Delmar man sentenced to 40 years for felony drug possession

SALISBURY, Md. – A Delmar man has been sentenced to 40 years behind bars for felony narcotics possession.

24-year-old Japree Ayres was convicted by a jury in November 2023 of three counts of possession of a large amount of controlled dangerous substances, three counts of possession with the intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances, and related charges.

The charges stem from a search and seizure warrant that was executed on August 31, 2022, at 613 Truitt Street. Police searched a white Volvo parked behind the residence, finding a large amount of heroin, a large amount of fentanyl, and a loaded handgun. Documents were found in the residence and the vehicle that contained Ayres’ name and phone number.

On Thursday, Ayres was sentenced to a total of 80 years with all but 40 years suspended, 10 of those years being a minimum mandatory sentence. He will also be on 5 years of supervised probation on release and will be subject to 40 years of incarceration if he violates probation.