The Annapolis Police Department announces the indictments of twenty-four Annapolis heroin dealers. The Annapolis Heroin Initiative spanned more than six months and involved Annapolis detectives working undercover to make controlled purchases from drug dealers.
The Annapolis Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit made 50 controlled buys in different areas around the City of Annapolis, including twelve in and around Newtowne Drive. Six guns were also seized from the Woodside Gardens community on Newtowne Drive. The indictments, resulting from these buys, will disrupt these illegal drug trafficking groups in Annapolis.
Those indicted are identified as:
- Jestin Elliott, 23, of Annapolis
- Keddrick Green, 18, of Annapolis
- Onjay Johnson, 19, of Laurel
- Isiah Naylor, 19, of Glen Burnie
- Richard Naylor, 22, of Glen Burnie
- Michelle Neal, 23, of Annapolis
- Jaron Rhodes, 21, of Annapolis
- Donovan Robinson, 20, of Annapolis
- Jonathan Scott, 49, of Annapolis
- Leeron Shaw, 26, of Annapolis
- Kedrick Tooles, 26, of Severn
- Sheldon Wells, 25, of Annapolis
- Keo Williams, 18, of Annapolis
Eleven others were indicted and their names will be released in the coming days.
In addition, one juvenile will also be charged in this initiative.
Starting Monday, August 17, and again early this morning the Annapolis Police Department began the process of arresting those indicted.
The city experienced six fatal overdoses due to heroin in 2013, three in 2014, and none in 2015. There have also been 25 non-fatal heroin overdoses reported in 2015. Officers with the Annapolis Police Department started carrying nasally administered naloxone in June of 2014. They have administered naloxone in four overdoses this year.
“Annapolis is a safe city, but it is not a safe place for anyone to traffic in illegal drugs,” said Annapolis Police Chief Michael Pristoop. “The police department will relentlessly continue our enforcement efforts and work with our partners to eradicate illegal drug activity. We are thankful there is reduction in heroin overdoses in Annapolis, and that is a more important goal beyond just the arrests.”
“I commend Chief Michael Pristoop and the Annapolis Police Department as today’s arrests are a significant win for our community. Heroin dealers are a clear and present enemy to our children, our citizens, and our safe streets,” said Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Wes Adams. “I am proud to work alongside a law enforcement team that prioritizes professionalism, efficiency and thorough investigations. This kind of hard work will help us stop the revolving door of recidivism.”
“Illegal drug activity in Annapolis, in particular heroin, is an epidemic and an issue that both the Governor and the County Executive understand is affecting our communities across the board,” Mayor Michael Pantelides said. “These recent indictments are just one more example of how the Annapolis Police Department, the City of Annapolis, and our new County State’s Attorney are working together to rid the city of illegal drugs while reducing crime in our city.”
The Annapolis Police Department urges citizens to report drug activity. Citizens can call 410-268-4141 to report drug activity when they see it. Anonymous tips can be called into 410-280-CLUE (2583). In an emergency please dial 9-1-1.
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