MD Fentanyl Arrests: Enough Doses To Kill 1 Million Seized

BALTIMORE, MD — Federal prosecutors say they have indicted six Maryland residents in a drug-trafficking operation and seized enough fentanyl to kill 1 million people – roughly one-sixth of Maryland's population.

The Drug Enforcement Administration says a dosage of 2 milligrams of fentanyl is typically considered lethal. Officers seized more than 2 kilograms of fentanyl at a Hagerstown residence, and two kilograms is enough to kill 25 times the population of Hagerstown.

A federal grand jury indicted six people for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Four of the accused were arrested on March 5: Lekeith Dion Mitchell, 49, of Hagerstown; Gary Lee Washington, 38, of Smithsburg; Joenna Marie Nicewarner, 33, of Hagerstown; and Lama Junior Jean-Pierre, 36, of Fairplay.

Two others who were indicted — Dustin Ray Stipes, 35, and Nyana Angelina Cheese, 28, both of Hagerstown — are also charged with the fentanyl distribution conspiracy, and are still being sought by police.

Mitchell is also charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and being a felon in possession of firearms. Washington also faces charges of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the indictment, the six defendants conspired to distribute fentanyl in the Hagerstown area from September through December 2018. Mitchell's residence was used to manufacture, store, distribute, and use fentanyl. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of $127,241 in cash seized during the investigation, and 12 luxury watches.

If convicted, all the defendants except Jean-Pierre face a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison for the fentanyl distribution conspiracy. Jean-Pierre faces a from five to 40 years in prison for the conspiracy, authorities said.

At the initial appearances on March 6 in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner ordered that Washington be detained pending a detention hearing. Nicewarner and Mitchell consented to detention.

Jean-Pierre was ordered to be released under court supervision.

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