Between April 2015 and November 2017, Detective/Corporal David McDougall established the bar for narcotics investigation and case management by performing his duties at an unprecedented level as a member and supervisor of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force. His investigative tenacity and leadership by example are not only commendable but worthy of nomination for this prestigious award.
In April 2015, then-Detective McDougall began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization, later named the Shropshire Drug Trafficking Organization (OTO). Through exhaustive investigation, he determined the OTO to be responsible for numerous fatal and non-fatal heroin overdoses in Harford County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City. As the investigation grew, Detective McDougall found this drug trafficking organization's reach spanned through Harford County, Baltimore County, Northern Virginia, and Southern Pennsylvania and was responsible for hundreds of heroin overdoses in those areas. As the investigation developed, Detective McDougall partnered with the Baltimore County Narcotics Division, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the United States Attorney's Office to take this case to a federal wiretap. McDougall 's goals were to identify the tentacles of the DTO and their reach, then to dismantle it and put its members in Federal prison for multi decade long sentences.
The Title III portion of the investigation lasted several months, during which time a total of nine individuals were identified as holding key positions within the organization. All nine were indicted on numerous federal and state drug trafficking crimes, as well as, weapon offenses. In all, 1,303 grams of heroin, 193 grams of cocaine, 4 handguns, and $ 18,810 in currency were recovered during the course of the investigation.
Detective McDougall also uncovered a potential police corruption connection with this organization and turned that information over to the FBI's Public Corruption Division. This lead yielded a separate yet parallel federal investigation. The investigation is still on going, and to date has resulted in eight Baltimore City Police detectives and sergeants, along with two Philadelphia Police Officers being federally indicted for racketeering amongst numerous other offenses. In November of2017, after a three-week trial at the Baltimore Federal Court House, all the individuals Detective McDougall indicted were found guilty on all counts and are expected to receive substantial federal sentences ranging from multiyear to multi decade incarceration.
Corporal McDougall deserves to be recognized for the Charles "Bud" Meeks Award for Deputy Sheriff of the Year for merit. His continued tenacity and outstanding performance are exemplary. During this investigation, Corporal McDougall 's fairness and integrity were clearly evident in his pursuit of justice.
Read complete nomination: https://www.sheriffs.org/McDougall_Merit
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