Man To Serve 19 Years in the Department of Corrections for 2 Counts of 2nd Degree Rape

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PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

May 13, 2024

Man To Serve 19 Years in the Department of Corrections for

 2 Counts of 2nd Degree Rape

 

Frederick, MD – Today, in the Frederick County Circuit Court, Nicholas Wayne Summers was sentenced to 40 years in the Department of Corrections, suspending all but a 19-year active sentence to be served in the Division of Corrections, for 2 counts of 2nd degree rape.  The State’s Attorney’s Office worked closely with the victim and her family in the resolution of this case.  The sentence imposed was based on a binding plea agreement entered into by the State and the defense.

In May 2023, a Frederick County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a call for a sexual assault of a minor that occurred previously.  The concerned mother of the minor victim told the deputy her child made a social media post about a traumatic incident the child experienced in the past.  The mother talked with the child and learned the defendant committed multiple sexual assaults on the child in Montgomery and Frederick counties over a three-year period.

State’s Attorney, Charlie Smith stated, “The year-long collaboration between Frederick County Sheriff’s Office detectives and the State’s Attorney’s Office brought justice to the victim and the victim’s family today.  We will continue to hold predators accountable in Frederick.”

Upon release from the Department of Corrections, Summers will serve 5 years of specialized sex offender supervision. Additionally, he will be subject to lifetime sex offender supervision and lifetime sex offender registration.  His conditions include no contact with the victim, no unsupervised contact with minors, internet and GPS monitoring, and a prohibition from possessing any/all firearms.

The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorney, Erin Pearl, Special Victims Unit.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

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Baltimore Man Held Without Bond Today for 1st-Degree Murder, Conspiracy 1st-Degree Murder, Kidnapping, and Carjacking.

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FREDERICK, Md. (May 8, 2024)

Baltimore Man Held Without Bond Today for 1st-Degree Murder, Conspiracy 1st-Degree Murder, Kidnapping, and Carjacking.

 

 

Today in Frederick County Circuit Court, Alonzo Michael Epps Jr., charged with First Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder, Kidnapping and Carjacking, appeared for a bond hearing and was ordered held without bond in the Frederick County Adult Detention Center pending trial.

The grand jury for Frederick County returned an original indictment on May 2, 2024 for the above charges against Alonzo Michael Epps Jr. for his role in the murder of Brice Wendell Boots.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

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Chamber of Commerce Awards 2024

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April 18, 2024

Frederick, MD – The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 9th Annual Public Safety Awards at the Brunswick Fire Hall this morning. The Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office is proud to partner with Frederick Police Department, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, MD – Integrity Driven • Community Built, Brunswick, MD Police Department, Maryland State Police Frederick Barrack and Homeland Security Investigations in receipt of the Unit Achievement Award for the Washington/Baltimore High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).

 

Howard County Man to Serve 2 Years in the Department of Corrections After Pleading Guilty to 1 Count of Sexual Solicitation of a Minor

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Press Release

For Immediate Release

April 12, 2024

Howard County Man to Serve 2 Years in the Department of Corrections After Pleading Guilty to

 1 Count of Sexual Solicitation of a Minor

 

 

Frederick, Maryland – Today in Frederick County Circuit Court, Judge Scott Rolle accepted the guilty plea of Scott Paul Locastro, 51 years old, for one count of sexual solicitation of a minor.  Locastro currently resides in the Frederick County Adult Detention Center.

On January 3, 2024, a Frederick County Sheriff’s Deputy, with the INTERCEPT Task Force, performing an online investigation and posing as a 13-year-old female, received text messages from Scott Locastro containing sexualized conversation, including soliciting the “minor” for sexual acts multiple times.  The defendant also asked the “minor” if he could go to her house and hide in her closet.  Furthermore, the defendant, asked the “minor” to meet at various locations including the park, a hotel room and his truck.

