Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearm Crimes

Baltimore, Maryland – A Brooklyn, Maryland, man pled guilty in federal court in connection with drug trafficking and firearm offenses.

Sadontae Barnett, 22, is charged with possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Christopher R. Heck, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland, and Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Secretary of State Police, Maryland State Police (MSP).

According to the guilty plea, on February 22, 2024, law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery of a package containing narcotics to Barnett’s residence.  The day before, law enforcement interdicted the package and discovered it contained a large quantity of fentanyl pills.  The package included approximately 40 grams of pills. Barnett put the package in a backpack and armed himself with a Glock Model 36, .45 caliber handgun.  When law enforcement attempted to stop Barnett, he ran and tossed the backpack and firearm before officers quickly apprehended him.

Barnett faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of life. His sentencing date is forthcoming.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI and MSP for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stanton Lawyer and Jonathan Tsuei who are prosecuting this federal case.

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

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