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By
Mark McNeill
, Jane Cox , Kabir Broker - June 12, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Suspects
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Derron Ranson, 46, pleaded guilty to two counts of firearm possession by a prohibited person and one count of fourth-degree burglary of a dwelling on June 11.
On Oct. 31,2024, Halloween, Ranson, reportedly under the influence of opioids and brandishing two handguns, broke into several homes on the 1500 block of Montpelier Street. The owner of one of the homes Ranson violated called the police, who found him lying in the street and bleeding. He was later admitted to the hospital.
Ranson’s defense attorney, Leslie Guthrie, urged the court to ensure he receives medical treatment “as soon as possible” for his longstanding opioid addiction. Ranson’s struggles with addiction reportedly date back decades and are closely tied to events in his past.
His father allegedly died when Ranson was just 11 years old. At age 23, he was involved in a car accident that led to subsequent surgeries and, according to Guthrie, contributed to his addiction. Since then, he has continuously struggled with opioid addiction, and has only been sober while incarcerated.
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Charles H. Dorsey III sentenced Ranson to eight years in prison. Due to Ranson’s aforementioned struggles with opioid addiction, Judge Dorsey suggested a preliminary plan involving six months of addiction treatment upon completion of the second year of his sentence. If Ranson successfully completes the course, the remainder of his sentence will be suspended and Ranson will receive probation. Otherwise, he will have to serve his full sentence.
Upon release, Ranson must register to the Maryland Gun Offender Registry.
Ranson spoke to the court, stating he hopes to move forward and is currently “working on a better me.”