Lexington Park Man Indicted Federally for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Jerod Adam Taylor, age 39, of Lexington Park, Maryland, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The indictment was returned on February 27, 2025. The defendant had an initial appearance on March 17, 2025, in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gina L. Simms and was ordered detained.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Kelly O. Hayes with Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives- Baltimore Field Division (ATF).

According to the indictment, law enforcement executed a search of Taylor’s home on November 7, 2024, and recovered a firearm, including a Vulcan Arms Model AK47 7.62 caliber rifle. Taylor knew that he had a previous felony conviction which prohibited him from possessing a firearm and ammunition.

If convicted, Taylor faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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. 

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.

Ms. Hayes commended the ATF and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys LaShanta Harris and Chris Sarma, who are prosecuting the federal case.

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