Prior Felon Exiled To 10 Years In Prison For Drug Dealing And Possessing A Gun

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III sentenced Vyron A. Cox, Jr., age 28, of Washington, D.C., today to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a gun and possession with intent to distribute 5.45 grams of marijuana.

The sentence 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 Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler; and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks.

According to his plea agreement, on December 27, 2012, Prince George’s County Police officers in the area of 2400 Chillum Road in Hyattsville, Maryland saw Cox repeatedly getting in and out of several cars, leading officers to suspect that Cox was involved in drug dealing. Marked patrol units were called to the scene and an officer approached Cox who was inside a car. As the officer approached the car, Cox got out and began to walk away. Cox ignored police requests to stop, and kept reaching for his front pockets and waistband.

Officers also saw a black object in Cox’s right hand. They ordered Cox to stop and lay down. Cox held his hand under his body, resting on his waistband. From that area, officers seized a loaded, black handgun. They also seized 12 plastic bags of marijuana from Cox’s front pants pocket and additional plastic bags of marijuana from the car. The bags contained a total of 5.45 grams of marijuana. Prior to this time, Cox had been convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Prince George’s County Police Department, Maryland Attorney General’s Office and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Special Assistant United States Attorney Gerald A. A. Collins, a cross designated Maryland Assistant Attorney General assigned to Exile cases, and Assistant United States Attorney Kelly O'Connell Hayes, who prosecuted the case.