody, Shaw was already on supervised release for another federal conviction related to firearm possession by a prohibited person. As part of his plea agreement, he admitted to violating conditions of his supervised release by committing another federal offense.
Shaw and prosecutors have agreed that if the court accepts his plea agreement, he will receive a sentence ranging from five to eight years in federal prison. Sentencing before U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson is set for January 5, 2026.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which coordinates law enforcement efforts at all levels with community organizations to address violent crime and gun violence. In May 2021, the Department launched an updated strategy for PSN focused on building trust within communities, supporting prevention initiatives through local organizations, setting targeted enforcement priorities, and tracking outcomes (https://www.justice.gov/psn).
U.S. Attorney Hayes recognized both ATF and BPD for their roles in this investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Levin for prosecuting the case.
Further information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
