Five Individuals Indicted for Roles in Cross-Country Drug Trafficking and Robbery Conspiracy

Baltimore, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced, today, that five men face indictment in connection with a cross-country drug trafficking operation, which included a plot to rob a California-based narcotics supplier. Tyler Michael "Dink" Watson, 28, of Glen Burnie, Maryland; Akop Akop “Jack” Terzian, 30, Chatsworth, California; Nathan Andrew Jackson, 25, of Glen Burnie, Maryland; Dominick Terrell Johnson, 23, of Glen Burnie, Maryland; and Gary Bailey Jr., 28 of Glen Burnie, Maryland, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Akil Baldwin, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland, and Chief Amal E. Awad, Anne Arundel County Police Department (AACOPD). According to the indictment, from March 2023, and continuing through May 2025, the co-conspirators sought to unlawfully distribute and possess with intent to distribute kilogram quantities of cocaine. On multiple occasions Watson, Jackson, Johnson, and Bailey traveled from Maryland to California to purchase controlled substances through Terzian, who would then ship the narcotics back to Maryland for distribution. Additionally, in July 2024, Watson, Jackson, Johnson, and Bailey conspired with Terzian to steal narcotics from a California source of supply. The Maryland co-conspirators purchased drugs from this supplier previously and knew where the controlled substances were stored. The co-conspirators intended to enrich themselves by selling the controlled substances they obtained from the robbery. The Maryland co-conspirators then traveled to California, where they met with Terzian and obtained a firearm to use in the planned robbery. On July 15, the Maryland co-conspirators met with the California source of supply. While holding him at gunpoint, they robbed him of approximately 11 kilograms of cocaine, several bags of marijuana, and U.S. currency. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding. If convicted, Watson, Jackson, Johnson, Bailey, and Terzian face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Additionally, the co-conspirators are facing up to 20 years for conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI, and AACOPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Levin who is prosecuting the federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md . # # #