A subpoena was served to Verizon Wireless for the phone number used to communicate with the Sheriff’s Office deputy.  Scott Locastro was determined to be the account subscriber of the phone number.  In addition, GPS and physical surveillance revealed the defendant to be traveling in a black Chevy Cruz from the area of Livestock Road, West Friendship, MD to Frederick County, MD.  When the defendant arrived at the prearranged meeting point, he was arrested.  The defendant admitted to communicating with multiple minors and exchanging explicit, nude images with them.

The Frederick County Circuit Court sentenced Locastro to 10 years, suspend all but 2 years, in the Department of Corrections.  The Maryland sentencing guidelines for this case was probation to 2 years.  Probation will include five years of COMET-supervised probation, a psycho-sexual evaluation and sex-offender treatment.  The defendant must comply with specialized sexual offender supervision – offense specific treatment, medication, polygraph testing, computer monitoring, electronic tracking and curfew/geographic restriction.

The defendant will register as a Tier-2 Sex Offender Registrant and cannot have under unsupervised contact with any minor children. All other standard conditions of supervised probation apply.

Chief Counsel Joyce King represented the State of Maryland.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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Thurmont Man to Serve 18 Months in Jail for 10 Counts, Including 3 Hate Crimes, 2 Counts of Harassment, 3 Counts of Trespassing and 2 Counts of Disorderly Conduct

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Press Release

For Immediate Release

April 4, 2024

 

Thurmont Man to Serve 18 Months in Jail for 10 Counts, Including 3 Hate Crimes, 2 Counts of Harassment, 3 Counts of Trespassing and 2 Counts of Disorderly Conduct

 

Frederick, Maryland – Today, Judge Julie Solt sentenced Michael David Burns to 9 years, suspend all but 18 months to be served in the Frederick County Adult Detention Center for 10 counts, including three hate crimes, two counts of harassment, three counts of trespassing and two counts of disorderly conduct on his neighbors’ property.  In January, a jury found the defendant guilty of those 10 counts.  The FCADC will arrange for the defendant to be on work release during the 18-month sentence.  The defendant has been on home detention, monitored by A1 Trusted Monitoring, since January 26, 2024, pending his sentencing date.

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.  Assistant State’s Attorney, Carly Gibson filed charges against the defendant based in part on 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.

In addition to the 18-month jail sentence, which begins today, the defendant will serve 5 years of supervised probation upon his release to include: alcohol and drug treatment, mental health treatment and no contact with the victims or their property.

Assistant State’s Attorney, Carly Gibson led the investigation leading to the charging, prosecution and conviction of Michael David Burns.  Several civil actions against the defendant are pending.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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Walkersville Man to Serve 30 Days in Jail for Two Felony Counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty

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Press Release

For Immediate Release

April 3, 2024

 

Walkersville Man to Serve 30 Days in Jail for Two Felony Counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty

 

 

Frederick, Maryland – Anthony Houston Smith, II was sentenced to six years, suspending all but 30 days in jail (to be served by spending ten consecutive weekends in jail), this morning in the Frederick County Circuit Court by Judge Julie Solt for two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty.

On February 11, 2023, a Sheriff’s Office Deputy responded to a call at 8313 Water Street Road in Walkersville,  describing “dogs being starved and possibly dead on the property.”  Animal Control was then called to the scene and subsequently searched the property after receiving permission from the owner, Anthony Houston Smith, II.  Upon searching the property, authorities found five dogs which appeared to be starved and struggling for water.  An additional three dogs were found deceased on the property. Two of the three deceased dogs were found discarded in trash bags.  Of the five surviving dogs, four dogs were taken to a shelter and one dog was immediately taken to a veterinarian for treatment.

In May, 2023, the defendant was charged with 23 counts of animal cruelty.  In August, 2023, the case was moved up to the Circuit Court by way of a Criminal Information filed by the State.  The defendant entered an Alford plea to two counts of Felony Aggravated Animal Cruelty on January 29, 2024 and was subsequently found guilty on both counts. The defendant also received three years of supervised probation, with the following special conditions:  1) do not acquire any additional pets, 2) compliance checks to be done by animal control, and 3) enroll into any other programs recommended by supervising agent.

