Mark Williams, Cocaine Distribution, Maryland 2024

Baltimore Man Sentenced for Cocaine Conspiracy

Mark Williams, a/k/a Swanny, age 52, of Elkton, Maryland, pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Williams has prior criminal convictions including a 2001 drug felony offense for the distribution of cocaine.

According to his guilty plea, the Maryland State Police, Cecil County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Homeland Security identified Williams and two co-conspirators as suppliers of cocaine after an extended investigation dating back to 2019. The conspiracy members distributed crack cocaine to multiple customers in Elkton, Maryland.

During the investigation, the Cecil County Circuit Court issued an order to authorize the interception of wire and electronic communications of Williams and his co-conspirators. Intercepted text and telephone communications revealed Williams as a member of the drug distribution conspiracy.

Law enforcement intercepted at least eight instances in which Williams, or his co-conspirators, conversed in coded conversations about drug activity. For example, on May 27, 2020, after a series of calls between a co-conspirator and a customer, police observed Williams and a co-conspirator visit a customer’s residence. Shortly after their arrival, two male customers entered the co-conspirator’s residence. After one of the two male customers left the residence, police conducted a traffic stop and seized 3.6 grams of crack cocaine.

Williams and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Williams will be sentenced to seven years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for October 5, 2021 at 11 a.m.

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the HSI, the Maryland State Police Department, and the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra Wilkinson and Kim Y. Oldham, who are prosecuting the case.

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