Anthony Nichols, Federal Drug Trafficking and Firearms Crimes, Maryland 2023

Baltimore, Maryland - A federal jury has found Anthony Nichols, 43, of Baltimore, guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person, possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

The verdict was announced by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, along with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD); and Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD).

Nichols was found guilty of dealing drugs in the 500 block of Cumberland Street, Baltimore, on May 1, 2023. BPD officers witnessed Nichols engaging in hand-to-hand drug transactions via CitiWatch camera. When officers deployed to the scene to arrest Nichols, he fled on his bicycle along West North Avenue.

After a short pursuit, law enforcement arrested and searched Nichols. A loaded Glock firearm was found strapped to Nichols' torso, along with glass vials of cocaine, plastic gel capsules containing a fentanyl and cocaine mixture, and $567 in drug trafficking proceeds. Nichols was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to numerous prior convictions, including first degree assault, armed robbery, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Nichols faces up to life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum term of five years for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, consecutive to any other term of imprisonment. The drug trafficking count is punishable up to 20 years and the unlawful firearm and ammunition count is punishable up to 15 years.

Sentencing is scheduled for Friday, November 21, at 10 a.m. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF, BPD, and BCPD for their work in the investigation.

Nichols is currently facing up to life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum term of five years for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The exact sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Defendant: Anthony Nichols

Criminal Charges: Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person, possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime

City and State: Baltimore, Maryland

Crime Date: May 1, 2023

Sentence: Up to life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum term of five years

Dollar Amount: $567 in drug trafficking proceeds

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/baltimore-felon-convicted-jury-federal-drug-trafficking-and-firearms-crimes