Baltimore Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Possessing Firearm and Ammunition as a Felon

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Nathaniel Ratchford, 40, of Baltimore, Maryland, to seven years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a prohibited person while also on federal supervised release.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD).

On February 16, 2024, BPD Detectives and other BPD Group Violence Unit members conducted a foot patrol in the 1200 block of West Baltimore Street.  While on patrol, officers observed Ratchford sprinting away after he spotted other law enforcement officers.

After running several city blocks, the on-foot detectives observed Ratchford extending his left hand from his waistband and throwing an object before continuing to flee. The on-foot detectives’ body-worn cameras captured a loud “clink” sound, prompting one detective to yell “GUN.”  One on-foot detective stayed behind to look for the firearm while the other on-foot detective continued pursuing Ratchford who eventually tripped and fell before law enforcement arrested him.

Police officers searched the area where the detectives witnessed Ratchford discarding a firearm and found a pistol laying on the ground approximately 15 yards from the location law enforcement saw Ratchford running.  Detectives retrieved a black Walther PPS 9mm handgun, with one live round in the chamber, and six live rounds in the inserted magazine.

Ratchford was previously convicted of a felony, so he was prohibited from possessing the firearm and ammunition.  At the time of the offense, Ratchford was on federal supervised release in connection with a prior federal conviction for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.

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 and BPD for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared M. Beim, who prosecuted the case.

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

# # #