19 indicted in drug-trafficking investigation possibly linked to killing of Gerald Brown

A group of 19 people in Baltimore City and Baltimore County face charges for their supposed roles in a massive drug trafficking ring.

The indictment accuses the group of selling fentanyl and heroin throughout Baltimore City.

According to the indictment, Xavier Johnson, the group’s alleged ring leader, is a well-known rapper who goes by the name Lor X. Investigators said they think he used social media to promote the criminal enterprise.

According to the indictment, the enterprise may have been involved in the fatal shooting of Gerald Brown, a former Frederick Douglass High School basketball standout, in June 2019. The indictment claims Brown’s death happened after one of the group’s stash houses was raided.

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh did not provide any more information on the connection between the indictment and Brown’s killing.

Frosh said the 19 suspects face multiple charges, including participation in a criminal gang and conspiracy to distribute narcotics, as well as numerous drug kingpin, possession of a large volume of drugs, and firearms-related counts.

The suspects were identified as Travis Boyette, Curtis Carolina, Antoine Ceasar, Kevin Elliott, Tyree Holmes, Xavier Johnson, Donte Jones, Terry Jones, Tyrone Jones, Crystal Kirby, Donte Lewis, Tavon Lunsford, Jamontaz Mitchell, Isaiah Moore, Aleycha Owens, Kennard Rice, Anthony Smith, and Darryl Still, all of Baltimore, and Donya Short, of Rosedale.

During the investigation, police seized almost 9 kilograms of fentanyl and other narcotics and multiple firearms.