Murder USA: Body found in woods identified as missing drug dealer Thomas Pope of Middle River
KINGSVILLE, MD — There is one less drug dealer in Maryland and one more murder.
Maryland State Police say that a dead man found in a wooded area near I-95 in Baltimore County was that of a Middle River man who was indicted for a large local drug deal.
The man has been identified as Thomas J. Pope, 18, of 3520 Honeysuckle Lane, Middle River, Md. Pope’s family reported him missing to the Essex Precinct of the Baltimore County Police Department on October 26, 2015.
The body of a man, now identified as Pope, was found shortly after 12:00 p.m. on October 27, 2015, in a wooded area along a fire service road near the 71.7 mile marker. Troopers from the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway Barrack received a call from a member of the Maryland Transportation Authority Courtesy Patrol advising an unidentified body was at that location. Troopers immediately responded and secured the scene before making notification to investigators.
The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit has assumed the investigation with the assistance of members of the Criminal Enforcement Division, crime scene technicians and troopers from the JFK Highway Barrack. An autopsy has been conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and determined the manner of death is homicide.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about this incident to please contact JFK Highway Barrack at 410-537-1150 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587). Metro Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000.00 to the person who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case.
Pope was indicted on Oct. 16, 2015 for possession with the intent to distribute a large amount of drugs by the Grand Jury in Baltimore County, Md. He was to appear in court on Nov. 16, 2015. A perfect motive for murder would be those associated with him in drug trafficking or whomever he bought drugs from for distribution.
Pope had been arrested on Sept. 4, 2015 by Baltimore County Police Detective Trageser. The Baltimore County States Attorney decided to have the Grand Jury issue an indictment.