LEONARDTOWN, Md. — State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced that Daisaun Altay Eric Culpepper, 31, from Lexington Park, Maryland, was sentenced to 27 years in prison, including 15.5 years of active incarceration, after being convicted of possessing a large quantity of fentanyl, destroying evidence, and violating probation.
On October 16, 2024, detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office executed a search and seizure warrant at Culpepper’s residence in Lexington Park, as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation.
When law enforcement arrived, Culpepper fled into a back bedroom and remained there for about 40 minutes before surrendering. Inside the home, investigators discovered approximately 685 grams of fentanyl, several plastic bags containing the drug, digital scales with drug residue, and over $6,000 in cash.
Culpepper was arrested for violating probation on a previous fentanyl distribution conviction. He was then charged with possessing a large amount of fentanyl and other offenses related to the October 16 incident.
“This case highlights the lethal danger fentanyl poses to our community,” said State’s Attorney Sterling. “I commend the Vice Narcotics Unit for their tireless work in confiscating over half a kilo of fentanyl and preventing its distribution.”
The investigation was conducted by the Vice Narcotics Unit of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.
Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Lisa Ridge, Chief of the Narcotics Unit, prosecuted the case on behalf of the citizens of St. Mary’s County, and The Honorable Joseph Stanalonis presided over the case.
