WBFF (Prince George’s County, MD) — Nearly a decade ago, agents dismantled a drug trafficking organization that investigators said used a music studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland, as a hideout.

More than a dozen people have been charged in the federal investigation.

Today, a man convicted in that case is on the run again, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Vincent Collins, 45, is wanted on federal probation violations following a 2016 conviction related to the dismantling of a drug trafficking operation.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, in 2015, Collins allegedly received a large quantity of heroin from the head of the operation for redistribution.

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Investigators said that during this time, the organization would use the “Crooked House Entertainment” music studio in District Heights, Maryland to carry out its operations.

“The participants in the criminal conspiracy would use a music studio as a hideout,” said Al Maresca, a deputy marshal with the U.S. Marshals Service.

Maresca said drug trafficking operations will often use storefronts and businesses to conceal drug operations.

“Any time there is a drug trafficking conspiracy, it will be necessary to cover up the high level of trafficking in and out and often criminals will use legitimate businesses to further their criminal enterprise,” Maresca said.

Investigators said the organization was responsible for distributing large quantities of heroin into Maryland communities.

“Heroin is an extremely dangerous drug,” Maresca said. “Heroin is a depressant. Anyone under the influence of the narcotic may experience head shaking. Unfortunately, they get to a point where their system slows down so much that they overdose and die.

In 2016, Collins entered into a plea deal and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a felony, according to court documents.

Collins was sentenced to 160 months in prison, but he did not serve all of that time.

According to investigators, years after his conviction, Collins appealed his conviction.

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When sentencing an individual, judges refer to what are called sentencing guidelines.

The sentencing guidelines balance the seriousness of the offense and the offender’s criminal history category to determine an appropriate range of months for sentencing.

Investigators said Collins claimed his criminal history was miscalculated.

Collins won his appeal and was released from prison in October 2022, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

But just four months later, investigators said Collins had violated the terms of his supervised release and had been missing since February 2023.

“He is wanted for violation of supervised release conditions,” Maresca said. “In this case, he was released from federal prison and, while he was supposed to report to the probation officer, he repeatedly failed to do so.”

Collins is approximately 6’2″ tall and weighs approximately 160 pounds.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals Service at 202-819-5058.