Frederick Man to Serve 50 Years for First-Degree Murder, Attempted First-Degree Murder, Narcotics Distribution, Gang Involvement and Illegal Possession of a Firearm.
Press Release
For Immediate Release
February 6, 2024
Frederick Man to Serve 50 Years for First-Degree Murder, Attempted First-Degree Murder, Narcotics Distribution, Gang Involvement and Illegal Possession of a Firearm.
Frederick, Maryland – Today, in Frederick County Circuit Court, Judge Scott Rolle sentenced Lavonte Darnell Nash to Life, suspend all but 50 years, in the Department of Corrections after the Defendant plead guilty on December 27, 2023, to first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy to participate in a criminal gang, participation in a criminal gang, and distribution of cocaine. The Defendant received credit for time served from September 24, 2019, when he was first held without bond pending trial.
On June 27, 2019, Lavonte Nash shot and killed Mr. Gregory Knight and severely injured Ms. Camryn Wilson while Mr. Knight and Ms. Wilson were in Mr. Knight’s car, parked at the 1000 block of Columbine Drive. The Defendant murdered Mr. Knight after learning that Mr. Knight would be a witness against the Defendant regarding a drug distribution offense committed by the Defendant.
The Defendant was a member of PA-32, a criminal street gang originating in Frederick City. As part of the murder investigation, law enforcement and the State’s Attorney’s Office obtained authority from the Circuit Court to wiretap the Defendant’s cellphone communications. During the period of the wiretap investigation, a gang-related shooting occurred on August 31, 2019, outside of Café 611. The Defendant’s guilty plea included admitting his involvement in this shooting, in association with PA-32.
State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “Despite the complex nature of the investigation, all levels of teamwork proved extremely effective and provided justice to the victims.”
This investigation was a coordinated effort between the Frederick Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, Frederick Police Department Tactical Investigations Unit, and allied agencies of the Frederick HIDTA, under the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN). The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services provides grant funding and strategic support to MCIN member sites to identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal organizations through inter-agency collaboration and data sharing to make Maryland safer.
The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services funded this project under sub award number, MCIN-2024-0013. All points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of any Maryland State office or agency.
The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen K. Swanson, Chief Counsel Joyce R. King, and Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Tumulty.
Press Contact:
Jacqueline Rottmann
Communications Specialist
301-600-2972
100 West Patrick Street
Frederick, Maryland 21701
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