Christopher Dorsey to Serve 30 Years for Cocaine Distribution Related Charges

FREDERICK –Christopher Dorsey, 35, of Inwood, WV appeared before the Honorable Michael Galloway for sentencing on cocaine distribution related charges.  The State requested 50 years, suspend all but 30 years active incarceration.  Deputy State’s Attorney Nanci Hamm argued that based on the PSI, the defendant hadn’t worked since 2001 and even then, he only worked a single year during his entire adult life.  She stated, “The defendant is a large volume, careful, and until now, successful drug dealer.”   The Court agreed with the State’s recommendation and sentenced Mr. Dorsey to 80 years in the Division of Correction, with all but 30 years suspended.  By statute, 5 years of that 30 year sentence is to be served without parole.  Upon release, he will be placed on 5 years supervised probation.

On June 1, 2018, a Frederick County Jury returned a guilty verdict against Christopher Dorsey on all 9 counts.  The charges include 2 counts of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, 2 counts of Distribution of Cocaine, 2 counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, 2 counts of Possession of Cocaine, and 1 count of Unlawful Possession of Cocaine–Large Amount(over 448 grams).

The charges were the result of an investigation that began in December of 2016, conducted by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.  During the investigation, surveillance units and several types of electronic surveillance were utilized for the defendant, the vehicle in which he travelled, and residences he frequented.  On 2/6/17, a search warrant was executed in the area of Toll House Court, a residence frequented by the defendant.  141 grams of crack, $5,300 cash and a loaded firearm were seized.  The occupant was arrested and phones were seized.  The contents of the phones, including texts, were analyzed.  Texts were found that were indicative of drug dealing.  Surveillance continued on the defendant and the vehicle.  On 3/15/17, a search warrant was executed in the area of White Rock Avenue, another residence frequented by the defendant.   The occupant advised that the defendant used the residence as a “stash house” and identified the defendant in a photo array.  Seized items included a large bag of cocaine weighing 50.8g, a large bag of cocaine weighing 49.1g, 6 aluminum foil bundles of crack rocks weighing 3.6g, small back of crack rock weighing 4.3 and a large bag of cocaine weighing 250g.  The 250g bag was located inside a wooden box, sitting on a glass mirror.  Two fingerprints found on the glass mirror were later identified as belonging to the defendant.  On 3/16/17, a search warrant was executed on the defendant’s residence in Inwood, WV.  A handgun was located in the defendant’s bedroom, along with 2 loaded magazines.  The defendant was arrested at that time.

The State was represented by Deputy State’s Attorney Nanci Hamm.

J. Charles Smith, III

State’s Attorney for Frederick County, Maryland

Darnell Morris to Serve 10 Years for Cocaine Distribution Related Charges

FREDERICK- Darnell Morris, 39, of Frederick, MD appeared before the Honorable Judge Julia A. Martz-Fisher today and was sentenced to a total of 40 years in the Division of Corrections, with all but 10 years suspended.  By statute, 5 years of that 10 year sentence is to be served without parole.  Upon release, he will be placed on 5 years supervised probation.

On October 25, 2018, Morris entered a guilty plea to count 4, Distribution of CDS/Cocaine – Large Amount and count 8, Conspiracy to Distribute CDS/Cocaine.

Authorities began investigating the defendant’s involvement in the distribution of cocaine in the Frederick area in 2017. In February of 2018, Detectives with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic Investigative Section and the Frederick Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit were granted authority by the Circuit Court for Frederick County to wiretap two mobile telephones utilized by the defendant.

On April 4, intercepted communications revealed the Defendant arranging to source a large amount of cocaine. Through physical and digital surveillance, investigators observed him conspiring with another individual to pick up the cocaine, and then depositing it at another associate’s house on April 5, 2018.

On April 6, 2018, a search warrant was executed on the defendant’s residence in the area of Charstone Court.  $43,049 in cash was seized, which was known to be drug proceeds based on facts of the investigation.   A search of one of the associate’s residence revealed a total of 480 grams of powder cocaine.

The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen Swanson.

J. Charles Smith, III

State’s Attorney for

Frederick County, Maryland

Robert Disney Enters Guilty Plea to CDS Possession-Large Amount

FREDERICK – Robert Disney, 57, of Frederick, MD, appeared before the Honorable Judge Julie R. Stevenson Solt and entered a guilty plea to CDS Possession – Large Amount Cocaine and was sentenced to 15 years in the Division of Corrections, with all but 5 years suspended.  By statute, the 5 years will be served without parole.  Upon his release, he will be placed on 3 years supervised probation.

Authorities began investigating a network involved in the distribution of cocaine in the Frederick area in 2017.  In February of 2018, Detectives with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic Investigative Section and the Frederick Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit were granted authority by the Circuit Court for Frederick County to wiretap two mobile telephones utilized by an associate of the defendant, Darnell Morris.

