Roddrick Navara Shelby, a 48-year-old resident of Laurel, Maryland, has entered a guilty plea in federal court for distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl. The announcement was made by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, alongside Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Washington Division and Chief Marc R. Yamada of the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD).
The investigation into Shelby's activities began in November 2024 when the DEA and MCPD suspected him of fentanyl trafficking. During this period, law enforcement conducted three controlled purchases where Shelby sold approximately 500 pills to a confidential source.
These pills were blue with "M30" imprints, resembling legitimate oxycodone hydrochloride pills from manufacturers. Laboratory tests confirmed these pills contained fentanyl. In total, Shelby sold around 1,471 fentanyl pills or over 150 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl to the source.
On March 20, 2025, authorities executed a search warrant at Shelby's residence and vehicle in Laurel. They discovered assorted ammunition in various locations within the residence, including a kitchen drawer containing one loaded magazine and several empty Glock magazines. A total of approximately 63 rounds of ammunition were found. Due to a prior conviction, Shelby was legally prohibited from owning firearms or ammunition.
Additionally, officers found three digital scales with white residue and small baggies containing substances suspected to be cocaine.
Shelby faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and could receive up to 40 years. Sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, at 10 a.m.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DEA and MCPD for their efforts in this investigation and extended thanks to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan S. McKoy and Elizabeth Wright for prosecuting the case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office and its resources on reporting fraud, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md or https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.