SILVER SPRING, MD – A Silver Spring man is headed to federal prison for seven years after a brazen attempt to evade police uncovered a cache of drugs and a loaded handgun. Darryl Colton Frazer, age 34, received the sentence yesterday from U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman following a three-day trial. The conviction stems from a July 2019 incident where Frazer and an accomplice, Shamire Moore, fled from Montgomery County Police officers after being spotted as potential suspects in a recent shooting.
According to court documents, officers spotted Frazer and Moore, and when they attempted to approach, both men bolted. Frazer tossed a black bag from an apartment building stairwell into a courtyard, hoping to ditch the evidence. Police quickly recovered the bag, revealing a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol, 103 grams of marijuana divided into four plastic bags, a digital scale, and latex gloves. Adding insult to injury, Frazer was already on supervised release for a prior federal conviction for unlawful weapons possession – a sentence he’d only completed a month before.
The case against Frazer was bolstered by the testimony of Shamire Moore, age 31, of Bowie, Maryland, who pleaded guilty shortly before Frazer’s trial. Moore’s own black bag contained a .38 caliber revolver, 106 grams of marijuana, and a digital scale. Law enforcement also recovered $579 in cash from Moore, directly linked to proceeds from his drug trafficking operation. Moore admitted to possessing the marijuana with intent to distribute and confirmed the firearm was intended, at least in part, to protect his illegal inventory and profits.
Moore received a five-year federal prison sentence on March 7, 2023, followed by five years of supervised release. The bust highlights a dangerous combination of illegal firearms and drug distribution plaguing communities. Prosecutors successfully argued that Frazer’s prior criminal history and the circumstances of the arrest proved his continued disregard for the law and the safety of others. Frazer’s attempt to evade police and discard the evidence only cemented his guilt.
The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron, ATF Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby, and Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies and local communities. Officials say PSN focuses on building trust, supporting community organizations, and prioritizing strategic enforcement.
Frazer will now serve seven years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The case serves as a stark reminder that possessing firearms while engaged in illegal drug activity carries severe consequences under federal law, and repeat offenders will face even harsher penalties. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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