After four court hearings spanning two months, on Feb. 7 California U.S. District Judge Manuel Real deemed Darrin Ebron “both a danger to the community and a flight risk if released on bail,” and ordered him to remain in jail pending trial. Ebron, a DJ with roots in Baltimore, and two other Baltimore-tied men—Ricky James Brascom and Charles Dwight Ransom Jr.—were indicted in November for participating in a drug conspiracy involving the use of private jets to ferry cocaine and money between Hollywood and Baltimore over a six-week period last fall. The alleged scheme, in which a total of 14 people have been charged, involved nearly 400 kilograms of cocaine and more than $4 million in cash. Trial is scheduled for June.
Ebron’s attempt to be freed on bail pending trial included the contention that wiretapped conversations used as evidence of his involvement were actually about his music business, not drugs. He claimed that Brascom and Ransom’s Behind Da Scenes Entertainment, a Pikesville-based record company, hired him to do work in support of rapper Paypa, and that discussions wiretapped by operation "Snowbird,” the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) probe that nabbed the defendants, were about that work. Among the four witnesses who testified during Ebron’s court hearings in California was John L. Williams IV, the Baltimore mortician who earlier had posted property he owns on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in order to help Ebron make bail.
Drew Sidora Jordan
Also allegedly heard speaking on the wiretaps, but not charged in the conspiracy, was Hollywood starlet and R&B singer Drew Sidora Jordan, whom investigators described as Brascom’s girlfriend. Today, Jordan issued a statement to City Paper about her entanglement in the investigation through David Nobel of the Chicago-based DLN Marketing Communications and Consulting. "This clears up any rumors about the recent controversy mentioning her name in wire taps for Charles Ransom and Rickey Brascom owners of Behind Da Scenes Entertainment, the label that promotes Chicago rapper Paypa," Nobel writes. "I look forward to you supporting her on this new chapter of her life as I will continue to give updates and new developments.":
I live my life believing that when you do good, God continues to bless you. Like many young women who fall in love, we trust our partners and pray that they live a life based on the principles of morality and integrity, I never knew of [Brascom’s] activities and as soon as I became aware, the relationship ended. I continue to pray for him and his family and anyone else that was affected by he and his partners actions. Right now, I am focused and overjoyed with happiness of pending motherhood. I will continue to be an advocate for initiatives that promote education, the wellness and stability of our youth, families and communities.Jordan’s statement, in which she denies knowledge of Brascom’s alleged drug-dealing activities, does not square with the contents of the wiretaps, as memorialized in an affidavit by DEA special agent Jeffrey LaRock.
LaRock’s affidavit says that on Oct. 30, 2010, at 10:17 p.m., Brascom and Jordan spoke on the phone. At the time, authorities had just seized cocaine from Brascom’s alleged drug supplier and co-defendant, Heriberto Lopez, whose nickname is “BD,” which is short for “Big Dog.” LaRock’s affidavit describes the conversation as follows:
Drew Sidora Jordan, Brascom’s girlfriend, asked Brascom why he didn’t leave. Brascom said they had a ‘situation.’ Jordan asked if Brascom was okay. Brascom said he was okay, but the people he ‘works with’ and that come see him ‘are not.’ Jordan asked if they were gone. Brascom said not like that. Jordan asked if they were ‘gone’ like her cousin. Brascom said yes, on their way to come see Brascom. Brascom explained that it was the people that always come see Brascom before he leaves. Brascom said they ‘got pulled over’ on their way to see him. Brascom said that if things would have worked out, he’d already be on his way. Jordan asked what ‘BD’ was saying. Brascom said he was with BD now. Jordan said there are many things she wanted to say but she’ll keep her comments to herself until she sees Brascom. Jordan said she wished Brascom did not have to deal with this anymore. Jordan said Brascom has had ‘so many passes.’ Jordan told Brascom he needed to save his money. Jordan said she didn’t want to get that phone call. Brascom said he doesn’t want her to get that phone call either. Jordan said so many things close to home and Brascom keeps sliding through the cracks. Brascom isn’t going to be able to slide through too many more cracks. Brascom said ya. Jordan said thank God they weren’t waiting until they pulled up to Brascom’s place. Brascom said yes. Jordan asked if BD can trust them. Brascom said that’s what BD is concerned about. Brascom said that when someone’s back is against the wall, you just never know.“In this call,” LaRock’s affidavit continues, “Brascom told his girlfriend, Jordan, about the seizure of cocaine from Lopez’s drug runners. I believe that Jordan warned him that he had evaded arrest on several occasions and is worried about him.”
As of press time, Jordan's press agent has not responded to e-mails or phone calls seeking further clarification.
Via Baltimore City Paper
February 11. 2011
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