Custodial worker sentenced to 8 years for stealing nearly $100K of cannabis from employer

ABELL, Maryland — What started as a routine custodial job turned into a major theft scandal when one employee stole nearly $100,000 worth of cannabis from his employer.

Eric Dickerson, a 51-year-old custodial worker from Abell, Maryland, has been sentenced to eight years in prison. The sentence was handed down on Monday, following a conviction for felony theft.

The theft, which took place in August 2023, involved Dickerson taking large amounts of cannabis from a business licensed by the Maryland Cannabis Administration. Employed as a member of the custodial staff for approximately seven months, Dickerson had unrestricted access to the entire facility. During this time, he exploited his position of trust to remove and conceal the stolen cannabis in trash bags.

State's Attorney Jaymi Sterling criticized Dickerson's actions as not only a betrayal of trust but also a potential threat to public safety. 

"The Defendant leveraged his position of trust and with a nefarious purpose, removed large amounts of cannabis, concealed it into trash bags, and ultimately stole the large haul. What elevates the ugliness factor of this crime is the stolen items are controlled dangerous substances," Sterling stated. 

She emphasized the broader implications of such thefts, including the potential for contributing to illegal drug distribution and associated criminal activity.

Despite the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines recommending a prison term between six months and five years, the state sought a more substantial penalty. The court, agreeing with the severity of the crime, sentenced Dickerson to eight years, a significant increase from the guideline range. Additionally, Dickerson was ordered to pay restitution amounting to $99,480.