Perry Hall Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession With Intent to Distribute Fentanyl

Baltimore, Maryland - Today, District Judge Adam B. Abelson sentenced Terrell Ridgley, 34, of Perry Hall, Maryland, to 87 months in federal prison, followed by three years supervised release, after his conviction for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - Washington Division; Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD); and Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS).

According to the guilty plea, Ridgley engaged in drug trafficking as part of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by co-defendant Tyon Bailey. On multiple occasions in late 2023, and early 2024, an undercover agent purchased quantities of fentanyl from Bailey. Throughout this time, authorities observed Ridgley meeting with Bailey and other DTO members. On January 3, 2024, law enforcement saw Ridgley exit a vehicle carrying what appeared to be controlled dangerous substances in his sweatshirt. After a K-9 scan of Ridgley's vehicle, authorities discovered the presence of narcotics.

On February 12, Ridgley crashed his vehicle while driving on I-695. He then met Bailey and another associate at a nearby auto repair shop. Law enforcement engaged the individuals and recovered approximately 250 grams of fentanyl, 100 grams of cocaine, and a large quantity of cash and jewelry - all from Bailey. Authorities also recovered a Glock 23 firearm loaded with 23 rounds from a vehicle that Ridgley and the others were around moments before law enforcement engaged them.

In August 2024, law enforcement heard Ridgley - via court-authorized wiretap interceptions - discussing fentanyl distribution with Bailey. Specifically, Ridgley discussed the "blue stuff" stored at Bailey's residence. Some of the fentanyl the undercover agent purchased from Bailey was in blue-powder form.

On October 3, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ridgley's Perry Hall residence. While searching the premises, investigators observed Ridgley flushing a purple fentanyl mixture down the toilet, some of which law enforcement salvaged. During the search of the residence, investigators also recovered bags containing a fentanyl mixture in various colors, including purple, blue, and white.

In total, investigators seized more than 400 grams of fentanyl as well as cocaine from Ridgley's residence. Investigators also recovered cutting agents used to prepare fentanyl for distribution. Ridgley admitted he possessed the fentanyl with the intent to distribute it.

Sentencing for co-defendants Tyon Bailey and Jaron Rhodes is scheduled for September 24, and October 15, respectively.

This prosecution is part of the Department of Justice's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the Baltimore Strike Force is to reduce violent, drug-related, and gang crime in the Baltimore area and surrounding region. The Baltimore SF is comprised of agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office, the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, the Baltimore County Police Department, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, the Maryland National Guard, the Maryland State Police, and the Maryland Transportation Authority, and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DEA, BPD, and DPSCS for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. O'Donohue III, who is prosecuting the 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-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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