The guilty verdict was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration—Washington Field Division; Assistant Director in Charge Paul M. Abbate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation—Washington Field Office; Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George's County Police Department; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to the evidence presented at his four-week trial, from June 2012 to December 3, 2014, Minnick conspired with Terrance Stanback, Sean Wilson, Christian Byrd, and others to distribute heroin and marijuana. From at least June 1, 2014 to December 3, 2014, Minnick used residences in Clinton, Maryland and Capitol Heights, Maryland, for the distribution and storage of heroin and other controlled substances. Over the course of the conspiracy Minnick used cellular telephones to arrange for the distribution of heroin and was intercepted on several occasions in 2014 arranging to provide distribution quantities of heroin.
Minnick faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum of life in prison, as well as a fine of up to $10 million. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has scheduled sentencing for Minnick on December 7, 2016 at 10:30 a.m.
Co-defendant Terrance Stanback, age 52, of Clinton, Maryland, pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy on the day before trial and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 14, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. Sean Wilson, age 46, of Randallstown, Maryland previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison. Christian Byrd, age 45, of Laurel, Maryland, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. Judge Chuang also ordered Byrd to forfeit $440,000, as the proceeds of his drug distribution.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA, FBI, and the Prince Georges County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City Police Departments for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deborah A. Johnston and Thomas P. Windom, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.