Victims of Nonfatal Strangulation – SB 398/HB 482

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February 6, 2024
Brett Engler, Chief of the Domestic Violence Unit, testified in favor of SB 398/HB 482: Criminal Injuries Compensation Board – Victims of Nonfatal Strangulation. The legislation would provide funding for life-saving emergency room care for victims of strangulation.
Strangulation is a deadly form of assault, and a victim of domestic violence who has been strangled, even once, is 750 times more likely to be killed by their abuser in the future. Many victims of non-fatal strangulation will avoid seeking critical care because of the expense, and/or out of fear that their abuser will learn that they reported the abuse to medical professionals through shared billing. This legislation would remove direct billing of patients for strangulation care, and instead fund the examinations through direct state reimbursement to medical providers.
Thank you to Senator William Folden, Delegate Karen Simpson for sponsoring the bill, and to the survivors, medical professionals, and advocacy organizations such as the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, who testified alongside us.

Frederick Man to Serve 50 Years for First-Degree Murder, Attempted First-Degree Murder, Narcotics Distribution, Gang Involvement and Illegal Possession of a Firearm.

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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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Sykesville Man Sentenced To 10 Years for Multiple Burglaries in Frederick County, Targeting Churches and a Commercial Establishment

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Press Release

For Immediate Release

February 1, 2024

Sykesville Man Sentenced To 10 Years for Multiple Burglaries in Frederick County, Targeting Churches and a Commercial Establishment

Frederick, Maryland – On Tuesday, January 30, 2024, in Frederick County Circuit Court, Judge Scott Rolle accepted the guilty plea of four counts of 2nd Degree Burglary of Vittorio Franco Rocco Lane and sentenced him to 28 years, suspend all but 10 years in the Maryland Division of Corrections.

The Frederick Police Department, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police investigated a series of 2023 Burglaries committed in Frederick County by one suspect.  As a result, Vittorio Franco Rocco Lane was charged with burglarizing seven churches and a convenience store, all in Frederick County.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “Whether you’re targeting vulnerable people, or more vulnerable organizations like churches, you should be punished more harshly.”

Upon release from incarceration, the defendant will serve four years of supervised probation.  The defendant is mandated to pay restitution and must obey no-contact conditions regarding the victims, among other conditions of probation.

The arrest, investigation and conviction of Lane was a collaborative effort by the Frederick Police Department, The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland Lottery.   Frederick County Assistant State’s Attorney, Tim Gilbert of the Economic Crimes Unit represented the State.

 

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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Frederick County Circuit Court Jury Finds Thurmont Man Guilty on 10 Counts, Including 3 Hate Crimes, Harassment and Trespassing

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Press Release

For Immediate Release

January 26, 2024

Frederick County Circuit Court Jury Finds Thurmont Man Guilty on 10 Counts, Including 3 Hate Crimes, Harassment and Trespassing

 

Frederick, Maryland – Yesterday in Frederick County Circuit Court, Judge Julie Solt presided over a three-day jury-trial involving defendant, Michael David Burns.  The jury found Burns guilty of three counts of Hate Crimes, Trespassing on Posted Property, Trespassing on Private Property, two counts of Disorderly Conduct and two counts of Harassment.

The victims, a same-sex couple who are neighbors of the defendant, reported the trespassing and harassment last year directly to the State’s Attorney’s Office.  Beginning in March 2023, Assistant State’s Attorney, Carly Gibson, investigated the case by visiting the home of the victims and reviewing the evidence thoroughly.  ASA Gibson’s findings warranted numerous charges including the defendant’s continually trespassing onto the victims’ property while in possession of a rifle, verbally harassing the victims with hate-based threats, throwing large rocks on the victims’ driveway to prevent them from accessing their property, and physically blocking the entrance to the property.  The defendant has been placed on home detention, monitored by A1 Trusted Monitoring, until his sentencing on April 4, 2024.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities, regardless of race, sexual orientation, faith, or other status.  When hateful words turn into hateful actions, the State’s Attorney’s Office will work diligently to protect the public and secure a just outcome.  Hopefully these convictions send a strong message that hate will not be tolerated in Frederick County.”

