2 Men Indicted In MD Murder-For-Hire Operation

BALTIMORE, MD — Two men are facing numerous charges after prosecutors said they killed six people as part of a murder-for-hire operation in Baltimore.

Cornell Moore and Keith Russell were indicted by a grand jury on 41 and 37 counts, respectively, including first-degree murder, attempted murder and participation in a criminal gang, Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates announced Tuesday.

According to prosecutors, Moore and Russell are tied to several murders, multiple non-fatal shootings and a series of carjackings through their involvement in a criminal enterprise operating in Baltimore and elsewhere in Maryland.

"This case represents the devastating impact a small number of violent perpetrators can have on our communities,” Bates said in a statement. "These indictments are a critical step in holding those responsible for this senseless violence accountable and ensuring they can no longer harm our residents."

According to the indictment, Moore and Russell joined the operation in October 2020. Prosecutors said they were paid to commit acts of violence on behalf of the operation to earn the respect of other members as well as secure and advance their positions within the group.

The goal of the operation was to establish dominance over rival gangs and drug trafficking organizations in Baltimore City through acts of violence, prosecutors said.

The indictment accuses Moore and Russell of fatally shooting David Reid, Shabro Meredith, Rashad Dendy, Tyree Davis, Tayvon Scott, Yahmell Montague and Angel Smith and attempting to kill three other victims during a series of calculated murders. According to prosecutors, the pair used carjacked and stolen vehicles to kill many of the victims.

Moore and Russell are also accused of Members using shell limited liability corporations, bank accounts in minors’ names and money applications to hide payments earned from the crimes.

In a statement, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said the indictments are proof that criminal organizations in the city "will be dismantled and brought to justice every time."

"They will not get away with wreaking havoc on our communities and causing lasting trauma through violent actions," Worley said. "Together, we continue to work toward the common goal of making Baltimore a safer place for all who live, work and play here."