Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Ted Duckett, age 31, of Landover, Maryland, today to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for: conspiracy to commit a commercial robbery; conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and in relation to a crime of violence; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and in relation to a crime of violence; and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. 

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 (ATF); and Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

Duckett admitted that between September 2013 and October 29, 2013, he conspired with Donnell Williamson and others to rob certain drug dealers operating in Maryland, and conspired to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

On October 10, 2013, Duckett met an ATF undercover agent (UC) posing as a disgruntled drug courier to discuss robbing a drug stash house.  During this meeting, the UC explained how he would be transporting 2 to 3 kilograms of cocaine from a narcotics “stash house,” which would contain approximately 12 to 15 kilograms of cocaine.  The UC further explained that he planned to rob the cocaine stash house, which was protected by armed guards, and would split the stolen cocaine (12 to 15 kilograms) with whoever helped him commit the robbery.  Duckett agreed to commit the robbery and discussed how he and his crew planned to execute the robbery and obtain the cocaine.  Duckett assured the UC that he had the equipment necessary to rob a stash house protected by armed guards.  Duckett also told the UC that he would bring his robbery crew to future meetings with the UC.  While Duckett was meeting with the UC, Williamson was waiting for Duckett in a car parked nearby.

On October 11 and October 23, 2013, Duckett and members of his crew met the UC at locations in Maryland.  During these meetings, Duckett assured the UC that his crew knew how to commit these types of robberies and that if the UC had no connection to the armed guards protecting the stash house, the robbery could be done with force.  During the meeting on October 23, 2013, Duckett confirmed the particulars of the robbery and that he and his crew were prepared to do the robbery.  All of the meetings with the UC were audio and video recorded.

On October 29, 2013, the UC and Duckett spoke on the telephone and Duckett confirmed that they were ready to commit the robbery.  Duckett and Williamson drove together and met the UC in Laurel, Maryland.  The UC told Duckett that the rental car which they were going to use to commit the robbery was at a nearby location.  The UC asked Duckett if they wanted to put their “straps,” which is code for firearms, in the UC’s vehicle before driving to the rental car location.  Williamson removed a duffel bag from his vehicle, and placed it in the trunk of the UC’s vehicle.  Duckett and Williamson then followed the UC in their own vehicle to the location where the conspirators believed they would pick up the rental car and receive the location of the cocaine stash house.  Shortly after Duckett and Williamson arrived at the location, the law enforcement arrest team placed them under arrest.

A search of the duffel bag that Williamson had placed in the UC’s vehicle revealed three firearms and ammunition and clear plastic gloves.  From the conspirators and their vehicle, officers recovered black skull caps, a black balaclava, and a black ski mask.

Donnell Williamson, a/k/a “Anthony Thomas,” age 25, of Landover, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 198 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and in relation to a crime of violence. 

Duckett and Williamson have been detained since their arrest.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Leah J. Bressack and Thomas M. Sullivan, who prosecuted the case.

###