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EDGEWOOD MAN FOUND GUILTY OF POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE AND FIREARMS CHARGES FOLLOWING A THREE-DAY JURY TRIAL

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DATE: July 23, 2024
RE: State v Sathrie Zach Robinson Jr.

On Thursday, July 18, 2024, Sathrie Zach Robinson Jr. was found guilty of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Possession of a Firearm in a Drug Trafficking Crime, two counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, specifically cocaine and methamphetamine, Possession of a Firearm with a Prior Felony Conviction, Illegal Possession of a Firearm, Handgun on Person, Loaded Handgun on Person, and Illegal Possession of Ammunition following a three day jury trial before the Honorable Kevin J. Mahoney in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Evidence presented at trial proved that on May 27, 2023, at 0416 hours, Havre de Grace Police Department was dispatched to Harford Memorial Hospital located at 501 S Union Ave in Havre de Grace, Maryland, for the report of an armed subject. Sathrie Zach Robinson Jr. had been admitted for injuries relating to a motor vehicle collision. Upon review of the X-ray results of Mr. Robinson, hospital staff identified a cylindrical object, inconsistent with normal human anatomy, observed in the groin region of defendant. Officers conducted a search of Robinson’s person and found a loaded firearm with hallow point ammunition, 100.8 grams of Cocaine, and 5.4 grams of Methamphetamine. Officers later found a scale and packaging materials in the Defendant’s personal belongings. Robinson was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to convictions for First Degree Assault and a federal conviction for Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.

Following the guilty verdict State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey offered the following statement: “My office will continue to aggressively pursue the criminals responsible for distributing these dangerous substances on our streets, as too many lives are lost as a result of this very serious crime. With the addition of the illegal possession of a loaded firearm in this case, the State will request that this repeat offender receive a sentence of a significant period of incarceration, removing the threat that he poses to our community.”

State’s Attorney Healey thanks Assistant State’s Attorney Gabriella Vazzana for her efforts in securing this conviction as well as PFC Klisavage for his investigation and Detective Sandruck for his expert testimony which was necessary to ensure a guilty verdict.

Sentencing in this case is currently set for August 19, 2024. The defendant will also appear before the court for a Violation of Probation in a 2015 First Degree Assault case, where he could be sentenced to additional time.

DRUG DEALER SENTENCED OVER GUIDELINES – TWENTY YEARS TO SERVE

On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, Ronald Sullivan, 49, of Edgewood, pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotics and was sentenced to twenty years, suspend all but fifteen years to serve. This case also triggered a Violation of Probation in a 2011 Possession with Intent to Distribute case and Sullivan was sentenced to an additional five years to serve consecutively for a total of twenty years of active incarceration.

This case stemmed from a fatal overdose investigation on August 2, 2023. Through the investigation conducted by the Harford County Drug Taskforce, it was revealed that the victim was in contact with Sullivan the night before the overdose, exchanging messages that clearly pertained to a drug purchase. Sullivan was apprehended and found to be in possession of cocaine on his person at the time of his arrest. Following the arrest, further investigation linked another deceased victim to Sullivan, indicating they had also purchased illegal substances from him in July 2023, which ultimately led to their death.

Assistant State’s Attorney Stuart Welch argued that due to the facts and circumstances surrounding this case and considering that this involved the death of two people, an upward deviation from the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines, which were calculated at four to twelve years, was warranted.

Following sentencing State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following statement: “Drug distribution in not a victimless crime. Too often our community members lose loved ones to the poison that is being peddled on our streets by individuals with no regard for human life or the laws by which we are required to live. Overdose cases can be incredibly challenging, and I am proud of Assistant State’s Attorney Welch and his efforts to ensure that the families of these two victims received closure in their loss. We will continue to aggressively pursue the maximum charges allowable by law to ensure that a strong message is sent to anyone that is considering dealing drugs in our community.” State’s Attorney Healey also thanks the members of Harford County Drug Taskforce for all their hard work investigating overdose cases and for aggressively pursuing drug dealers in Harford County. The work they do each and every day is invaluable in assuring the public safety of our community.

PROHIBTED DRUG DEALER CONVICTED AND ILLEGAL FIREARM REMOVED FROM THE COMMUNITY

Jabreel Avion Samuels, 31, of Middle River, Maryland was sentenced to 12 years’ incarceration on June 26, 2023, for Illegal Possession of a Firearm and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine following a guilty plea in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

On June 16, 2022, at 8:31 p.m., Deputy Dahler of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle being operated by Samuels without a front license plate on Route 24 prior to Hanson Road in Edgewood. Deputy Dahler followed Samuels and requested additional Deputies believing Samuels was attempting to elude him. Samuels drove around another vehicle and side-swiped it while turning onto Rosewood Drive. Samuels then fled on foot throwing an object over the roof of a house in the 600 Block of Hornbeam Road. After a foot pursuit through woods and over a fence, Samuels initially complied by lying down on the ground and placing his hands behind his back before fleeing on foot again. Deputy Dahler grabbed Samuels’ shirt, and Samuels attempted to push him. Deputy Dahler tased Samuels and successfully placed him under arrest.

