Demonte Kellum, Racketeering & Murder, Baltimore MD, 2023
BALTIMORE, MD – Demonte Kellum, 26, of Baltimore, will spend the next 19 years in federal prison after being sentenced for his role in a brutal racketeering conspiracy that culminated in the deaths of two people. U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher handed down the sentence Tuesday, followed by five years of supervised release, marking a significant, though late, blow against a violent Baltimore crew.
The conspiracy, active from April to August 2019, wasn’t just about robbery; it was a calculated pattern of deadly racketeering. Kellum and at least five others systematically targeted victims in Baltimore City, engaging in armed carjackings, robberies, and attempted robberies, all to line their pockets. Stolen goods were quickly pawned, fueling further criminal activity. Investigators found the group used at least three firearms in their crimes, and hijacked vehicles became tools for additional violence.
Kellum admitted to participating in three armed robberies, each escalating in brutality. On July 23, 2019, a robbery attempt in the 4900 block of Goodnow Road turned deadly when a co-conspirator shot and killed the victim. Just days later, on August 1, 2019, Kellum participated in an armed robbery in the 2600 block of Talbot Road, where victims were bound and terrorized with firearms. Later that same day, another attempted robbery in the 5300 block of Fernpark Avenue ended with a second victim being fatally shot. The sheer callousness of the crew is chilling.
“This crew’s reign of terror is over,” stated U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron. “The violent armed robberies committed by Kellum led to the deaths of two victims and suffering by their families, friends and the entire Baltimore community.” ATF Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby echoed the sentiment, highlighting the prevalence of gun violence in the city: “The reality of guns in Baltimore is that criminals who possess them do so with the intent to use them…they are ready and willing to shoot someone without a second thought.”
Kellum isn’t the only member of this crew facing serious consequences. Co-defendants Karon Foster, 28, and Rashaud Nesmith, 22, both of Baltimore, have already been sentenced to 40 years each. Malik Evans, 25, of Baltimore, received a 17-year sentence. Jamai Wells, 33, of Baltimore, has pleaded guilty and is awaiting his fate. One additional co-defendant is scheduled to stand trial early next year. The investigation, heavily reliant on the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), demonstrates the power of ballistics tracking in linking firearms to crimes.
While the sentences offer a measure of justice, the families of the victims are left to grapple with unimaginable loss. The case serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive violence that continues to plague Baltimore, and the tireless work of law enforcement to dismantle these dangerous criminal enterprises. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and others as they unfold, exposing the underbelly of federal crime.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Organized Crime|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
