HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A Maryland man has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to selling drugs and guns to an undercover police officer.
Robert William Garland, 33, of Elk Mills, has been charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
According to the guilty plea, in January 2025, an undercover Harford County Drug Task Force detective learned that Garland was looking to sell firearms. The detective spoke over the phone with Garland about purchasing firearms. During their conversation, Garland agreed to sell the detective three rifles and a crossbow for $3,000.
Garland met the undercover detective in a Harford County shopping center parking lot. He took the weapons out of his vehicle, wrapped in clothes, and put them in the detective's trunk. The undercover detective then paid him $3,000. Garland also gave the detective two 30-round large capacity magazines, a range finder and a crossbow.
Garland is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior convictions.
Garland also offered to sell the detective drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and others. The detective arranged to purchase one ounce (28 grams) of methamphetamine for $350. On Feb. 5, Garland met the undercover detective at a Harford County Royal Farms. Garland got into the detective's vehicle and placed a bag of methamphetamine in the detective's cupholder. The detective gave Garland $350.
Garland faces a maximum of 15 years in prison for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He will be sentenced Jan. 26, 2027, at 10 a.m.
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