A Lexington Park man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on 13 counts stemming from a drug-and-firearms investigation that spanned multiple Maryland counties.
Paul Dewayne Dorsey, 46, faces charges of distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. The charges are tied to the alleged sale of firearms and fentanyl.
According to the indictment, Dorsey distributed 40 grams or more of fentanyl to an undercover officer on eight separate occasions between November 2025 and May 2026. On three of those occasions, he also sold one or more firearms along with the controlled substance. Dorsey is prohibited from possessing firearms due to at least one prior felony conviction.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland announced the indictment alongside officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Maryland State Police, and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation involved coordinated efforts by these agencies to target drug trafficking and associated firearm activity in Southern Maryland.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Dorsey is presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.
If convicted, Dorsey faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of up to 40 years in prison for distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl. He also faces a mandatory minimum of five years, consecutive to all other charges, and a maximum of up to life for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. A maximum of 15 years applies for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person.
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 the ATF, MSP, and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Brosh and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Duvall are prosecuting the federal case.
The indictment highlights ongoing law enforcement efforts to combat the distribution of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that has contributed to overdose deaths across Maryland and the nation. Cases involving the combination of drugs and firearms are particularly concerning because they increase the risk of violence in communities.
Lexington Park, located in St. Mary’s County, has been impacted by drug trafficking activity in recent years. Federal and local agencies continue to work together to disrupt these networks and hold those responsible accountable.
The multi-county nature of the alleged operation underscores the reach of some drug trafficking organizations operating in Southern Maryland. Coordinated investigations like this one are essential to addressing the problem at its source.
Dorsey’s alleged actions, if proven, represent a serious threat to public safety. The charges reflect the determination of law enforcement to protect communities from the dangers of fentanyl and illegal firearms.
Residents of St. Mary’s County and surrounding areas can expect continued efforts by federal, state, and local agencies to target drug traffickers. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has emphasized the importance of these prosecutions in making Maryland roads and communities safer.
The case will proceed through the federal court system, where Dorsey will have the opportunity to defend against the charges. Updates will be available through official court records and statements from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
