Shawn Hearn, Heroin Possession with Intent to Distribute, Maryland 2024

Baltimore, Maryland - In a major blow to Baltimore's heroin trade, a local dealer has been sentenced to over 12 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute approximately 10 kilograms of heroin.

A U.S. District Court jury found Shawn Hearn, 42, of Baltimore guilty of the crime, which he committed on September 25, 2014.

The Baltimore Police Department's Ceasefire unit executed a search warrant at Hearn's home in the 2500 block of Oakley Avenue, where they found the large quantity of heroin, worth approximately $10 million on the streets, along with $825,000 in cash.

Hearn initially denied having any heroin, but after being shown a copy of the signed search warrant, he confessed and led officers to the stash in his bedroom.

According to his plea agreement, the heroin was discovered along with various items used in the processing of heroin for distribution, including approximately 70 bars of mannite, a heroin diluent.

This is not Hearn's first run-in with the law. In 2000, he was convicted of a federal drug trafficking charge, involving approximately 1.5 kilograms of cocaine and 80 grams of crack cocaine. He was sentenced to 110 months in prison, which he completed in 2011.

U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the DEA, Baltimore Police Department, and Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office for their work in the investigation, which led to Hearn's sentencing. 'The sentence of Shawn Hearn is a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies in Baltimore,' Rosenstein said.

The sentence was announced by U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake, who handed down a 151-month prison term, followed by three years of supervised release. The total sentence is approximately 12.5 years.

Baltimore Mayor Anthony W. Batts, Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department, also commended the efforts of the officers involved in the case. 'This sentence sends a strong message that the sale and distribution of heroin will not be tolerated in our city,' Batts said.

Hearn's case is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against heroin trafficking in Baltimore. The city has been plagued by the opioid crisis, with many residents struggling with addiction.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/baltimore-heroin-dealer-sentenced-over-12-years-prison