A Baltimore man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar, follows a federal investigation that resulted in the seizure of more than 100 kilograms of cocaine.
According to information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Marvin Miller, 38, was under surveillance as part of a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) probe into a drug trafficking organization operating in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. The DEA began its investigation in 2023 and focused on one of the stash houses Miller operated.
Authorities used covert cameras and electronic surveillance to monitor Miller’s activities at the stash house starting in April 2023. Surveillance revealed that Miller visited the location daily and met with co-conspirators there.
On December 19, law enforcement observed Miller meeting with Elroy Johnson inside the stash house. After leaving, Johnson was stopped for a traffic violation; officers searched his vehicle and found one kilogram of cocaine under the driver’s seat. This discovery led investigators to obtain search warrants for Miller’s stash house and vehicle.
When law enforcement attempted to approach Miller outside his stash house, he tried to flee but was quickly apprehended. He admitted to possessing cocaine and large amounts of cash inside his property. Investigators recovered another kilogram of cocaine and approximately $671,685 stored in two suitcases within the stash house.
Three cell phones were also seized from Miller’s vehicle. Analysis of messages on WhatsApp indicated plans by Miller to purchase about 60 kilograms of cocaine using the cash found during the search.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence along with officials from the DEA Washington Division, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD), Baltimore Police Department (BPD), and Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS).
"U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DEA, BCPD, BPD, and DPSCS for their work in the investigation," according to a statement from her office. "Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Calvin Miner and Stanton Lawyer who are prosecuting this federal case."
More information about resources offered by the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office is available at justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
