Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

PENNSYLVANIA MAN SENTENCED TO SERVE 20 YEARS IN THE MARYLAND DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR SEX ABUSE OF A MINOR IN FREDERICK

Frederick, MD – Today, in Frederick County Circuit Court, the Honorable Judge Scott Rolle sentenced 44-year old Rory Littleton Sanders, of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, to 25 years in the Maryland Division of Corrections, suspending all but 20 years, which must be served in the Division of Corrections, for one count of Sex Abuse of a Minor for conduct that took place in Frederick County, Maryland between 2010-2014.

The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office investigation into this matter began in July 2021, following a report that was made to authorities in Pennsylvania regarding offenses that occurred in Pennsylvania and Maryland.  The Defendant admitted the offenses in Pennsylvania and Maryland.  He pled guilty in Pennsylvania to forcible rape and three counts of corruption of a minor and began serving his sentence of 13-26 years before being brought to Maryland to face the charges here.

Sanders entered a plea to one count of Child Sex Abuse of a Minor on July 31, 2024, before Judge Rolle, and sentencing was postponed until today’s date.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “These cases are really heartbreaking because they have a very long lasting effect on the victim. Prosecuting these people and sending them to jail is only the beginning of the recovery process for these victims.  At least we know that he will not hurt them again.”

Judge Rolle ordered that the sentence in Maryland must be served consecutive to (after) the Pennsylvania sentence.  In sentencing the Defendant, Judge Rolle stated, “No reasonable person could justify this behavior.”

Upon completion of his two, consecutive sentences, the Defendant will serve five years of supervised probation in Maryland and will have to register as a sex offender for life and be subject to lifetime sex offender supervision.

The State was represented by Erin Pearl, an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Special Victims Unit as well as Chief Assistant State’s Attorney, Special Victims Unit, Lindsey Carpenter.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

JURY FINDS MONROVIA MAN GUILTY OF FIRST DEGREE ASSAULT, SECOND DEGREE CHILD ABUSE,

NEGLECT AND TWO COUNTS OF SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT

Frederick, MD – On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, a jury in Frederick County Circuit Court found 46-year old Christopher Kraft, of Monrovia, MD, guilty of First Degree Assault, Second Degree Child Abuse, Neglect of a Child, and two counts of Second Degree Assault.  The Honorable Judge Scott Rolle presided over the three-day jury trial.

On Sunday, March 3, 2024, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a request for a welfare check on a child.  Deputies made contact with the witness, the child, and the Defendant.  Deputies learned that just prior to their arrival, Kraft struck the child in the face, pulled the child to the ground and stood on the child’s stomach, threatening to crush the child.  Kraft also placed a lock on the outside of a door in order to lock the child in a room and failed to provide for the needs of the child.  Further investigation revealed that in a prior incident, the Defendant threw water on the child and then pointed a firearm at the child, threatening to shoot.

Kraft will be held without bond at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center until his November 26, 2024, sentencing date.

The State was represented by Erin Pearl, an Assistant State’s Attorney in the 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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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

FREDERICK MAN TO SERVE 40 YEARS IN PRISON FOR FIRST-DEGREE MURDER

Frederick, Maryland – Yesterday, in Frederick County Circuit Court, The Honorable Judge Scott Rolle sentenced Jeffrey Whitney Bryan, Jr. to Life, suspend all but 40 years in the Department of Corrections for First-Degree Murder.

On July 1, 2023, at approximately 12:20 a.m., officers with the Frederick City Police Department (FPD) responded to a call for a male “shot in the face” at 170 All Saints Street in Frederick, MD.   Upon arrival, officers observed an unconscious male, bleeding heavily from the side of his face.  Officers immediately requested EMS and began CPR on the victim.  The victim, identified as Tayquan Palmer, died at the scene from his injuries.  Detectives with FPD were assigned to the case and gathered evidence establishing the following:

An outdoor “get together” of approximately 20 – 30 people occurred on the evening of June 30, 2023 into the early morning hours of July 1, 2023 in and around the parking lot located between Gaithers Alley and 170 W All Saints Street, Frederick, MD.  Both the Victim and the Defendant were present at this event.  At some point during the event a disagreement occurred between the two.  The Defendant left the event at approximately 10:40pm and returned at 12:10am on July 1, 2023 wearing a hoody and full face mask.  The Defendant waited in Gaithers Alley until the Victim was away from the crowd at which point the Defendant walked up to the victim and shot him in the head.

