Federal Jury Convicts Repeat Offender

WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that a federal jury convicted a Cecil County, Maryland man on charges of possession of cocaine and methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a person prohibited.  U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews accepted the verdict.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, George Griffin, 38, was arrested on September 9, 2022, after a long-term Maryland State Police investigation during which Griffin sold drugs to an informant.  On the day of his arrest, officers found about 125 grams of cocaine hidden in his engine compartment, and over a pound and a half of pure methamphetamine and four guns hidden in Griffin’s friend’s Delaware apartment.  Alongside the methamphetamine and guns, police found documents belonging to the defendant, and DNA comparison further tied Griffin to the guns.

U.S. Attorney Weiss said, “Mr. Griffin had three prior drug felony convictions. Fortunately, his willful disregard for the law came to an end with this guilty verdict.  While Mr. Griffin went to great lengths to distance himself from his drugs and guns, law enforcement doggedly investigated him until they found and seized those drugs and guns and brought the defendant to justice.  I commend the law enforcement agencies for their teamwork and determination in investigating this case.”

“Homeland Security Investigations’ Wilmington office, along with our partner agencies, stopped at nothing during the investigative and prosecutorial phases of this case, culminating in the significant conviction of this dangerous criminal, said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia William S. Walker. “Violence and addiction inextricably linked to drug trafficking organizations degrade our communities and endanger the health and safety of the American public.  As a result of the teamwork between investigators and prosecutors in this case, Mr. Griffin will now be held accountable for his crimes.”

Griffin faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced on May 15, 2024.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case was investigated by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Maryland State Police, Delaware State Police, Newport Police, and New Castle County Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer K. Welsh and Benjamin L. Wallace are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware.  Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-00033-RGA.