Annapolis Felon Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Firearm

Baltimore, Maryland - A Maryland felon received a federal-prison term, today, for firearm-possession charges.

Judge Brendan A. Hurson sentenced Dalonte Ray Jones, 22, of Annapolis, to 42 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office, and Acting Chief Amy Miguez, Annapolis Police Department (APD).

According to court documents, on November 11, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Jones's apartment. During the search, law enforcement found a Glock 17 semi-automatic handgun, with an extended magazine, in Jones's bedroom. The magazine, which can hold 45 rounds of ammunition, was loaded with 17 live rounds. In 2023, the firearm was reported stolen. Jones's DNA, along with the DNA of three other individuals, was on the firearm.

Investigators also searched Jones's iPhone pursuant to a warrant. Law enforcement uncovered numerous videos of Jones holding a variety of firearms, including the firearm he possessed on November 11.

Jones's previous felony convictions prohibited him from possessing a firearm and ammunition and included two separate convictions for second-degree assault in January 2023 and April 2023. Jones was on probation for the April 2023 assault conviction at the time he possessed the handgun in this case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and APD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow who prosecuted this federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-mdLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

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