Upon release from prison, Bryan will serve five years of supervised probation including mental health treatment/evaluations, abstinence from alcohol/drugs and all standard conditions.

Chief Assistant State’s Attorney, Violent Crimes Unit, Ricky Lewis and Assistant State’s Attorney William Grove represented the State of Maryland.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUST 19, 2024

FREDERICK MAN DENIED BOND, REMAINS IN FREDERICK COUNTY ADULT DETENTION CENTER FOR 1^ST AND 2^ND DEGREE MURDER CHARGES

Frederick, MD – Today, in Frederick County District Court, The Honorable Earl W. Bartgis, Jr. denied bond for 22-year-old Elijah Stephen Mboss of Frederick, Maryland and ordered that he remain in custody at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center pending  trial on charges of First and Second Degree Murder.

On August 16, 2024, Frederick Police responded to 1000 Heather Ridge Drive for a report of a possible shooting.  While en route to the scene police stopped a fleeing white Acura, and observed the driver, identified as Elijah Stephen Mboss, covered in blood.  Mboss was also in possession of a semi-automatic handgun and knife.  Police found the victim, Tristen Mahorney, at the scene suffering from multiple penetrating wounds.  The victim was later pronounced deceased at Frederick Health Hospital.  Through investigation it was determined that an altercation took place between the Defendant and the victim in the area of Country Hill Apartments resulting in the victim’s death.  The investigation remains ongoing.

A preliminary hearing for the Defendant is scheduled for September 10, 2024.

Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Violent Crimes Unit, Ricky Lewis, represented the State of Maryland.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JULY 31, 2024

FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE PLUS 30 YEARS FOR FIRST-DEGREE CHILD ABUSE, RESULTING IN DEATH OF INFANT, TWO COUNTS OF SECOND-DEGREE CHILD ABUSE

Frederick, MD – Today in Frederick County Circuit Court, The Honorable J. Barry Hughes sentenced Jesse Cook, age 45, of Frederick to Life plus 30 years in the Division of Corrections for first-degree child abuse, resulting in the death of an infant and two counts of second-degree child abuse.  The State asked for and received the top of the sentencing guidelines, and the maximum possible penalty.  Cook was convicted by a jury of one count of first-degree child abuse resulting in the death of a child under 13 years old and two counts of second-degree child abuse on September 14, 2023.

On June 17, 2020, deputies with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office responded to an infant in cardiac arrest at 5305 Kingsbrook Drive in Frederick, MD.   The infant was transported to Frederick Health Hospital where the infant was pronounced deceased by medical staff approximately one hour later.  Child Protective Services was immediately notified.  An autopsy revealed multiple injuries on the infant’s body consistent with non-accidental trauma, including approximately 20 healing broken ribs, a prior abdominal injury, and a new abdominal injury that ultimately led to the infant’s death at just one month and twenty-six days old.  The Medical Examiner determined that the injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma and ruled the infant’s death a homicide.  Through investigation by detectives with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, it was learned that the child’s father had sent numerous concerning text messages and searched numerous concerning subjects related to the infant child.  Witnesses also reported that the defendant had been “rough” with the child during the child’s short life.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith stated, “These are the cases that keep you up at night realizing what some people are capable of.  It is truly heartbreaking to think of an infant enduring this kind of repeated abuse and trauma.  Now Jesse Cook will have to endure prison for the rest of his life, where he will no longer be a threat to any child.”

The victim’s mother addressed the Court in her Victim Impact Statement saying, “Jesse Cook took away my sunshine and my life; my will to live.  I ask for full justice for my son.”

Judge J. Barry Hughes addressed the Court stating, “Public safety requires this sentencing to protect the public from the Defendant’s depravity and future felonious conduct.”

The investigation leading to the arrest and conviction of Cook was a collaborative effort led by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and State’s Attorney’s Office.  The State of Maryland was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Special Victims’ Unit, Lindsey Carpenter.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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