Baltimore man pleads guilty to drugs, firearm charges connected to police foot chase (DOJ)

Baltimore, Maryland - A Baltimore man pled guilty in federal court, today, to drug and firearms charges stemming from an incident involving a police foot chase.

Quran Cox, 33, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

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), Ivan J. Bates, State's Attorney for Baltimore City, and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD).

According to the guilty plea, in December 2023, a BPD detective was surveilling the 100 block of West Hamburg Street by a CitiWatch camera when he observed Cox hold and manipulate a pack of suspected drugs. The detective then radioed his colleagues to arrest Cox.

When law enforcement arrived, Cox fled down an alley into the courtyards of an apartment complex. Law enforcement then pursued Cox on foot. During the pursuit, officers observed Cox reaching in his waistband with both hands as he ran. The law enforcement officers ordered Cox to "stop running," "stop digging," and to "put it down," believing that Cox was reaching for a firearm.

Then when Cox slipped and fell on the grass, detectives caught up to him and attempted to secure his arms behind his back. As law enforcement made the arrest, they observed a loaded magazine on the ground near Cox's right hand and a firearm in his left hand. Law enforcement recovered the firearm, loaded with one round of ammunition in the chamber and an additional six rounds of ammunition in the magazine.

A further search of Cox revealed 53 gelcaps of fentanyl, 22 jugs of cocaine, and $167 in cash. Detectives also recovered a key to Cox's vehicle that was parked in the same block. Then a K-9 conducted a scan which produced a positive alert for contraband. Detectives then recovered 14 additional rounds of ammunition in the driver's door pocket.

Cox faces a maximum 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. He is also facing a minimum of five years and a maximum of life for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Sentencing is set for Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 10 a.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 case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing 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.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF, Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City, and BPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting this federal case.

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

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