Maryland Man Receives 15-Year Sentence for Multifaceted Criminal Scheme Involving Drugs, Firearms, and COVID-19 Relief Fraud

A Temple Hills, Maryland man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for his involvement in both drug and firearms trafficking, as well as a significant scheme to defraud the government through fraudulent unemployment insurance claims during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman, also includes three years of supervised release and an order to pay over $950,000 in restitution.

The legal proceedings encompassed two distinct cases against Lawrence Nathanial Harris, 33. In one case, Harris was found to be involved in drug trafficking and firearms offenses. This was highlighted when law enforcement, executing a search warrant at his residence on November 16, 2022, observed him discarding a firearm and marijuana from his room. Further investigation in the attic of his home uncovered additional firearms and a substantial quantity of marijuana. Among the recovered firearms was a pistol that had been modified with a switch to function as a machine gun. Harris admitted to possessing these illegal items, recognizing the firearm was in furtherance of his drug-trafficking activities.

The second case against Harris centered on a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, specifically related to fraudulent claims filed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. According to court documents, beginning in January 2021 and continuing until September 2023, Harris and his associates orchestrated a plan to defraud the United States, the State of Maryland, various financial institutions, and numerous individuals. They submitted false and fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to the Maryland Department of Labor. Harris’s participation in this scheme resulted in losses exceeding $950,000, and he utilized debit cards issued in the names of identity theft victims to access the fraudulent funds.

The prosecution of Harris is part of a broader initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice’s District of Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force. This strike force is one of five established nationwide to combat fraud related to the pandemic and the CARES Act, which was designed to provide economic relief to Americans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These interagency efforts are data-driven and focus on identifying and prosecuting large-scale fraud schemes perpetrated by criminal organizations.

The case also falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through community engagement and targeted enforcement.

Authorities involved in the investigation and prosecution of this case include the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD). The Maryland Department of Labor was also recognized for its assistance.

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

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