MARYLAND STATE’S ATTORNEYS JOIN FORCES TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF CHILD SEX ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING

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MEDIA ADVISORY

 

March 14, 2023

 

 

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, and Prince George’s Counties held a joint press conference today to urge passage of multiple bills currently before the Maryland General Assembly.

 

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.

 

The press conference specifically discussed the following two pieces of legislation:

 

  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.

 

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.

 

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.

“I think it’s very important to highlight the bills that prosecutors of this state are supporting. There’s been a lot of talk publicly about the legislation we are against and what is often ignored is the legislation we fully endorse,” said Howard County State’s Attorney Rich Gibson, Jr. “We stand firmly against any bills that we feel would jeopardize public safety. And likewise, we’re here today talking about bills that would enhance public safety. It is for these reasons that we stand in solidarity; not only for these two specific bills, but for the 50-plus bills put forth on our MSAA support list.”

 

“Many persons in positions of authority over minors are excluded from the current law. SB21 expands the definition of person in position of authority to include teachers, coaches, counselors, and others who work with children outside of the traditional school setting. Individuals who are in any of the roles included in this bill hold positions of trust, and any person who grooms or manipulates a child for the purposes of sexual exploitation should be held accountable,” said Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.

 

“The Legislature is being urged to pass Senate Bill 292, the Safe Harbor Bill. This bill is a step in the right direction to enhance protections for child victims of human trafficking and sex trafficking. The passage of this bill will provide immunity from prosecution or juvenile proceedings for child victims who are suspected of being survivors of these heinous crimes.  Under current law, many child victims are charged with crimes or are subject to juvenile proceedings—even when they are suspected to be survivors of human or sex trafficking. The Safe Harbor Bill would provide protection from such charges and proceedings to shield these children from further trauma,” said Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy. “It is time for us to come together and act on behalf of those who cannot advocate for themselves. Let us make sure that we keep our focus on safety and healing, not punishment and prosecution. Now more than ever we must ensure that our most vulnerable population—children—are protected from traffickers who seek to exploit them for profit.”

 

Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith commented, “It is critical that we do everything in our power to stand as advocates for victims of crime, both on the State and National level. The Safe Harbor Bill would ensure that child victims are protected from prosecution and that traffickers become the sole focus of law enforcement, as they should.” Smith added, “There are far too many that use their trusted relationship with children to groom and abuse. By expanding the definition of those in positions of authority, we will ensure that more offenders are held accountable for victimizing children. I call on the General Assembly to pass these bills that will protect the vulnerable.”

 

 VIDEO LINK TO PRESS CONFERENCE – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-XbK8OpxaM  

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Rocky Ridge Man Enters Guilty Plea, Sentenced for Felony Domestic Violence

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FREDERICK, MD  – This morning in Frederick County Circuit Court, Michael Anthony Simpson, age 34, of Rocky Ridge, entered a guilty plea to two counts of 1st Degree Assault and one count of Violating a Protective Order. The Honorable Judge Julie Stevenson Solt sentenced Simpson to a combined 50 years with all but 10 years suspended. He must also serve 5 years of supervised probation upon release.

 

On September 14, 2022, officers with the Frederick Police Department were dispatched to the Woodspring Suites hotel located at 341 Ballenger Center for the report of a domestic assault. The female victim told officers that the defendant strangled her that day at the hotel as well as the day prior during their drive to Frederick. The Victim addressed the Court and advocated for the sentence that was ultimately imposed, detailing her fear of the Defendant and her long journey toward understanding the impact that the cycle of domestic violence had on her.

 

Following the sentencing, Domestic Violence Unit Chief Brett Engler commented, “Unfortunately, we see cases of strangulation on a daily basis, and assaults by strangulation are a huge risk factor toward future lethality. It is critical that victims know that there are resources in the community to help them, and that the State’s Attorney’s Office will work tirelessly with our agency partners to hold offenders accountable for their actions–with serious consequences where appropriate.”

 

The State’s Attorney’s Office encourages anyone experiencing domestic violence to reach out to law enforcement and/or the Heartly House at (301) 662-8800 for assistance.

 

The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Brett Engler.

 

Michael Anthony Simpson

 

WINCHESTER, VA MAN FOUND GUILTY OF 1ST DEGREE MURDER IN BRUTAL 2020 STABBING DEATH

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEBRUARY 16, 2023

 

 

 

WINCHESTER, VA MAN FOUND GUILTY OF 1ST DEGREE MURDER IN BRUTAL 2020 STABBING DEATH

 

 

FREDERICK, MD This afternoon in Frederick County Circuit Court, a jury returned a guilty verdict for 1st degree murder in the trial of State vs. Lemuel Lee Roberts, age 34, of Winchester, VA. The Honorable Judge Julie Stevenson Solt scheduled sentencing for Friday, April 21, 2023 at 9:00 am.

