Delmarcus Branford, Federal Drug Distribution & Firearms Charges, Maryland 2020

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Delmarcus Branford, 31, of Elkridge, Maryland with federal charges of fentanyl trafficking, cocaine, and marijuana distribution. According to court documents, Branford allegedly committed these crimes while on federal supervised release.

The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Chief Amal E. Awad of the Anne Arundel County Police Department; Chief Edward Jackson of the Annapolis Police Department; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Marilyn Mosby.

The three-count indictment and other court documents allege that during 2020 Branford conducted drug transactions, including selling crack cocaine to undercover law enforcement officers on several occasions. Branford was subsequently indicted under seal in Baltimore City Circuit Court and a federal arrest warrant was issued based on a notice of violation of supervised release.

Court documents further allege that Branford continued selling drugs, posting several photos of himself with large amounts of cash, luxury vehicles and high-end clothing and other items on social media, as a symbol of his success in his illicit business.

As detailed in court documents, Branford was arrested on August 19, 2021, on the federal warrant for violation of his supervised release. Simultaneously, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Branford’s residence, seizing approximately $38,854 in cash, cell phones, and other electronic devices. A search warrant was also obtained for the Maserati that law enforcement had observed Branford driving, after a trained controlled substance-detecting K-9 positively alerted to the presence of drugs.

From the vehicle, law enforcement allegedly recovered a semi-automatic firearm; a black trash bag and a gray bag both containing controlled substances; and a digital scale with drug residue. The recovery included a total of approximately 499.46 grams of cocaine; 25.66 grams of fentanyl; and a large quantity of marijuana. Search warrants were subsequently obtained for cell phones used by Branford that were seized during the August 19, 2021 search. The phones allegedly contain evidence of drug trafficking, including videos and photos of drugs, and shrink-wrapped bundles of cash.

If convicted, Branford faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to life in federal prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.

Branford is expected to have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, at a later date. Branford has been detained since his arrest on the federal warrant for violating his supervised release and a federal criminal complaint filed on September 28, 2021. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program designed to reduce violent crime. The government will be seeking forfeiture of Branford’s assets, including his Maserati, as part of the investigation.

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