PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – A significant drug operation spanning multiple counties has been disrupted, resulting in the arrests of Veromica Elizabeth Barnes, 40, of Hagerstown, Maryland, and Cordell Tyrone Sollers, a key figure in the drug distribution network. Both individuals face multiple charges, including possession and distribution of controlled dangerous substances (CDS) such as fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin.
Detailed Investigation of Cordell Tyrone Sollers
The investigation began during the summer of 2024 when the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) received credible information pointing to Cordell Tyrone Sollers as a prolific distributor of CDS in the area. Law enforcement initiated a covert surveillance operation, conducting surveillance on Sollers at various locations across Calvert County. Sollers was frequently observed visiting key locations identified as potential hubs for his illegal activities.
Over several weeks, detectives from the DEU meticulously documented Sollers’ movements. He was noted for his strategic use of multiple vehicles, including a black Ford Taurus and a white Hyundai Elantra, which were registered under different names. This tactic was employed by Sollers to obscure his identity and evade detection by law enforcement. This method is also commonly employed to prevent the asset forfeiture of those vehicles. The pattern of behavior, supported by ongoing surveillance, provided investigators with the evidence needed to move forward with the case.
During this period, law enforcement also identified Amelia Marie Dorwart as a crucial associate of Sollers. Dorwart played the role of a “middleman” in the operation, facilitating the logistics of drug transactions. Numerous sources informed the DEU that Dorwart was connected to several drug distributors and allowed them to utilize her home in Lusby to facilitate drug transactions and use. The surveillance on both Sollers and Dorwart provided the DEU with sufficient evidence to secure search and seizure warrants.
The Arrest of Veromica Elizabeth Barnes
As the investigation into Sollers progressed, additional evidence surfaced implicating Veromica Elizabeth Barnes in the drug operation. On August 6, 2024, law enforcement executed a controlled buy operation with the assistance of a confidential informant. The operation was successful, leading to the purchase of suspected crack cocaine directly from Sollers.
Following the controlled buy, the DEU initiated a traffic stop on a burgundy Honda Crosstour traveling on Route 4 in Saint Leonard, MD. The vehicle, occupied by Kendall Allen Francis, 39, and Veromica Elizabeth Barnes as the passenger, was searched under the authority of the warrant. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered substantial quantities of CDS, including 44.7 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 7.2 grams of suspected heroin, and 28.8 grams of suspected pressed fentanyl pills, all packaged in a manner consistent with distribution.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
All seized evidence was transported to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and subsequently submitted to the Maryland State Police Forensic Lab for further analysis. Based on the severity and scale of their operations, both Sollers and Barnes are facing multiple felony charges, including possession with intent to distribute CDS. Under Maryland law, Sollers could face a sentence of up to 20 years in prison for the distribution charges, reflecting his role as a central figure in the network. Barnes, due to the substantial quantities of drugs found in her possession, also faces significant legal penalties, potentially including a similar length of imprisonment.
The investigation, documented in official reports and supported by search warrants, remains ongoing. Authorities continue to dismantle the broader distribution network, with Sollers and Barnes’ arrests marking a significant step in disrupting the flow of illegal drugs into the community.
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