MEDIA ADVISORY March 14, 2023 MARYLAND STATE’S ATTORNEYS JOIN FORCES TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF CHILD SEX ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING 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, […]
Scam Alert!#SCAMALERT ![]()
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(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police warn citizens to be aware of a phone scam involving police impersonators that is currently active in Maryland.![]()
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Maryland State Police have received reports from citizens advising that callers contact them claiming to be state troopers or police officers. The reports are attempts to gain financial information or money from citizens. The impersonator states they need to obtain information from the caller due to a police investigation or they are asking for a donation to support law enforcement and their families.![]()
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In some instances, the impersonator will use a real name of a law enforcement officer in an attempt to gain trust of the victim. The Maryland State Police does not call individuals and request money from citizens under any circumstances. Citizens are urged to be cautious of unsolicited phone calls.![]()
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Never provide any personal identifying information over the telephone unless you have verified the source.![]()
Never provide any payment information over the telephone unless you have verified the source.![]()
The police will never call you and request money for fines, arrest warrants, fundraisers or any other reason. ![]()
If you do not trust the source and want to verify, look up the unit/group/barrack they said they are from on the internet and call the listed number directly.![]()
If you believe you have provided information to a scam, please immediately notify your financial institutions.![]()
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Citizens who believe they have been the victim of a scam are encouraged to contact their local police department or the Maryland State Police barrack that serves your area. If you believe you have fallen victim to any type of online crime, file a complaint at ic3.gov.
This morning the Frederick County Sheriff's Office Victims Services Unit, on behalf of the Frederick County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (DVCC), hosted members from the Frederick Police Department, Frederick County State's Attorney's Office, Spanish Speaking Community of Maryland, Inc. Frederick Location, and several local auto body shops to the Frederick County Law Enforcement Center to discuss GPS trackers and the laws associated with these devices. ![]()
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Additional discussions included stalking laws, types of tracking devices and what to look for, and working with victims of stalking crimes. ![]()
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For more information on the DVCC, visit this link - statesattorney.us/community-news/domestic-violence-coordinating-council/
www.marylandmatters.org
In Maryland, older child victims of sex trafficking can be arrested for prostitution – a charge some would say is blaming them for the sexual abuse they’ve experienced.
Prosecutors Urge Md. Senate To Support Two Bills To Combat Child Sexual Abuse & Human Trafficking
www.wfmd.com
They held a news conference in Annapolis on Tuesday. Annapolis, Md (KM) Area prosecutors are calling on the Maryland Senate to support two bills to aid in the fight against child sexual abuse and huma...
This afternoon in Annapolis, the State's Attorneys for Frederick, Montgomery, Howard, and Prince George's Counties held a joint press conference to urge the Maryland General Assembly to pass multiple bills. ![]()
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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.![]()
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The press conference specifically discussed the following two pieces of legislation:![]()
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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.![]()
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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.![]()
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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.![]()
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Frederick County State's Attorney's Office Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office Prince Georges County State's Attorney's Office Howard County State's Attorney's Office TurnAround, Inc.