Westminster Man Sentenced to Over 4 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Heroin

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Alexander E. Agniadis, age 28, of Westminster, Maryland, today to 54 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of heroin. An individual died after receiving heroin from Agniadis.  Judge Motz also ordered that Agniadis pay restitution of $6,743.41 to the victim’s family for the cost of his funeral and final arrangements.  There are no suspended sentences or parole in the federal court system.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Chief Jeffrey Spaulding of the Westminster Police Department; Carroll County Sheriff James DeWees; and Carroll County State’s Attorney Brian DeLeonardo.

According to Agniadis’ plea agreement, at approximately 3:30 p.m. on December 28, 2014, Agniadis distributed heroin to an individual in the vicinity of Medinah Circle in Westminster.  Text messages show that the individual contacted Agniadis to obtain heroin.  According to witnesses Agniadis and the individual met at about 3:30 p.m., and Agniadis gave the individual a small amount of heroin.  The individual was not in contact with his family or anyone else after that time and his phone reflects only unanswered calls and incoming texts from that time forward. The individual was found dead on January 5, 2015.  The Medical Examiner determined that the victim died of heroin intoxication.

As part of the investigation, in early January 2015, heroin was purchased from Agniadis.  On January 14, 2015, a search warrant was executed at Agniadis’ residence and law enforcement recovered 14 individually wrapped glassine bags containing heroin, and additional bags with heroin residue.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA and the Carroll County Drug Task Force comprised of the Maryland State Police, Westminster Police Department, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office, for their work in the investigation and prosecution.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea L. Smith, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.