State’s Attorney Charlie Smith Advocates for Prosecutors at the U.S. Department of Education

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State’s Attorney Charlie Smith Advocates for Prosecutors at the U.S. Department of Education

April 29, 2025

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith, Chairman of the Board for the National District Attorneys Association, addressed the U.S. Department of Education today to express his support of Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income-Driven Repayment Programs.  These programs help ensure that experienced, committed prosecutors can continue serving their communities without being driven out of public service by financial strain.  It takes years for prosecutors to develop the legal skill, discretion, and judgement necessary to manage serious cases – homicide, child abuse, human trafficking, and fentanyl trafficking. Without PSLF and IDRs, prosecutors’ offices will face increasing difficulty in maintaining staffing levels, especially in hard-to-fill jurisdictions.  These programs enhance the safety and stability of our communities.

HAGERSTOWN MAN TO SERVE 20 YEARS IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR AND SEX TRAFFICKING

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APRIL 28, 2025

 

HAGERSTOWN MAN TO SERVE 20 YEARS IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR AND SEX TRAFFICKING

 

 

Frederick, MD – Today, in Frederick County Circuit Court, The Honorable Judge Richard Sandy imposed the agreed-upon sentence of 35 years, suspend all but 20 years in the Division of Corrections for 57-year-old Arcelius Dunbar Lyle after his September 26, 2024 guilty plea to sex abuse of a minor and sex trafficking in Frederick, MD.

On June 29, 2023, A Multi-Agency Prostitution/Human Trafficking Operation resulted in Lyle’s arrest, based on the evidence detectives collected from the operation.  Investigation revealed that the Defendant met the victim at work and began grooming her shortly after meeting her.  The Defendant trafficked the victim for approximately 7 months prior to officers making contact with the victim.  After a bond hearing, Lyle was ordered to be held without bond and was ordered to have no contact with the victim in the trafficking case.

On July 10, 2023 Frederick County Sheriff’s Office investigators were made aware of an almost 30-minute jail call from the Defendant to the victim in the trafficking case, in which the Defendant instructed her to sexually abuse her four-year-old child.  That case was referred to Washington County, where the abuse occurred.

“Unfortunately, these cases are much more pervasive than the public realizes,” said State’s Attorney Charlie Smith.  “Fortunately, Frederick County has taken the lead in developing interagency task forces to aggressively seek out these predators, and has prosecutors like ASA Carpenter that obtain lengthy sentences for these terrible offenders.”

Upon release, the Defendant will serve 5 years of supervised probation with all standard conditions and special conditions, including Lifetime Sex Offender Registration and Lifetime Sex Offender Supervision.

Chief Assistant State’s Attorney, Special Victims Unit, Lindsey Carpenter represented the State of Maryland.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

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ESSEX MAN TO SERVE 35 YEARS IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR SEX ABUSE OF A MINOR AND TWO COUNTS OF SECOND-DEGREE RAPE

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APRIL 22, 2025

ESSEX MAN TO SERVE 35 YEARS IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR SEX ABUSE OF A MINOR AND TWO COUNTS OF SECOND-DEGREE RAPE

Frederick, MD – Today, in Frederick County Circuit Court, The Honorable Judge Scott Rolle sentenced 32-year old Douglas Paul Otto, of Essex, Maryland to Life plus 25 years, suspend all but 35 years in the Division of Corrections for Sex Abuse of a Minor, Second-Degree Statutory Rape and Second-Degree Forcible Rape.  On October 3, 2024 the Defendant was found guilty by a jury during the four-day trial.

On January 4, 2023, the Frederick Police Department received a report of sexual abuse of a minor for an incident that occurred in the past from Child Protective Services.   An extensive investigation by the Child Advocacy Center, the State’s Attorney’s Office, Frederick Police Department and Child Protective Services revealed the Defendant had resided at the minor victim’s home at the time of the incident and that the abuse occurred inside the residence.

“This was a very difficult case to prove,” said State’s Attorney Charlie Smith, “but due to Chief ASA Carpenter’s perseverance, the victim received justice and this predator will be in prison for a very long time.”

Upon release, the Defendant is ordered to serve five years of supervised probation with the Sex Offender Management Team, with all standard conditions, and will be required to register as a Tier III, Lifetime Sex Offender in Maryland, and be subject to Lifetime sex offender supervision.

Chief Assistant State’s Attorney, Special Victims Unit, Lindsey Carpenter represented the State of Maryland.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

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FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO SERVE 10 YEARS IN THE MARYLAND DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR TWO COUNTS OF SECOND-DEGREE RAPE IN FREDERICK

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APRIL 22, 2025

 

FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO SERVE 10 YEARS IN THE MARYLAND DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR TWO COUNTS OF SECOND-DEGREE RAPE IN FREDERICK

 

 

Frederick, MD – Today, in Frederick County Circuit Court, the Honorable Julia Martz-Fisher sentenced Alan Verdeja Martinez, of Frederick, MD. Martinez entered a guilty plea to two counts of Second-Degree Rape and one count of Violation of a Protective Order on January 13, 2025. The Court followed the State’s sentencing recommendation and ordered the Defendant to serve 10 years in the Division of Corrections with an additional 30 years suspended for the two counts of Second-Degree Rape.  A conviction was also entered for one count of Violation of a Protective Order.

On July 31, 2024, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office detectives forwarded a report of a rape that occurred in Frederick, MD.  Investigation revealed the Defendant, who was 19 years old at the time of the offense,  picked the juvenile up at her parents’ residence late at night or in the middle of the night on multiple occasions and took her to his home in Frederick County for the purpose of engaging in sexual intercourse with her.  The victim’s family obtained a protective order on behalf of their daughter, but the Defendant continued to knowingly violate the order.  Police interviewed the Defendant, and he admitted to having sexual intercourse with the victim at his residence on four separate occasions.

Upon release, the Defendant will serve five years of supervised probation.  The Defendant will have to register as a sex offender for life and be subject to lifetime sex offender supervision.

The State was represented by Erin Pearl, an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Special Victims Unit.  The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Frederick City Police, the Department of Social Services, the Child Advocacy Center, and the Caroll County Sheriff’s Office.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

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State’s Attorney Charlie Smith and his Office hosted the 35th Maryland Statewide Memorial Service 2025

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State’s Attorney Charlie Smith and his Office hosted the 35th Maryland Statewide Memorial Service, on Sunday April 6, 2025, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Frederick, MD in honor of Maryland’s crime victims and their families. During the service, volunteers read the names of victims of violent crime from Maryland’s Western Region, Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery and Washington counties. The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy read their 2025 Proclamation stating that April 3rd is officially dedicated as Crime Victim and Advocate Commemorative Day.
The Governor’s Office recognizes the ongoing and tireless efforts of victim advocates and members of the victim service community. Our Office extends a special thank you to our Victim Witness Coordinators who daily provide support, education and advocacy to victims, ensuring their rights are protected and their needs are met. We also thank Pastor Morgan Kochenower, Pastor Alareece Collie, Kim Barney and Tom Boughner for their hospitality to our community and their support of this memorial service.