Gang Member Who Had Illegal Gun, Drugs Receives Sentence: Harford County Prosecutor

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A Middle River man has been sentenced after pleading guilty in the Circuit Court for Harford County to illegal possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

On June 16, 2022, shortly after 8:30 p.m., a Harford County sheriff's deputy saw a vehicle without a front license plate on Route 24 near Hanson Road in Edgewood. As the deputy followed the driver, Jabreel Avion Samuels, 31, of Middle River, he believed Samuels was trying to elude him so the deputy called for back-up. According to court documents, Samuels drove around another vehicle and side-swiped it while turning onto Rosewood Drive.

Samuels then abandoned his vehicle and threw an object over the roof of a house in the 600 block of Hornbeam Road. Deputies chased Samuels through the woods and over a fence. At one point, Samuels laid on the ground and placed his hands behind his back, then took off on foot again. A deputy grabbed his shirt and Samuels pushed him. The deputy then tased Samuels and placed him under arrest, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

A loaded Polymer 80 ghost gun was found on a resident’s porch where Samuels tossed it. The deputy also recovered approximately 9 grams of crack cocaine and packaging material from the vehicle Samuels abandoned. He has been sentenced to 12 years in prison total with 15 years suspending all but 5 years on the firearms count. The first 5 years of the sentence is mandatory and without the possibility of parole. He also sentenced to an additional consecutive 20 years suspending all but 7 years to serve on the drug count.

“Illegal possession of guns by those who are prohibited due to prior criminal convictions will always be a priority in my office, and we will always recommend significant sentences for those offenders. Deputy Dahler exemplified the value of proactive policing in this case and is commended for pursuing a fleeing, armed subject. Mr. Samuels has previously been identified as a gang member and removing him from our community sends a strong message that these
criminals have no place in Harford County," stated Harford County State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey.