Maryland Convicted Felon Sentenced for Firearm Crimes

Greenbelt, Maryland - A St. Mary's County, Maryland, man is headed to federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Jerod Adam Taylor, 40, of Lexington Park, Maryland, to 30 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, today, in connection with the charge.

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), and Sheriff Steven A. Hall, St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office.

According to court documents, on November 7, 2024, officers responded to a reported incident at Taylor's Lexington Park residence. Upon arrival, an owner of the residence let law enforcement into the house and informed them that Taylor lived in the basement.

Taylor later confirmed to law enforcement that he lived in the basement of the residence for slightly more than three years. When officers searched the area of the basement where Taylor lived, they uncovered at least 10 firearms that he knowingly possessed. Taylor is a convicted felon, so he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Law enforcement also found 69 privately made firearms, more than 1,000 rounds of various caliber ammunition, dozens of machinegun conversion devices, two 3D printers, body armor, and various gun-manufacturing tools.

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 ATF and St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Sarma and Caroline A. Schechinger 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, visit justice.gov/usao-md.

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