Baltimore Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

Baltimore, Maryland - Kennard Joyner, 51, of Baltimore, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute in federal court. Joyner led a fentanyl trafficking operation that distributed large quantities of fentanyl throughout the Baltimore area. U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson then sentenced Joyner to 10 years in federal prison.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea and sentence with Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - Washington Division; Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS); Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD); and Chief Gregory Der, Howard County Police Department (HCPD).

According to the guilty plea, in December 2024, the DEA received a tip about a drug-proceeds money pickup in the Baltimore area. Joyner then unknowingly arranged for an undercover DEA agent to pick up approximately $252,000 in drug proceeds through a courier.

Then in March 2025, Joyner instructed a courier to drop off a bag of drugs to a co-conspirator. Investigators watched as the courier provided a black bag to the co-conspirator. HCPD officers then conducted a traffic stop of the co-conspirator.

When officers searched the vehicle, they recovered the black bag investigators observed the courier deliver to the co-conspirator. The bag contained approximately 100 cannisters of fentanyl, 870 gelcaps of xylazine, 20 vials of cocaine, and 21 vials of methamphetamine.

Then in June 2025, law enforcement executed a search-and-seizure warrant at Joyner's residence and at another location where Joyner rented a room. During the search of Joyner's residence, agents recovered approximately $277,476 in cash packaged in bulk with rubber bands or in heat-sealed bags, similar to the money provided to the undercover agent in December 2024.

Investigators also found multiple money ledgers. One of the money ledgers referenced 13 money drops between November 2024 through January 2025, totaling more than $2 million. At the location where Joyner rented a room, investigators seized approximately 1,975g of fentanyl mixture and 253g of cocaine.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DEA, BPD, and HCPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Liane D. Kozik and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Wallner who prosecuted the 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 and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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