Frederick County Circuit Court Jury Finds Thurmont Man Guilty on 10 Counts, Including 3 Hate Crimes, Harassment and Trespassing

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Press Release

For Immediate Release

January 26, 2024

Frederick County Circuit Court Jury Finds Thurmont Man Guilty on 10 Counts, Including 3 Hate Crimes, Harassment and Trespassing

 

Frederick, Maryland – Yesterday in Frederick County Circuit Court, Judge Julie Solt presided over a three-day jury-trial involving defendant, Michael David Burns.  The jury found Burns guilty of three counts of Hate Crimes, Trespassing on Posted Property, Trespassing on Private Property, two counts of Disorderly Conduct and two counts of Harassment.

The victims, a same-sex couple who are neighbors of the defendant, reported the trespassing and harassment last year directly to the State’s Attorney’s Office.  Beginning in March 2023, Assistant State’s Attorney, Carly Gibson, investigated the case by visiting the home of the victims and reviewing the evidence thoroughly.  ASA Gibson’s findings warranted numerous charges including the defendant’s continually trespassing onto the victims’ property while in possession of a rifle, verbally harassing the victims with hate-based threats, throwing large rocks on the victims’ driveway to prevent them from accessing their property, and physically blocking the entrance to the property.  The defendant has been placed on home detention, monitored by A1 Trusted Monitoring, until his sentencing on April 4, 2024.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities, regardless of race, sexual orientation, faith, or other status.  When hateful words turn into hateful actions, the State’s Attorney’s Office will work diligently to protect the public and secure a just outcome.  Hopefully these convictions send a strong message that hate will not be tolerated in Frederick County.”

The charging, prosecution and conviction of Michael David Burns was a result of the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office’s investigation led by Assistant State’s Attorney, Carly Gibson.

 

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Testimony

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State’s Attorney and President of the National District Attorneys Association, Charlie Smith testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary on January 17, expressing the NDAA’s support of the #FirstStepAct. The Act’s implementation significantly reduced recidivism from 46.2% to 12.4%. The First Step Act improves the lives of low-risk offenders while protecting our communities from violent, high-risk criminals.

 

Hearings to examine five years of the First Step Act, focusing on reimagining rehabilitation and protecting public safety. (Official U.S. Senate photo by John Shinkle)

Hearings to examine five years of the First Step Act, focusing on reimagining rehabilitation and protecting public safety. (Official U.S. Senate photo by John Shinkle)

Hearings to examine five years of the First Step Act, focusing on reimagining rehabilitation and protecting public safety. (Official U.S. Senate photo by John Shinkle)

Hearings to examine five years of the First Step Act, focusing on reimagining rehabilitation and protecting public safety. (Official U.S. Senate photo by John Shinkle)

Hearings to examine five years of the First Step Act, focusing on reimagining rehabilitation and protecting public safety. (Official U.S. Senate photo by John Shinkle)

Brunswick Man Sentenced for Manufacturing a Destructive Device and 2nd Degree Assault

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Press Release

For Immediate Release

January 7, 2024

Brunswick Man Sentenced for Manufacturing a Destructive Device and 2nd Degree Assault

 

Frederick, MD – Last Friday, in Frederick County Circuit Court, Judge Julie Solt sentenced Dominic Michael Valenti to 35 years in the Department of Corrections for manufacturing a destructive device and second-degree assault, suspending all but 10 years to serve.  Upon release he will serve 5 years of supervised probation to include drug and mental health evaluation and treatment.

On August 6, 2022 Brunswick Police responded to the family’s home in response to a call for the Defendant’s threats of violence and assaultive behavior.  Police found that he had assaulted his mother prior to their arrival.  The Defendant had left the home and police advised the family to call back if he returned.  On August 7, 2022, Brunswick Police responded again to the residence for the report of a burglary in progress and that the Defendant was again present and exhibiting aggressive behavior.  The family reported that the defendant had entered their home and threatened to kill them while having control over kitchen knives and a machete.  Brunswick Police responded and seized a BB gun, an additional fixed blade knife in a sheath on the defendant’s person, and a black backpack containing an improvised explosive device.  The device was inspected by Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Michael T. Redding and later the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and found to be operational and capable of inflicting injury.  Police also found additional fuse material and a box containing live pistol ammunition.  Police transported the defendant to Frederick Health Hospital for an emergency evaluation prior to charging him and secured a Court order requiring him to surrender and forfeit any firearms and ammunition.

The Defendant pleaded guilty to manufacturing a destructive device and 2nd degree assault in September 2023.  Judge Solt ruled that as a condition of probation once released, the defendant may not return to the family residence “until further order of the court.”  The defendant had been previously required to leave the home due to his aggressive behavior and had been previously convicted of assaulting his father and violating protective orders.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “These cases are often the most frightening because of the potential for large-scale harm to our community.  Hopefully this lengthy sentence will send a message that there is zero tolerance for destructive-device crimes.”

The arrest and conviction of Valenti was a collaborative effort led by the Brunswick Police Department, the Maryland State Police Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office.  Frederick County Assistant State’s Attorney, Tim Gilbert of the Economic Crimes unit represented the State.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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