Robert K. Hur 36 S. Charles
Street 410-209-4800
United States
Attorney Fourth
Floor TTY/TDD:
410-962-4462
Baltimore,
Maryland 21201-2692 410-209-4885
Marcia A. Murphy FAX
410-962-3091
Public Affairs Specialist
Marcia.Murphy@usdoj.gov
August
27, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact MARCIA MURPHY
www.justice.gov/usao/md at
(410) 209-4854
FEDERAL
INDICTMENT CHARGES TWO SOUTHERN MARYLAND MEN WITH THREE COUNTS OF DISTRIBUTING
FENTANYL RESULTING IN DEATH
Greenbelt,
Maryland – A
federal grand jury today returned a superseding indictment charging Rodney
Mondell Coby, a/k/a “Cuz,” age 29, of Waldorf, Maryland, and Steven Jerome, of Leonardtown,
Maryland, with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Coby is also charged with possession with
intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in
furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and with being a felon in possession
of firearms and ammunition. Coby was
initially indicted on the drug distribution and gun charges on May 21,
2018. The superseding indictment added Jerome as a new
defendant and three counts of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.
The
superseding indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District
of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Hoernke of the
Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; St. Mary’s County
Sheriff Tim Cameron; and Charles County Sheriff Troy D.
Berry.
U.S.
Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “We are determined to reduce the number of opioid
overdose deaths in Maryland. We’re
particularly targeting those who sell fentanyl, the drug that is killing the
most of our citizens. Drug traffickers
are on notice that dealing in fentanyl increases their odds of federal
prosecution.”
The
six-count superseding indictment alleges that Coby and Jerome distributed
fentanyl to an individual on September 6, 2017, resulting in death. Further, the indictment charges Coby and
Jerome individually with distributing fentanyl on November 29, 2017 and March
27, 2018, respectively, resulting in death.
Coby is also charged with possession with intent to distribute crack
cocaine and fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug
trafficking crime, and illegally possessing five semi-automatic pistols and 159
rounds of various types of ammunition.
If
convicted, Coby and Jerome face a mandatory minimum of 20 years and up to life in
prison for each of two counts of distribution of fentanyl resulting in
death. Coby also faces a maximum
sentence of 40 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute
controlled substances; a maximum of life in prison for possession of a firearm
in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and a maximum of 10 years in prison
for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Coby has been in custody since his arrest on
April 13, 2018. Jerome is also detained
on unrelated state charges. The
defendants are expected to have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in
Greenbelt, but no date has been set.
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.
United
States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s
Office for their work in the investigation.
Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Bernstein and Erin
Pulice, who are prosecuting the case.
Rodney Mondell Coby
Steven Roger Jerome
