Greenbelt, MD – A 21-year-old Laurel man has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, authorities announced yesterday. Ronnie Hammond, 21, of Laurel, Maryland, faces 24-36 months in federal prison following his guilty plea, according to court documents.
The guilty plea was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division, and Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD).
According to his guilty plea, MCPD officers recovered several cellular phones that revealed Hammond’s drug trafficking activity. Hammond routinely coordinated with dealers and suppliers to distribute marijuana. On at least five instances, law enforcement intercepted Hammond’s coded conversations with several co-conspirators regarding drug transactions.
On August 30, 2019, Hammond told Co-conspirator 1 that his stash house was “dry” and Co-Conspirator 1 warned Hammond that law enforcement was in the area in “plain clothes”. Hammond stated that his source of supply just contacted him. Co-Conspirator 1 then asked for Hammond to sell him an eighth of marijuana and he just sold out. Following the previous conversation, one of Hammond’s suppliers sent Hammond a picture of high-quality marijuana and quoted a price of $600.
On November 19, 2019, MCPD officers conducted undercover surveillance in a parking lot. During the surveillance, officers observed a male and female on a picnic table smoking marijuana. Officer then observed the two individuals get into a sedan that parked in an adjacent parking lot. Officers approached the vehicle and knocked on the driver’s side window. Hammond was seated in the front passenger seat. A MCPD officer asked Hammond if he possessed any marijuana, and he produced a small baggie of marijuana from a satchel. As a result of a search of Hammond, officers recovered a black semi-automatic 9mm pistol loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition. Hammond agrees the firearm was possessed to facilitate his drug distribution activities. Officers also recovered additional marijuana, a digital scale, and clear plastic baggies inside of Hammonds satchel. Officers recovered approximately 17 grams of marijuana and $541 in Hammond’s drug proceeds.
Hammond was subsequently arrested and released on several conditions, including that Hammond refrain from participating in any criminal activity. However, while on release, Hammond illegally sold firearms to at least one individual, including two 9mm handguns.
U.S. District Judge George L. Hazel has scheduled sentencing for December 2, 2021 at 10 a.m. Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the ATF and the Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly O. Hayes and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica C. Harvey, who are prosecuting the case.
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Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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