Linnard Wortham, Cocaine Possession, Maryland 2024

Baltimore Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Cocaine Possession

Baltimore, Maryland – In a stunning display of lawlessness, Linnard Wortham, 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, has been sentenced to 140 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Wortham’s previous supervised release stemmed from 2015 racketeering conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances convictions. He received a total sentence of 156 months today, an additional 16 months for violating the terms of a previous supervised release agreement.

The charges against Wortham came after a multi-agency investigation into a Baltimore-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) that was distributing large quantities of cocaine. Agents monitored a stash location in Baltimore and observed activity consistent with drug trafficking, including a constant flow of people entering the apartment for a short duration and then leaving with bags of suspected drugs or concealed objects inside their clothing.

On October 11, 2023, agents surveilled the stash location and observed the DTO’s leader opening the door, and another individual exiting the stash location with a large duffle bag. The individual then placed the duffle bag into a sedan, which was driven by Wortham. Agents followed Wortham as he placed the duffle bag in his trunk and then fled on foot.

After a brief pursuit, agents apprehended Wortham and discovered the duffle bag contained 19-kilogram packages of cocaine. Agents obtained a search warrant for Wortham’s phones and discovered a text message exchange with the DTO’s leader, which corroborated the drug deal that agents observed.

U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes commended the DEA, HSI, IRS-CI, BCPD, DPSCS, and BPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Calvin C. Miner who is prosecuting the federal case.

Linnard Wortham, 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced to 140 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, with a total sentence of 156 months, including 16 months for violating the terms of a previous supervised release agreement. The crime took place in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 11, 2023. Wortham’s previous supervised release stemmed from 2015 racketeering conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances convictions.

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