Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Greenbelt, Maryland – Carjandario Danielle Yarborough, age 35, of Washington, D.C, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and controlled substance analogues, and to murder in furtherance of the conspiracy. She and federal prosecutors also agreed to recommend to the judge that he impose a sentence of 20 years in prison.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Ashan M. Benedict of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Washington Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Jesse R. Fong of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Chief Peter Newsham of the Metropolitan Police Department; and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha N. Braveboy.

According to her plea agreement, from at least January 1, 2016 through February 9, 2019, Carjandario Danielle Yarborough conspired with others to distribute synthetic cannabinoids, and other controlled substances and controlled substance analogues. Controlled substance analogues are substances that are chemically manufactured to mimic, and create a "high" similar to other drugs. Yarborough and her co-conspirators obtained synthetic cannabinoids, known by various names, including "Salt," and sold them in Maryland and other locations, including the District of Columbia and Virginia. Yarborough and her co-conspirators obtained cash from the drug sales and possessed firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy. Yarborough and her co-conspirators routinely rented hotel rooms and vehicles to distribute the synthetic cannabinoids.

On September 29 and September 30, 2016, Yarborough and co-conspirator 1, ("CC-1") rented hotel rooms in Temple Hills, Maryland, to prepare and distribute synthetic cannabinoids. While at the hotel, Yarborough and CC-1 believed that another co-conspirator, Victim 1, had stolen money from them in connection with the sale of synthetic cannabinoids. When CC-1 confronted Victim 1 about the suspected theft, Yarborough stabbed Victim 1 in the chest with a knife, killing him.

After Victim 1 was killed, CC-1 and another co-conspirator removed synthetic cannabinoids and drug proceeds from the hotel room. After the co-conspirators left the hotel room where Victim 1 had been killed, Yarborough called 911 and falsely reported that she had killed Victim 1 in self-defense.

On January 30, 2018, Yarborough and CC-1 sold synthetic cannabinoids to a law enforcement officer. On February 9, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence where Yarborough and CC-1 lived. Law enforcement recovered synthetic cannabinoids intended for distribution, a 9mm pistol, a 25-caliber pistol, and $1,640.79 in cash, which was generated from the sale of synthetic cannabinoids.

Yarborough and the government have agreed that 20 years in prison is the appropriate disposition of this case and will recommend that sentence to the Court. U.S. District Judge Theodore C. Chuang has scheduled sentencing for June 18, 2019 at 9:30.m.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF, the DEA, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and recognized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore and the Arlington County Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys William D. Moomau and Gregory D. Bernstein, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

# # #