Members of alleged marijuana distribution organization indicted on racketeering charges
Charges include kidnapping and murder in aid of racketeering
BALTIMORE – A federal grand jury in Maryland has indicted six people in connection with a conspiracy to distribute marijuana as part of the Brown Organization, a criminal network whose members allegedly engaged in narcotics distribution primarily in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Arizona and Jamaica. The indictment is the result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Baltimore County Police Department's Homicide/Missing Persons Unit, and the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
The third superseding indictment was returned on Oct. 25, and unsealed on Friday. The charged individuals are:
- Jean Brown, 42, of Jamaica;
- Hubert Downer, a/k/a "Doc" or "Michael Reid," 51, of Jamaica;
- Dean Myrie, a/k/a "Journey," of Jamaica;
- Dmytro Holovko, a/k/a "The Russian," 53, of Hillside, N.J.;
- Jason Carnegie, a/k/a "Dollar," "Dollar Bill," or "Dalski," 41, of Lauderhill, Fla., and;
- Anthony Hendrickson, 71, of Gardena, Calif.
"Law enforcement in Maryland are united in their resolve to protect our communities from the scourge of narcotics trafficking," said William Winter, special agent in charge for ICE HSI in Baltimore. "This Homeland Security Investigations- led investigation was greatly enhanced by the assistance and the expertise of the Baltimore County Police Department's Homicide Division who uncovered and solved the murder of a member of the Brown criminal organization. HSI will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and, ultimately, dismantle criminal organizations that are wreaking violence in our communities through the illicit drug trade."
The seven count indictment alleges that from 2000 to the present, the defendants were part of the Brown Organization and conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. The indictment further alleges that in December 2009, Brown, Downer and Myrie kidnapped and murdered Michael Knight to further the Brown Organization's drug business. Downer is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and with illegally re-entering the United States after having previously been deported after a felony conviction.
The defendants face a maximum of life in prison for the drug conspiracy. Brown, Downer and Myrie face a maximum of life in prison for kidnapping in aid of racketeering and the death penalty for murder in aid of racketeering. Brown and Downer face a maximum of 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder in aid or racketeering. Finally, Downer faces a maximum of 10 years in prison on two separate charges – being a felon in possession of a firearm, being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm – and 20 years in prison for illegal re-entry to the United States.
Hendrickson was arrested on Nov. 4 in Los Angeles and had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court there. He will be transported to Baltimore in the next few weeks. Brown, Downer, Holvko and Carnegie were previously arrested and had their initial appearances. Brown, Downer and Holvko are currently detained by law enforcement, and Carnegie is released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services. Myrie is still a fugitive.
Individuals with information about the possible whereabouts of Dean Myrie, a/k/a "Journey," should contact ICE HSI at 866-DHS-2ICE or via its online tip form. Individuals located outside the United States should call 802-872-6199.
An indictment is not an admission of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stefan D. Cassella and Peter M. Nothstein.
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