Montgomery County police bust up Germantown crack ring

The 5th District Community Action Team of the Montgomery County Police Department has busted up an alleged crack ring operating in Germantown. Many citizen complaints have been received by the department about the sale of illegal narcotics in the 19500 block of Gunners Branch Road. In response, DCAT, in coordination with the department's Special Investigations Division and the 5th District Special Assignment Team, launched an investigation into this last fall. The work of many months culminated on June 25, 2025, when County officers raided three residences, and recovered a cache of firearms, money, and drugs.

Police arrested Duane Shelton, 46, of Germantown; Kevin Patton, 44, of Germantown; Anre Russell, 39, of Takoma Park; Michael Marshall, 37, of Gaithersburg; and Alexander Burch, 48, of Petersburg, Virginia. Shelton, Patton, and Russell are all being held without bond; Marshall was released on bond, and Burch was released on his own recognizance. All five have been charged with multiple controlled-dangerous-substance charges; police did not specify if firearms charges are pending.

Officers seized five vehicles; four firearms; distribution amounts of crack, PCP, and MDMA; and $43,000 in cash. One evidence photo appears to show a bulletproof vest. Detectives say that their investigation into this ring and activity are not over, however. The criminal activity alleged is on a level sophisticated enough that the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN) and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are involved, and providing inter-agency data and support.

Duane Shelton

Kevin Patton

Anre Russell

Michael Marshall

Alexander Burch

Photos courtesy MCPD

Armed fentanyl pusher busted in Rockville

Evidence seized in Friday's bust in Rockville

Fentanyl deaths in America are reportedly declining, but the dangerous synthetic opioid is still being pushed on the streets of Montgomery County. Thanks to Montgomery County police officers, a substantial number of pills have just been taken off the market. Officers searching for a juvenile male wanted for multiple offenses in the Twinbrook area of Rockville found him on Friday, November 8, 2024. The juvenile attempted to elude officers on foot, 4th District Commander Captain David Smith said, but he was ultimately caught and taken into custody.

On his person, police allege, the juvenile had a loaded gun, cash, and about 250 pressed fentanyl pills.  "The apprehension of armed individuals like this is difficult and dangerous work, but also important work," Smith said in a statement. "Fentanyl destroys lives and families, and the officers of 4D are committed to improving conditions. We also appreciate all of the members of our community who care and are equally committed to this cause."

Photo courtesy Montgomery County Police Department

Crack cocaine bust in Rockville

Rockville City police arrested a 32-year-old man for alleged possession of crack cocaine in the Twinbrook area on September 3, 2023. The arrest was made in the 5700 block of Fishers Lane. In the course of their investigation, officers discovered the man also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Synthetic drug possession at Montgomery County government office in Rockville

Montgomery County police were called to a County-operated facility in Rockville to investigate an individual in possession of synthetic drugs on Monday evening, February 14, 2022. The call came from a County government office in the 1300 block of Piccard Drive at 5:20 PM. There are several County offices and facilities at 1301 Piccard Drive, including the Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery County Child Welfare, and a crisis center. Examples of common synthetic drugs include fentanyl, bath salts and synthetic cannabinoids.

Rockville police assist U.S. marshals in arresting two at Montgomery County Circuit Courthouse

City of Rockville police assisted U.S. marshals and Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies in apprehending two men at the Montgomery County Circuit Courthouse this week, the Sheriff's Office reports. Deputies assigned to a courtroom for security in another case recognized two individuals wanted on federal charges of possession of a dangerous controlled substance, with intent to distribute.

The deputies alerted the U.S. Marshal Service and Rockville police. Personnel from both agencies responded to the scene, and the deputies then moved to successfully take both suspects into custody without incident, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office says. The Rockville officers and marshals then transported the suspects to the federal court in Greenbelt.

ASSAULT AT ROCKVILLE HOTEL, DRUG ARREST AT WOOTON HIGH SCHOOL - NIGHTS WATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME REPORT

According to recent crime data, an assault was reported at the Quality Suites Hotel in Rockville, and a drug arrest was made at Wooton High School, both last Friday.  Disorderly conduct was reported at the Twinbrook Recreation Center last Sunday.

Here's a list of incidents around Rockville between March 1-4:

Friday, March 1:

Assault. Quality Suites Hotel, Piccard Drive.

Drug arrest. Wooton HS.

Theft. 400 block College Parkway.

Theft from vehicle. 400 N. Washington Street.

Saturday, March 2:

Robbery. XX block Congressional Lane.

Theft from vehicle. 200 block N. Adams Street.

Sunday, March 3:

Disorder. Twinbrook Recreation Center.

Theft from vehicle. 1900 block Henry Road.

Monday, March 4:

Assault. 400 block Redland Boulevard.

Theft. 500 block Elmcroft Boulevard.

Drug arrest. 12600 block Twinbrook Parkway.

Theft from vehicle. 14500 block Southlawn Lane.

Drug arrest. 1600 block E. Gude Drive.

Burglary. 300 block Crabb Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 600 block Hungerford Drive.