Multiple Baltimore Men Charged in Drug Trafficking Organization Takedown (DOJ)

Baltimore, Maryland - Several Baltimore-area men are facing charges today, stemming from a joint-agency takedown of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in the 500 block of Sheridan Avenue in North Baltimore. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland announced it filed charges against the men in connection with the operation.

Omar Gilliam, 43, Derrell Washington Coates, 42, Kevin Harris, 34, and Darren Farmer, 36, are each charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, including heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine base, commonly referred to as crack cocaine. Stephen Oliver, 38, is charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Additionally, Gilliam and Oliver are charged with firearm trafficking and possessing a firearm as a prohibited person due to each having a prior felony conviction.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the charges with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD); and Ivan J. Bates, State's Attorney for Baltimore City.

"These charges underscore our continued commitment to making Baltimore and all of Maryland safer. This collaboration is a powerful example of what we can accomplish when we work together with a shared commitment to public safety," Hayes said. "We will continue working side by side with our partners to disrupt criminal activity and deliver justice for the communities we serve."

"This operation highlights the power of coordinated teamwork," Doerrer said. "ATF remains firmly committed to holding the most violent individuals in our community accountable using every available tool to protect public safety."

"This takedown is a strong example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement at every level works together with a shared commitment to public safety," Worley said. Through the dedication of our Northern District Action Team and the support of our federal, state, and local partners, we were able to dismantle a dangerous group responsible for trafficking drugs and contributing to violence in our communities. Our work continues, and together, we are making Baltimore and our region safer."

"Residents in every neighborhood of our city have concerns about the guns and drugs that fuel violence in their community. Today's takedown once again reaffirms that we have made it our mission, as law enforcement, to find purveyors of violence and crime and hold them accountable. This investigation reflects the power of strong collaboration between our local and federal law enforcement partners," Bates said. "I want to thank the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Baltimore Police Department, ATF Baltimore, the U.S. Marshal's Office, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their partnership and commitment to public safety. As our Firearm & Drug Trafficking Unit prepares to prosecute the defendants, we will continue working together to dismantle similar networks that put lives at risk and undermine the safety of Baltimore's communities."

According to the criminal complaint, between August 2025 and March 2026, ATF and BPD partnered to investigate the North Baltimore DTO. During the investigation, law enforcement identified specific members and located potential stash locations through confidential informants.

Beginning in August 2025, ATF used a confidential informant (CI-1) to buy narcotics from Gilliam, Harris, and Washington Coates. In October 2025, ATF then used a second confidential informant (CI-2) to buy narcotics from the same DTO members. Then in December 2025, CI-2 began purchasing narcotics and firearms from Oliver, and in March 2026, CI-2 purchased firearms from Gilliam. Farmer began distributing narcotics to CI-2 in January 2026.

In total, law enforcement conducted 15 controlled purchases from Gilliam, two of which included firearms. Washington Coates participated in seven of those controlled purchases, and Harris participated in one. In addition, law enforcement conducted eight controlled purchases from Oliver, along with two separate controlled purchases of firearms, and law enforcement conducted three controlled purchases from Farmer, some of which also involved Gilliam and Harris.

Law enforcement continued monitoring Gilliam, Oliver, Harris, Washington Coates, Farmer, and others participating in drug trafficking activities in different Baltimore-area locations. Then on April 8, authorities arrested four of the defendants on the federal charges, while also executing federal search warrants at three addresses in the 500 Block of Sheridan Avenue, along with another Baltimore City property, and a Baltimore County residence. Law enforcement arrested the fifth defendant, Farmer, today.

During the arrest and search operation, officers recovered numerous firearms, along with nearly 400 grams of suspected narcotics.

A complaint is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by complaint are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF and BPD for their work in the investigation, along with the U.S. Marshals Service for the District of Maryland and Baltimore County Police Department for their valuable assistance. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Stanton Lawyer 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-mdLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

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