Fentanyl stash near young children leads to lengthy prison term
Frederick, MD – A Woodsboro man will spend decades in prison after investigators uncovered a fentanyl operation inside his home where two young children were living just steps from large quantities of the drug.
William Joseph Jones Jr., 38, was sentenced Monday in Frederick County Circuit Court to 60 years in prison, with all but 35 years suspended, after pleading guilty to multiple charges tied to drug trafficking and child neglect.
The charges include possession of a large amount of fentanyl, possession of a large amount of a fentanyl mixture, maintaining a common nuisance for drug distribution, and two counts of neglect of a minor.
The court ordered that the first 10 years of the sentence be served without the possibility of parole. Jones was credited with 767 days already served after being held since March 28, 2024.
The sentence exceeded Maryland’s recommended guidelines of 12 to 29 years for the offenses.
The case stemmed from a March 28, 2024 investigation when law enforcement executed a search warrant at Jones’ residence on Creagerstown Road in Woodsboro. The operation followed a long-term probe involving wiretaps and surveillance tied to suspected drug trafficking activity.
Investigators reported seizing more than 180 grams of fentanyl and fentanyl mixture from a room inside the home that had been set up for preparing, storing, and packaging drugs.
Two children under the age of seven were also found living in the residence near the narcotics, leading to the additional neglect charges.
Prosecutors argued for a sentence above guidelines, citing the volume of drugs, the structure of the operation, and Jones’ prior record. The court agreed and imposed the extended sentence.
Following his release, Jones will be required to serve five years of supervised probation with conditions including no contact with individuals connected to the case, substance abuse treatment, and mental health evaluation.
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Key Points
- Woodsboro man sentenced to 35 years for fentanyl trafficking and child neglect
- Over 180 grams of fentanyl found inside home where two young children lived
- Judge imposed sentence above guidelines with 10 years no parole
