Khalil Dunaway, a 29-year-old Baltimore resident, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison and five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland, along with officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division and the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to Dunaway’s guilty plea, detectives from the Baltimore County Police Department observed him making several hand-to-hand drug transactions in November 2023. Surveillance indicated that Dunaway spent his days at a residence in Pikesville, Maryland, and his nights at another location in Middle River, Maryland.
On December 18, 2023, law enforcement executed search warrants at both residences. At the Pikesville address, investigators found multiple firearms including a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol and an AR-15 style ghost gun rifle. They also recovered nearly one kilogram of fentanyl and over one kilogram of cocaine—both packaged for distribution—along with drug packaging equipment such as sifters, respirators, goggles, digital scales, backpacks containing kilo presses, and various cutting agents.
At the Middle River residence, authorities discovered additional firearms—including a Glock pistol reported stolen from Georgia—and ammunition. They also seized about 63 grams of fentanyl and 145 grams of cocaine. Other items found included jewelry valued at approximately $63,128 and $32,042 in cash.
A search of Dunaway’s vehicle parked at the Middle River address resulted in the seizure of around 60 suboxone strips and more phones.
Investigators reviewed security footage from inside the Pikesville residence between October and December 2023 that showed Dunaway mixing and packaging narcotics while wearing a respirator.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative designed to reduce violent crime through cooperation among law enforcement agencies and community organizations. In May 2021, the Department launched an updated strategy for PSN focused on building trust within communities and supporting violence prevention efforts (https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-launches-violent-crime-reduction-strategy-strengthen-project-safe).
U.S. Attorney Hayes praised both the DEA and Baltimore County Police Department for their work on this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. O’Donohue III prosecuted the case.
For more information about resources available through the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md or https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
