BALTIMORE, MD – Terrell Ridgley, 34, of Perry Hall, Maryland, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 87 months, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a fentanyl distribution network. The sentence was handed down today by District Judge Adam B. Abelson, marking a significant blow to drug trafficking operations in the Baltimore area.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes, along with DEA Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley, and DPSCS Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs, announced the sentencing. The case stems from a larger investigation into a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) headed by co-defendant Tyon Bailey. Evidence presented in court detailed how Ridgley actively participated in the trafficking of deadly fentanyl.
The investigation revealed a pattern of drug deals conducted by Bailey, with Ridgley frequently observed meeting with Bailey and other members of the DTO. On January 3, 2024, authorities spotted Ridgley leaving a vehicle with what appeared to be narcotics concealed in his sweatshirt. A subsequent K-9 search confirmed the presence of drugs. The situation escalated on February 12 when Ridgley crashed his vehicle on I-695, then rendezvoused with Bailey and an associate at an auto repair shop. A search yielded approximately 250 grams of fentanyl, 100 grams of cocaine, a substantial amount of cash, and jewelry – all linked to Bailey. A loaded Glock 23 with 23 rounds was also recovered from a vehicle nearby.
Further investigation, including court-authorized wiretaps in August 2024, caught Ridgley discussing the distribution of “blue stuff” – a reference to fentanyl in blue powder form, matching the substance previously purchased by an undercover agent from Bailey. A raid on Ridgley’s Perry Hall residence on October 3 uncovered a disturbing scene: Ridgley attempting to flush a purple fentanyl mixture down the toilet, with investigators managing to salvage some of it. The search also revealed bags containing fentanyl mixtures in purple, blue, and white, and materials used for preparing the drug for sale. Over 400 grams of fentanyl and cocaine were seized from the residence.
Ridgley ultimately admitted to possessing the fentanyl with the explicit intent to distribute it. This case is a part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, a collaborative effort to dismantle major drug trafficking organizations. The Baltimore Strike Force, comprised of multiple federal and local agencies, focuses on reducing violent crime related to drugs and gangs in the region.
Sentencing for Tyon Bailey and another co-defendant, Jaron Rhodes, are scheduled for September 24 and October 15, respectively. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis plaguing Baltimore and the nation.
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Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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