The charging, prosecution and conviction of Michael David Burns was a result of the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office’s investigation led by Assistant State’s Attorney, Carly Gibson.

 

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Testimony

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State’s Attorney and President of the National District Attorneys Association, Charlie Smith testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary on January 17, expressing the NDAA’s support of the #FirstStepAct. The Act’s implementation significantly reduced recidivism from 46.2% to 12.4%. The First Step Act improves the lives of low-risk offenders while protecting our communities from violent, high-risk criminals.

 

Hearings to examine five years of the First Step Act, focusing on reimagining rehabilitation and protecting public safety. (Official U.S. Senate photo by John Shinkle)

Hearings to examine five years of the First Step Act, focusing on reimagining rehabilitation and protecting public safety. (Official U.S. Senate photo by John Shinkle)

Hearings to examine five years of the First Step Act, focusing on reimagining rehabilitation and protecting public safety. (Official U.S. Senate photo by John Shinkle)

Hearings to examine five years of the First Step Act, focusing on reimagining rehabilitation and protecting public safety. (Official U.S. Senate photo by John Shinkle)

Hearings to examine five years of the First Step Act, focusing on reimagining rehabilitation and protecting public safety. (Official U.S. Senate photo by John Shinkle)

Brunswick Man Sentenced for Manufacturing a Destructive Device and 2nd Degree Assault

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Press Release

For Immediate Release

January 7, 2024

Brunswick Man Sentenced for Manufacturing a Destructive Device and 2nd Degree Assault

 

Frederick, MD – Last Friday, in Frederick County Circuit Court, Judge Julie Solt sentenced Dominic Michael Valenti to 35 years in the Department of Corrections for manufacturing a destructive device and second-degree assault, suspending all but 10 years to serve.  Upon release he will serve 5 years of supervised probation to include drug and mental health evaluation and treatment.

On August 6, 2022 Brunswick Police responded to the family’s home in response to a call for the Defendant’s threats of violence and assaultive behavior.  Police found that he had assaulted his mother prior to their arrival.  The Defendant had left the home and police advised the family to call back if he returned.  On August 7, 2022, Brunswick Police responded again to the residence for the report of a burglary in progress and that the Defendant was again present and exhibiting aggressive behavior.  The family reported that the defendant had entered their home and threatened to kill them while having control over kitchen knives and a machete.  Brunswick Police responded and seized a BB gun, an additional fixed blade knife in a sheath on the defendant’s person, and a black backpack containing an improvised explosive device.  The device was inspected by Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Michael T. Redding and later the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and found to be operational and capable of inflicting injury.  Police also found additional fuse material and a box containing live pistol ammunition.  Police transported the defendant to Frederick Health Hospital for an emergency evaluation prior to charging him and secured a Court order requiring him to surrender and forfeit any firearms and ammunition.

The Defendant pleaded guilty to manufacturing a destructive device and 2nd degree assault in September 2023.  Judge Solt ruled that as a condition of probation once released, the defendant may not return to the family residence “until further order of the court.”  The defendant had been previously required to leave the home due to his aggressive behavior and had been previously convicted of assaulting his father and violating protective orders.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “These cases are often the most frightening because of the potential for large-scale harm to our community.  Hopefully this lengthy sentence will send a message that there is zero tolerance for destructive-device crimes.”

