Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Involving Sale of Loaded AR-Style Pistol

Baltimore, Maryland – Derrick Nutter, 40, of Baltimore, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit drug trafficking in federal court. 

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the plea with Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

According to the guilty plea, Nutter unknowingly met with undercover agents on multiple occasions to sell methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and a loaded AR-style pistol.

On June 12, 2024, Nutter sold an undercover agent approximately 109 grams of cocaine for $3,600, approximately seven grams of methamphetamine for $100, and a free sample of fentanyl. Then on June 20, 2024, Nutter sold the undercover agent approximately 85 grams of suspected fentanyl for $3,300, and approximately 79 grams of cocaine for $2,700.

Additionally, on the same date, Nutter sold the undercover agent a 5.56 caliber AR-style privately made pistol with no serial number. It was equipped with an Axeon optic and loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition. The substance Nutter described as fentanyl was actually Schedule I ortho-Methylfentanyl – a fentanyl analogue.

Nutter sold cocaine and MDMA to a second undercover on June 25, 2024, and August 22, 2024. He also explained that his “girl” was receiving a package of drugs in the mail. Investigators identified Nutter’s “girl” as co-conspirator Khristina Williams.

On September 3, 2024, Nutter was at Williams’ residence and then he drove to a planned meeting location to sell the second undercover agent drugs. Nutter met the undercover agent and sold approximately 223 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $4,000. He returned to his vehicle where authorities observed Williams seated in the front passenger seat.

Then on September 10, 2024, Nutter met with two undercover agents and sold them approximately 525 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $6,100. He also provided a free sample of fentanyl. Nutter agreed to sell the undercover agents additional fentanyl if they came to his home.

While in route to his home, Nutter called Williams multiple times. After arriving at his residence, Nutter sold the undercover agents several hundred fentanyl pills. Eventually, Nutter and the undercover agents walked outside and met with Williams, who had arrived in her vehicle. Nutter retrieved several hundred additional fentanyl pills from Williams and handed them to the undercovers. The undercover agents paid Nutter $3,900 in exchange for the drugs, including nearly 800 fentanyl pills.

On October 3, 2024, the two undercover agents met Nutter in a public parking lot. After Nutter sold them approximately 830 grams of methamphetamine, authorities arrested him. During the undercover operation, Nutter sold agents approximately 1,595 grams of methamphetamine, 298 grams of cocaine, 90 grams of fentanyl, 85 grams of fentanyl analogue, and the loaded AR-style pistol.

Nutter faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, at 11 a.m.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney James O’Donohue who is prosecuting the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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