On April 4, 2018, intercepted communications revealed Mr. Morris arranging to source a large amount of cocaine.  Through physical and digital surveillance, investigators observed Mr. Morris conspiring with another individual to pick up the cocaine, and then depositing it at the defendant’s house on April 5, 2018.

On April 6, 2018, a search warrant was executed on the defendant’s residence in the area of Prospect Blvd.  480 grams of cocaine was seized from the residence.

The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen Swanson.

J. Charles Smith, III

State’s Attorney for

Frederick County, Maryland

Frederick County SAO Participates in American Bar Association- Rule of Law Initiative’s International Justice Sector Education and Training (IJET) Program

On October 24, 2018, Special Counsel and Chief of Staff Joyce King provided training to Philippine prosecutors through the American Bar Association- Rule of Law Initiative’s International Justice Sector Education and Training (IJET) Program. Her training focused on implementing and designing curricula and case management practices aimed at clearing a large volume of cases and focusing on high-value targets with inter-institutional coordination.

The IJET Program is a month-long fellowship that includes workshops and training, institutional study visits, and mentorship focusing on reforming the preliminary investigation and prosecution of public corruption in the Philippines.

Brian Onley Found Guilty of Cocaine Distribution Related Charges

FREDERICK- A Frederick County Jury returned a guilty verdict against Brian Onley, 38 of Frederick, Maryland on the charges of CDS: Possession With Intent to Distribute and Conspiracy to Distribute CDS.

The trial began on October 16, 2018 and the jury deliberated for approximately two hours before delivering the verdict at approximately 6:30 p.m. on October 17, 2018.

The charges were the result of an investigation that began in December of 2017, conducted by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.  During the investigation, surveillance units and several types of electronic surveillance were utilized for the defendant, the vehicle in which he travelled, and residences he frequented.

On 4/6/18, a search warrant was executed on the defendant’s residence in the area of Hames Court, Frederick.  A total of $27,566.00 cash was found in the defendant’s bedroom closet and several cell phones were found in the defendant’s bedroom.  A truck parked directly in front of the residence was known to be driven by the defendant and a K-9 scan of the vehicle resulted in a positive alert.  A large white paper bag behind the passenger seat contacted a digital scale, 131 grams of powder cocaine, and 28.5 grams of crack cocaine.

The Honorable William R. Nicklas, Jr. deferred sentencing until December 13, 2018, so that a pre-sentence investigation could be completed and revoked the defendant’s bond.

The State was represented by Deputy State’s Attorney Nanci Hamm.

 

Charles Smith, III

State’s Attorney for

Frederick County, Maryland

Bernard Moore and Daniel Ennos to be Tried as Adults in Victor Cullen Riot

FREDERICK – After almost two weeks in the courtroom, on September 27 and 28, 2018, in two separate Motions Hearings, Judge Theresa Adams denied the defense counsels’ requests to try their clients as juveniles.  Defendants Bernard Moore, 17, and Daniel Ennos, 17, were involved in violence that the Judge described as “brutal and frightening” when they attacked staff members at the Victor Cullen Center in Sabillasville on April 8, 2018.   Multiple staff members were injured; months of work were lost by employees due to the injuries sustained.   The Judge cited the extensive efforts the Department of Juvenile Services has made to offer services and therapy to both of these youths.   Moore who will turn 18 years old in November 2018, is from Frederick County and had been sent to multiple juvenile placements and offered therapy for years.   Ennos who is from Prince George’s County, had also been under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court for years and offered various treatment programs and placements, but none ended successfully.   The Judge considered testimony from multiple expert witnesses testifying in each case before ruling that the Defendants were not amenable to treatment in a juvenile facility.   In addition to the expert testimony, the evidence submitted included recordings of the Defendants reveling in their violence acts and continuing to be engaged in violence while being held at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center.

There were eight residents charged in the April 8, 2018 riot, each involved to a different degree.  One co-Defendant, Ali Tarek, 19, appeared before Judge William R. Nicklas on September 10, 2018, and entered a guilty plea to a First Degree Assault on a staff member, Second Degree Assault on another staff member, and Rioting.  Tarek was sentenced to a total of 50 years at the Department of Corrections, with all but 5 years suspended, and 5 years supervised probation upon release.    Diego Glay, 19, who became involved after the first attack on staff had begun, pled guilty to Riot and Second Degree Assault on Sept. 27, 2018, and was sentenced to 10 years with all but 18 months suspended and supervised probation upon release.

The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Laura Wilt.

J. Charles Smith, III

State’s Attorney for Frederick County, Maryland

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Cody Fowler to Serve 7 Years for 2nd Degree Rape

FREDERICK – Today, Cody Fowler, 23, of Thurmont, MD, was sentenced for the offense of Second Degree Rape.  The Honorable Julia Martz-Fisher imposed 20 years in the Division of Corrections, and suspended all but 7 years of active incarceration.  Fowler was also ordered to serve 5 years of supervised probation upon his release, with conditions including completion of a sexual offenders treatment program.  The Defendant will also be a registered sexual offender for life.