The arrest and conviction of Valenti was a collaborative effort led by the Brunswick Police Department, the Maryland State Police Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office.  Frederick County Assistant State’s Attorney, Tim Gilbert of the Economic Crimes unit represented the State.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED FOR TWO 2ND DEGREE RAPES

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11.14.2023

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

 

FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED FOR TWO 2ND DEGREE RAPES

Frederick, MD – Yesterday, in Frederick County Circuit Court, Josiah Dalton Lindauere, age 19, of Frederick, was sentenced by Judge Scott Rolle to 36 years in the Division of Corrections with an additional 14 years suspended on two counts of 2nd degree rape, involving two different victims.  Lindauere was also convicted of sextortion and possession of a deadly weapon.  Upon release from incarceration, Lindauere will be placed on 5 years of supervised probation through COMET (Collaborative Offender Management Enforcement Treatment).  Lindauere will be required to register as a sex offender for life and is also subject to lifetime sex offender supervision under Maryland Code Criminal Procedure 11-723.

On March 15, 2022, a School Resource Officer received information regarding a possible sexual assault of a student.  Through investigation, Detectives determined that Lindauere, known by the victim, gave the victim pills, held a knife to the victim’s neck and brass knuckles to the victim’s head and proceeded to sexually assault the victim.  Lindauere threatened to kill the victim and the victim’s family if the victim did not comply.  In addition, Lindauere threatened to publish nude pictures of the victim if the victim told anyone about the incident.

 

 

A separate incident occurred on September 22, 2021, involving a different juvenile victim, also known to Lindauere. The victim initially reported the rape anonymously to Frederick Health Hospital.  Upon learning of the March 2022 incident involving Lindauere, the victim decided to report the incident to the police.  Through investigation, Detectives determined that Lindauere gave the victim alcohol and proceeded to sexually assault the victim while she was intoxicated.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “I hate to see these repeat offenders because I always wonder whether there are other victims out there in our community.  Fortunately, Frederick will be safe for decades to come because of the efforts of our prosecutors and police.”

Both victims were medically treated at Frederick Health Hospital, involving S.A.F.E. kit examination protocols.  The cases were jointly investigated by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, the State’s Attorney’s Office, as well as the Frederick County Child Advocacy Center.  The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney, Special Victims Unit, Lindsey Carpenter and Chief Assistant State’s Attorney, Juvenile Unit, Laura Wilt.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

301-600-2972

jrottmann@statesattorney.us

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

 

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Grand Jury Indictment

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Press Release

For Immediate Release

October 27, 2023

FREDERICK COUNTY GRAND JURY INDICTS NEW JERSEY MAN ON ONE COUNT OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND ONE COUNT OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER

Frederick, MD – This morning, a Frederick County Grand Jury has indicted 46-year-old Matthew Sidney Watley, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, on one count of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder of his domestic partner, Candice Thompson.

On September 24, 2023 at 1:31 a.m., deputies were dispatched to 5236 Intercoastal Drive in New Market, MD at the Costco Depot for a welfare check.  Dispatch advised that Costco security was out with a male subject yelling and screaming at his truck, destroying its interior.  Security then advised the male subject had cut himself after punching the windshield, and then proceeded to sound the horn.  Deputies from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene and met with Costco Security located at the entrance of the campus.  Security explained that a trailer had been disengaged abruptly from its cab and had been drug for several feet.  When deputies made contact with the defendant, who was operating the vehicle, they observed the driver speaking incoherently and refusing their commands to shut off the vehicle’s engine.  Deputies placed stop sticks behind the rear wheels of the tractor trailer.  Additional deputies arrived on scene when the defendant began driving the vehicle towards the gate house.  Upon relocating the stop sticks to the front side of the tires, deputies again attempted to speak with the defendant.  The defendant proceeded to run over the stop sticks and into the complex parking lot.  Wheel chocks were eventually thrown under all wheels after the suspect made several additional starts and stops with the truck.  Deputies were able to deflate the tires and commanded the driver to exit the vehicle, placing him in handcuffs.  The driver had what appeared to be blood on his shirt, hands, and face.

