Drug Distributor Admits Guilt in Fentanyl and Cocaine Trafficking Scheme

A Maryland resident has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to drug distribution, including possessing over 40 grams of fentanyl with intent to distribute and possessing cocaine with intent to distribute. The plea, entered on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, by Kelly Bowers, 36, of Anne Arundel County, marks a significant development in a broader investigation into a local drug trafficking organization.

The investigation, initiated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in August 2022, identified Bowers as a key figure within a drug trafficking operation known as the Newtowne 20 DTO. This organization was found to be supplying controlled substances to individuals in the Annapolis area. Law enforcement utilized court-authorized wiretaps on electronic devices belonging to members of the DTO, which provided crucial evidence and enabled investigators to identify Bowers and others involved in the illicit activities. The investigation has already resulted in multiple convictions and sentences for other members of the Newtowne 20 DTO, including Leonard Simms, Raheem Allsup, and Keith Williams, who have received prison sentences, and Isiah Naylor, who has also entered a guilty plea.

Bowers’ role within the organization was that of a primary distributor. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement recorded several communications involving Bowers, including conversations with customers and co-conspirators, further solidifying his involvement. Surveillance also captured Bowers actively participating in drug transactions. On November 27, 2023, Anne Arundel County Police Department (AACOPD) officers observed Bowers in Annapolis and witnessed him engage in a hand-to-hand transaction with an individual known to law enforcement as a user of controlled substances. Following this observation, officers initiated a traffic stop with the buyer, subsequently recovering drugs that tested positive for cocaine. Cocaine was also found in Bowers’ vehicle during a subsequent stop.

The broader investigation culminated in a coordinated takedown on January 25, 2024, following the intelligence gathered from the federal wiretaps. This operation involved executing search warrants on eight locations and four vehicles in and around Annapolis that were identified as stash houses and residences utilized by the Newtowne 20 DTO. Law enforcement also executed arrest warrants on several individuals during this sweep. The searches resulted in the seizure of various types and quantities of drugs from three locations, as well as a firearm recovered from the residence of a co-conspirator.

In his plea agreement, Bowers acknowledged his involvement in possessing at least 40 grams of fentanyl as part of the drug trafficking conspiracy. He now faces significant federal penalties, including a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years and a maximum of 40 years. Additionally, he could be subject to a lifetime of supervised release following his incarceration. Bowers’ sentencing is scheduled for January 22, 2026.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, led by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes, commended the collaborative efforts of the FBI, AACOPD, and the Annapolis Police Department (APD) in successfully conducting this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys LaRai Everett and Jon Tsuei are prosecuting the case.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in the region and highlights the severe consequences for individuals involved in the distribution of dangerous substances like fentanyl and cocaine. Residents in the affected communities can expect continued law enforcement presence and initiatives aimed at combating drug-related crime.

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

---