Gun Charge Added Against a Laurel Man Previously Indicted for His Role in the Murder of a Robbery Victim

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury returned a second superseding indictment today against Taylor King Pepe, age 21, of Laurel, Maryland on charges arising from the robbery of an individual who was shot and killed.

The second superseding indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Chief Gary Gardner of the Howard County Police Department; and Howard County State’s Attorney Dario Broccolino.

According to the four count indictment, on January 23, 2014, Pepe and others robbed an individual at gunpoint of Oxycodone pills.  The victim was shot and killed.

The second superseding indictment adds an allegation that Pepe possessed a revolver on January 23 and 24, 2014.  Pepe was allegedly prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to a protective order issued by the District Court of Howard County on October 3, 2013.

Pepe faces a sentence of 20 years in prison each for the conspiracy and for the robbery; a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison for aiding in the discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence; and 10 years in prison for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.  His initial appearance has not been scheduled.  Pepe remains in federal custody.

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 ATF, Howard County Police Department and Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Sandra Wilkinson and Zachary A. Myers, who are prosecuting the case.