On October 15, 2026, Hope Saunders, of Queenstown, MD, was sentenced to serve three years in the Division of Corrections following a guilty plea to Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine. The conviction, and sentence, stem from an investigation conducted by the Queen Anne’s County Drug Task Force that ultimately resulted in the execution of a search and seizure warrant at the defendant’s residence in Queenstown. During the search of the home investigators located cocaine, packaging material, a digital scale containing cocaine residue, and US Currency. The quantity of cocaine recovered, combined with the digital scale and US Currency was indicative of an intent to distribute. Additionally, a cellphone belonging to Saunders was seized by investigators and a download of material from the phone produced a series of text messages between Saunders and various individuals confirming the distribution of drugs.

Upon her release from prison, Saunders will be placed on 3 years of supervised probation.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy State’s Attorney, Christine Rickard, and Assistant State’s Attorney, Jessica Davidson.