Maryland man indicted on drug and firearms charges

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Antonio Cortez Darden, of Maugansville, Maryland, appeared today before a federal magistrate judge on drug and firearms charges after being indicted last week, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Darden, 43, was indicted on one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Hydrochloride” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Darden is accused of having cocaine hydrochloride in September 2019 in Berkeley County. Darden, a person prohibited from having a firearm because of prior convictions, is accused of having a .45mm pistol in September 2019 in Berkeley County.

Darden faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the drug charge. He faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eleanor F. Hurney is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.