Upon searching the cab of the vehicle, Deputy Storm, of the FCSO, observed a female, identified as 46-year-old Candice Thompson, also of Sicklerville, New Jersey, lying face down on the floor of the cab.  The victim appeared to have multiple stab wounds to her back.  EMS arrived on scene and pronounced the victim deceased at 3:00 a.m.  Candice Thompson’s body was transported to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore, Maryland.  Based on the injuries observed on Candice Thompson’s body, the preliminary cause of death was identified as blunt and sharp force trauma.

The defendant, while detained, was transported to Frederick Health Hospital.  Although an arrest warrant was issued for Matthew Sidney Watley for the murder of Candice Thompson, he remained at Frederick Health Hospital for medical and mental health treatment.

Detectives learned that Candice Thompson and Matthew Watley were in a dating relationship and had a history of domestic violence in New Jersey with the Winslow Township Police Department.

 

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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New INTERCEPT Task Force

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE

October 26, 2023

 

FREDERICK’S NEW INTERCEPT TASK FORCE CENTRALIZES LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INVESTIGATIVE TEAMS TO COMBAT TEN-FOLD INCREASE IN VICTIMS IDENTIFIED IN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL AND TRAFFICKING

 

Frederick, MD – Today marks the genesis of Frederick County’s INTERCEPT Task Force (Inter-agency Child Exploitation and Persons Trafficking).  The new umbrella organization, encompassing multiple local, state and federal law enforcement and investigative agencies, as well as several partnering victim advocacy agencies, will expeditiously combat a ten-fold rise in victims identified in child sexual abuse material and trafficking, since a decade ago.  The Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office has partnered with the non-profit Operation Light Shine, who creates, funds, develops and provides INTERCEPT’s command center with technology, software, investigative equipment, forensic capabilities, advanced research, training/development and more.  Recognizing the urgent need to address the grave issue of child exploitation and trafficking, Operation Light Shine has taken upon itself the responsibility to bridge the funding gap and bolster law enforcement efforts in their fight against this heinous crime. By securing additional resources and support, this organization plays a pivotal role in empowering law enforcement agencies to intensify their efforts and protect vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse.

 

The Frederick County Human Trafficking Response Team (FCHTRT) and the Frederick County Cyber Crimes Task Force (FCCCTF), started in 2018 and 2019 respectively, play crucial roles in the discovery, apprehension and prosecution of human traffickers and internet sexual predators.  In the last three years, with the increasing overlap of online child exploitation and human trafficking in Frederick County, law enforcement personnel faced limited manpower and technology, prolonging investigations.  The new INTERCEPT Task Force’s centralized operation and funding efficiently increases forensic technology, prevents digital forensic backlogs and broadens proactive manpower for each case.

“Human trafficking and child exploitation cases are serious violations of our most cherished, fundamental right – the right to be free,” said State’s Attorney Charlie Smith.  “We have seen cases affecting people in every area of Frederick County,” continued Smith, “and INTERCEPT is the first Task Force in Maryland and only the third in the U.S. to tackle these complex issues with a coordinated response from law enforcement, policymakers, social service providers, and the general public.”

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 27, 2023

 

FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO TWENTY YEARS FOR TWO COUNTS OF SEX ABUSE OF A MINOR.

Frederick, MD – On Monday, in Frederick County Circuit Court, Jose Rosa Romero, age 45, was sentenced by Judge Scott Rolle to two consecutive 10-year terms for two counts of sex abuse of two female minors.  Upon release from incarceration, Romero must serve five years of supervised probation.  He must also register as a sex offender for life and is subject to lifetime sex offender supervision.

On 4/8/2022, two female minors revealed to a family member that they were sexually abused by Romero approximately ten years ago.  The victims were between 4 and 6 years old at the time of the abuse.  Romero was found guilty of both counts of child sexual abuse by a jury on May 25, 2023.

The investigation leading to the arrest and conviction of Romero was a collaborative effort led by the Frederick Police Department and the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office.  The State was represented by Special Victims’ Unit Prosecutor Lindsey Carpenter.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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