Suspect in Fort Meade Lockdown Indicted on Federal Charges

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FORT MEADE, MD – The carjacking suspect who crashed into a gate at Fort Meade last fall -- triggering a virtual lockdown of the Army base and National Security Agency campus – has been indicted on three federal charges.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says that a federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted Dontae Small, 42 of Baltimore, on charges of conspiracy, carjacking, and destruction of government property.

Small allegedly crashed a stolen car Acura near an unmanned gate at Fort Meade following a carjacking and police chase in Baltimore. The suspect then bailed out of the car and fled the scene.

When Anne Arundel County Police officers in the Hanover area tried to stop the vehicle, Small reportedly sped away and led officers on a 4.5-mile pursuit. Near Rockenbach Road Small lost control of the vehicle and struck a fence. He then jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot.

Six Fort Meade area schools were closed for a day because of the manhunt for Small. Col. Brian Foley told The Baltimore Sun that Small hid from searchers in a storm drain overnight.

Small faces a sentence of 15 years in prison for carjacking; a maximum of 10 years in prison for destruction of government property; and a maximum of five years in prison for conspiracy.

An initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore has not yet been scheduled. Small remains in custody.