MAN TIED TO SNITCHING' DVD INDICTED IN DRUG CASE

Yesterday, a federal grand jury indicted a West Baltimore man who
acted as cameraman for the notorious Stop Snitching DVD on
drug-related charges.

Akiba M. Matthews, 35, was charged with distribution and possession
with intent to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm in
furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and illegal possession of a
firearm by a convicted felon.

If convicted on all charges, Matthews faces up to life in prison. At
minimum, law enforcement officials said a conviction on the firearms
charge by a felon carries a mandatory minimum prison term of five years

No court date has been set for Matthews. Federal authorities said he
remains jailed on related state charges. The Baltimore State's
Attorney's office said last night that Matthews was charged last month
on state drug charges and has been held without bail since then.

In March 2005, city police said they found 198 bags of raw heroin in
his bedroom after tracking him down from the video. He was charged
with a variety of drug possession crimes but was acquitted by a jury
on all counts in October of that year.

Stop Snitching used threats of violence to intimidate potential
witnesses. Matthews has served jail time for five felony narcotics
convictions and a handgun violation, according to police.