Steven Patrick Bruce, Heroin Distribution Conspiracy, Maryland 2023

Greenbelt, Maryland – In a major blow to the local underworld, a notorious Oxon Hill felon has been sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in a large-scale heroin distribution conspiracy and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel handed down the sentence to Steven Patrick Bruce, a 32-year-old Oxon Hill resident, following a thorough investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.

According to court documents, from July 2013 until approximately July 2014, Bruce conspired with others to distribute heroin to customers in and around Prince George’s and St. Mary’s Counties in Maryland. Bruce obtained heroin from one or more suppliers and used his residence on Lindsay Road in Oxon Hill as a base of operations for storing and distributing narcotics.

In late July 2014, the DEA conducted a controlled purchase of heroin from Bruce using a confidential source. During a recorded meeting at Bruce’s residence, he distributed a quantity of heroin to the source for $100. According to his plea agreement, Bruce admitted to distributing between 100 grams and 400 grams of heroin.

On July 31, 2014, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Bruce’s residence, recovering an Israeli Military Industry Uzi 9 millimeter submachine gun, 346 rounds of 9 millimeter ammunition, 32 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition, and three high-capacity magazines. They also found drug paraphernalia and packaging, a bottle of Inositol powder, and a small zip-lock bag containing heroin.

On July 31, 2014, Bruce was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. He was subsequently detained by order of the court.

In a desperate attempt to obstruct the government’s investigation, Bruce called a friend and asked a relative of that person to falsely tell his attorney and law enforcement that the firearms, ammunition, and narcotics found during the search warrant belonged to the friend’s relative, not Bruce.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for their tireless efforts in bringing Bruce to justice. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas M. Sullivan and Daniel C. Gardner, who prosecuted the case.

Bruce’s sentence is a testament to the unwavering commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat the scourge of heroin trafficking in our communities. The investigation and prosecution of this case serve as a warning to those involved in such activities: you will be held accountable.

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