Baltimore, Maryland – In a move aimed at reducing violent crime in the city, a Baltimore felon has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term for illegal possession of a stolen firearm. Douglas Sparrow, age 35, was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for his crime.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur, Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division, and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to court documents, on March 1, 2018, law enforcement executed a search of Sparrow’s residence in Baltimore and recovered a stolen semi-automatic pistol and ammunition in the couch, as well as marijuana that Sparrow planned to distribute. Sparrow possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking and knew that the firearm was stolen.
Sparrow also had at least two prior felony convictions and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, making his crime even more egregious. 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Moore, who prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney emphasized the importance of getting guns out of the hands of drug dealers and off of our streets. “We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to get guns out of the hands of drug dealers and off of our streets, in order to reduce violent crime in our neighborhoods. If you use a gun, you could face federal time, where there is no parole—ever. Please, put down the guns and save a life—maybe even your own,” he said.
Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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