GREENBELT, Md. – A federal grand jury has indicted Jerod Adam Taylor, 39, of Lexington Park, Maryland, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment, returned on February 27, 2025, follows a search of Taylor’s home on November 7, 2024, where law enforcement recovered a Vulcan Arms Model AK47 7.62 caliber rifle, among other firearms.
Taylor, who has a prior felony conviction, is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. On March 17, 2025, Taylor made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gina L. Simms, who ordered his detention.
The indictment was announced by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, alongside Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.
If convicted, Taylor faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. However, sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
It is important to note that an indictment is not a determination of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in future proceedings.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. PSN brings together law enforcement at all levels to strengthen communities and reduce crime. U.S. Attorney Hayes praised the collaborative efforts of the ATF and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys LaShanta Harris and Chris Sarma for prosecuting the case.
