Gregory Kielma • May 9, 2025
Osman Malik Sesay, 32, of Gambrills, Maryland a Felon with guns
Felon Convicted for Possessing Machinegun in Connection With Drug Trafficking
Thursday, May 8, 2025
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maryland
Defendant faces 35-year mandatory minimum sentence
Baltimore, Maryland – After a five-day trial, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict against Osman Malik Sesay, 32, of Gambrills, Maryland.
Sesay was found guilty of a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; maintaining a drug involved premises; and possession of firearms — including a machinegun — in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes.
The conviction of possession of a machinegun in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of 30 years' imprisonment. Sesay faces an additional mandatory consecutive sentence of five years imprisonment for possessing another firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking on a previous date.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the verdict with Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan, Federal Bureau of Investigation – Washington Field Office, Criminal and Cyber Division; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Chief Amal E. Awad, Anne Arundel County Police Department; and Chief Malik Aziz, Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD).
According to the evidence presented at trial, between November 13, 2020, and continuing until at least July 16, 2021, Sesay conspired with others in a drug trafficking operation involving the bulk distribution of marijuana. Sesay used multiple fake identifications — and at least four stolen luxury vehicles and seven firearms, including two equipped with machinegun conversion devices — to facilitate his drug trafficking operation. He also leased apartments under fake names to store his drugs, proceeds, and firearms.
Anne Arundel County Police Department and PGPD Washington Area Vehicle Enforcement (W.A.V.E.) Auto Theft Unit detectives observed Sesay operating stolen vehicles in March 2021. On April 29, 2021, W.A.V.E. detectives arrested Sesay in Prince George’s County, Maryland, driving a stolen Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged.
During the arrest, authorities found that Sesay possessed more than $14,000 in U.S. currency and a fraudulent Maryland driver’s license. The fraudulent Maryland driver’s license was associated with a fraudulently rented apartment in Lanham, Maryland, where Sesay stored his drugs. Sesay also had a Glock 26 firearm in the glove compartment of the stolen vehicle, which Sesay possessed in furtherance of his drug trafficking. The Glock 26 firearm had a machinegun conversion device attached.
Then on June 30, 2021, after he was released on a bond pending trial, a PGPD Guardian Helicopter captured surveillance footage of Sesay conducting a drug transaction out of a stolen Corvette in a Washington, D.C. school parking lot. On July 16, 2021, law enforcement executed search warrants on Sesay’s fraudulently rented apartments in Lanham, Maryland, and Gambrills, Maryland.
Sesay used the fraudulently rented apartment in Lanham, Maryland as a stash house for his drugs, and used the fraudulently rented apartment in Gambrills, Maryland to store more drugs, cash, and firearms. In total, law enforcement recovered approximately 90 pounds of marijuana. Evidence showed that Sesay transported marijuana across the country on a commercial airplane using fake identification.
Law enforcement also recovered more than $40,000 in U.S. Currency and six firearms, five of which were loaded, from the apartment in Gambrills, Maryland. And officers seized the stolen Corvette, a stolen Audi A7 sedan, and a stolen Land Rover Range Rover Velar that Sesay used as part of his drug trafficking operation. Inside the vehicles, law enforcement recovered more marijuana. Additionally, law enforcement discovered a loaded Glock 30 firearm with a machinegun conversion device attached — which Sesay possessed in furtherance of his drug trafficking — inside the stolen Corvette. As a convicted felon, Sesay is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition.
