Baltimore felon pleads guilty to firearm charges in connection with domestic-violence incident (DOJ)

Baltimore, Maryland - A Baltimore man pled guilty to a federal firearm-possession charge stemming from a domestic-violence incident.

Marquis Thomas, 34, is charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. Thomas is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD).

According to the plea agreement, on October 30, 2025, BPD received a call about a domestic-assault involving a firearm. Upon law enforcement's arrival at the residence, the victim opened the door and told officers that Thomas left the premises. The victim then led law enforcement into the living room and pointed to a handgun on the couch. Additionally, the victim reported that Thomas hit her in the face three times before pointing a gun at her, saying, "I should kill you right now."

Thomas faces a maximum of 15 years in prison for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. U.S. District Court Judge Adam B. Abelson set sentencing for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2027, at 2 p.m.

Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Safe Home. These programs bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Project Safe Home is an initiative under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to reduce domestic violence and prevent escalation to lethal violence by targeting offenders who use or possess handguns with a history of Domestic Violence.

In response, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland is working closely with its federal, local, and state partners - along with Baltimore City community organizations - to reduce violent crime and enhance public safety. This partnership and coordination between the U.S. Attorney's Office and the City of Baltimore ensures that federal resources are leveraged effectively to address intimidate-partner firearm violence.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF and BPD for their collaborative efforts in this investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Godwin who prosecuted this case.

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

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