On March 21, 2024, Duane Anthony Garlitz, of Oakland, was sentenced to
12 years in prison after being convicted of CDS Distribution: Narcotic by a Garrett County jury.
The matter was prosecuted by State's Attorney Christian Mash, who requested that the Court
impose a sentence at the top of the sentencing guidelines in the matter, in light of the
Defendant's lengthy criminal record. Judge Justin Gregory presided over the trial and imposed a
sentence of 20 years, suspending 8 years of that sentence. The 12 year active sentence is to be
served in the Maryland Division of Corrections.
At the time of the incident, Mr. Garlitz was on probation for CDS-Distribution: Other.
The charges stemmed from an incident in September of 2023, when Mr. Garlitz was said to have
sold fentanyl to a confidential informant. The jury heard testimony from a narcotics investigator
and a forensic chemist, in addition to viewing video footage of the drug transaction. State's
Attorney Mash commended the investigation and work of Detective T.J. Sisler, of the Garrett
County Sheriff's Office. Mash further commented, "fentanyl is a deadly poison that has
increased in availability in all parts of our country and has since claimed many lives. My office
will continue to work with our dedicated narcotics investigators to hold drug dealers accountable
and will also continue to encourage treatment and recovery efforts by those who have substance
abuse issues."