Drug investigation leads to criminal charges against six

Ryan Marshall, The Frederick News-Post, Md.
·3 min read

Frederick police said Friday that six people have been charged in a drug investigation that resulted in the seizure of fentanyl, cocaine, and various other drugs.

Officers from the Frederick Police Department’s Tactical Investigations Unit and other officers from the Frederick County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Group served search warrants at four location in Frederick County and one location in West Virginia on March 28, police said.

The search led to the seizure of 1,175 grams of suspected fentanyl, 230 grams of suspected cocaine, 219 packages of fentanyl and suspected crack cocaine, 150 bottles of Methadone, 26 Oxycodone pills, nearly $65,000 in U.S. currency, and other items, according to a Frederick Police Department press release.

Six people were indicted in the case in April, including William Joseph Jones Jr., 35, of the 11200 block of Creagerstown Road in Woodsboro, who faces charges including being a drug kingpin, distribution of cocaine, distribution of fentanyl, illegal possession of ammunition, and other drug-related charges.

Jones was held without bail after a hearing in April. A lawyer listed in court records as representing him could not be reached for comment Friday.

Detectives working with investigators from Homeland Security Investigations and with the approval of Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith began a wiretap investigation on Jones, which implicated Jones in a drug trafficking operation, according to the press release.

According to charging documents, a warrant served at Jones’ home on March 28 located a variety of drugs hidden in a bedroom safe disguised as an air vent.

Officers also allegedly found digital scales with suspected drug residue, a microwave oven believed to be used to convert powder cocaine into crack cocaine, and other items believed to be used for the preparation and sale of illegal drugs, according to the documents.

Jones was also charged with two counts of neglect of a minor, after two children were discovered in the home.

According to the charging documents, Jones was on probation at the time of his arrest for a 2019 conviction in Frederick County Circuit Court for possession with intent to distribute heroin.

Also indicted in the case were:

• Jessica Nicole Toms, 32, of the 11200 block of Creagerstown Road in Woodsboro, who faces numerous drug-related charges, two counts of neglect of a minor, and a count of reckless endangerment. She was released on her own recognizance.

• Karen Michelle Jones, 53, of the 9700 block of Gravel Hill Road in Woodsboro, who was charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and conspiracy to possess fentanyl with intent to distribute. She was released on her own recognizance.

• Jonathan Leblanc Jones, 30, of the 10700 block of Old Annapolis Road in Frederick, who was charged with seven drug possession and conspiracy charges. He was held without bail after a hearing in April.

• Anthony Tyrone Slater Jr., 39, of Hackensack, N.J., was charged with nine drug-related charges. He was held without bail after a hearing in April.

• Shane William McLain, 35, of the 100 block of North Seton Avenue in Emmitsburg, was charged with 10 drug-related and conspiracy charges. He was held without bail.

Attorneys for Karen Jones and Slater could not be reached for comment Friday.

Information on attorneys for Toms and Jonathan Jones was not available.

Elizabeth Long, an attorney representing McLain, declined to comment on the charges against her client.