Baltimore Drug Kingpin Khalil Dunaway Slammed with 12-Year Sentence

Today’s grim headlines from Baltimore, Maryland, report the sentencing of Khalil Dunaway, 29, who was handed a 12-year federal prison term, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute deadly fentanyl and cocaine.

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly O. Hayes, announced the sentence in conjunction with Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis of the DEA’s Washington Division and Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough.

BCPD detectives had been observing Dunaway’s activities since November 2023, noting his hand-to-hand drug transactions across Baltimore County. Surveillance revealed a meticulous pattern: Dunaway spent daylight hours at a Pikesville residence before moving to a Middle River home at night, only to return to Pikesville during the day.

In December 2023, search warrants at both homes turned up a plethora of weapons and drugs. The Pikesville residence yielded several firearms, over 969 grams of fentanyl, 1273 grams of cocaine, packaging equipment, and drug paraphernalia. The Middle River residence was no less alarming, with additional firearms, more than 63 grams of fentanyl, 145 grams of cocaine, and a cache of stolen jewelry worth $63,128.

Further investigation into Dunaway’s vehicle at the Middle River location turned up suboxone strips, more phones, and a scale. Security footage from October to December 2023 confirmed Dunaway was mixing, preparing, and packaging drugs for distribution in Pikesville, often while wearing protective gear like respirators.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. U.S. Attorney Hayes praised the DEA and BCPD for their efforts. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. O’Donohue III prosecuted the case.