Drug Ring Members Convicted and Sentenced To Jail Following Wiretap Investigation

Posted On: April 8, 2019

A lengthy wiretap investigation conducted by the Queen Anne’s County Drug Task Force and State’s Attorney’s Office during the Spring and Summer of 2018 has resulted in the conviction and sentencing of seven defendants related to their involvement in the distribution of illicit drugs throughout Queen Anne’s County. The investigation also netted the seizure of $31,870.00 in United States currency, seven vehicles, five firearms, 277 grams of cocaine, and 4.2 grams of heroin. Christine Dulla Rickard and Michael “Mick” Cuches, Deputy State’s Attorneys, handled the prosecution during the trial stage and secured the convictions.  Jennifer Doud, former Assistant State’s Attorney, supervised the investigation.

The initial targets of the investigation were Williams Louis Ryans, III and Joey Prerinze Ryans, both of Grasonville, Maryland. They were suspected of distributing cocaine and prescription pills, specifically, Oxycodone, throughout Queen Anne’s County. The State’s Attorney’s Office applied for a wiretap of their phones through the Circuit Court for Queen Anne’s County. After being granted authority to wiretap their phones, investigators were able to piece together the workings of their criminal enterprise as well as the discovery of a number of other people who were involved.  Numerous Court authorized search and seizure warrants were executed in early June, 2018 at a number of locations in Queen Anne’s and Caroline Counties as well as Lewes, Delaware which lead to indictments of nine individuals.

Ms. Rickard and Mr. Cuches secured the following convictions as a result of the investigation:

  • William Louis Ryans, III, Case Nos. Case Nos. C-17-CR-18-000349 and C-17-CR-18-000351, Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court: Convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute (Cocaine) and Distribution of Cocaine. Sentenced to two 20 year sentences, execution of that sentence suspended with all but five years to serve, concurrent with 36 months of supervised probation to follow incarceration. $6,081.00 in US Currency and three vehicles were forfeited; a fourth vehicle forfeiture is pending a contested trial.
  • Joey Prerinze Ryans, Case Nos. C-17-CR-18-000348 and C-17-CR-18-000361, Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court: Convicted, after beginning a jury trial, to Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Distribution of Cocaine. Sentenced to two 20 year sentences, execution of that sentence suspended as to all but four years to serve, concurrent with 36 months of supervised probation to follow incarceration.
  • Charles Melvin Hawkins, Case No. C-17-CR-18-000355, Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court: Convicted of Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute (oxycodone). Sentenced to 10 years, execution of that sentence suspended as to all but 18 months to serve with 36 months of supervised probation to follow incarceration. Forfeited $117.00.
  • Clydale Lamont Henry, Case Nos. Case No. C-05-CR-18-000263 and C-05-CR-18-000245, Caroline County Circuit Court: Convicted of one count of Conspiracy Possession with the Intent to Distribute (oxycodone) and one count of Possession (not marijuana). Sentenced to 20 years, execution of that sentence suspended as to all but two years to serve with 36 months of supervised probation to follow incarceration. All firearms, firearm paraphernalia, ammunition, and $18,374.00 were forfeited.
  • Dallas Raquel Hook, Case No. Case No. C-17-CR-18-000356, Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court: Convicted of Conspiracy to Possess (not marijuana). She received 60 days to serve.
  • Christopher Scott Smith, Case No. Case No. C-17-CR-18-000353, Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court: Convicted of Possession with the Intent to PWID (cocaine). He was sentenced to 10 years, execution of that sentence suspended as to all but three years to serve with five years of supervised probation to follow incarceration. Defendant bought back his seized truck for $3,000.00 and forfeited $1,118.00.
  • Jermaine Garnell Taylor, Case No. C-17-CR-18-000357, Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court: Defendant entered a plea of guilty to Attempted Possession (not marijuana)(subsequent offender). He was given 30 days to serve.

The Queen Anne’s County Drug Task Force was assisted by law enforcement officers from the Maryland State Police, Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff, Centreville Police Department, Chestertown Police Department, and Caroline County Sheriff’s Office.