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Baltimore, Maryland – Today U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced defendant Paul Francis Blaisse, 65, of Walkersville, Maryland, to seventeen years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release for one count of coercion and enticement of a minor. Judge Maddox also ordered Blaisse to pay $83,694 in restitution to his victims and, after his release from prison, to register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student.

 

The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Nicole M. Argentieri; Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and J. Charles Smith III, State’s Attorney for Frederick County, Maryland.

 

According to court documents, beginning as early as 2011, Blaisse engaged in live video chats with minor children who were engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Mr. Blaisse exchanged messages with hundreds of individuals on video chat sites who offered access to minor children via webcam.  During these chats, Blaisse discussed his sexual interest in children and distributed child sexual abuse material (CSAM).  The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office identified Blaisse after receiving a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an individual using an IP address associated with Blaisse’s residence uploaded CSAM to a video chat account.

 

In October 2018, Blaisse used an online video chat application, to entice a minor child in the Philippines to engage in sexually explicit conduct.  Records of Blaisse’s activity show that he communicated with an adult in the Philippines who arranged for the minor child to participate in a video chat with Blaisse.  In addition to these chats, Blaisse’s electronic devices contained hundreds of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including prepubescent minors.

 

U.S. Attorney Barron commended the FBI Baltimore Field Office, the Justice Department’s High Technology Investigative Unit, and the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Leading the prosecution of this case are Department of Justice Trial Attorney Eduardo Palomo, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Aubin, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joyce King.  For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

 

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FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE PLUS 30 YEARS FOR FIRST-DEGREE CHILD ABUSE, RESULTING IN DEATH OF INFANT, TWO COUNTS OF SECOND-DEGREE CHILD ABUSE

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JULY 31, 2024

 

FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE PLUS 30 YEARS FOR FIRST-DEGREE CHILD ABUSE, RESULTING IN DEATH OF INFANT, TWO COUNTS OF SECOND-DEGREE CHILD ABUSE

 

 

Frederick, MD – Today in Frederick County Circuit Court, The Honorable J. Barry Hughes sentenced Jesse Cook, age 45, of Frederick to Life plus 30 years in the Division of Corrections for first-degree child abuse, resulting in the death of an infant and two counts of second-degree child abuse.  The State asked for and received the top of the sentencing guidelines, and the maximum possible penalty.  Cook was convicted by a jury of one count of first-degree child abuse resulting in the death of a child under 13 years old and two counts of second-degree child abuse on September 14, 2023.

On June 17, 2020, deputies with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office responded to an infant in cardiac arrest at 5305 Kingsbrook Drive in Frederick, MD.   The infant was transported to Frederick Health Hospital where the infant was pronounced deceased by medical staff approximately one hour later.  Child Protective Services was immediately notified.  An autopsy revealed multiple injuries on the infant’s body consistent with non-accidental trauma, including approximately 20 healing broken ribs, a prior abdominal injury, and a new abdominal injury that ultimately led to the infant’s death at just one month and twenty-six days old.  The Medical Examiner determined that the injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma and ruled the infant’s death a homicide.  Through investigation by detectives with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, it was learned that the child’s father had sent numerous concerning text messages and searched numerous concerning subjects related to the infant child.  Witnesses also reported that the defendant had been “rough” with the child during the child’s short life.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith stated, “These are the cases that keep you up at night realizing what some people are capable of.  It is truly heartbreaking to think of an infant enduring this kind of repeated abuse and trauma.  Now Jesse Cook will have to endure prison for the rest of his life, where he will no longer be a threat to any child.”

The victim’s mother addressed the Court in her Victim Impact Statement saying, “Jesse Cook took away my sunshine and my life; my will to live.  I ask for full justice for my son.”

Judge J. Barry Hughes addressed the Court stating, “Public safety requires this sentencing to protect the public from the Defendant’s depravity and future felonious conduct.”

The investigation leading to the arrest and conviction of Cook was a collaborative effort led by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and State’s Attorney’s Office.  The State of Maryland was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Special Victims’ Unit, Lindsey Carpenter.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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State’s Attorney, Charlie Smith Completes His NDAA Presidential Term Today, Passing The Gavel To San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan

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BOISE, IDAHO

JULY 15, 2024- 

State’s Attorney, Charlie Smith Completes his NDAA Presidential Term Today, Passing The Gavel to San Diego District Attorney, Summer Stephan

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith attends the National District Attorney Association Board Meeting and Summer Summit in Boise, Idaho.

