Annapolis Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Baltimore, Maryland - Today, Dalonte Ray Jones, 21, of Annapolis, Maryland, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Baltimore Field Office, and Chief Edward Jackson, Annapolis Police Department (APD).

According to Jones' guilty plea, on November 11, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant for Jones' apartment located in Maryland. During the search, law enforcement found a Glock 17 semi-automatic handgun, with an extended magazine, in Jones' bedroom. The magazine, which is capable of holding 45 rounds of ammunition, was loaded with 17 live rounds. In 2023, the firearm was reported stolen. Jones' DNA, along with the DNA of three other individuals, was on the firearm.

Investigators also searched Jones' iPhone pursuant to a warrant. Law enforcement uncovered numerous videos of Jones holding a variety of firearms, including the firearm he possessed on November 11.

Jones knew that he had previous felony convictions which prohibited him from possessing a firearm and ammunition. Jones' prior convictions included a January 2023 conviction for second-degree assault and an April 2023 conviction for second degree assault. Jones was on probation for the April 2023 assault conviction at the time he possessed the handgun in this case.

Jones faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison for the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge. Judge Brendan A. Hurson scheduled sentencing for Monday, December 8, at 2 p.m.

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 FBI and APD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow 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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