 

Shortly after 2:00 am on January 11, 2020, a 911 caller reported finding a body in the roadway at English Muffin Court and English Muffin Way in Frederick, MD, deceased. The victim was identified as Kaitlin Nichole Roberts of Winchester, VA.

 

Investigators determined that Lemuel Roberts traveled to Frederick, Maryland with his ex-wife Kaitlin Roberts and stabbed her 32 times and ran over her body while driving a Buick Enclave. At trial, prosecutors presented video footage from a nearby business showing the defendant’s car approach the area of English Muffin Way and English Muffin Court around 11:49 pm on January 10, 2020. Investigators believe the victim exited the vehicle and was subsequently run over by the defendant.

 

Afterwards, Roberts went back to Winchester where he was shown on surveillance camera footage at a Sheetz Gas Station driving the Buick Enclave through a car wash. The defendant proceeded to dispose of evidence including the victim’s work nameplate and purse at a Sunoco gas station dumpster in Winchester. Roberts then returned to his home on Oakmont Circle in Winchester.

 

Through cellular phone tracking analysis by FBI Special Agent Michael Fowler, investigators determined Roberts then returned to the area of the victim’s body in Frederick around 2:00 am. SA Fowler also presented tracking data through cellular phone records and trackers the defendant had on vehicles that confirmed his movements in the late hours of January 10th into the early morning of January 11, 2020.

 

The defendant then went back to Winchester where he set the Buick Enclave on fire at Woods Mill Rd. and Red Bud Rd. Former Frederick County, VA Fire Marshall’s office investigator Kenneth Scott testified that it was the result of an intentional “incendiary” fire originating in the front passenger area of the vehicle.

 

 

The State was represented by Deputy State’s Attorney Kirsten Brown and Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca Clinton.

 

Following the verdict, Deputy State’s Attorney Kirsten Brown commented, “This joint investigation between the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia and the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland made this prosecution successful.  We were equipped with a team of professionals who assisted us with getting justice for Kaitlin.  We appreciate the support of Kaitlin’s family and the law enforcement agencies.”

 

The State’s Attorney’s Office would like to recognize the hard work of investigators with the Frederick County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office, Frederick County, VA Fire Marshall’s Office, Frederick County, MD Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Secret Service, FBI Baltimore, and the Montgomery County, MD Police Department.

 

Lemuel Lee Roberts

 

 

 

 

 

FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO 50 YEARS FOR SEX ABUSE OF A MINOR

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FREDERICK, MD – Yesterday in Frederick County Circuit Court, Celestino Lopez-Aguilar, age 37, of Frederick, MD, was sentenced to a combined 105 years with all but 50 years suspended for 9 counts of Sex Abuse of a Minor. Lopez-Aguilar was found guilty by a Frederick jury on December 14, 2022 following a two-day trial. The Honorable Judge Scott Rolle also ordered that Lopez-Aguilar serve 5 years of supervised probation upon release and register as a Tier-III sex offender, which is a lifetime registration, due to the victim’s age.

 

On December 31, 2020, a then-18-year-old disclosed to her mother that she had been sexually abused by Lopez-Aguilar, who was the former live-in fiancé of her mother. The defendant was seen as a father figure in the household. The victim stated that the abuse began when she was 7-years-old shortly after the defendant moved into the family home in 2008 and lasted until 2016.

 

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith commented, “This was an egregious case where a man used his role as a father figure to sexually abuse a young girl over the course of many years. We are pleased that the defendant received a long sentence and hope that the victim and her family can find closure with this outcome.”

 

The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Tammy Leache. The criminal investigation was led by Frederick Police Detective Rebecca Skelley.

Celestino Lopez-Aguilar

Mount Airy Woman Sentenced in Baby Fentanyl Death

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FREDERICK, MD – This morning in Frederick County Circuit Court, Heather Marie Frazier, age 36, of Mount Airy was sentenced by Judge Julie Stevenson Solt to ten (10) years suspend all but five (5) years active incarceration in the Division of Corrections. Frazier entered a guilty plea to the charge of involuntary manslaughter on August 22, 2022. Upon release from prison, Frazier must also complete five (5) years of supervised probation. The State had argued for a top-of-the-guidelines sentence of six years in prison.

 

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith commented, “This is a tragic case where drug addiction has destroyed a precious young life and the parents are faced with the consequences of their reckless actions.”

