Man Dubbed Baltimore's 'No. 1 Trigger Puller' Found Guilty Of 7 Murders
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A man once described as Baltimore's "number one trigger puller" by police has been found guilty of seven murders and drug charges.
Montana Barronette was found guilty of murdering Brian Chase, Marquez Jones, Lamont Randall, Ronald Thompson, Jaqueline Parker, Antonio Addison, and an unknown victim.
Prosecutors alleged that Barronette and nine other men were members of a street gang called "Trained to Go" operating out of West Baltimore's Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood.
Baltimore's 'Number One Trigger-Puller' Arrested
Here is the full list of defendants:
- Montana Barronette, a/k/a Tana, and Tanner, age 23;
- Terrell Sivells, a/k/a Rell, age 27;
- John Harrison, a/k/a Binkie, age 28;
- Taurus Tillman, a/k/a Tash, age 29;
- Linton Broughton, a/k/a Marty, age 25;
- Dennis Pulley, a/k/a Denmo, age 31;
- Brandon Wilson, a/k/a Ali, age 24; and
- Timothy Floyd, a/k/a Tim Rod, age 28.
Federal authorities took great lengths to protect numerous witnesses who testified for the prosecution, even providing relocation expenses.
United States Attorney for Maryland Robert Hur called the guilty verdicts "a good day for Baltimore."
He said the gang is responsible "for a staggering amount of violence."
Acting BPD Commissioner Gary Tuggle stood by his side and said he hopes the verdict "sends a message."
Former Commissioner Kevin Davis once called Barronette "the poster child for repeat offenders" and Baltimore's "number one trigger puller."
Barronette had at one point been mistakenly released from custody. Authorities quickly found him.
He'd traveled to New York to watch Sandtown native Gervonta Davis in a boxing match.
Two Central Booking employees were suspended over the incident.
Jenifer Wicks, a defense attorney who represents another defendant, John Harrison, said after the verdict she did not believe her client was part of a drug conspiracy.
Security was stepped up for the verdict, mandating a secondary search for anyone entering the ceremonial first-floor courtroom at Baltimore's federal courthouse.
They also had an increased presence outside the building.
A co-defendant in the case, Roger Taylor, remains on the loose. Anyone with information about Taylor is asked to contact the FBI at (410) 265-8080.
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