Feds Take Over Annapolis Drug-Related Murder Case

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Federal authorities have taken over a murder case against an Annapolis man as part of a dragnet against a drug ring in the area, the state's attorney for Anne Arundel County announced Wednesday. Earlier this year, Calum Jeramiah Thomas, 20, was charged with first-degree murder and related gun charges in the shooting death of Terry Paul Crouse, 55, of Annapolis.

State's Attorney Wes Adams said that his office has dismissed its case against Thomas to allow the U.S. Attorney's Office in Baltimore to pursue federal charges. Last week, Thomas and his brother, Christian Thomas, were indicted in the U.S. District Court in Baltimore on drug trafficking and related charges, including murder charges stemming from Crouse's shooting. (Get Patch’s real-time news alerts or like us on Facebook. For iPhone users, get the free Patch app.)

"Cooperation across all law enforcement agencies is paramount in the fight against crime," Adams said in a statement. "When a case warrants federal charges, my office is prepared to work in tandem with the U.S. Attorney's Office."

Crouse was shot on Jan. 2 outside his residence in the 1800 block of Kimberwicke Place. Responding to a report of gunshots in the area, Anne Arundel County police and rescue personnel arrived, found Crouse and administered CPR in an attempt to revive him, but he died at the scene.

SEE MORE: Annapolis Area Sees Spate Of Shootings

In the Sept. 7 indictment, federal authorities allege that Calum and Christian Thomas "were part of a conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine and marijuana in and around Annapolis," Adams said. They're charged with killing Crouse to further the drug trafficking conspiracy and collect a drug debt.

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