ELKTON — A man accused of possessing nearly a pound and a half of fentanyl and almost a pound of cocaine when investigators raided his Elkton-area residence in February is facing up to 20 years in prison, after accepting a plea deal, according to Cecil County Circuit Court records.
The defendant — Keith B. Bell, 58 — pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled and dangerous substance with intent to distribute Monday, as part of the plea agreement reached by Deputy State’s Attorney Patricia Fitzgerald and Bell’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender Michael Fiol.
In exchange for Bell’s guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss eight related charges against him, including possession of a large amount of fentanyl, possession of a large amount of cocaine and manufacturing a controlled and dangerous substance. The drug manufacturing charge relates to raiding investigators allegedly uncovering a makeshift fentanyl-pill manufacturing lab in the basement of the defendant’s home, court records show.
Retired Cecil County Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Whelan accepted Bell’s guilty plea and then set his sentencing for Oct. 25.
Members of the Cecil County Drug Task Force, along with FBI and DEA agents, confiscated the narcotics, a pill press and other evidence while executing a federal search-and-seizure warrant at Bell’s residence in the 100 block of Patriots Way at approximately 8:15 p.m. on Feb. 25, court records show.
Agents arrested Bell at the scene, after finding him in the same area where they also found several bags containing drugs, including fentanyl, which can be dangerous to the touch.
“Bell was located in the basement of the residence wearing plastic/rubber gloves,” according to the charging document.
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