SALISBURY COCAINE DEALER SENTENCED TO THIRTY YEARS IN PRISON

On October 21, 2015, a Wicomico County jury convicted Bonzie Lee Curtis, Jr., age 40, of Salisbury, Maryland, of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. Following the jury trial, a Wicomico County Circuit Court judge sentenced Curtis to a total sentence of thirty years in the Maryland Division of Corrections. Of this thirty year sentence, twenty years represent a mandatory minimum, non-parole eligible sentence based upon Curtis’ status as a repeat offender.

On March 14, 2015, Officer Brian Barr of the Salisbury Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic infraction. Curtis was the front-seat passenger in this vehicle. A K9 scan was subsequently performed on the vehicle after the officer noted the suspicious behavior of the occupants. The K9 alerted to the presence of a controlled dangerous substance. In addition, officers smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the motor vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a sawed-off shotgun with one live shotgun shell concealed in a duffle bag which was within Curtis’ reach from the passenger seat. A search of Curtis revealed a significant amount of cocaine as well as six more shotgun shells hidden in a Crown Royal bag in Curtis’ pocket.

Curtis has multiple prior convictions including possession with the intent to distribute a narcotic and illegal possession of a handgun. Curtis also has multiple violations of probation.

Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew A. Maciarello commended the Salisbury Police Department for their work in the investigation and prosecution of this case. Mr. Maciarello also thanked James L. Britt who prosecuted Curtis.