Armed Career Criminal Exiled To 15 Years In Prison

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Samuel Sterling, age 35, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 15 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a gun. Judge Hollander enhanced Sterling’s sentence upon finding that he is an armed career criminal based on three previous convictions for a drug offense and violent crime.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Gerido of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; and Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts.

According to his plea agreement, on April 9, 2012 Baltimore police detectives saw Sterling and an individual standing on a corner near the intersection of LaFayette and Port Streets in Baltimore, conducting what appeared to be a hand-to-hand drug transaction. When the detectives approached, Sterling ran away, throwing a gun to the ground. A short time later Sterling was taken into custody. A .32 caliber semi-automatic pistol and orange topped vials containing cocaine were subsequently seized. Sterling had previously been convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing a gun.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore City State’s Attorney's Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Clinton J. Fuchs, who prosecuted the case.