Federal and state authorities in Maryland have announced the results of a recent large-scale law enforcement operation in Baltimore, which led to hundreds of arrests and multiple federal indictments. The coordinated effort took place between January 20 and January 31, involving federal, state, and local agencies.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, more than 200 violent fugitives and individuals linked to organized criminal activity were apprehended during the operation. Law enforcement executed search-and-seizure warrants as part of ongoing efforts to address violent crime and drug trafficking in Baltimore City.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, was joined by officials from several agencies in announcing the prosecutions. These included Ivan J. Bates, State’s Attorney for Baltimore City; Clinton J. Fuchs, U.S. Marshal for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul of the FBI Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis of the DEA Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer of ATF; Special Agent in Charge Christopher R. Heck of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Maryland; and Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department.
The operation resulted in several federal indictments related to drug trafficking and firearm offenses:
- Zachary Lewis, Dwayne Hamilton, and Elton Jonray Cruickshank face charges including conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine over several months in 2025. Lewis is also charged with firearms-related offenses.
- Donte Sands and Walter Gardner III are indicted on charges involving fentanyl and cocaine base distribution between April and August 2025. Gardner faces additional weapons charges.
- Terrel Tomlin, Michael “M&M” McKay, and Keenan Jackson are accused of participating in a drug trafficking organization operating from November 2025 through January 2026.
Authorities also filed charges against more than a dozen others for unrelated drug and firearm crimes as well as a Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act Conspiracy tied to MS-13 activities.
A significant component was Operation Baltimore Safeguard—a partnership among federal task forces—which targeted fugitives with outstanding state arrest warrants. This initiative led to 239 fugitive arrests: eight suspects wanted for homicide, twelve for attempted homicide, eighteen for robbery, over one hundred for assault, thirteen for weapons offenses, ten for sexual assault, twenty-six for drug-related crimes, and six identified gang associates. Officers seized four firearms and nearly nine hundred grams of narcotics while clearing more than two hundred sixty warrants.
At least ten additional defendants face prosecution on various offenses in Maryland state court as a result.
U.S. Attorney Hayes acknowledged contributions from numerous law enforcement agencies at all levels across Maryland who participated in investigations or provided support throughout this operation.
In official statements following the announcement:
“This operation makes clear that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to join forces with our law-enforcement partners to execute the united goal of dismantling organizations associated with driving violence and other criminal activity, and prosecuting those involved to the fullest extent of the law,” Hayes said. “This successful operation shows how collaboration and teamwork help combat crime, thereby making our neighborhoods safer.”
Ivan J. Bates added: “This operation exemplifies the effectiveness of collaboration among various levels of law enforcement, all working towards the shared mission to disrupt violent crime, dismantle organized criminal networks, and enhance public safety,” Bates said.“By combining the unique resources and expertise of each agency at the federal, state, and local levels we are successfully removing violent offenders from our streets and holding drug traffickers accountable. Achieving impactful public safety requires partnerships,and this operation showcases our coordinated effort to make Baltimore safer for residentsand visitors alike.”
Jimmy Paul commented: “The FBI was proud to be partof this effort ,combining agents,intelligence analysts,specialized teamsand professional staff ,with our dedicated law enforcement partners,”Paul said.“Results from this recentoperation buildon progresswe’ve made overthe last few years tod rivedown crimeand wewill continueto stand shoulder-to-shoulderwithour partnersto makeBaltimore saferfor everyone.”
Clinton J.Fuchs stated:“The U.S.Marshals Service would like thankallthelawenforcementofficersinvolvedinthisoperationfortheirprofessionalism ,skill,and dedication.Successful operationslike thisoneareareminderof valueof effectivefederal,state,andlocalpartnershipsinprotectingpublicsafetyandupholdingtheruleoflaw,”Fuchssaid.“It shouldalso serveasareminderthattheU.S.MarshalsServiceandallourlawenforcementpartnerswillpursueviolentoffenderswherevertheyattempttohide.”
Christopher Goumenis remarked:“Violentcrimeanddrugsareundoubtedlyconnected.Ourjobistosafeguardthesafetyandwell-beingofAmericancommunitiesbyactivelyfightingagainstallcriminaldrugnetworksthatinflictharm ,violence,andcontributetoo verdosesandpoisonings,”Goumenissaid.“Throughstrategicpartnershipswithlocal,state,andinternationalawenforcementagencies,theDEAworkstirelesslytodismantletheseillicitorganizationsand ,onebyone ,returntheneighborstothegoodpeopleofMaryland.WeareworkingforaviolenceandfentanylfreeAmerica.”
Charles Doerrer stated:“ATFremainsrelentlessinworkingalongsideourlocal,state,andfederalpartnerstoidentify ,investigateandprosecutethosewhothreatenpublicsafety,”Doerrersaid.“OuragentswillcontinuetoworkeverydaytokeepBaltimoresafeandholdthosewhoperpetuateviolenceaccountable.”
Christopher R.Heck noted:"HomelandSecurityInvestigationsMaryland,inclosecollaborationwithfederalpartners,supportedasurgeoperationfocusedonpublicsafetyandcriminalactivityintheBaltimorearea.Specialagentsassist edintheexecutionofnumerousarrestwarrantsandsearchwarrantsforseriousoffensesaspartofo ngoinginvestigationstargetingtransnationalorganizedcrimeandillicitnarcoticsactivity.TheseeffortsreflectHSI’scommitmenttocombatingviolentcrime,dismantlingcriminalorganizations,andprotectingthecommunityweserve,"Hecksaid.
Richard Worley concluded:“Throughcontinuedcollaborationwithourlocal,state,andfederalpartners,e ffortssuchasthesearedeliveringmeaningfulresults,”Worleysaid.“Theseoperationsareessentialtoourcrime-reductionstrategyandhaveasignificantimpactonremovingindividualsw hothreatenpublicsafetyandincommunities.TheoutcomesreflectthelevelofsafetyandsecuritythepeopleofBaltimorede serve.”
For further details about initiatives or community resources offered by Maryland's U.S.Attorney's Office,the public can visit justice.gov/usao-md or justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
