Hanover Man Sentenced To 35 Years In Prison On Drug, Gun Charges

HANOVER, MD — A 47-year-old Hanover man has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Paul Alexander, also known as David Paul Hayes and Shorty, was indicted in federal court on five federal charges including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substances—specifically fentanyl, possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Alexander also was ordered to forfeit more than $4 million in cash that had been seized during the investigation, three luxury vehicles, seven Rolex watches, two Cartier bracelets with diamonds, a diamond tennis bracelet and two designer bags. The jury returned its verdict Oct. 1, 2019.

“More people die of opioid overdoses than murder in Maryland, while drug dealers spend their profits on luxury cars and jewelry,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur in a statement. “Fentanyl dealers, like Paul Alexander, sell death and despair, and dealing in fentanyl and using a gun increases their odds of federal prosecution. As a result of his conviction, Paul Alexander will now spend 35 years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever. He will also forfeit to the government all of the proceeds from his drug business, including the cash, cars, jewelry and other items he bought with drug money.”

According to the evidence presented at his five-day trial, from April 2018 through January 2019, Alexander distributed large amounts of fentanyl in and around the Baltimore area. An 11-month investigation by the DEA into Alexander’s drug trafficking activities resulted in the seizure of more than 10 kilograms of fentanyl—enough fentanyl to kill 5 million people—and more than $4 million in cash from Alexander’s car and apartments.

The evidence showed that Alexander distributed fentanyl on several occasions to a Baltimore County drug trafficker in 2018. He also was observed conducting narcotics-related transactions with another drug dealer and surveillance video at his apartment complex revealed that Alexander used several vehicles to store and deliver drugs. The evidence indicated that Alexander utilized vehicles and residences in the names of relatives and associates for his drug trafficking operation.

The DEA and Anne Arundel County police executed search warrants Jan. 2, 2019, at two apartments associated with Alexander. Law enforcement testified that they recovered a loaded pistol with an extended magazine that contained 24 rounds of ammunition, multiple bags filled with over $4 million in cash, jewelry and narcotics distribution paraphernalia.

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Hanover Man Had Enough Fentanyl To Kill 5 Million People