Alleged Criminal Kingpin Rejects Plea, Faces Summer Trial

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On Dec. 14, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn scheduled a trial for a 37-year-old alleged drug kingpin in a gang.

Ernest Hudson is facing 134 charges, ranging from attempted first-degree murder to organizing, supervising and financing a criminal organization and possessing a fentanyl-heroin mix with intent to distribute.

Last month, the assistant attorney general offered an aggregate 20 year sentence without the possibility of parole in exchange for a guilty plea to participation in a criminal gang, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, being a drug kingpin and two counts of distributing narcotics. Judge Phinn continued the hearing to today’s date to allow Hudson and his attorney time to discuss the offer.

Today, Hudson rejected the offer via his attorney, Gregory Fischer.

Judge Phinn scheduled Hudson’s two-week trial to begin on Aug. 12, 2024.