Sesay faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of life in prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking on April 29, 2021; a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum of life for possessing firearms, including a machinegun, in furtherance of drug trafficking on July 16, 2021; a maximum of five years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance; a maximum of five years in prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; a maximum of 20 years in prison for maintaining a drug involved premises; and a maximum of 10 years in prison each for two felon in possession of firearms and ammunition charges. U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox scheduled sentencing for July 29, 2025, at 12 p.m.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, ATF, Anne Arundel County Police Department, and PGPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick D. Kibbe and Brooke Y. Oki who are prosecuting the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Being Prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training & Firearms The 2026 Hurricane Season is shaping up to be another year where preparation isn’t optional it’s essential. Florida has seen record heat, rising insurance pressures, rapid population growth, and increasingly unpredictable storm behavior. None of that is meant to create fear. It’s meant to reinforce a simple truth: preparedness gives you control, confidence, and options when the weather turns. Whether you’re protecting a home, a business, or a family, the goal is the same build layers of readiness before the first storm forms. Start With Awareness and a Plan Storms don’t give you time to “figure it out later.” Your plan should be written, practiced, and known by everyone in the household or workplace. Key elements of a solid plan: Where will you go if evacuation becomes necessary Multiple routes out of your area A communication plan if cell networks fail A designated out‑of‑state contact A plan for pets, elderly family members, and anyone with medical needs For businesses, include: Who secures the building Who handles digital backups Who communicates closures and reopening A plan removes panic. It replaces it with action. Strengthen Your Home or Business Before the First Storm Florida structures take a beating every year. Small improvements now prevent major losses later. Exterior protection: Inspect your roof for loose shingles or soft spots Clear gutters and drainage paths Trim trees and remove dead limbs Install or test shutters Reinforce garage doors—one of the most common failure points Interior protection: Surge protection for critical electronics Elevate valuables and important documents Know how to shut off water, power, and gas If you own a business, walk your property as if you were a storm: What can break? What can blow away? What can flood? Fix those points now. Build a Realistic, Usable Supply Kit For Your Home or Business A hurricane kit isn’t about stockpiling, it’s about independence. After a major storm, help may take hours or days to reach your area. For homes and families: Water: 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3–7 days) Non‑perishable food Medications and medical supplies Flashlights, headlamps, and batteries Battery bank for phones First aid kit Copies of important documents Cash in small bills Tools, gloves, tarps, duct tape For businesses: Backup power for essential systems Printed employee contact lists Hard copies of insurance documents A plan for securing inventory and equipment Preparedness isn’t about fear it’s about not being dependent on luck. Protect Your Digital Life In 2026, digital readiness is just as important as physical readiness. Back up important files to the cloud and an external drive Photograph your home, business, and valuables for insurance Store digital copies of IDs, insurance policies, and receipts Keep chargers, power banks, and a small solar panel if possible When the power goes out, your digital preparation keeps you moving. Understand Post‑Storm Safety Most injuries happen after the storm, not during it. Be cautious with: Downed power lines Flooded roads Carbon monoxide from generators Unstable structures Contaminated water If you evacuated, don’t rush home. Wait for official clearance. Your safety comes first. Mindset: Prepared, Not Paranoid Preparedness is a discipline, not a reaction. It’s the same mindset we teach in every Tactical K class awareness, planning, and responsible action. A hurricane is a natural event. Your response is a choice. When you prepare early, you protect: Your family Your property Your business Your peace of mind And you set an example for your community. Kielma’s Parting Shot The 2026 Hurricane Season will bring challenges, just like every season. But Floridians are resilient, and preparation is part of our way of life. Start now. Strengthen your home, your business, and your plan. Build your layers of safety before the first storm forms. If you need help building a plan, creating a checklist, or preparing your family or business, Tactical K Training is here to support you with practical, real‑world guidance.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking Nine Firearms, Including to Buyer Who Said He Was ‘At War’ Thursday, April 30, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia WASHINGTON - Brandon Smith, 34, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 87 months in prison for conspiring to traffic at least nine firearms to a prohibited buyer over the course of six months, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Brandon Smith was already on supervised probation for a violent felony when he chose to traffic firearms, and he continued even after being told the buyer intended to use them for violence,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Over the course of six months, he arranged the sale of at least nine guns—including one with an obliterated serial number—to a prohibited individual. This was not a momentary lapse in judgment, but a sustained and deliberate effort to arm someone who could not legally possess firearms. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who endanger our communities by trafficking illegal guns.” On Jan. 9, 2026, Smith pleaded guilty before Judge Howell to conspiracy to commit trafficking in firearms. In addition to the 87-month prison term, Judge Howell ordered Smith to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 108-month prison term. According to court papers, beginning in November 2023, ATF opened an investigation after a confidential source reported that Smith, then on supervised probation for a violent felony, was actively advertising firearms for sale by texting photographs of guns to prospective buyers, including individuals with prior felony convictions. During the next six months, Smith sold or arranged the sale of nine firearms to a buyer on six separate occasions. During the transactions, Smith sold his own personal carry firearm on multiple occasions when a supplier failed to deliver, then purchased a replacement for himself afterward. In early January 2024, as Smith and the buyer discussed an upcoming transaction, the buyer told Smith he needed the firearms because he was “at war” after his cousin had been killed. Smith proceeded with the sale. The buyer had also told Smith he was serving a criminal justice sentence at the time of the transactions. Smith acknowledged that he, too, was “on papers.” Smith arranged a total of six transactions from Nov. 30, 2023, through May 30, 2024, resulting in the sale of nine firearms. At least one of the firearms had its serial number obliterated. On Oct. 26, 2024, MPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the 1600 block of 16th Street SE and found Smith in the front passenger seat of a parked vehicle. Officers observed open containers of alcohol and discovered a satchel at his feet. Inside the satchel, in plain view, was a loaded Glock Model 19X 9mm handgun with a round in the chamber and 16 additional rounds in the magazine. The bag also contained a bank card and government-issued identification in Smith’s name. Smith has prior convictions for Simple Assault (2011), Attempted Robbery (2013), and Robbery and Possession of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (2016), for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was serving a term of supervised probation from the 2016 conviction at the time of the firearms trafficking conspiracy. This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan. Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking
