FREDERICK MAN ENTERS GUILTY PLEA, SENTENCED FOR 2020 ATTEMPTED MURDER

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For Immediate Release

March 28, 2023

 

FREDERICK, MD – Monday afternoon in Frederick County Circuit Court, Edy Daniel Marroquin-Soma, age 23, of Frederick entered a guilty plea to one count of attempted 1st degree murder. The State asked the court for an above the guidelines sentence of life suspend all but at least 40 years in prison. The Defense asked the Court to impose active time of 12 years. The Honorable Theresa M. Adams sentenced the Defendant to life with all but 25 years to serve in the Division of Corrections followed by 5 years of supervised probation upon release, which is a sentence above the guidelines.

 

On August 26, 2020 at approximately 5:14 AM, officers with the Frederick Police Department were dispatched to the 500 block of Logan Street in Frederick for what was reported to dispatchers as a fight. Responding patrol officers found a 78-year-old male victim in the grass next to the street unconscious. Emergency Medical Services informed police that the victim was suffering from head trauma and he was subsequently transported to R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore in critical condition. The victim suffered life-altering injuries as a result of traumatic brain injury and other injuries that he will never be able to fully recover from.

 

Upon further investigation, detectives learned that the defendant had been sitting in his truck that night drinking alcohol and listening to music. Multiple empty beer bottles were observed on the street and grass near the truck as investigators canvassed the scene. Surveillance camera footage obtained from a nearby home recorded the attack. In the video, the defendant can be seen on top of the victim rapidly punching down and then stomping. Investigators also seized a shirt from the defendant that had blood on it. The defendant had cuts and trauma to the fingers and thumbs, as well as a bandage covering an injury to his right knee. Additionally, the DNA of the victim was found on the defendant.

 

Following the sentencing, State’s Attorney Charlie Smith commented, “This attack on an elderly man out for a walk in his neighborhood is both shocking and disturbing. We have always worked tirelessly to protect those victims who cannot protect themselves. I hope that today’s sentence gives the victim, his family, and the community a sense of comfort in knowing that the Defendant, and others who harm the vulnerable, will be punished harshly.”

 

Frederick Police Detective Sean McKinney led the investigation. The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca Clinton.

 

Edy Daniel Marroquin-Soma

 

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MARYLAND STATE’S ATTORNEYS JOIN FORCES TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF CHILD SEX ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING

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MEDIA ADVISORY

 

March 14, 2023

 

 

Howard, Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties stand together to urge Maryland Legislature to pass Senate Bill 21 and Senate Bill 292

 

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Today, Maryland State’s Attorneys for Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties held a joint press conference today to urge passage of multiple bills currently before the Maryland General Assembly.

 

Principal speakers at the press conference included Howard County State’s Attorney Richard Gibson Jr. (president of the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association); Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith (president-elect of the National District Attorney’s Association); Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy. The State’s Attorneys were also joined by Turn Around Inc. and several advocacy groups and victims of related crimes.

 

The press conference specifically discussed the following two pieces of legislation:

 

  1. House Bill 226/Senate Bill 21: Criminal Law – Person in a Position of Authority – Sexual Offenses With a Minor. This bill would strengthen the prosecution of child sex abuse by expanding the definition of “Person in Position of Authority” to coaches, counselors, and teachers outside the school system that utilize their position to victimize children.
  2. House Bill 297/Senate Bill 292: Criminal Law – Victims of Child Sex Trafficking and Human Trafficking – Safe Harbor and Service Response. This bill would ensure that child trafficking victims are not prosecuted for their own victimization and instead are referred to proper services through the Regional Navigator Program.

 

On February 24, 2023, the Safe Harbor bill was voted favorably out of the House of Delegates.  Currently, it remains in Judicial Proceedings on the Senate side where no action has been taken.

 

The Person in a Position of Authority bill passed out of the House of Delegates on March 9, 2023.  Currently, a hearing has not been scheduled by Judicial Proceedings.

“I think it’s very important to highlight the bills that prosecutors of this state are supporting. There’s been a lot of talk publicly about the legislation we are against and what is often ignored is the legislation we fully endorse,” said Howard County State’s Attorney Rich Gibson, Jr. “We stand firmly against any bills that we feel would jeopardize public safety. And likewise, we’re here today talking about bills that would enhance public safety. It is for these reasons that we stand in solidarity; not only for these two specific bills, but for the 50-plus bills put forth on our MSAA support list.”

 

“Many persons in positions of authority over minors are excluded from the current law. SB21 expands the definition of person in position of authority to include teachers, coaches, counselors, and others who work with children outside of the traditional school setting. Individuals who are in any of the roles included in this bill hold positions of trust, and any person who grooms or manipulates a child for the purposes of sexual exploitation should be held accountable,” said Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.

 

“The Legislature is being urged to pass Senate Bill 292, the Safe Harbor Bill. This bill is a step in the right direction to enhance protections for child victims of human trafficking and sex trafficking. The passage of this bill will provide immunity from prosecution or juvenile proceedings for child victims who are suspected of being survivors of these heinous crimes.  Under current law, many child victims are charged with crimes or are subject to juvenile proceedings—even when they are suspected to be survivors of human or sex trafficking. The Safe Harbor Bill would provide protection from such charges and proceedings to shield these children from further trauma,” said Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy. “It is time for us to come together and act on behalf of those who cannot advocate for themselves. Let us make sure that we keep our focus on safety and healing, not punishment and prosecution. Now more than ever we must ensure that our most vulnerable population—children—are protected from traffickers who seek to exploit them for profit.”

 

Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith commented, “It is critical that we do everything in our power to stand as advocates for victims of crime, both on the State and National level. The Safe Harbor Bill would ensure that child victims are protected from prosecution and that traffickers become the sole focus of law enforcement, as they should.” Smith added, “There are far too many that use their trusted relationship with children to groom and abuse. By expanding the definition of those in positions of authority, we will ensure that more offenders are held accountable for victimizing children. I call on the General Assembly to pass these bills that will protect the vulnerable.”

 

 VIDEO LINK TO PRESS CONFERENCE – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-XbK8OpxaM  

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