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Leader of Howard County Bloods Gang Sentenced to 19 Years in Prison
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III sentenced Anthony Preston, a/k/a “40,” or “Tone,” age 29, of Laurel, in Howard County Maryland, today to 19 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to participate in a racketeering conspiracy, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in connection with his membership in the Bloods gang operating primarily out of Howard County, Maryland.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Baltimore Field Division; Howard County Police Chief Gary L. Gardner; Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts; and Howard County State’s Attorney Dario Broccolino.
Anthony Preston, a member of the Bloods since at least 2007, was a leader of the “Swann” set, a sub-group of the Bloods. He achieved the rank of “O.Y.G” or “O.G.,” (Original Young Gangster or Original Gangster), terms used for a leader in the gang with authority over other Bloods members.
Preston and his co-defendants were identified as members of the Bloods as the result of a long term investigation conducted by ATF and the Howard County Police Department. The investigation included four court ordered wiretaps on gang members’ cell phones.
Preston was sentenced to 19 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to participate in a racketeering conspiracy, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Preston admitted to directing or participating in at least 4 assaults, including a March 18, 2012, assault over a drug debt during which Preston threatened to later return and “shoot up the place,” a February 21, 2013, attempted assault of an individual causing problems with members and associates of Preston’s set, an April 12, 2013, attempted assault of someone Preston described as a “fake Blood,” and an April 20, 2013, assault of a former gang member with a knife and mace in a convenience store.
Preston also admitted that he began selling drugs, including crack cocaine and oxycodone, as early as 2007. Between February and May 2013, Preston was intercepted on numerous wiretap calls with other co-defendants discussing drug trafficking.
Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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