Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DECEMBER 19, 2024

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA MAN HELD WITHOUT BOND IN THE FREDERICK COUNTY ADULT DETENTION CENTER

Frederick, MD – Today, in the Frederick County District Court, The Honorable Judge Eric Schaffer ordered 34-year-old David Phillip Turner to be held without bond in the Frederick County Adult Detention, following Turner’s extradition from Florida to Maryland, in connection with a double murder in New Market, Maryland.   The Defendant, who waived his bond review hearing, was arrested in Florida and extradited to Maryland this week on a Governor’s warrant through the collaborative efforts of the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

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Frederick County Launches Enhanced Collaborative Model Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking

November 21, 2024

Frederick, MD – Today, Frederick County’s Law Enforcement partners, along with the County Executive’s Office, announced a new Enhanced Collaborative Model (ECM) Task Force, supported by the U.S. Department of Justice and Office for Victims of Crime. The ECM Task Force is a multi-disciplinary initiative designed to combat human trafficking through coordinated prevention, victim support, and prosecutorial strategies. The Frederick County ECM Task Force joins INTERCEPT, Human Trafficking Response Team, and Safe House Project in a united effort to eliminate human trafficking from the region. The Task Force operates on a new $1.06 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime. Watch today’s multi-agency press conference here:

https://frederick.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?clip_id=10040

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OCTOBER 16, 2024

Frederick Man Sentenced To 10 Years In The Division of Corrections for Fifth Offense DUI Charges Involving a Fatality, Violation of Probation for Second-Degree Assault and Illegal Firearm Offenses

Frederick, MD – Yesterday, in Frederick County Circuit Court, The Honorable Judge Minner sentenced 43-year-old John Michael Hartman Jr. to 10 years in the Division of Corrections for a 5^th Offense DUI violation which involved a fatality. Mr. Hartman was also sentenced for violating the conditions of his probation from a 2020 second degree assault charge. Hartman was found guilty of 10 DUI-related charges during a September 17^th 2024 bench trial. At the time of the trial, Hartman was on probation for assault and firearms offenses from 2020. Per the conditions of his probation, he was to totally abstain from alcohol. Judge Minner reinstated eight and a half years which remained from his 2020 conviction to run concurrently to the 10-year sentence on the new DUI conviction.

On October 14, 2022, Maryland State Police responded to Baltimore National Pike and Harmony Road for a report of a vehicle collision. Upon the arrival of State Troopers, they found that a vehicle, being driven by Hartman, had collided with a car being driven by Mr. Donald Reineke (aged 89). Mr. Reineke died from injuries sustained in the collision. Troopers detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage on Hartman’s breath. Hartman admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages and using marijuana prior to driving. Hartman was flown to R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center to be treated for injuries. At the hospital, Hartman submitted to a blood test which indicated a result of .08 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, which is above the legal limit. Hartman had been previously found guilty of four prior DUI offenses before the collision on October 14, 2022. Hartman was charged and ultimately convicted of 10 DUI-related offenses after a bench trial before the Honorable Julia A. Minner.

On September 23, 2020, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for a shooting at 4317 Buckeystown Pike in Frederick, MD.  The victim told police that the Defendant pulled a .45 caliber handgun from his waist and shot five rounds into the engine blocks of two of the victim’s vehicles, and in the direction of where the victim was standing.  Police recovered .45 caliber shell casings at the scene.  The victim heard the Defendant tell him, “Have a nice night” before the Defendant left the scene.  In that incident, Hartman was charged with First-Degree Assault, Second-Degree Assault, Illegal Possession of a Firearm Reckless Endangerment and Illegal Possession of Ammunition.  Hartman ultimately pleaded guilty to one count Second Degree Assault and Registered Firearm: Illegal Possession. One of the conditions of Hartman’s probation was to totally abstain from alcohol.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “This defendant is not only a threat to public safety but a threat to the lives of others. He deserves this lengthy sentence.  Drunk driving can quickly turn into a situation that has a profound impact on the lives of others. Most do not realize this at the time that they get behind the wheel.”

Assistant State’s Attorney, Patrick W. Flynn 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

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR FIRST-DEGREE ARSON; SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER REIMPOSED

Frederick, MD – Today, in Frederick County Circuit Court, The Honorable Judge Julia Martz-Fisher sentenced 49-year old Byron Alton Bowie, Jr. to serve 30 years in the Department of Corrections for First-Degree Arson.  The Arson, committed in 2023, constituted a violation of the terms of the Defendant’s probation relating to a First-Degree Murder conviction from 1992.  The Court imposed a concurrent life sentence for the Violation of Probation.

On November 24, 2023 at approximately 9:00 pm, Frederick Police responded to 2203 Waller House Court for a possible domestic in progress.  A neighbor and witness told police that a male was in a verbal dispute on the rear deck and was threatening a female saying he was going to burn everything down and kill everyone inside.  Police did not find anyone inside the townhouse.  Frederick County Fire and Rescue arrived on scene shortly thereafter and observed flames on the roof and in the windows of the structure.  The Defendant was observed on home surveillance footage forcibly making entry by breaking glass on a rear door that allowed entry to the house from the deck.  Police arrested the Defendant around 10pm near Whittier Drive and identified him as the male who broke in prior to the fire starting.  The victim arrived on scene to find her home extensively damaged by fire and smoke.

On August 1, 2024, the Defendant pleaded guilty to 1^st Degree Arson pursuant to a binding plea agreement for the November 24, 2023 incident and also stipulated to being in violation of his probation.

At the time of the arson, the Defendant was being supervised by the Division of Parole of Probation after having been released following a sentence modification hearing in May 2022 pursuant to a recently-enacted provision of law allowing for modification of sentences for crimes committed as a juvenile and charged as an adult.

Chief, Assistant State’s Attorney, Economic Crimes Unit, Jason Shoemaker and Assistant State’s Attorney, Tim Gilbert 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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Sacred Spaces: Engaging the Faith Community to End Domestic Violence

Join us Saturday, October 5, 2024, 10 am – 1 pm, at the Wayman AME Church on Liberty Road in Frederick, MD for an inspiring event focused on ending domestic violence. We believe that the faith community plays a crucial role in creating safe and supportive environments for survivors, but often these communities may not fully understand the dynamics of IPV and the needs of survivors when they disclose to trusted faith leaders.

This year, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we on the community advisory board wish to engage the faith community, leaders, community partners, and local government to create a platform for change and healing regarding IPV.

Sacred Spaces will be a casual meet-and-greet fellowship that includes presentations from local agencies who serve victims of interpersonal violence, follwed by a roundtable discussion with faith leaders.

Sacred Spaces: Engaging the Faith Community to End Domestic Violence Tickets, Sat, Oct 5, 2024 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite