Worcester County, MD - On Friday, May 10, 2024, Jael Ghent, age 22, of Pocomoke City, Maryland, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

The Honorable Brian D. Shockley of the Worcester County Circuit Court sentenced Ghent to serve 14 years in the Maryland Division of Corrections. Shockley suspended all but the 5-year mandatory minimum sentence required by law, and placed Ghent on 3 years of supervised probation upon release.

The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team in July of 2023. During the course of that investigation, detectives obtained a search and seizure warrant for Ghent's residence in Pocomoke City.

Upon executing the search warrant, investigators located and seized a loaded semi-automatic Glock handgun, plastic baggies containing crack cocaine, digital scales, and prescription medications.

Ghent was indicted on multiple felony charges as a result, including possession with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

Worcester County State's Attorney Kris Heiser commended the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team for their proactive efforts to remove drugs and guns from the Pocomoke City community, and thanked Assistant State's Attorney Joaquin Cabrera who prosecuted the case.