Press Releases

FREDERICK, MD – On Friday, May 17, 2019, a Frederick County Grand Jury indicted Dr. Ernesto Torres on an additional 65 charges. These charges stem from additional victims coming forward following the initial indictment on May 3, 2019. Below is a list of the additional charges:
– 9 Counts – Child Sex Abuse
– 10 Counts – Sex Abuse of a Minor
– 43 Counts – Sex Offense – 3rd Degree
– 2 Counts – Sex Offense – 2nd Degree
– 1. Count – Assault – 2nd Degree
Dr. Torres was arrested on the above charges on May 20, 2019, at approximately 2:27 pm. A bond review will be scheduled for tomorrow in Frederick Circuit Court, the time is to be determined.The Frederick Police Department believes there may be other victims in this case. Anyone with information about this case, including other potential victims should contact Detective Sean McKinney at 240-578-5683.
There are many resources available online and locally that provide tips on having these conversations. Local resources are available for victims of sexual assault including:
– Frederick Police Department, Victim Services Unit (301) 600-1356
– The Child Advocacy Center (301) 600-1758
– Heartly House (301) 662-8800
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. It is merely a formal charge until and if the defendant is found guilty in a future judicial proceeding. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

FREDERICK, MD – Chris Lee Myers, 39, of Jefferson, Maryland was indicted by the Frederick County Grand Jury on one count of 1st Degree Murder in the homicide of his girlfriend. Myers waived his right to a bond review on May 3rd, and is currently being held at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center without bond. “Grand Jury is just the first step in the process of pursuing justice for this horrible domestic violence homicide. We are continuing our investigation, and I look forward to proving his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” stated State’s Attorney Charlie Smith.

Relatives of the victim, identified as Heather Caitlin Williams, 24, of Jefferson, Maryland, reported her missing at about 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday May 1st, when she did not arrive at her relatives’ residence as expected. Williams’ vehicle, a 2017 Ford Fiesta, was not at her residence on the 4500 block of Jefferson Pike when relatives went to check on her. Her relatives entered the home, and found Ms. Williams deceased inside the residence with evidence of substantial head injury.

Myers, who shared a residence with the victim, was arrested by the Baltimore Police Department at approximately 6 p.m. on Wednesday May 1st after being stopped for a traffic violation in the City. He was driving Williams’ vehicle at the time of his arrest. A search warrant of the vehicle revealed several items in the car with what appeared to be blood stains on them. The items presumptively tested positive for blood. The Victim’s cell phone and purse were also found in the vehicle.

Williams’ body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore where an autopsy was performed and will determine the manner of death.

The State’s Attorney’s Office is urging anyone with information concerning the events or the parties to contact the Maryland State Police, Frederick Barrack.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. It is merely a formal charge until and if the defendant is found guilty in a future judicial proceeding. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

FREDERICK, MD – On April 26, 2019, the Frederick Police Department began an investigation into the allegations that a Frederick Pediatrician, Dr. Ernesto Torres, sexually assaulted an 18-year-old female during an examination at his medical practice. Charges were recommended to the States Attorney’s Office which was then presented to the Grand Jury on May 3, 2019. The Grand Jury found there was sufficient evidence to charge Dr. Ernesto Torres with 2nd Degree Rape, 2nd Degree Assault, and 4th Degree Sex Offense.

Subsequently, an arrest warrant was issued for Dr, Ernesto Torres, age 68, of Frederick, Maryland. On Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at 7:30 am, Dr. Torres was arrested at his residence, 7600 block of San Di Gan Drive, Frederick, Maryland and transported to the Frederick County Adult Detention Center where he is being held awaiting an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.

We understand that this is an emotional incident that not only affects the victim in this case but also patients and families entrusted to his care. Both the States Attorney’s Office and the Frederick Police Department would like to commend the victim for coming forward in this case.

There is no information to indicate that there are additional victims, but we would encourage parents to please talk to your children about body boundaries and safety. There are many resources available online and locally that provide tips on having these conversations. Local resources are available for victims of sexual assault including Heartly House and the Child Advocacy Center. Additionally, the Frederick Police Department’s Victim Services Unit will be available to provide support. To contact the unit, please call (301) 600-1356.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. It is merely a formal charge until and if the defendant is found guilty in a future judicial proceeding. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

FREDERICK- The Frederick County Grand Jury returned additional indictments against Rudolph Jericho Smith, age 34, of Frederick. The indictments were filed in Circuit Court and allege Three Counts of First Degree Assault, Three Counts of Reckless Endangerment, and Three Counts of Knowingly Attempting to Transmit HIV. These charges stem from disclosures of three additional victims made following an initial indictment that was filed April 5, 2019. State’s Attorney Charlie Smith continues to encourage anyone with information to come forward stating “this conduct is malicious and will obviously have a lifelong impact on the lives of these women.”
The Frederick Police Department began an investigation into Rudolph Smith during the summer of 2017, when separate women disclosed their belief that Rudolph Smith had infected them with HIV. Considerable time in the investigation was spent trying to determine whether or not Mr. Smith was HIV positive, and whether he was aware of that fact. It was eventually established that Rudolph Smith was aware that he was HIV-positive.
After several conversations with Mr. Smith, the Frederick Police Department executed a search warrant for Mr. Smith’s blood, and confirmed with him that he was HIV positive. Following that conversation, the Department became aware that the Defendant continued to meet women on dating sites and have unprotected sexual relations with them without disclosing his diagnosis.
An Indictment is not a finding of guilt. It is merely a formal charge until and if the defendant is found guilty in a future judicial proceeding. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Frederick State’s Attorney’s Office was honored to host a delegation from Mongolia today. The group came as part of the IJET program. The International Justice Sector Education and Training (IJET) Fellowship is a program that brings small groups of justice sector professionals to the U.S. for month long programs to empower them to become agents of change in their countries. State’s Attorney Charlie Smith and Chief Counsel Joyce King covered many topics including specialty courts, sentencing guidelines, plea negotiations, and structure of a State’s Attorney’s office.