A loaded Polymer 80 “Ghost Gun” was located from a resident’s porch where Samuels threw the unknown object. In addition, Senior Deputy Sampson recovered approximately 9 grams of crack cocaine and packaging material from the vehicle Samuels abandoned.

Pursuant to a plea agreement, Samuels was sentenced by the Honorable Maurice W. Baldwin, Jr., to 15 years suspending all but 5 years on the Firearms count. The first 5 years of the sentence is mandatory and without the possibility of parole. Samuels was also sentenced to an additional consecutive 20 years suspending all but 7 years to serve on the drug count. The sentence is nearly double Samuels’ Maryland Sentencing Guidelines for those offenses.

State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey said following the plea: “Illegal possession of guns by those who are prohibited due to prior criminal convictions will always be a priority in my office, and we will always recommend significant sentences for those offenders. Deputy Dahler exemplified the value of pro-active policing in this case and is commended for pursuing a fleeing, armed subject. Mr. Samuels has previously been identified as a gang member and removing him from our community sends a strong message that these
criminals have no place in Harford County.”

Ms. Healey thanks Deputy State’s Attorney David W. Ryden for structuring a strong plea agreement in this case and Deputy Dahler for his work leading to Samuels’ arrest and the removal of an illegal firearm from a dangerous offender and the streets of our community.

Subsequent Offender Convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute

On March 8, 2023, Timothy Eugene Fisher, 51, of Port Deposit, Maryland was convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute: Cocaine and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance: Cocaine following a two-day jury trial in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Deputies testified before the Honorable Paul W. Ishak that a traffic stop was conducted on February 6, 2019, after a vehicle was observed passing a school bus on a double yellow, no passing zone. The vehicle had been observed earlier in the day by the Harford County Narcotics Task Force engaging in activity consistent with the sale of controlled dangerous substances (CDS). While approaching the vehicle, the stopping Deputy observed Fisher, the front seat passenger, making movements in the vehicle. While speaking with the occupants of the vehicle, the Deputy observed a black digital scale on the center console, prompting a request for a K-9 scan. Both occupants exited the vehicle. At that time, deputies observed a white powder substance in and around Fisher’s left nostril. Deputies attempted to take Fisher into custody, but he resisted. Fisher was ultimately restrained by deputies, and there was a positive K-9 alert on the vehicle. A search of the car revealed a digital scale and a white plastic bag containing numerous sandwich bags consistent with packaging cocaine. A search of Fisher’s person disclosed two additional plastic bags containing suspected cocaine. One of those bags contained ten (10) individual one gram bags of the substance. A third bag was recovered containing suspected cutting agent. The recovered CDS was submitted to the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division for testing and positively identified as cocaine. A law enforcement expert testified that the recovery of the scale, cutting agent, packaging materials, and large amounts of individually packaged CDS is consistent with intent to distribute.

The Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed a Notice of Intent to Request Subsequent Offender Enhanced Penalties on this case, citing Fisher’s prior convictions for Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotics in 2005 and Assault with Intent to Maim in 1990. Fisher faces a maximum sentence of forty (40) years in prison and fines of up to thirty thousand ($30,000) dollars.

The Honorable Paul W. Ishak ordered that Fisher remain out on bond pending sentencing which has been scheduled for July 5, 2023 in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Following the verdict, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey commented that a clear message is being sent to drug dealers that her administration has zero tolerance for drugs in Harford County. “Our office continues to send the message that we will not tolerate the distribution of this poison on our streets. If you distribute controlled dangerous substances in Harford County, we will make every effort to ensure you are incarcerated and that our community is safe.”

Ms. Healey would like to thank Senior Deputy Jackson, Sgt. Waldsmith, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the Narcotics Taskforce for their hard work in this case and their efforts every day to rid our community of these dangerous substances and the drug dealers that distribute them. She also commends Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew George for his hard work, preparation, and advocacy in this matter.

BALTIMORE COUNTY DRUG DEALER CONVICTED OF POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE COCAINE FOLLOWING TWO DAY JURY TRIAL

Bruce Vincent Tran, 51, of Rosedale, Maryland was convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of Heroin on January 20, 2023, following a two-day jury trial in the Circuit Court for Harford County. The charges stemmed from an investigation of Tran who was at the Motel 6 in Edgewood on April 1, 2021.

