Middle River Man Sentenced For Cocaine Distribution, Police Find Ghost Gun Nearby

HARFORD COUNTY - Jabreel Avion Samuels, a 31-year-old resident of Middle River, has been sentenced after pleading guilty to unlawful firearm possession and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

What Happened?

According to police, on the evening of June 16, 2022, a Harford County Sheriff's Office deputy spotted a vehicle without a front license plate along Route 24 near Hanson Road in Edgewood. When the deputy began following Samuels, he seemed to try evading him. The deputy subsequently called for support, and as Samuels attempted to drive away, he clipped another vehicle while turning onto Rosewood Drive.

Police said that after abandoning his vehicle, Samuels threw an object over a house's rooftop in the 600 block of Hornbeam Road. Deputies pursued him through a wooded area and over a fence. During the chase, police said that Samuels laid down and put his hands behind his back but suddenly chose to flee again.

Officials stated that after deputies caught up to Samuels, he attempted to resist arrest and was finally apprehended using a taser.

The Investigation

According to court records, deputies found a loaded Polymer 80 ghost gun, which Samuels had thrown on a nearby porch. Another ~9 grams of crack cocaine and packaging materials were discovered in the deserted vehicle.

Samuels was sentenced to a total prison sentence of 12 years. The firearms charge carries a mandatory sentence of five years, which is not eligible for parole, and the drug charge added another seven years.

Harford County State's Attorney, Alison M. Healey, emphasized the significance of this case, applauding the deputy's proactive law enforcement efforts and underlining the importance of addressing illegal firearm possession.

"Illegal possession of guns by those who are prohibited due to prior criminal convictions will always be a priority in my office, and we will always recommend significant sentences for those offenders. Deputy Dahler exemplified the value of proactive policing in this case and is commended for pursuing a fleeing, armed subject," Healey said in a statement.

The state's attorney also noted that Samuels, identified previously as a gang member, was now removed from the community, reinforcing the message that gang activity will not be tolerated in Harford County.

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