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AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885  

October 31, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md                                       

JERMAINE BELL AND ROOSEVELT SPANN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN FURTHERANCE OF THEIR HEROIN DISTRIBUTION CONSPIRACY

BALTIMORE, Maryland - A federal grand jury today returned a second superseding indictment charging Jermaine Bell, age 31, and Roosevelt Spann, Jr., age 38, both of Baltimore, with conspiracy to distribute heroin, conspiracy to possess and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

The seven-count indictment charges that from at least January 2000 to December 2001,Bell and Spann conspired to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin. As part of that conspiracy, Bell is charged in the deaths of Kenyatta Harris on May 28, 2001 and Angelo Stringfellow on June 26, 2001.

Both Bell and Spann are charged in the November 8, 2001 murder of Torrence Johnson, as well as firearms charges related to the murders and drug distribution. Finally, Spann is charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition.

Bell and Spann face a maximum penalty of death or life in prison for each count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime resulting in death; life in prison for possession of a firearm in a drug trafficking crime; a maximum penalty of life in prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin; and 20 years in prison for conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Spann also faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition. The defendants are currently in custody and no court appearance on the new charges has been scheduled.

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 commended the investigative work performed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Baltimore City Police Department. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg Welsh and Jason Weinstein, who are prosecuting the case.

This page last modified—October 31, 2006