A federal judge sentenced a Baltimore man, today, in connection with drug-trafficking crimes. 

U.S. Chief District Judge George L. Russell, III, sentenced Dennis Harlee, 26, to 70 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD).

According to court documents, on December 4, 2025, BPD officers patrolled a West Baltimore block known as a prolific open-air drug market and for gun violence associated with the drug trade. After an unknown person spotted law enforcement, and then alerted others that police were in the area, several individuals, including Harlee, sprinted out of the rear yard of a residence on the block. 

Detectives saw Harlee running while holding his left arm stiff against the side of his body. It appeared that he held something against his waistband with his left hand while using his right arm and hands to assist his left. Law-enforcement officers believed Harlee was armed, so they followed him in their vehicle before eventually pursuing him on foot.

Harlee entered a backyard and then attempted to toss the firearm, but it bounced off the side wall of a house. Officers recovered the firearm and took Harlee into custody. The recovered firearm was loaded with five rounds of ammunition, one of which was a chambered round. Additionally, while searching Harlee, law enforcement recovered a clear plastic bag, containing 32 clear gel caps of fentanyl/4-ANPP mix. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

 U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF and BPD for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Wood who prosecuted the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community,