Tyon Bailey, a 31-year-old resident of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. The sentence was handed down by District Judge Adam B. Abelson.
The announcement was made by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, along with Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Washington Division; Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department (BPD); and Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS).
According to Bailey’s guilty plea, he led a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed large quantities of fentanyl in Baltimore and surrounding areas. Undercover investigators purchased 100 grams of fentanyl from members of Bailey’s DTO on several occasions between December 2023 and January 2024.
On February 12, 2024, after co-defendant Terrell Ridgley crashed his vehicle on I-695, he met with Bailey and another associate at an auto repair shop nearby. Law enforcement approached them, prompting Bailey to flee and discard a lunchbox containing fentanyl. Authorities recovered approximately 250 grams of fentanyl, 100 grams of cocaine, cash, jewelry, and a loaded Glock 23 firearm at the scene.
Later that day, law enforcement executed search warrants at locations linked to the DTO and seized four firearms and more than 60 rounds of ammunition.
Following these events, Bailey was arrested on state firearm and drug charges but continued directing his organization while detained before trial. He communicated with co-defendant Jaron Rhodes to continue DTO activities from outside detention. While awaiting trial, Bailey arranged for Rhodes to sell another 100 grams of fentanyl to an undercover investigator in May.
Bailey was federally indicted for fentanyl distribution in June 2024 and placed under home confinement but continued leading the DTO during this period as well. In July 2024, while on pre-trial release, he contacted the undercover investigator about resuming fentanyl distribution.
Investigators used court-authorized wiretaps during their investigation into Bailey’s DTO. On October 3, authorities executed additional search warrants at residences associated with the group and seized $110,000 in cash; 500 grams of fentanyl; a firearm; ammunition; kilo press; digital scale; and money counter.
In total during this investigation, law enforcement seized over one kilogram of fentanyl; six firearms; significant amounts of ammunition; at least $150,000 in cash; and jewelry valued at approximately $300,000.
Co-defendant Terrell Ridgley received an 87-month federal prison sentence followed by three years supervised release. Jaron Rhodes is scheduled for sentencing on October 15.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative aimed at disrupting major drug traffickers through multi-agency collaboration among local and federal agencies operating together in Baltimore.
U.S. Attorney Hayes acknowledged the work done by DEA agents as well as personnel from BPD and DPSCS during this investigation: “Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. O’Donohue III who is prosecuting the case.”
More information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office can be found at justice.gov/usao-md or justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