The Defendant was convicted of the offense on January 29, 2018, after a 5 day jury trial.  The jury deliberated for about three hours before returning a guilty verdict for the sole count of Second Degree Rape.

The offense occurred on October 28, 2016, during a small party at a private residence in Jefferson, MD. The victim had become voluntarily intoxicated and reported having no memory of events for several hours. When she awoke she was experiencing significant pain and injury to her genitalia. A sexual assault examination at Frederick Memorial Hospital confirmed those injuries were a result of penetration and trauma.  Forensic DNA tests implicated the Defendant Fowler.   During the investigation, however, the Defendant told the detective that he did not have any sexual contact with the victim.  In sentencing the Defendant, J. Martz-Fisher told him that the blame for his conduct was his alone, and dismissed any implication that the victim was in any way responsible for the assault.

The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Lindy Angel.

Tracy Frost Sentenced to Serve 25 Years for Heroin Distribution Offenses

FREDERICK – Tracy Frost, 46, of Frederick, MD appeared for sentencing today in the Circuit Court for Frederick County, Maryland for the charges of conspiracy to distribute heroin and distribution of heroin.  The Honorable Julie R. Stevenson Solt, concurring with the State’s recommended sentence, ordered Mr. Frost to serve 40 years of incarceration in the Division of Correction, suspending 15 years, thus making the term of active incarceration 25 years.  Upon release, Mr. Frost will be placed on 5 years of supervised probation.

On September 28, 2017, the Frederick Police Department responded to a residence on East Second Street in downtown Frederick for a suspected fatal drug overdose.  The scene indicated that the male victim had ingested heroin.  A subsequent autopsy revealed that he had died of a mixed drug intoxication, including heroin and fentanyl.  The Frederick Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit opened an investigation into the matter.  Investigators were able to confirm that Tracy Frost of Frederick and Antonio Little of Frederick, had conspired to supply heroin to the victim the night before.  A detective subsequently made contact with Mr. Little and Mr. Frost and, acting in an undercover capacity, purchased heroin directly from Mr. Frost on October 5, 2017.

On June 27, 2018, Mr. Frost plead guilty to two counts, conspiracy to distribute heroin and distribution of heroin, regarding his conduct in both incidents.  Mr. Little entered an Alford plea of guilt to distribution of heroin in July.  Mr. Little will appear for sentencing before the Honorable William R. Nicklas later this month.

The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen K. Swanson.

Jayqwan Bowie Found Guilty of Second Degree Assault and Sentenced to Serve 5 Years

 FREDERICK- A Frederick County Jury returned a guilty verdict against Jayqwan Bowie, 27, of Frederick, MD for Second Degree Assault.  The Honorable John H. Tisdale sentenced the defendant to serve 5 years in the Division of Corrections.  The defendant was found not guilty of First Degree Assault.

The trial began on August 29, 2018 and the jury deliberated for approximately 3 hours before delivering the verdict.

On November 15, 2017, Officers responded to the area of Heather Ridge Drive for a domestic call.  Contact was made with the victim, who had visible bruising and scratches on her neck consistent with being strangled.  The victim advised that when the defendant strangled her, she saw “black fuzz” and fell to the floor.  She advised that when she was on the floor she called 911.  He then picked her up by her clothing and threw her onto the floor.  The defendant then fled the scene.  The victim invoked her marital privilege and did not testify.  The State did present testimony from a 7 year old child who witnessed the incident.

The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Lindy Angel.

Charles Smith, III

State’s Attorney for

Frederick County, Maryland

Ronald Dixon to Serve 5 Years for Criminal Non-Support and Related Charges

FREDERICK – On August 27, 2018, Ronald Dixon, 56, of Germantown, MD appeared before the Honorable William R. Nicklas, Jr. for sentencing.  To date, Mr. Dixon has continued his defiance of his child support obligation, and his arrears are nearly $55,000.  He was sentenced to a total of 28 years in the Division of Correction, with all but 5 years suspended and will be placed on 3 years of supervised probation upon release.

On August 2, 2018, following a jury trial and deliberations of less than ten minutes, the jury returned a guilty verdict against Ronald E. Dixon, Jr. of Germantown, Maryland.  Mr. Dixon was convicted of:  Constructive Criminal Contempt; Non-Support of a Minor; Forgery-Private Document; Possession of a Forged Document; and Issuing a False Document.

The State proved that Mr. Dixon was in criminal contempt of his order to pay child support and criminal non-support of his now 7 year old minor child.  Mr. Dixon has never paid child support, and at the time of charging, his arrears exceeded $44,000.  The State further proved that Mr. Dixon counterfeited an MVA compliance letter, normally issued by the Frederick County Department of Social Services, in order to obtain his driving privilege after it had been suspended for child support non-compliance.  Mr. Dixon altered a previously issued letter, and forged the signature of his case agent.  He then issued the document at the MVA, and his privilege was fraudulently reinstated.

The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorneys William Prunka and Richard Gibbs.

Charles Smith, III

Frederick County State’s Attorney