Terrell Ridgley, a 34-year-old resident of Perry Hall, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The announcement was made by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, in collaboration with Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Baltimore Police Department Commissioner Richard Worley, and Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Ridgley's involvement in drug trafficking was linked to a drug trafficking organization led by co-defendant Tyon Bailey. According to court documents, an undercover agent purchased fentanyl from Bailey multiple times during late 2023 and early 2024. During this period, Ridgley was observed meeting with Bailey and other members of the organization.
On January 3, 2024, authorities saw Ridgley leaving a vehicle carrying what appeared to be controlled substances in his sweatshirt. A subsequent K-9 scan indicated narcotics were present in his vehicle.
A significant development occurred on February 12, 2024, when Ridgley crashed his car on I-695 and met Bailey at an auto repair shop. Law enforcement engaged them and recovered approximately 250 grams of fentanyl, along with cocaine and cash from Bailey. Additionally, a loaded Glock 23 firearm was seized near where Ridgley had been before police intervention.
Wiretap interceptions authorized by the court revealed conversations between Ridgley and Bailey discussing fentanyl distribution in August 2024. These discussions included references to "blue stuff" stored at Bailey’s residence.
A search warrant executed on October 3, 2024, at Ridgley's home led investigators to find him flushing suspected purple fentanyl down the toilet; some was salvaged by law enforcement. Investigators also discovered bags containing various colors of suspected fentanyl: purple, blue, and white.
In totality, over 400 grams of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl were seized from Ridgley's residence alongside cocaine and cutting agents used for preparing drugs for distribution. Ridgley admitted he intended to distribute these substances.
Ridgley faces up to 20 years in prison with sentencing scheduled for September 22 at 10 a.m.
This case is part of the Department of Justice's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative aimed at disrupting major drug traffickers and related criminal organizations through multi-agency collaboration.
U.S. Attorney Hayes praised the efforts of DEA, BPD, DPSCS during this investigation while acknowledging Assistant U.S. Attorney James O’Donohue’s role in prosecuting this case.
For further details about initiatives undertaken by Maryland's U.S Attorney’s Office visit their official website or community outreach page online.