Rehab Center Employee Faces Up To 14 Years In Prison For Drug, Weapons Charges

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A 46-year-old Upper Marlboro man has pleaded guilty to federal charges for conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine; for illegally transporting a firearm obtained out of state; and for possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine.

According to his guilty plea, from at least June 2016 through July 2017, Stewart conspired with Patrick Nathan Broxton, Stephen Eugene Clark, Jr., Stephen Michael Kinnison, Robert Eugene Davidson and others to distribute heroin and cocaine in Calvert and Prince George’s county. Stewart obtained heroin from Broxton and then sold smaller quantities of heroin to Kinnison, Davidson and others. Stewart also supplied cocaine to Kinnison and others for further distribution.

During this time, Stewart regularly communicated with Broxton, Clark, Kinnison, Davidson and others, both in person and via phone calls and text messaging, to arrange their narcotics transactions. Under the supervision of law enforcement, a confidential informant purchased quantities of heroin totaling 23 grams from Stewart on four occasions between Sept. 8, 2016, and Feb. 10, 2017.

Law enforcement obtained court-authorized wiretaps for the cell phones used by Stewart, Broxton, Clark, Kinnison and Davidson. Those intercepted communications showed that Stewart knew that Davidson and Kinnison resold portions of the drugs they purchased from Stewart to their own customers; that Broxton was obtaining distribution quantities of heroin; that Clark was obtaining distribution quantities of cocaine; and that both Broxton and Clark had other narcotics clients besides Stewart.

Between April 11-13, 2017, Stewart and Broxton communicated by phone to arrange a heroin transaction at a convenience store in Anne Arundel County. Law enforcement conducted surveillance of Broxton and saw him leave his job at a drug rehabilitation facility to meet Stewart at the convenience store where Stewart bought 150 grams of heroin from Broxton. Immediately following the meeting, Stewart returned to his residence and contacted one of his customers to see if the customer needed more heroin.

As detailed in his plea agreement, between April 15 and May 6, 2017, Stewart purchased cocaine from Clark on three occasions, totaling more than 210 grams of cocaine. On April 24, 2017, Stewart arranged by phone to purchase 4.5 grams of cocaine from Clark for $4,000. Later that day, law enforcement surveilled the meeting at a fast-food restaurant in Prince George’s County, where Stewart and Clark completed the transaction.

On July 6, 2017, law enforcement executed search warrants at locations associated with the drug distribution conspiracy, including Stewart’s two residences in Upper Marlboro. From Stewart’s residences, law enforcement recovered, among other things, a total of approximately 138 grams of heroin; approximately three grams of cocaine, crack cocaine and procaine (a local anesthetic drug); a prescription pill bottle containing approximately 89 Oxycodone pills; approximately three grams of a white powdery substance consisting of cocaine, heroin, caffeine, and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine); approximately 15 grams of cocaine; a total of $40,235 in cash; and drug paraphernalia, including an electric grinder and digital scale, both with heroin and cocaine residue; two bottles of Mannitol powder (a cutting agent); and empty zip-lock baggies. Stewart admitted that he possessed the controlled substances, baggies, and grinder as part of his drug trafficking business and intended to distribute the drugs.

In addition, law enforcement officers also located and seized a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with nine rounds of ammunition and a spare magazine loaded with nine rounds of .40 caliber ammunition; a 9mm Luger caliber semi-automatic pistol; a 12 gauge pump-action firearm; nine rounds of 9mm ammunition; approximately 21 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition; seven 12 gauge shotgun shells; and approximately $16,687 in cash. Stewart admitted that he possessed the firearms and ammunition in furtherance of his drug trafficking business. Further investigation revealed that the 12 gauge pump-action firearm and the .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol were both stolen.

According to his plea agreement, Stewart, who was not a licensed importer manufacturer, dealer, or collector of firearms and who was on probation at the time, transported, or caused to be transported firearms from outside the state of Maryland to his residence. In particular, between Jan. 24, 2014, and July 6, 2017, Stewart caused the transportation of a Smith and Wesson model SD9VE, bearing serial number HFC4476, from outside Maryland to his residence.

Stewart and the government have agreed that if the court accepts his plea, Stewart will be sentenced to between 8 and 14 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled sentencing for March 1, 2022, at 10 a.m.

Co-defendants Patrick Nathan Broxton, 50, of Ellicott City; Stephen Eugene Clark, Jr., 57, of Laurel; Stephen Michael Kinnison, 47, of Lusby; and Robert Eugene Davidson, 32, of Sunderland, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy. Broxton was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison; Clark was sentenced to 19 months in federal prison; and Kinnison was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison. Davidson is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 14, 2022.