 

On July 3, 2020, Officers with the Mount Airy Police Department were dispatched to a home on Walden Way in Mount Airy for the report of an infant in cardiac arrest. EMS personnel transported the male nearly 3-month-old infant to Frederick Health Hospital. The infant passed away a short time later. An autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as “Narcotic Fentanyl Intoxication” and the manner of death as homicide.

 

Investigators determined that Heather Frazier and her husband Jeremy Whitney Frazier were living in a basement apartment on Walden Way and had been mixing fentanyl in the same bathroom where they prepared bottles for their infant son. Fentanyl contamination led to the infant’s death.

 

Co-defendant Jeremy Whitney Frazier, age 35, of Mount Airy plead guilty to the charge of involuntary manslaughter on March 14, 2022. Judge Theresa Adams sentenced the defendant to ten (10) years suspend all but five (5) years active incarceration along with five (5) years of supervised probation upon release.

 

The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorneys Tammy Leache and Lindsey Carpenter.

Heather Marie Frazier

Union Bridge Woman Enters Plea in Vehicular Assault Case

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FREDERICK, MD – This morning in Frederick County Circuit Court, Chelsea Anne Kendall, age 39, of Union Bridge, entered an Alford plea to one count of first-degree assault. An Alford plea is a type of guilty plea in which a defendant does not admit to a criminal act but acknowledges that evidence presented by the prosecution would be likely to persuade a judge or jury to find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Judge Kathleen English scheduled sentencing for March 24, 2023. The defendant will undergo a pre-sentence investigation.

On July 13, 2022, investigators with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the area of Black Ankle Road and Unionville Road for the report of a vehicle intentionally striking a pedestrian. Responding deputies discovered a woman lying in the middle of the roadway with visible injuries and a tire mark across her abdomen to her shoulder from being run over. The defendant fled the scene and did not report the incident to police. The victim was flown to R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore for treatment of life-threatening injuries. Investigators determined that the defendant ran over the victim following a dispute over the victim’s boyfriend. The defendant was located the next day by deputies with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals.

The investigation leading to the arrest and indictment of Kendall was a coordinated effort led by members of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office and Detective Zachary Sanders. The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorneys Samantha M. Slattery and Catherine B. McDermid.

 

Chelsea Anne Kendall

FREDERICK MAN FOUND GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS IN SEX ABUSE OF A MINOR

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DECEMBER 15, 2022

 

FREDERICK, MD – Late Wednesday evening in Frederick County Circuit Court, a jury returned guilty verdicts for nine (9) counts of Sex Abuse of a Minor following the two-day trial of Celestino Lopez-Aguilar, age 37, of Frederick. Judge Scott Lawrence Rolle ordered that the defendant continue to be held without bond until his sentencing February 14, 2023.

 

 

On December 31, 2020, a then-18-year-old disclosed to her mother that she had been sexually abused by Lopez-Aguilar, who was the former live-in fiancé of her mother. The defendant was seen as a father figure in the household. The victim stated that the abuse began when she was 7-years-old shortly after the defendant moved into the family home in 2008 and lasted until 2016.

 

Following the jury’s sweeping guilty verdicts, State’s Attorney Charlie Smith commented, “I am extremely proud of Chief Special Victims Unit prosecutor Tammy Leache’s work on this case. Our staff works tirelessly on behalf of the children of Frederick County to ensure that those who prey on our most innocent victims are brought to justice. We look forward to sentencing and hope that Mr. Lopez- Aguilar has plenty of time to reflect on his actions behind bars.”

 

Celestino Lopez-Aguilar

FREDERICK SAO RECEIVES GRANT-FUNDED ELECTRONIC STORAGE DETECTION (ESD) K9

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For Immediate Release

November 16, 2022

 

FREDERICK, MD – The Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office is pleased to announce the arrival of its new asset in crime fighting here in the County. Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 Duke and his handler SAO Investigator Justin Walters recently returned from a two-week training in Indianapolis, Indiana, where they received certification as an electronic detection K9 team.

 

ESD K9s are trained to detect and alert their handler on the presence of a chemical compound found on all electronic circuit boards called triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO). Examples of electronics with circuit boards include laptops, cell phones, and hard drives.

 

The ESD K9 team will have a focus on investigations of the Frederick County Cyber Crimes Task Force, which handles Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) cases within the County. K9 Duke and his handler will be a tremendous asset in ensuring that digital devices are successfully recovered during the execution of search warrants. SAO Investigator Walters commented, “It is such a rewarding feeling to know that K9 Duke and I will help make a difference in bringing justice to some of the most innocent and vulnerable victims.”