  As NDAA President, SA Smith championed innovative and collaborative initiatives that promote public safety and the prosecutorial profession throughout the country.  SA Smith championed legislation on Capitol Hill to protect victims and victim services funding.  He led NDAA participation with the American Bar Association to ensure that the prosecutor perspective was included in national policies and best practices.  SA Smith also created the Wellbeing Committee and Recruitment & Retention Committee to focus on hiring and keeping the best and most effective prosecutors that will seek justice. Lastly, he created the Military Justice Committee to partner with military installations around the country on the prosecutions of homicides, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and child abuse.  SA Smith will continue to serve as Chairman of the NDAA Board and continue this important work in the year to come.

 

Frederick Man Pleads Guilty to 1st Degree Murder

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JULY 11, 2024

Frederick Man Pleads Guilty to 1st Degree Murder

Frederick, Maryland – Yesterday, in Frederick County Circuit Court, Jeffrey Whitney Bryan, Jr. plead guilty to 1st Degree Murder.  The Honorable Judge Scott Rolle presided over the hearing and accepted the plea.

On July 1, 2023, at approximately 12:20 a.m., officers with the Frederick City Police Department (FPD) responded to a call for a male “shot in the face” at 170 All Saints Street in Frederick, MD.   Upon arrival, officers observed an unconscious male, bleeding heavily from the side of his face.  Officers immediately requested EMS and began CPR on the victim.  The victim, identified as Tayquan Palmer, died at the scene from his injuries.  Detectives with FPD were assigned to the case and gathered evidence establishing the following:

An outdoor “get together” of approximately 20 – 30 people occurred on the evening of June 30, 2023 into the early morning hours of July 1, 2023 in and around the parking lot located between Gaithers Alley and 170 W All Saints Street, Frederick, MD.  Both the Victim and the Defendant were present at this event.  At some point during the event a disagreement occurred between the two.  The Defendant left the event at approximately 10:40pm and returned at 12:10am on July 1, 2023 wearing a hoody and full face mask.  The Defendant waited in Gaithers Alley until the Victim was away from the crowd at which point the Defendant walked up to the victim and shot him in the head.

Sentencing in the matter has been set for September 16, 2024 at 9am.

The State of Maryland is represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney, Violent Crimes Unit, Ricky Lewis and Assistant State’s Attorney William Grove.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

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Hagerstown Man Sentenced to Life Plus 15 Years For Attempted First-Degree Murder and Five Additional Charges Including Use of a Firearm with High-Capacity Magazine in the Commission of a Crime of Violence

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JULY 10, 2024

Hagerstown Man Sentenced to Life Plus 15 Years For Attempted First-Degree Murder and Five Additional Charges Including Use of a Firearm with High-Capacity Magazine in the Commission of a Crime of Violence

Frederick, Maryland – Today, in Frederick County Circuit Court, Judge Julia Martz-Fisher, sentenced Lookman-Khalil Abolajo Bello to Life plus 15 years in The Department of Corrections for Attempted First-Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission a Crime of Violence, Use of a High-Capacity Magazine in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, Possession of a Firearm by Person with Prior Crime of Violence Conviction, Possession of Ammunition by Person with Prior Crime of Violence Conviction, and Fleeing Police.  In February 2024, Judge Martz-Fisher presided over a seven-day bench trial and found Lookman-Khalil Abolajo Bello guilty.

On March 18, 2022 at approximately 2:45a.m., Deputy First Class Christian Lucente of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a vehicle traveling 94 mph near I270/Rte.85.  The vehicle failed to stop and led police on a brief pursuit to the area of Kingscrest Apartments in Frederick.  The operator of the vehicle, later identified as the Defendant, bailed out of the vehicle and took off on foot.  The foot pursuit continued into the area of Rooks Court at which time the Defendant pulled out an unserialized Polymer80 9mm handgun with an extended magazine from his right jacket pocket and began firing at DFC Lucente.  The Defendant fired a total of 12 rounds at DFC Lucente; several of which struck the apartment building directly behind where DFC Lucente was located.  DFC Lucente was able to return fire striking and incapacitating the Defendant.  DFC Lucente and DFC Dixon were then able to approach, apprehend, and provide emergency medical treatment to the Defendant.  Other deputies arrived at the scene shortly thereafter and took over providing medical treatment until EMS arrived.  The Defendant was transferred to University of Maryland Shock Trauma for further medical care before being remitted to the Frederick County Adult Detention Center to answer for the charges for which he has now been convicted and sentenced.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith stated, “Our community needs to understand that police face the possibility of being shot at every day, and that we as prosecutors will hold those gunmen and violent offenders accountable.  Bello has shown that he is a major threat to public safety and therefore should be removed from our community and incarcerated for a substantial period of time.”

The apprehension, arrest and conviction of the Defendant was a collaborative effort by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office and the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office, represented by Chief, Violent Crimes Unit, Ricky Lewis and Assistant State’s Attorney, Samantha Slattery.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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