Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced the sentencing of James Brunson, 41, and Ernest Hudson, 38, two leaders of a violent drug trafficking organization operating in Baltimore. The two men were sentenced for their roles in a criminal network that trafficked large quantities of fentanyl and other dangerous substances in the city, contributing to significant harm in local communities.
Brunson and Hudson led the organization, which was primarily active in the Shipley Hill, Booth-Boyd, and Fayette Street neighborhoods of Baltimore. Over the course of a 16-month investigation, authorities identified 33 individuals associated with the group, with charges ranging from the distribution of controlled dangerous substances (CDS) to firearm violations. The investigation, led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit in collaboration with the Baltimore Police Department (BPD), was part of the Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS), an initiative spearheaded by Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott.
“All Marylanders deserve to live in safe, thriving communities free from the threat of violence,” said Attorney General Brown. “This case is a testament to our relentless pursuit of those who flood our neighborhoods with deadly drugs and firearms. Cases like this one make our communities safer and serve as a clear warning: if you choose to spread violence and terrorize our neighbors, we will find you, prosecute you, and hold you fully accountable.”
Mayor Brandon Scott praised the efforts of law enforcement, noting that the GVRS strategy helps balance support for those at risk of violence with accountability for those who choose to continue their violent behaviors. “GVRS continues to allow us to pursue the violent groups who are most responsible for harming our communities,” Scott said. “We have made historic progress in violence reduction in Baltimore, and I want to thank Attorney General Brown, the Baltimore Police Department, and all of our partners for their tireless work.”
Hudson, who pleaded guilty to charges including supervising a criminal organization and distributing large amounts of fentanyl, was sentenced on August 12, 2024, to 25 years in prison. The sentence includes 5 years without the possibility of parole. Hudson was a key figure in the organization, supplying large volumes of fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs, and was frequently armed with firearms.
On March 10, 2025, Brunson also pleaded guilty, admitting to conspiring to supervise the criminal organization and illegally possessing a firearm. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with 15 years of the sentence suspended in favor of 3 years of supervised probation. Brunson will serve the first 5 years without the possibility of parole.
Three other individuals associated with the organization, Nicholas Jones, Lamont Laws-Rosenboro, and Shytia Moody, still face outstanding warrants. Investigators continue to search for them.
In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked the entire team involved in the case, including his Office’s Criminal Division, the Organized Crime Unit, and the Baltimore Police Department. He also expressed gratitude to Mayor Scott and his Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement for their support. “This outcome is possible through strong collaboration with the Baltimore Police Department and partners across the justice system,” said Stefanie Mavronis, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.
The investigation and prosecution were supported by Governor Wes Moore’s Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN) and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, led by Ivan J. Bates.
| Defendant | Charges | Sentencing Date | Sentence |
| Antonio Ben, 36, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization and two counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, cocaine and fentanyl | December 14, 2023 | 2 years |
| Darrick Brown, 56, of Parkville | Participation in a criminal organization and conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances | January 2, 2024 | 14 years with all but 18 months suspended followed by 2 years of supervised probation |
| Terrell Cash, 43, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization and conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances | May 24, 2024 | 20 years with all but 4 years suspended to be followed by 3 years of supervised probation |
| Alicia Evans, 36, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization | December 14, 2023 | 6 months and 19 days |
| Tramaine Evans, 23, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization and distribution of fentanyl | July 12, 2024 | 4 years with all but 192 days suspended |
| Jeshaiah Gibson, 28, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization | December 18, 2023 | 6 months and 14 days |
| Javon Groomes, 30, of Taneytown | Conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances | July 15, 2024 | 3 years with all but 4 days suspended to be followed by 2 years of supervised probation |
| Keith Hardy, 29, of Windsor Mill | Conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances and distribution of fentanyl | August 12, 2024 | 2 years with all but 4 months suspended to be followed by 3 years of supervised probation |
| Damon Hite, 47, of Windsor Mill | Conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances | July 12, 2024 | 8 years with all but 143 days suspended to be followed by 2 years of supervised probation |
