Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Charges
Baltimore, Maryland – On April 25, 2018, Antonio Reed, age 26, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and a crime of violence.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) - Baltimore Field Division.
According to his plea agreement, between May 26, 2017 and June 8, 2017, Reed and his co-conspirators planned to commit an armed robbery of a drug stash house for the purpose of stealing multiple kilograms of cocaine from a drug cartel. Reed and his co-conspirators planned this robbery with a person who was actually an undercover special agent with the ATF.
On June 8, 2017, Reed, along with his three co-conspirators, met with the undercover special agent to carry out the robbery. Reed believed that the group would commit the robbery of the drug stash house that day and that drugs would be stolen. Had Reed and his co-conspirators committed the robbery, interstate commerce would have been affected.
In furtherance of the conspiracy, Reed possessed a Smith & Wesson pistol and brought a mask and fabric gloves to use during the robbery. Reed also knew that his co-conspirators carried two other firearms that they would use in the planned robbery.
Reed faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. United States District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for August 9, 2018, at 11:30 a.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew DellaBetta, who is prosecuting the case.