Bel Air Man Sentenced to 9 Years on Federal Gun and Drug Charges

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Baltimore:

U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Michael Ronnell Wells, a/k/a “Big Mike,” age 25, of Bel Air, Maryland, today to 108 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute narcotics and possession of a firearm in furtherance of narcotics trafficking.

The sentence was announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Theresa R. Stoop of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Baltimore Field Division; and the members of the Harford County Task Force – Harford County State’s Attorney Joseph I. Cassilly, Harford County Sheriff L. Jesse Bane, Chief Randy Rudy of the Aberdeen Police Department, Chief Teresa Walter of the Havre de Grace Police Department and Colonel Terrence Sheridan, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

According to Wells’ plea agreement, from April 2006 through January 26, 2008 Wells was involved in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine in the Churchville area of Aberdeen. Customers would contact Wells on his cell phone to arrange a time and place to meet for the purchase. Sometimes cars would be lined up waiting to purchase crack from Wells on Asbury Road or nearby streets. As part of the investigation, in early January 2008, Harford County Sheriff’s deputies began surveillance of Wells as he traveled from his home in Bel Air to the Asbury Road area, where they saw Wells engage in hand-to-hand narcotics transactions. On January 26, 2008, Wells was overheard arranging to buy crack cocaine from his supplier, Candis Mack. Law enforcement observed the meeting and arrested Wells as he left the meeting. Officers recovered 16.5 grams of crack from Wells. In addition, officers recovered two handguns, five cell phones and $155 from Wells’ vehicle.

Candis Mack, age 35, of Joppa, Maryland was sentenced to 135 months in prison on May 27, 2009, after pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute powder and crack cocaine.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorneys Jefferson M. Gray and Christopher J. Romano, who prosecuted the case.