| Jashawn Johnson, 28, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization, distribution of cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl | May 13, 2024 | 12 years with all but 2 years suspended to be followed by 3 years of supervised probation |
| Antwan Jones, 24, of Baltimore | Two counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, cocaine and fentanyl | June 24, 2024 | 6 years |
| Tony McClamy, 38, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization and possession with intent to distribute cocaine | July 5, 2024 | 3 years and 4 months |
| Dea’ndre McCormick, 30, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization, distribution of cocaine, and distribution of a heroin and fentanyl mixture | December 15, 2023 | 3 years with all but 2 years and 5 days suspended to be followed by 2 years of supervised probation |
| Keith Miller, 35, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization, conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl | November 18, 2024 | 20 years with all but 4 years suspended to be followed by 3 years of supervised probation |
| Troy Moore, 35, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization and conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances | March 7, 2024 | 8 years with all but 10 months and 26 days suspended to be followed by 2 years of supervised probation |
| Damon Patterson, 40, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization and possession with intent to distribute cocaine | June 14, 2024 | 6 years with all but 458 days suspended to be followed by 3 years of supervised probation |
| Malik Richardson, 30, of Lansdowne | Participation in a criminal organization, conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, and distribution of a heroin and fentanyl mixture | December 15, 2023 | 5 years with all but 4 years, 2 months and 14 days suspended to be followed by 2 years of supervised probation |
| James Sanders, 40, of Baltimore County | Participation in a criminal organization, two counts of possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl | June 24, 2024 | 10 years with all but 8 years suspended with the first 5 years without the possibility of parole to be followed by 3 years of supervised probation |
| Clifford Sellman, 54, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl | June 24, 2024 | 5 years |
| Corey Smith-Rosenboro, 33, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization, distribution of cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine | August 12, 2024 | 2 years |
| Andra Smother, 43, of Middle River | Participation in a criminal organization and possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony | June 3, 2024 | 15 years with all but 5 years without the possibility of parole suspended to be followed by 3 years of supervised probation |
| Tyrone Stuckey, 38, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization and possession with intent to distribute cocaine | July 10, 2024 | 2 years |
| Earl Tates, 42, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization and distribution of fentanyl | August 8, 2024 | 5 years with all but 1 year suspended to be followed by 2 years of supervised probation |
| Kirk Taylor, 45, of Baltimore | Participation in a criminal organization and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance | May 17, 2024 | Ordered to attend in-patient substance abuse treatment |
| Dex Williams, 44, of Baltimore | Possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony | June 24, 2024 | 5 years with all but 1 year and 8 days suspended to be followed by 2 years of supervised probation |
| James Woodfolk, 27, of Baltimore | Conspiracy to participate in a criminal organization and distribution of fentanyl | August 12, 2024 | 10 years with all but 7 months and 5 days suspended to be followed by 3 years of supervised probation |
“Every resident of Maryland deserves a safe community and the ability to live free of violence
and the fear of violence. Today’s announcement reflects a strong collective commitment to
removing individuals and criminal organizations that seek to flood communities with guns and
drugs, commit acts of violence, and put lives at risk—a top priority for me and my office, and
our partners in law enforcement,” said Attorney General Brown.“These arrests represent the latest in a series of operations that illustrates our commitment to
disrupting open-air drug markets,” said Commissioner Michael Harrison. “As our city and state
continues to grapple with overdose deaths and addiction, we must dismantle these organizations
that destroy our neighborhoods and damage our quality of life through drug distribution.”
“GVRS seeks to give individuals most at-risk for violence or victimization the opportunity to
receive support and transform their lives for the better. However, for those who decide to
continue to pose a risk to other villagers, like the 33 individuals included in this indictment, we
do not and will not hesitate to implement swift, certain, and legitimate consequences,” said
Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement Executive Director Shantay Jackson.
“These actions, coupled with services offered by our partners at Youth Advocate Programs and
Roca, are what makes this strategy effective at deterring violence and contributing to a safer,
healthier Baltimore.”
