Baltimore Felon Exiled to 20 Years in Prison for Gun and Drug Crimes

BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Antoin Lamont Garrison, age 46, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 20 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegal possession of guns and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Judge Blake enhanced Garrison’s sentence upon finding that he is an armed career criminal based on three previous convictions for drugs and violent crime.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts; and Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler.

According to testimony presented at Garrison’s five-day trial, in May 2011, Baltimore Police officers and FBI agents received information from a source that Garrison had offered to sell the source guns and drugs. Witnesses testified that after additional investigation, law enforcement arranged for the source to purchase ammunition, firearms, and cocaine from Garrison. On May 20, 2011, Garrison met with the source and sold the source 200 rounds of ammunition. On May 24, 2011, the source contacted Garrison. The two agreed to meet and Garrison provided the source with a police issued bullet proof vest. Later that same day, Garrison and the source met again at a residence on Bartlett Avenue. Garrison brought a black bag out of the residence and showed the source two handguns that were in the bag. Garrison explained that those guns were for protection but that he had other guns he could sell to the source. The source paid Garrison $3,750 in FBI funds to purchase three ounces of cocaine. Garrison told the source he would contact the source to arrange delivery of the cocaine. According to trial testimony, Garrison met with the source the next day and provided 70.7 grams of cocaine.

On May 27, 2011, a search warrant was executed at the Bartlett Avenue residence. Law enforcement agents seized a .22 LR rifle; a 30-30 caliber rifle; 9mm handgun loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition; a .22 caliber revolver; and various rounds of ammunition.

Garrison was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to his previous felony convictions.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Baltimore Police Department, Baltimore City State’s Attorney's Office, and Maryland Attorney General’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Special Assistant United States Attorney Gerald A. A. Collins, a cross-designated Maryland Assistant Attorney General assigned to exile cases, and Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin M. Block, who prosecuted the case.