Baltimore Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Fentanyl (DOJ)

Baltimore, Maryland - Today, District Judge Adam B. Abelson sentenced Tyon Bailey, 31, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 12 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - Washington Division; Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD); and Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS).

According to the guilty plea, Bailey led a drug trafficking organization (DTO) in and around Baltimore, Maryland that was responsible for trafficking a large quantity of fentanyl. An undercover investigator (UC) purchased 100 grams of fentanyl at a time from the Bailey DTO on multiple occasions, including December 7, 2023; December 21, 2023; and January 18, 2024.

On February 12, 2024, co-defendant Terrell Ridgley crashed his vehicle while driving on I-695. He then met Bailey and another associate at a nearby auto repair shop. Law enforcement engaged the individuals, but Bailey began to flee before tossing a lunchbox that contained a quantity of fentanyl. At the scene, investigators recovered approximately 250 grams of fentanyl, 100 grams of cocaine, and a large quantity of cash and jewelry - all from Bailey. Authorities also recovered a Glock 23 firearm loaded with 23 rounds from a vehicle that Ridgley, Bailey, and the associate were standing around moments before law enforcement engaged them.

Additionally, on the same day, investigators executed search warrants at various locations associated with the DTO, resulting in the seizure of four firearms and more than 60 rounds of ammunition.

As a result of the events on February 12, law enforcement arrested Bailey on state firearm and drug related charges. While detained on pre-trial confinement, Bailey continued to lead his DTO by advising co-defendant Jaron Rhodes, who carried out the objectives of the DTO from the outside. While awaiting trial, Bailey and Rhodes arranged for another sale of fentanyl to the UC. On May 7, Rhodes met with the UC to sell 100 grams of fentanyl.

Federal law enforcement initially indicted Bailey for fentanyl distribution in June 2024. As a result, authorities placed Bailey on 24/7 home confinement. While on home confinement, Bailey continued to lead the DTO. In July 2024, while on federal pre-trial release, Bailey contacted the UC to resume distributing fentanyl.

This case also involved court-authorized wiretap interceptions from the Bailey DTO. While on home confinement, law enforcement intercepted Bailey conducting drug-related discussions with co-defendants Rhodes and Ridgley.

On October 3, investigators executed search warrants at several residences associated with the DTO, resulting in the seizure of approximately $110,000 in cash; 500 grams of fentanyl; a firearm; significant quantity of ammunition; kilo press; digital scale; and money counter.

During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than a kilogram of fentanyl; six firearms; a significant quantity of ammunition; at least $150,000 in cash; and at least $300,000 worth of jewelry.

Ridgley recently received an 87-month federal prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release. Rhodes is slated to receive his sentence on October 15.

This prosecution is part of the Department of Justice's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the Baltimore Strike Force is to reduce violent, drug-related, and gang crime in the Baltimore area and surrounding region. The Baltimore SF is comprised of agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office, the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, the Baltimore County Police Department, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, the Maryland National Guard, the Maryland State Police, and the Maryland Transportation Authority, and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DEA, BPD, and DPSCS for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. O'Donohue III who is prosecuting the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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