United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Baltimore, Maryland – At a press conference earlier today, U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron, thanked federal, state and local law enforcement partners in the fight against violent crime in Maryland.  The teamwork, community-based partnerships, and strategic law enforcement initiatives helped make a difference in reducing homicides in Baltimore in 2023 by more than 20% percent. 

Partners at today’s press conference included: ATF Director Steven Dettelbach; Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget; ATF Special Agent in Charge Toni Crosby; State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Ivan Bates; Baltimore City Police Commissioner Richard Worley; Federal Bureau of Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock; Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge James Harris; Acting U.S. Marshal Mathew Silverman; Executive Director Errol Etting of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional; Services Intelligence and Investigative Division; and Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.        

“Going forward we will continue investigating and prosecuting large RICO cases, like Triple C, but we will also continue to employ strategic and preventative law enforcement measures—especially by using any legal means necessary to remove those who illegally possess or use guns in our communities,” said United States Attorney Erek L. Barron. 

“This past year's almost 20% reduction in Baltimore homicides and 9% reduction in non-fatal shootings is a significant step forward in improving the quality of life for the citizens of this city.  Every life saved from senseless acts of gun violence is worth celebrating.  But we can't forget that every single life lost to this epidemic is a needless tragedy,” said ATF Director Steve Dettelbach.  “Through strong partnerships and utilizing crime gun intelligence, ATF is able to focus law enforcement priorities not on entire communities, but instead on strategically identifying the trigger pullers who are terrorizing those communities. My message for 2024?  We are not done by a long shot.  ATF is committed to protecting the rights of Baltimoreans to live in peace.  Law abiding folks should not live in fear of falling victim to senseless gun violence tragedies that continue to plague our most vulnerable communities.”

Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Division mentioned that “Drugs are directly related to crime through the effects they have on the user’s behavior and by generating violence and other illegal activities including firearms related incidents and homicides.  Through DEA’s Operation Overdrive initiative, we have mapped the most dangerous and ruthless drug trafficking organizations that operate in the DMV and have directed our resources towards dismantling and prosecuting these organizations.  Our collaborative efforts have led to the seizure of record numbers of illegal drugs to include fentanyl and firearms, as well as many impactful prosecutions and convictions.  DEA’s primary focus remains combating drug related violence and fentanyl poisoning in our neighborhoods.”

The law enforcement officials at today’s press conference renewed their commitment to community building in order to build trust and to prevent violent crime.

More statements and information: District of Maryland | Maryland U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron Recognizes the Contributions of Law Enforcement Partners and the Teamwork that Helped to Reduce Violent Crime in 2023 | United States Department of Justice