FREDERICK, MD – A 25-year-old man from Frederick will serve a total of 17 years in prison following his conviction for illegal firearm possession and drug trafficking charges, the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
Ezra Malik Smith was sentenced by Judge Julia Minner in Frederick County Circuit Court after pleading guilty in August to Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm with a Prior Crime of Violence, Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, and Wearing or Carrying a Firearm in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime.
Smith, who has been held since February, will receive credit for time served. Upon release, he will face five years of supervised probation.
Search warrant leads to major arrest
On February 25, detectives with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigation Section executed a search warrant at an apartment building on Motter Avenue where Smith was staying.
When officers located Smith in the elevator, he attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended. A search revealed a loaded Glock .40-caliber handgun, two extended magazines, more than 10 grams of cocaine, a digital scale, and a cellphone.
Smith was prohibited from owning firearms due to a 2018 first-degree burglary conviction, legally defined as a violent crime.
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Digital evidence of drug sales uncovered
Detectives later obtained a warrant to examine Smith’s cellphone, uncovering message histories consistent with illegal drug sales. The investigation confirmed that Smith had been engaged in cocaine distribution while armed.
Prosecutor praises team effort
State’s Attorney Charlie Smith commended the efforts of Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Tumulty and Detective Justin Wright, calling the defendant “a true public safety threat.”
“Our community is safer knowing this guy will serve a substantial sentence,” Smith said.
Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Tumulty of the Felony Narcotics Unit prosecuted the case, which was led by Detective Wright of the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Section.