Assistant State’s Attorney, Robert McCall represented the State.

 

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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Public Information Briefing Addresses Fight Against Human Trafficking

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County Executive Jessica Fitzwater Held Briefing to Address Frederick County’s Fight Against Human Trafficking

March 28, 2024

Frederick, MD – County Executive Jessica Fitzwater held a public information briefing this morning to address Frederick County’s fight against human trafficking.  Chief Counsel, Joyce King and Chief Assistant State’s Attorney of the Special Victims Unit, Lindsey Carpenter expressed gratitude to Fitzwater’s support and commitment to the county’s multi-disciplinary teams who investigate, apprehend and prosecute internet sexual predators who exploit children through the use of technology.

“We thank Jessica Fitzwater for providing the new INTERCEPT Task Force with a space to improve efficiency, coordination and collaboration between local, state and federal agencies,” said King.  “We will continue to train and educate local and statewide partners as well as make policy recommendations.”

“Jessica Fitzwater’s leadership in promoting legislation to dismantle the criminal organizations we are investigating is greatly appreciated.  We continue to identify regulatory loopholes exploited by the trafficking organizations, which allow them to traffic victims and launder money,” stated Carpenter.

Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Chad Atkins and Frederick Police Department’s Sergeant Scott Grigsby, also investigators with the INTERCEPT Task Force, expressed their commitment to dismantling criminal organizations in Frederick County’s communities.

NDAA President Charlie Smith Meets with Senators Durbin and Graham in Support of VOCA Funding

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March 12, 2024

NDAA President Charlie Smith Meets with Senators Durbin and Graham in Support of VOCA Funding

National District Attorneys Association President Charlie Smith met with Senators Durbin and Graham yesterday in an effort to secure VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funding, which fuels the Crime Victim’s Fund (CVF).  A lack of funding would result in millions of crime victims losing critical resources which provide them with support, safety, justice and healing.   With impending budget cuts and the decline of deposits into the CVF, Smith stressed the importance of sufficiently funding the VOCA grants as millions of crime victims benefit from programs in prosecutors’ offices supporting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking and drunk driving.  In addition, the grants assist survivors with medical bills, lost wages and funeral costs.

Charlie Smith with Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois

 

Charlie Smith with Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina

Baltimore Man Waives Bond Hearing, Continues to be Held Without Bond Today for 1st-Degree Murder, Conspiracy 1st-Degree Murder, Kidnapping, and Carjacking.

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FREDERICK, Md. (March 12, 2024)

The National District Attorneys Association’s Spring Board Conference In Dallas Addressed Community Safety As Well As Education and Support Initiatives for Prosecutors Nationwide

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Press Release

For Immediate Release

March 8, 2024

The National District Attorneys Association’s Spring Board Conference In Dallas Addressed Community Safety As Well As Education and Support Initiatives for Prosecutors Nationwide

Dallas, Texas – Saturday, March 2, 2024 – Led by NDAA President J. Charles Smith, The National District Attorneys Association, the premier professional organization representing prosecutors across the United States, successfully held its quarterly board meeting in Dallas, Texas.  This gathering brought together NDAA members to deliberate on key issues facing the prosecutorial profession, share insights, and chart the course for the association’s future initiatives.

 

The NDAA board discussed comprehensive strategies to enhance the support system for prosecutors nationwide, focusing on education, training, and advocacy efforts.  The meeting also highlighted NDAA’s commitment to fostering community safety and judicial fairness, underscoring recent collaborative efforts with retailers and other stakeholders to address organized retail crime.  The NDAA also continues to prioritize educational initiatives for prosecutors as well as professional development, with plans to expand its offering of webinars, in-person training sessions, and on-demand learning resources.

 

Press Contact:

Natalie Harrell

Director of Communications

nharrell@ndaajustice.org

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