After a thorough four-day trial, a federal jury concluded its deliberations, convicting Ryan E. Dales, a 36-year-old previously convicted felon, for illegal firearm possession and involvement in drug trafficking activities, particularly concerning fentanyl. As reported on December 9th by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland, Dales now faces a significant prison sentence.
The case against Dales was built upon evidence, including two loaded firearms discovered at his luxury apartment in Baltimore's Locust Point area—specifically, a stolen Smith & Wesson and an unserialized “ghost gun.” In addition to hollow-point ammunition, authorities seized devices pointing to Dales's drug negotiations and trips to Boston to purchase drugs. United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, Erek L. Barron, and heads of local FBI and DOL-OIG offices announced the jury's decision.
In a statement detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland, details of the January 20, 2023, arrest showed how a search at Dales's residence unearthed items like digital scales, drug packaging materials, and cell phones linked to his drug sales. Subsequent device analysis revealed Dales's communication for buying fentanyl and other drugs from various sources, including suppliers in China.
Dales, having waived his Miranda rights, admitted the seized firearms were his and identified himself as a "very resourceful person," implying his drug dealing operations. Moreover, his DNA was found on the seized weaponry. The several charges highlight the magnitude of the drug operation Dales is now facing, including a mandatory minimum of five years for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and up to a life sentence for firearm possession in the advancement of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney's Office reported.
The case is part of the larger Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative and the Maryland Strike Force's focus on pandemic relief fraud. Anyone with information related to COVID-19 fraud can report it to the Department of Justice's National Center for Disaster Fraud. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul A. Riley and Reema Sood led the prosecution, and they were thanked for their dedication to combatting violent crime and supporting community safety.
