LA PLATA, MD — A La Plata man, Ryan Lamont Bell, will spend 35 years in prison for his involvement in the 2021 murder of Leon Nathaniel Inabinett, Jr. The sentencing was handed down by Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West on December 19, 2024. Bell, aged 38, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
The Crime
On June 20, 2021, police responded to a shooting at the Bryans Road Firehouse on Livingston Road, where they found Inabinett with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite efforts to save him, Inabinett tragically did not survive. It was revealed that Inabinett had been at a birthday party at the firehouse earlier that evening, where Bell’s co-defendant, Jahad Karim Frierson, had a prior conflict with him. Frierson enlisted Bell’s help in confronting Inabinett, leading to the fatal shooting.
Evidence and Investigation
Several pieces of evidence linked Bell to the murder, including an ankle monitor placing him at the scene and cell phone records indicating his presence. Additionally, the handgun used in the shooting was found in Bell’s car, which he later admitted to cleaning post-incident.
During Sentencing
At the sentencing hearing, Assistant State’s Attorney Constance Kopelman condemned the crime as senseless and brutal, emphasizing the tragic loss of a young life over an insignificant dispute. Judge West echoed these sentiments, highlighting Inabinett’s positive influence in the community and the extreme nature of the crime.
The Sentence
Bell received a 35-year prison term for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and a 5-year sentence for using a firearm during a crime of violence, to be served concurrently. Upon release, Bell will be on supervised probation for five years.
A Community Loss
Inabinett was a cherished member of the community, and his untimely death has left a lasting impact on those who knew him. While Bell’s sentencing provides some closure, the void left by Inabinett’s absence remains irreplaceable.
