Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Karon Foster, age 26; Rashaud Nesmith, age 19; Jamai Wells, age 30; and Daniel Williams, age 29, all of Baltimore, Maryland, on federal charges related to a racketeering conspiracy, resulting in numerous murders, carjacking, robberies, and firearms crimes in Baltimore City.

The indictment, returned on February 11, 2020, was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

“We will not allow armed carjacking and robbery crews to threaten our neighborhoods and victimize our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “Having allegedly used guns to bring fear and death to our streets, these defendants now face the prospect of years in federal prison.  Police officers, federal agents, and state and federal prosecutors are united and determined to bring such violent offenders to justice together.”

“Citizens of Baltimore City deserve to feel that they can drive down this city’s streets and stand in their front yard without fear of gun violence or death,” said ATF Baltimore Field Division Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones.  “We are proud of the partnerships we have with both prosecutors and law enforcement that allows ATF Special Agents and Baltimore Police Task Force Officers to get violent offenders, especially those who use firearms to commit their crimes, off the street and brought to justice.”

“The Baltimore Police Department has a deep appreciation for the dedicated work of our federal partners for indicting the people responsible for these heinous crimes,” said Commissioner Michael Harrison. “We are extremely grateful for this partnership that brought this case to closure and ensuring that justice will be served.  We will continue to work side-by-side with all of our law enforcement partners in identifying and apprehending repeat violent offenders and taking them off the streets of Baltimore.”  

“This federal indictment sends a loud and clear message to anyone who wishes to foster an atmosphere of fear within our neighborhoods,” said Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. “This sort of reckless violence will not be tolerated by the community, law enforcement, nor my office.  I applaud the work and ongoing partnership between my office and our federal partners. Collaboration and partnership like this is key to tackling the violence in our city to achieve the progress that we seek and that our city and state deserve.”

According to the indictment, Karon Foster and Rashaud Nesmith were part of a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in acts of violence, including murders, attempted murders, robberies, carjackings, and using firearms during those acts of violence.  The purpose of this was to intimidate others who would interfere with their enterprise and that they sought to gain a certain status in the community and on social media platforms, as well as generating profits for themselves.

It is specifically alleged that between April 19, 2019 and August 8, 2019, members of the conspiracy committed six armed carjackings and four armed robberies in Baltimore City.  During the armed carjacking on June 12, 2019, one victim was murdered by Foster and others.  The armed robberies on July 23, 2019 and August 1, 2019 resulted in the murder of two victims by Foster, Nesmith, and others.  Additionally, an armed robbery by Foster and Nesmith on August 8, 2019 resulted in a non-fatal shooting of the victim. Jamai Wells and Daniel Williams are alleged to have participated with Foster and others in at least one armed carjacking.

Charges for each defendant include:

•           Karon Foster – Conspiracy to Participate in Racketeering Activity; Carjacking Conspiracy; Conspiracy to Use and Carry a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; three counts of Carjacking; three counts of Use, Carry, and Brandish a Firearm During and in  relation to a Crime of Violence; Carjacking Resulting in Death; and Use, Carry, and Discharge a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violencer

•           Rashaud Nesmith - Conspiracy to Participate in Racketeering Activity; Carjacking Conspiracy; Conspiracy to Use and Carry a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Carjacking; and Use, Carry, and Brandish a Firearm During and Relation to a Crime of Violence

•           Jamai Wells - Carjacking Conspiracy; Conspiracy to Use and Carry a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Carjacking; Use, Carry, and Brandish a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person

•           Daniel Williams - Carjacking Conspiracy; Conspiracy to Use and Carry a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Carjacking; and Use, Carry, and Brandish a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.  

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation, and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work during the state prosecution phase. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia C. McLane, who is prosecuting the case.

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