6 Baltimore teens indicted for firearms thefts, carjackings

Six Baltimore teenagers have been indicted on a slew of criminal charges relating to burglaries in 2015 in which the defendants allegedly tried to steal handguns, rifles and shotguns.

On Monday, Maryland Attorney General Brian E Frosh announced the indictment, which alleges the defendants broke into a Baltimore storage unit in 2015 and stole approximately 60 firearms.

The defendants reportedly nabbed several shotguns and semi-automatic assault rifles, which they then sold, traded, and rented out to others for use in criminal activities. The defendants also kept some of the guns and used them to commit a series of carjackings and armed robberies.

“These burglars were illegally selling and distributing stolen firearms and using them to commit acts of violence,” said Frosh. “I commend the federal agents who worked tirelessly on this year-long investigation to ensure our prosecutors can bring these criminals to justice, and make our communities safer.”

“Protecting the citizens of Baltimore from violent crime is ATF’s number one priority,” said Daniel L. Board, Jr., the special agent in charge for ATF’s Baltimore Field Division. “The men and women of the ATF will continue to relentlessly pursue any criminals who attempt to acquire, distribute or use stolen weapons and we will mobilize all of our resources to ensure that they are held accountable for their violent and dangerous actions. These efforts epitomize ATF’s dedication to protecting both our communities and our firearm industry partners.”

The Baltimore Sun reported the defendants — Nathan Wilson, Taquan Ervin, Aamir Benton, Tione Smith, Damondre Woods, and Daesean Whitaker — were all teenagers and have been charged as adults.

The number of charges brought on the defendants is huge. According to court records, Benton faces 186 counts and Smith faces 152 counts.