Baltimore Man Sentenced to Probation, Drug Treatment for 2024 Drive-By Shooting

Cephus Lawrence, 58, will serve nearly 5 years of supervised probation and report to a drug treatment program.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:22pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single .45-caliber shell casing against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the investigation into a drive-by shooting incident.A single shell casing from the 2024 drive-by shooting exposes the violent aftermath and ongoing efforts to address gun crime in Baltimore.Baltimore Today

Cephus Lawrence, 58, has been sentenced to nearly 5 years of supervised probation and drug treatment following his guilty plea to being an accessory after the fact in a 2024 non-fatal drive-by shooting in Baltimore. Lawrence initially faced 13 charges but pleaded guilty to one count in exchange for the state dropping the remaining charges, which included attempted murder and assault.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges Baltimore faces with gun violence and the city's efforts to address the root causes through alternative sentencing and treatment programs for offenders struggling with substance abuse issues.

The details

Lawrence was the driver during the October 2024 drive-by shooting on E. North Avenue, while his co-defendant Travis Cothran, 47, was the shooter. Cothran was acquitted of all charges. Police recovered surveillance footage and shell casings linking the vehicle registered to Lawrence to the scene. Lawrence admitted to being in possession of the vehicle at the time of the incident.

  • The drive-by shooting occurred on October 29, 2024.
  • Lawrence pleaded guilty in February 2026.
  • Lawrence was sentenced on April 9, 2026.

The players

Cephus Lawrence

A 58-year-old Baltimore resident who pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact in a 2024 drive-by shooting.

Travis Cothran

A 47-year-old Baltimore resident who was the alleged shooter in the 2024 drive-by incident but was acquitted of all charges.

Judge Charles Henry Dorsey III

The Baltimore City Circuit Court judge who presided over Lawrence's sentencing hearing.

Karyn Ann Meriwether

Lawrence's defense attorney who requested he be placed in a drug treatment program instead of prison.

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What they’re saying

“During Lawrence's sentencing hearing Thursday, defense attorney Karyn Ann Meriwether notified Judge Dorsey that the defendant had been accepted into the MISHA House, a drug treatment facility in Baltimore, and requested her client be placed in one of their programs instead of in prison.”

— Karyn Ann Meriwether, Defense Attorney

“Meriwether continued by stating that Lawerence has remained clean since his arrest in 2024.”

— Karyn Ann Meriwether, Defense Attorney

What’s next

If Lawrence violates the terms of his probation, he will be liable for the full five-year suspended sentence.

The takeaway

This case highlights Baltimore's efforts to address gun violence through a combination of accountability and treatment programs, aiming to address the root causes of crime and reduce recidivism.