Maryland State Wire

Baltimore, Maryland – Travis Sentell Howell, aged 46, has entered a guilty plea for distributing 80 kilograms of cocaine. The announcement was made by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, in conjunction with Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski from the FBI's Baltimore Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian from the DEA's Washington Division.

The investigation into Howell began in fall 2022 when the FBI and DEA started looking into a drug trafficking conspiracy involving multiple individuals distributing cocaine in Baltimore. Court-authorized wiretaps on Howell’s phones revealed conversations using coded language about cocaine distribution, meetings, and cash transactions. Surveillance also showed Howell and others conducting suspected drug deals around Baltimore.

Howell reportedly sourced kilogram quantities of cocaine from the west coast, which he then redistributed locally. Payment for these drugs involved trips to the west coast where Howell handed over large sums of cash to couriers.

On June 4, 2024, federal search warrants were executed at several locations linked to the drug trafficking organization, including one associated with Howell. Authorities recovered $13,182 in cash, a money counter, a gold Rolex watch, and other jewelry from his residence. Other locations yielded over five kilograms of cocaine and various drug paraphernalia.

Howell admitted to receiving multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine over several years and redistributing them in Baltimore. He acknowledged transporting $180,000 to Los Angeles as payment for cocaine just before the search warrant execution and confirmed making multiple trips there for similar transactions.

The plea agreement suggests a nine-year federal prison sentence if accepted by the court. Sentencing is set for August 18.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative aimed at dismantling high-level criminal networks through coordinated efforts across law enforcement agencies.

U.S. Attorney Hayes praised the FBI and DEA's investigative work and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Simpkins for prosecuting the case.

Further information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office can be found at justice.gov/usao-md.