Baltimore City Police Officer and Four Others Indicted in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy | WPN World People News

A federal grand jury has indicted Baltimore City Police Officer Daniel Redd, age 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, and four others on drug and gun charges. The indictment was returned on July 7, 2011 and unsealed today upon the arrest of Redd and the remaining defendants: Abdul Zakaria, aka “Tamim Mamah,” age 34, of Owings Mills; Shanel Stallings, aka “Bit,”age 32, of Baltimore; Dyrell Garrett, aka “D,”age 33, of Randallstown, Maryland; and Malik Jones, age 40, of Owings Mills, Maryland.

Abdul Zakaria and Dyrell Garrett had their initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher and were detained. Their detention hearings are scheduled for Thursday, at 1:00 and 1:30 p.m. Shanel Stallings will have her initial appearance at 3:30 p.m. and Daniel Redd is expected to have his initial appearance shortly after that, both before Magistrate Judge Gallagher.

“The Baltimore Police Department initiated this investigation and has been a full partner in this and other pending federal cases involving allegedly corrupt police officers,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.

“As evidenced by this indictment and other recent cases throughout the state, the Department of Justice continues to make rooting out corruption at all levels one of its top criminal priorities,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard McFeely. “Coupled with strong leadership by Commissioner Bealefeld and his department, this joint FBI/DEA/BPD investigation has dismantled a significant drug trafficking investigation that flooded the streets of Baltimore with heroin. It is even more egregious that much of this illegal trafficking was allegedly being conducted by an officer who was sworn to stop the very activity he now has been charged with.”

“The allegations against Daniel Redd are an affront to and undermine the integrity of the hard working men and women of the Baltimore Police Department,” said Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld, III. “When allegations of potential misconduct surfaced, the Baltimore Police Department immediately launched a comprehensive investigation and partnered with the FBI and United States Attorney’s Office. We will not tolerate corruption among our ranks.”

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Special Agent in Charge Ava Cooper-Davis of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; and Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III.

According to the seven-count indictment, from January to July 2011 the defendants conspired to distribute heroin. According to the affidavit in support of a search and seizure warrant, Redd, a uniformed patrol officer in the Northwest District of Baltimore, and Zakaria headed the drug organization. The affidavit alleges that Zakaria and others obtained heroin from suppliers in Africa and distributed the heroin to customers, including Redd, Garrett, and Jones. Redd allegedly distributed the heroin to others, including Stallings. During a number of the calls cited in the affidavit, police records reveal that Redd was on duty at the time of the calls. The affidavit also alleges that on March 31, 2011, Redd, while in full police uniform, provided heroin to Zakaria in the parking lot of the Northwest District Police Station.

The indictment further alleges that Redd carried a firearm in relation to his drug trafficking activities.

Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for conspiring to distribute heroin. Redd, Zakaria, and Garrett face a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Redd, Zakaria, and Stallings also face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and Redd faces a maximum sentence of life in prison on each of three counts for carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

Source: U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation