A 30-year-old city man was sentenced yesterday in federal court to 20 years in prison for carrying a loaded gun, crack cocaine and marijuana, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors highlighted the lengthy prison sentence at a news conference in an effort to deter criminals from committing gun crimes, part of a new crime-fighting strategy led by the state's attorney's office that would guarantee prison time for those convicted of carrying guns.
"Baltimore Exile," a collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement, would seek significant prison sentences for those convicted of gun crimes by prosecuting more of those cases in federal court, where prosecutors enjoy a higher conviction rate and sentences are generally harsher. The strategy is in its planning stage, but is expected to be formally implemented within a month.
FOR THE RECORD - An article in yesterday's editions of The Sun on federal prosecutions of gun crimes misquoted Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. The quotation should have read: "If you are a convicted felon, if you are a drug dealer carrying a gun on the streets of Baltimore, you are indeed an idiot."
The Sun regrets the error.
Mayor Martin O'Malley, who is running for governor and is expected to face harsh criticism from opponents for the level of violent crime in Baltimore, has criticized federal prosecutors for not taking on more gun cases. Part of the new strategy, which also aims to reduce homicides in the city, is to warn criminals of the long prison sentences that await if they are convicted of carrying firearms, said Rod J. Rosenstein, U.S. attorney for Maryland.
He pointed to Ian McDonald, the man sentenced to 20 years in prison, as a symbol of criminals on Baltimore's streets who don't realize the potential penalties they face for carrying firearms. McDonald, who was convicted in October of firearm and drug possession, also faces six years of supervised probation after he is released from prison.
McDonald, Rosenstein said, expressed regret for breaking the law at his sentencing, calling himself "an idiot."
"We agree with Mr. McDonald," Rosenstein said. "If you do carry on gun on the streets of Baltimore, you are indeed an idiot."
Rosenstein was joined by Baltimore State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy, Baltimore Police Commissioner Leonard D. Hamm and Theresa Stoop, special agent in charge at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives.
Jessamy said her office had referred hundreds of gun cases to federal prosecutors in 2005, with more than 100 prosecuted there.
"Our message today ... press conference after press conference ... to gun-toting criminals in Baltimore: Law enforcement at all levels will not tolerate your activities," she said.
nicole.fuller@baltsun.com
