Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Mahmood Hussain, age 31, of Laurel, Maryland today to 10 years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and for conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Acting Chief Stanley Johnson, of the Maryland National Capital Park Police, Prince George’s County Division; Chief Antonio DeVaul of the Maryland National Capital Park Police, Montgomery County Division; and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

According to his plea agreement, from at least April 2013 through November 2013, Hussain conspired with Marvin Taaff and others to distribute powder and crack cocaine. In addition to supplying crack cocaine purchased by a confidential informant, Hussain was overheard by law enforcement discussing the delivery of drugs, the amount of drugs, locations to conduct the transactions, and money involved in the purchase of drugs. For example, in one conversation Hussain and Taaff discuss a batch of cocaine that Taaff received from Hussain that was of poor quality. Hussain subsequently coordinated with Taaff and was observed by law enforcement retrieving the cocaine to return to Hussain’s supplier so that Taaff could get a refund. Hussain was also overheard telling Taaff that he needed to get a gun because someone stole $1,000 from him.

In addition, Hussain deposited money into a bank account, as directed by Taaff, for the purchase of drugs. The bank account was held in the name of a recruited individual, who withdrew the money as directed by another co-conspirator.

On December 5, 2013, search warrants were executed at locations in Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and Tucson, Arizona, in connection with the conspiracy. At Hussain’s residence, law enforcement recovered drug packaging materials and drug paraphernalia, approximately $1,261 in cash and approximately $1,200 in counterfeit currency, as well as 9.3 grams of crack cocaine.

Hussain admitted that during his participation in the conspiracy, at least 500 grams of powder cocaine and 28 grams of crack cocaine were distributed; and at least $91,261 was furnished in exchange for drugs.

Marvin Anthony Taaff, age 29, of Takoma Park, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 4, 2016

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the ATF, Prince George’s County Police Department, Maryland-National Capital Park Police and Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deborah A. Johnston and Lindsay Eyler Kaplan, who prosecuted the case.

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