United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Baltimore, MD – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III, sentenced Robert Bascom, age 48, of Baltimore, Maryland to eight years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams of heroin. 

The sentence was announced by Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washingtong Division; Jonathan Lenzner, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Orville Greene, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Baltimore District Office; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Chief Lisa D. Myers of the Howard County Police Department.

According to his plea agreement, from May 2020 to February 23, 2021, Bascom conspired with others to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, one kilogram or more of heroin in Maryland and elsewhere.  Bascom made at least four trips to visit co-conspirators in New York in furtherance of the conspiracy.  As part of the conspiracy, Bascom also stored and distributed kilogram quantities of heroin and fentanyl at his Baltimore residence.

As detailed in his plea agreement, on February 17, 2021, investigators observed a co-conspirator carry a book bag and black shopping bag into Bascom’s residence.  Thereafter, investigators entered the residence pursuant to a judicially authorized search and seizure warrant.  Upon law enforcement’s entry, a co-conspirator attempted to flee the apartment.  Investigators observed the co-conspirator’s black and grey book bag on the living room couch as well as bundles of U.S. currency and rubber bands spread out on the floor.  Investigators eventually located Bascom and his co-conspirator inside of the apartment. 

As a result of the executed search warrant, law enforcement seized 1,079.3 grams of quinine (a drug cutting agent), 24.2 grams of diphenhydramine (another drug cutting agent), four cell phones, one tablet, miscellaneous paperwork, and $24, 422 hidden in numerous locations inside of the apartment.  Agents also discovered a drug tally and debt ledger within the co-conspirator’s book bag.  DEA agents believe the ledger is documentation of drug quantities distributed to individuals as well as client debts and transactions.

Investigators also recovered over 100 grams of heroin, more than one kilogram of fentanyl, large quantities of drug cutting agents, and drug paraphernalia from Bascom’s co-conspirator’s residences.

SAC Jarod Forget commended HSI, the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department, the Howard County Police Department, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney's Office of Maryland for their work in the investigation.  

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