US Attorney

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
December 10, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md

BALTIMORE FELON EXILED TO OVER 15 YEARS IN PRISON FOR POSSESSING AMMUNITION

Felon in Possession of a Loaded Antique Gun Sentenced for Possessing the Gun’s Ammunition

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Thomas Royal, age 30, of Baltimore, today to 188 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of ammunition. Judge Bennett enhanced Royal’s sentence upon finding that he is an armed career criminal based on three previous convictions for drugs and assault.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Theresa R. Stoop of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy; and Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III.

According to testimony presented at the two day trial, on January 8, 2009 Baltimore Police Department officers saw a car in which Royal was a passenger being driven in the 3500 block of Park Heights Avenue in Baltimore with an expired temporary registration tag. The officers stopped the car.

The officers saw Royal put his hand in his front jacket pocket despite having been ordered to keep his hands visible. Royal argued with the officers and refused to exit the vehicle. When Royal removed his hand from his jacket pocket, an officer noticed a bulge in the pocket. An officer again asked Royal to exit the vehicle. When the officer opened the passenger door for Royal to exit the car, Royal rushed out and attempted to flee. A brief struggle ensued and another officer deployed his taser device into Royal’s back. Royal was placed on the ground and handcuffed. Officers seized a .32 caliber gun loaded with five rounds of .32 caliber ammunition from Royal’s jacket pocket.

Royal had previously been convicted of a felony and thus, was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. The gun recovered from Royal was manufactured prior to 1899 and is an “antique firearm.” A convicted felon may legally possess an antique gun, but not the ammunition described above.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended ATF, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney John W. Sippel, who prosecuted the case.

US Attorney

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
December 10, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md

MARYLAND BROTHERS PLEAD GUILTY TO COUNTERFEITING SCHEME

Over $4.5 Million in Counterfeit Currency Recovered

Greenbelt, Maryland - After two days of trial Glendon Reid, age 29, of Glenn Dale, Maryland, pleaded guilty yesterday and his brother Sheldon Reid, age 27, also of Glenn Dale, pleaded guilty on December 8, 2010, to a counterfeiting conspiracy that lasted from about 2005 through 2008. Glendon and Sheldon Reid also pleaded guilty to a single count of transferring and passing counterfeit $100 notes, respectively.

The guilty pleas were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Acting Special Agent in Charge Andrew Adelmann of the United States Secret Service – Washington Field Office.

According to the Reids’ plea agreements and the indictment to which they pleaded guilty, beginning in about 2005, the Reid brothers removed ink from genuine $1 and $5 bills and then used digital images of $100 bills to print counterfeit $100 notes on the now “bleached” lower-denomination bills. They also transferred the digital images and taught their bleaching process to other for the purpose of producing additional counterfeit currency.
According to trial testimony Reid brothers themselves and through intermediaries sold their counterfeit bills “wholesale” for approximately 40% of face value. They would also defraud merchants by using the counterfeit notes to purchase merchandise which they would then return for cash refunds, thus improving their profit margin.

Law enforcement has recovered over $4,540,200 in counterfeit currency nationwide that was produced as a result of the Reid brothers’ actions.

The Reids face a maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy conviction. Sheldon and Glendon Reid also face 20 years in prison for passing counterfeit currency and dealing in counterfeit currency, respectively. Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for March 14, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the U.S. Secret Service for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Robert K. Hur and Adam Ake, who are prosecuting the case.

WBAL-TV

A pharmaceutical delivery employee was abducted Monday morning, according to police, who said the culprits eventually stole his truck and narcotics that were inside.

It occurred when the employee was at a pharmacy on Pratt Street. Police said three people approached the employee, tossed him into the back of the truck and drove off with the employee still in the back.

They later stopped near the Howard Uniform Company at Annapolis Road and Clare Street in Westport.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the culprits unloaded 87 crates of narcotics into a private vehicle and drove off, leaving the driver, who called 911 and was found unharmed.

Baltimore County

Police and DEPRM Send Urgent Warning of Health Inspection Scam

Call 410-307-2020 Immediately to Report Fraudulent Activity

Baltimore County, Md. (December 13, 2010) - The Baltimore County Police Department and the Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management (DEPRM) are warning local businesses to be wary of individuals pretending to be Health Department inspectors.

DEPRM recently received reports of callers identifying themselves as local health inspectors and attempting to schedule inspections at local restaurants. The callers are attempting to use business information fraudulently.

These individuals are attempting to gain entry into restaurants using fake Health Department inspection information. If you think that you have been contacted by scammers, it is vital that you call the Baltimore County Police Department at 410-307-2020.

Tips to Avoid Being Scammed

• DEPRM does NOT call restaurants to schedule “emergency inspections.”
• Each health inspector carries a Baltimore County, Maryland picture identification with his or her name displayed on the front. The identification NEVER includes an identification number. Local health inspectors also carry a Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management identification badge.
• Do not hesitate to contact DEPRM with any questions regarding inspectors, inspector identity, or inspection procedures at 410-887-4065.
• Health inspectors will never ask for or accept money for an inspection.

Do not give personal, private or detailed business information to anyone over the phone.

Baltimore County Police

Crime Occurred This Morning in Precinct 7/Cockeysville

Baltimore County, Md. (December 13, 2010) - Baltimore County Police need the public’s help identifying a man responsible for robbing The Columbia Bank in the 1300-block of York Road, 21093 today at approximately 10:15 a.m.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 30-40 years of age, 5’8” tall, with a medium build.

Detectives say that the suspect entered the bank, walked up to a teller, and produced a note demanding money. The teller gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash, and the robber walked out of the bank.

Reward Offered

Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587). To text a message to Metro Crime Stoppers, send to “CRIMES” (274637), then enter the message starting with “MCS,” or e-mail a tip to www.metrocrimestoppers.org. Those contacting Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.