Perry Hall Man Receives Nearly Seven-Year Prison Sentence for Fentanyl Distribution

A Perry Hall man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking operation. According to information released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Terrell Ridgley, 34, will serve 87 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

The investigation revealed Ridgley’s involvement in a drug trafficking organization led by co-defendant Tyon Bailey. Authorities observed Ridgley participating in drug sales with Bailey on multiple occasions between late 2023 and early 2024, during which an undercover agent purchased fentanyl from Bailey. Ridgley was seen meeting with Bailey and other members of the organization during this period. In early January 2024, law enforcement observed Ridgley exiting a vehicle carrying what appeared to be controlled substances concealed in his sweatshirt. A subsequent K-9 scan of Ridgley’s vehicle indicated the presence of narcotics.

Further events unfolded in February 2024, when Ridgley was involved in a vehicle accident on I-695. Following the crash, he met with Bailey and another individual at a nearby auto repair shop. During the encounter with law enforcement, approximately 250 grams of fentanyl, 100 grams of cocaine, a significant amount of cash, and jewelry were recovered from Bailey. Additionally, a loaded Glock 23 firearm, containing 23 rounds, was found in a vehicle that Ridgley and the others had been near shortly before law enforcement intervened.

In August 2024, court-authorized wiretap interceptions captured Ridgley discussing fentanyl distribution with Bailey, specifically mentioning the storage of “blue stuff” at Bailey’s residence. Some of the fentanyl previously purchased by the undercover agent had been in a blue powder form. The investigation culminated on October 3, when law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ridgley’s Perry Hall residence. During the search, Ridgley was observed attempting to flush a purple fentanyl mixture down the toilet, with law enforcement managing to salvage some of the substance. The search of the residence also yielded bags containing fentanyl mixtures in various colors, including purple, blue, and white.

In total, investigators seized over 400 grams of fentanyl and cocaine from Ridgley’s residence, along with materials commonly used to prepare fentanyl for distribution. Ridgley acknowledged his possession of the fentanyl with the intent to distribute it. Sentencings for co-defendants Tyon Bailey and Jaron Rhodes are scheduled for later this month and in October, respectively. This prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFTF) Strike Force Initiative, which aims to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking operations through multi-agency collaboration.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland.

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