Baltimore felon sentenced for drug-trafficking and firearm possession charges (DOJ)

Baltimore, Maryland - A Baltimore man learned his fate in federal court, today, in connection with drug-trafficking and firearm charges, stemming from a local drug-trafficking investigation.

U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher sentenced Alonzo Plenty, 35, to 11 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Plenty also agreed that this offense violated the conditions of his previous federal supervised release, stemming from a prior possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person conviction.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD), and Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS).

According to evidence presented at trial, on March 5, 2024, law-enforcement agents observed Plenty walking near the 800 block of Pontiac Avenue displaying characteristics of an armed person. When he noticed law-enforcement agents observing him, Plenty fled on foot down an alley. Law-enforcement agents exited their vehicle and pursued Plenty. While in pursuit, law-enforcement agents saw Plenty discard a firearm. Law enforcement then recovered the firearm and continued pursuing Plenty.

After law enforcement caught up with Plenty, the agents arrested him. Upon Plenty's arrest, agents recovered 32 individual baggies of cocaine base, 26 gelcaps of containing a counterfeit controlled substance, two cell phones, and $3,255. The recovered firearm was reported stolen from a BPD officer in 2006.

Law enforcement took Plenty to the Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center for booking. During a routine strip search, Plenty attempted to flee from the facility. During the unsuccessful escape attempt, Plenty discarded a clear plastic bag into a holding cell that he removed from his underwear. DPSCS officers recovered the bag, which contained 50 buprenorphine strips, commonly referred to as Suboxone, a schedule III controlled substance.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF, BPD, and DPSCS for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Liane Kozik who is prosecuting this federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md.

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