Baltimore Man Receives Over 10-Year Sentence for Firearm Trafficking Conspiracy

A Baltimore County man has been sentenced to 130 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to traffic 14 firearms. Cedrick Brinkley, 31, of Windsor Mill, Maryland, will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland, in conjunction with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

According to court documents, Brinkley and his co-conspirator, Steven Lee, 38, of Baltimore, Maryland, agreed on multiple occasions in April 2024 to sell firearms to an ATF undercover agent. The agent had informed them that the firearms were intended for resale to an individual in New Jersey. Lee had previously pleaded guilty to the firearms trafficking conspiracy and was sentenced to 102 months in federal prison.

The illegal transactions began on April 3, 2024, when Brinkley met with the undercover agent and a confidential informant. During this meeting, Brinkley sold four firearms and 50 rounds of ammunition to the agent for $4,500. Approximately two weeks later, on April 17, law enforcement observed Brinkley and Lee in a vehicle at a planned meeting location. Brinkley then exited his vehicle, met with the undercover agent, and exchanged five 9-millimeter pistols for $6,100.

A final transaction was arranged for April 24. Prior to this meeting, law enforcement saw Brinkley and Lee together in a parking lot. Brinkley retrieved a black bag from Lee’s vehicle, returned to his own car, and then proceeded to the meeting spot. While Lee did not physically attend this final exchange, he was involved in the negotiation. Brinkley presented the black bag to the undercover agent, removing five firearms. When the agent sought to negotiate a better price, Brinkley contacted Lee via speakerphone. During the call, Lee provided a detailed description of the firearms, including one that was equipped with a machinegun conversion device. The undercover agent reiterated the intent to resell the firearms for profit, and Brinkley subsequently received $7,800 for these five firearms, which included various caliber pistols, one with the aforementioned machinegun conversion device.

In total, Brinkley trafficked 14 firearms and 50 rounds of ammunition to the undercover agent. Of the firearms sold, four were reported stolen, and one was fitted with a machinegun conversion device. Further investigation revealed that on May 3, Brinkley purchased 50 rounds of semi-jacketed hollow point .32 caliber ammunition from a gun shop in Essex, Maryland. This purchase was made despite Brinkley being prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.

During a search of Brinkley’s Baltimore County residence on July 2, investigators discovered a Glock 43x 9mm pistol and $19,900 in a safe containing Brinkley’s identification. Additionally, a KE Arms KE-9 9mm rifle was found among Brinkley’s clothing in his closet.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. The program has been strengthened by a strategy launched in May 2021, focusing on building trust with communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland thanked the ATF for its diligent work in investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. O’Donohue III prosecuted the case.

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

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