Aberdeen Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Drug Trafficking

An Aberdeen man was sentenced to 15 years in prison and nine years of supervised release following a drug trafficking crime, according to a press release from the Maryland U.S. Attorney's office.

Jarian "Bigga Bills" Ricks, 32, was sentenced for a conspiracy to possess and an intent to distribute cocaine, in addition to possession of a firearm for use during a drug trafficking crime.

U.S. District Judge Benson Everett Legg increased Ricks' sentence when he discovered he was previously convicted for drug-related charges, the release said. 

Harford County Task Force agents found Ricks traveled to New York City every few days to purchase cocaine, according to his plea agreement.

Ricks would return to three locations in Aberdeen to store the drugs—in the 300 block of Stevens Circle, the unit block of Roosevelt Avenue and the 1400 block of Perrywood Court.

Task force members arrested Ricks on March 11, 2009 after one of his resupply trips, the release said. Officers found and seized $14,020, a stolen, loaded handgun and supplies used to store and package cocaine. 

U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein, Aberdeen Police Chief Henry Trabert and Harford County Sheriff Jesse Bane were among the law enforcement officers who announced the sentence.