 

Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), a non-profit organization that works to protect children from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, provided funding for purchase of the K9, training, initial certification fees, travel, lodging, and per diem expenses for the handler during the two-week training course. O.U.R. will continue to support the K9 team by funding annual recertification for the ESD K9, approved veterinary bills during the entirety of the dog’s service, equipment/gear, and a monthly food stipend for the life of the K9.

 

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith added, “We are grateful to O.U.R. for this partnership. There is no doubt that this team will help bolster investigations, which in turn will lead to convictions and ultimately holding internet predators accountable behind bars where they belong.”

45 YEARS INCARCERATION FOR BURGER KING MURDER

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 4, 2022

45 YEARS INCARCERATION FOR BURGER KING MURDER 

FREDERICK, MD – Sentencing occurred today for Darin Tyler Robey, age 21, of Frederick who was found guilty by a Frederick County jury in August 2022 of Second-Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in a Crime of Violence, and Possessing a Firearm Under Age 21.  The murder happened on December 26, 2021, when officers with the Frederick Police Department were dispatched to the Burger King located at 101 Routzahn Way for a report of a shooting. Responding officers located the victim laying in the front entrance to the Burger King with severe injuries as the result of two gunshot wounds. CPR was performed until EMS arrived on scene. Regrettably, the victim Jaion Penamon, age 21, died of his injuries at the scene.

The State believes that Robey came to the Burger King that evening to confront his then girlfriend who works there. The victim witnessed this confrontation and tried to intervene.  When Penamon asked Robey to take it outside, Robey abruptly shot him twice in the chest then fled from the scene.  He was later apprehended.  His gun and phone were never located.

At sentencing, State’s Attorney Charlie Smith argued for over an hour as to why Robey was deserving of the maximum allowable sentence of 60 years (40 years for Second Degree Murder; 20 years for Firearm/Crime of Violence).  Smith stated during sentencing that “the most egregious second-degree murders deserve the harshest sentences.  Robey lacked remorse from the second he pulled the trigger, to when he stepped over Jaion’s dying body and casually walked away, until today.”  Unfortunately, Smith’s presentation was interrupted when fights broke out in the courtroom between families of the victim and defendant necessitating a lockdown of the courtrooms and other parts of the courthouse.  The sentencing resumed an hour later when Judge Scott L. Rolle heard from members of the victim’s family and from the Defense.  Robey was then sentenced to a total of 60 years in the Division of Corrections, with 15 years suspended, for a total of 45 years active incarceration. Upon release, Robey will be under 5 years of supervised probation.

The State was represented by Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith and ASA Ricky Lewis.

FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED FOR MURDER AND POSSESSION OF EXPLOSIVES

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 7, 2022

FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED FOR MURDER AND POSSESSION OF EXPLOSIVES

FREDERICK, MD – This morning in Frederick County Circuit Court, Joshua Eckenrode, age 20, of Frederick was sentenced by Judge Julie Stevenson Solt to a Life sentence with all but forty years suspended in the Division of Corrections on one count of first-degree murder and a consecutive suspended fifty-one-year sentence on a multiple count indictment of possession of a destructive device, possession of explosives without a license, and related weapons charges. Eckenrode entered binding guilty pleas in the March 2021 death of Curtis Mason Smith. The binding nature of the guilty plea agreement means that the sentence cannot be modified unless all parties agree. Upon release from incarceration, Eckenrode must serve five years of supervised probation including all standard conditions, education, evaluation, and testing for substance abuse, abstain from alcohol and controlled dangerous substances and abusive use and illegal possession of prescription drugs, random drug and alcohol testing, mental health evaluation and any treatment as directed, have no contact with the victim’s family and stay away from their residences and places of employment, and undergo GPS monitoring.

On March 19, 2021, members of the Frederick Police Department were dispatched to a missing person’s report in the city of Frederick. Later that night Curtis Mason Smith was entered into the National Crime Information Center as a missing adult. On March 20, 2021, the body of Curtis Mason Smith was located in his vehicle in the area of the 8100 block of Runnymeade Drive.  He suffered a fatal gunshot wound.  Through a joint investigation, detectives determined that Eckenrode and Smith agreed to the sale of a firearm at the defendant’s residence.  During the transaction, Eckenrode fatally shot Smith.  A search and seizure warrant was authorized for the search of Eckenrode’s residence that subsequently revealed firearms, assembled explosive devices, and bomb making material.

The investigation leading to the arrest and indictments of Eckenrode was a coordinated effort led by the Frederick County Sheriff Detective Joshua Stears and Frederick Police Department Detective Tyler Deatrich. Also assisting in the investigation was the Office of the Fire Marshal of Frederick County and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorneys Michael J. Moore and Rebecca K. Clinton and Assistant State’s Attorney Samantha Slattery.