Baltimore, MD – Grimy Times
Over the past three days, three separate defendants have pleaded guilty to federal charges relating to the distribution of fentanyl in Baltimore, Maryland. Leslie Patillo, Jr., a 36-year-old resident of Hagerstown, Maryland, pleaded guilty to the federal charge of possession with intent to distribute 40 or more grams of fentanyl on an undisclosed date.
As little as 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be a lethal dose. Each of these three defendants distributed at least 32 grams of fentanyl, or enough to kill 16,000 people.
According to court documents, on April 10, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Patillo’s residence and recovered 99.44 grams of a combination of fentanyl and heroin, as well as drug paraphernalia. In addition, a knotted baggie was found on Patillo’s person that contained .82 grams of a combination of heroin and fentanyl.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office. U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “Drug traffickers are on notice that dealing in fentanyl increases their odds of federal prosecution. We’re also targeting drug dealers who use guns and increase the risk of gun violence in Maryland, as well as those who buy fentanyl on the dark web and re-sell this poison to our citizens.
Kamalah Nicole Cordell, a 31-year-old resident of Hagerstown, Maryland, also pleaded guilty to the federal charge of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl on October 3, 2018. Robert Luke Simpson, a 24-year-old resident of Gambrills, Maryland, pleaded guilty to the federal charge of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl on October 2, 2018.
Patillo admitted that his participation in the conspiracy involved at least 32 grams but less than 40 grams of fentanyl. He is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. The investigation was conducted by the Washington County Narcotics Task Force, led by Washington County Sheriff Douglas Mullendore; Washington County State’s Attorney Charles P. Strong, Jr.; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division; and Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare.
Patillo faces a maximum of 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million.
The investigation into the fentanyl distribution ring is ongoing. Grimy Times will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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