United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BALTIMORE - A federal grand jury today has indicted the following 10 defendants for conspiring to distribute cocaine and cocaine base in Baltimore:

Shawn Malone, a/k/a “Studder,” and “Snaps,” age 32, of Baltimore;          
Howard McCray, a/k/a “Pooh,” age 33, of Baltimore;
Antoine Bolden, a/k/a “Demo,” age 36, of Baltimore and Severna Park, Maryland;           
Stanley Malone, a/k/a “Man-Man,” and “Rambo,” age 32, of Brooklyn, Maryland;
Travis Gaines, a/k/a “Jim,” age 33, of Baltimore;      
Melvina Banks, a/k/a “Bebe,” age 52, of Baltimore;                
Luis Reyes, a/k/a “Louis Reyes,” and “Rico,” age 39, of Dundalk, Maryland;
Donte Chase, a/k/a “Turbo,” age 34, of Baltimore;
Karl McDonald, a/k/a “Lil Boo,” age 29, of Columbia, Maryland; and
Latoya Mack, age 25.

Mack is also charged with distributing cocaine.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; and Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts.

"The indictment of 10 defendants today emphasizes the proactive work that the DEA, the Baltimore Police Operational Intelligence (OIS), the Baltimore City States Attorney's Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office undertake to combat drug distribution in Baltimore," stated Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington Field Division. "By hitting a drug organization where it hurts most by seizing drug proceeds, in this case seeking $3.6 million in forfeiture, we are crippling its ability to ever return," added Colder.

The two count indictment alleges that from at least 2010 until June 6, 2013 when the defendants were arrested, the defendants conspired to distribute cocaine and cocaine base.

Court documents allege that Shawn Malone uses females to bring cocaine, purchased from sources in Texas and Arizona, on buses to Baltimore for distribution. According to court documents, Bolden, a wholesale supplier of cocaine, with assistance from Stanley Malone and Travis Gaines, sells the drugs to Reyes, Chase and others. McDonald operates a “street shop” in the area of West North Avenue and Lennox Street in Baltimore for the organization. McCray, who works at the University of Maryland hospital, was overheard during the investigation arranging for the sale of drugs and obtaining a gun.  

According to court documents, Shawn Malone and other members of the conspiracy allegedly operate a limited liability corporation known as (the initials of Shawn Joseph Malone) LLC in order to buy rental properties under the guise of appearing to have legitimate income. The drug organization is alleged to have purchased properties, including 1911 Braddish Avenue and 2519 Fairmount Avenue, to either carry out drug distribution activities or launder drug proceeds.

The indictment seeks forfeiture of $3.6 million, based on 90 kilograms of cocaine at a minimum value of $40,000 per kilogram over the course of the conspiracy, as well as five Baltimore properties. 

The defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison for the drug conspiracy.  Mack also faces 40 years in prison for distributing cocaine.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the DEA, Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney James Wallner, who is prosecuting the case.