A federal grand jury has indicted Jerod Adam Taylor, a 39-year-old resident of Lexington Park, Maryland, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment was issued on February 27, 2025. Taylor appeared in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt on March 17, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gina L. Simms and was ordered to be detained.
The announcement came from Kelly O. Hayes, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, alongside Toni M. Crosby, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division (ATF).
According to the indictment details, law enforcement searched Taylor's home on November 7, 2024. During this search, they recovered a Vulcan Arms Model AK47 7.62 caliber rifle among other items. It is noted that Taylor was aware of his previous felony conviction which legally prohibited him from possessing firearms or ammunition.
If found guilty, Taylor could face up to 15 years in federal prison for the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. However, actual sentences are generally less than the maximum penalty as determined by a federal district court judge who considers U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
It is important to note that an indictment does not equate to guilt; those charged are presumed innocent until proven otherwise during subsequent legal proceedings.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched an enhanced strategy focusing on building community trust and legitimacy while supporting organizations dedicated to violence prevention.
Kelly O. Hayes praised the efforts of both ATF and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office in their investigation work related to this case and acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorneys LaShanta Harris and Chris Sarma for prosecuting it.
Further information about the Maryland U.S Attorney’s Office can be accessed at www.justice.gov/usao-md along with resources available for community assistance at https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.