Tran’s car was known to be involved in an ongoing drug investigation by members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit and was seen engaging in activity consistent with the sale of drugs. Members of the Crime Suppression Unit followed Tran’s vehicle, stopping it for failing to use a left turn signal while turning onto northbound Route 24 from Edgewood Road. K-9 Rocco alerted on the vehicle for the recent presence of drugs, and it was searched. Tran was searched at the Harford County Sheriff’s Office’s Southern Precinct and found to have two bags secreted in his pants. One bag contained 40 small bags of crack cocaine, and the other bag contained 8 capsules of heroin and fentanyl. No paraphernalia associated with drug use was found on Tran or his car.

The Honorable Kevin J. Mahoney remanded Tran to the custody of the Harford County Detention Center after conviction at the request of Deputy State’s Attorney David Ryden, where Tran will remain while he awaits sentencing. Ryden cited Tran’s previous criminal history for Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances and a pending indictment for the possession of a large amount of drugs in the Baltimore County Circuit Court that is set for trial on April 10, 2023. Tran faces up to twenty years’ incarceration for Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and one year for Possession of Heroin on the Harford County case.

State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey commented that her administration has immediately begun working with her office’s law enforcement partners in securing convictions and punishment for drug dealers, and all criminals generally, since taking office on January 3, 2023. “Through this conviction, just 17 days after taking office, our office is sending a swift and certain message to anyone that plans to sell drugs in Harford County or to bring drugs from other jurisdictions to Harford County to sell that in Harford County, you will face trial and be incarcerated.”

Ms. Healey would like to thank Deputy First Class Ross, Senior Deputy First Class Dean, Deputy First Class Weilert, and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office’s Crime Suppression Unit for their effort in investigating this case, as well as Deputy State’s Attorney David Ryden for his prompt attention, preparation, and advocacy in this case. Their combined efforts led to Mr. Tran’s conviction in this case. Sentencing is scheduled in this matter for March 15, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.

Multiple Individuals Convicted of Conspiring to Import Large Amount of Cocaine into Harford County

MEDIA RELEASE

DATE: July 18, 2022

RE: Convictions of Geofrey Raheim Brown, Keneil Carlos Callender, and Danita Ginette Cromwell

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the
convictions of Geofrey Raheim Brown, 29, of Bel Air, Maryland, Keneil Carlos Callender, 32, of Edgewater,
New Jersey, and Danita Ginette Cromwell, 46, of Elkton, Maryland for conspiracy to import into Maryland at
least 28 grams of cocaine.

Between the months of August, 2021 and November, 2021, the Harford County Narcotics Task Force
conducted a lengthy investigation involving numerous individuals engaged in a drug trafficking conspiracy
throughout Harford County. Utilizing court ordered surveillance, investigators identified Geoffrey Raheim
Brown as an importer of illicit narcotics and Keneil Carlos Callender as his supplier.

Through additional surveillance methods, Task Force detectives and federal agents of the United States Drug
Enforcement Administration observed a meeting between Geoffrey Brown and Keneil Callender at Keneil
Callender’s residence in New Jersey for the purpose of acquiring cocaine. Subsequent to that meeting,
investigators became aware that Geofrey Brown utilized couriers to make trips from Maryland to Keneil
Callender’s residence in New Jersey to acquire illegal narcotics for street level distribution. One of the couriers,
identified as Danita Ginette Cromwell, met with Keniel Callender on November 12, 2021 at Geofrey Brown’s
direction at a restaurant in New Jersey. Following this meeting, Danita Cromwell drove back to Maryland,
where she was then stopped by law enforcement. During a search of her vehicle, investigators recovered more
than 300 grams of cocaine and more than 100 grams of a cutting agent. Also seized were 336 grams of
marijuana. The drugs that were seized were intended to be delivered to Geofrey Brown so he could redistribute
them in Harford County.

On July 18, 2022, the Honorable Emory A. Plitt Jr. sentenced Geofrey Raheim Brown to 12 years of
incarceration to be served at the Division of Corrections. Upon release, Mr. Brown will be subject to four years
of supervised probation with an additional 13 of incarceration should he violate. Keneil Carlos Callender was
sentenced to 11 years of incarceration to be served at the Division of Corrections. Upon his release, Mr.
Callender would be subject three years of probation and an additional nine years of incarceration should he
violate. Danita Ginette Cromwell’s sentencing was set for November 14, 2022.

Mr. Peisinger thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys Christopher J. Romano and Jennifer Jaskulski-Tripp who
prosecuted this matter and commended the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force, Maryland
State Police, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Aberdeen Police Department, the Havre
de Grace Police Department, the Bel Air Police Department, the Cecil County Drug Task Force, the Baltimore
County Police Department, the Bergen County New Jersey Police Department, and the Maryland State Police
Forensic Sciences Division for their hard work and dedication to conducting the investigation which resulted in
the arrest and convictions of Geofrey Raheim Brown, Keneil Carlos Callender, and Danita Ginette Cromwell.