Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JULY 3, 2026

FREDERICK COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE ANNOUNCES SENTENCES IN TWO INTERCEPT CHILD EXPLOITATION CASES

FREDERICK, MD – The Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office announced significant prison sentences in two unrelated child exploitation cases investigated by the INTERCEPT Task Force, reaffirming its commitment to protecting children from online predators and holding offenders accountable.

Andrew Randolph Brock was sentenced after pleading guilty to three counts of Distribution of Child Pornography. The INTERCEPT investigation began after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received a CyberTip from KIK.

Investigators recovered dozens of files depicting the sexual abuse of young children and determined Brock was actively distributing child sexual abuse material to others while participating in online offender communities. The investigation also revealed that Brock communicated with two 13-year-old children, sent them sexually explicit images, and instructed them on how to evade parental supervision online.

Brock had prior convictions for child pornography offenses and for failing to register as a sex offender. Despite previous treatment and supervision, he continued to offend.  The Court sentenced Brock to 30 years of incarceration, suspending all but 10 years to serve at the Department of Corrections.

In a separate INTERCEPT investigation, Steven Victor Danko was sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of Sexual Solicitation of a Minor. The investigation began after the victim’s mother reported that Danko had been communicating online with her daughter, beginning when the child was only 12 years old. Investigators traced months of sexually explicit messages in which Danko attempted to persuade the child to meet him, sneak out of her home, and discussed taking her away. Digital forensic evidence confirmed Danko’s identity and recovered deleted communications. The Court sentenced Danko to 20 years of incarceration, suspending all but 7 years to be served at the Department of Corrections.

After their release, both defendants will be required to register as a Tier II Sex Offender and placed on five years of COMET-supervised probation with intensive sex offender treatment and supervision, including GPS and computer monitoring, polygraph testing, and a lifetime prohibition on contact with the victim and no unsupervised contact with minors.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith praised the work of the INTERCEPT Task Force and emphasized the importance of proactive investigations targeting offenders who exploit children online:

“These cases demonstrate the critical work being done every day by the INTERCEPT Task Force to identify offenders before more children are harmed. Whether through the distribution of child sexual abuse material or the online grooming of children, those who prey on our most vulnerable victims will be identified, prosecuted, and held accountable. We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect children and keep our community safe.”

The INTERCEPT Task Force is a multidisciplinary partnership dedicated to investigating internet-facilitated child exploitation, child sexual abuse material, online enticement, and human trafficking. Through collaboration between prosecutors, local, state, and federal law enforcement, and victim service professionals, the task force works to identify offenders, rescue victims, and prevent future exploitation.

These cases were prosecuted by Deputy State’s Attorney Joyce King.

For additional information, please contact the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

jrottmann@statesattorney.us

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNE 22, 2026

FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO SERVE 14 YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR FIRST-DEGREE ASSAULT, SECOND-DEGREE ASSAULT, VIOLATION OF PROBATION

Frederick, MD –  Today, in Frederick County Circuit Court, the Honorable Julia A. Minner sentenced 35-year old Ever Mauricio Gomez to serve 14 years in the Department of Corrections for First-Degree Assault, two counts of Second-Degree Assault, Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Violation of Probation.  The Defendant will receive credit for 242 days of time served.

On October 18, 2025, officers from the Frederick Police Department were contacted regarding a report of a domestic assault that had occurred the prior day. Officers spoke with the adult victim, who said she had been punched by the Defendant.

On October 24, 2025, deputies from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office were contacted regarding a report of a domestic assault that had occurred the previous day. Deputies spoke with the same adult victim, who displayed visible injuries, including significant bruising and swelling to the face, arm, and wrist.   The victim reported being assaulted and strangled on October 23, 2025.  According to the victim’s statement to law enforcement, the Defendant engaged in repeated physical assaults, including strangulation lasting approximately 40 seconds, striking the victim multiple times, and forcing the victim into situations meant to instill fear. The victim also described a pattern of escalating controlling behavior in the months prior, including restricting access to identification, monitoring movements, and requiring “inspections” of the victim’s body.

Deputies documented injuries, photographed evidence, and arranged for the victim to be transported to Frederick Health Hospital for further evaluation. During the investigation, deputies learned the Defendant had multiple active warrants and obtained information confirming the suspect’s vehicle and location.

The suspect was located, arrested without incident, and transported to the Frederick County Adult Detention Center. During a subsequent search, deputies recovered drug paraphernalia and a quantity of methamphetamine.

These crimes were committed while the Defendant had absconded from probation supervision after a 2018 conviction for Possession With Intent to Distribute Marijuana. All active warrants were served at the time of arrest.

Upon release, the Defendant is ordered to serve five years of supervised probation with all standard conditions.  Special conditions will include: no contact with the victim, complete the Abuser Intervention Program, alcohol/substance abuse treatment/evaluation and a mental health evaluation.

During sentencing, the State played audio from a conversation between the Defendant and the victim at the Detention Center.  Judge Minner stated, “Those phone calls show someone who is remorseless for what they did…you never say once you’re sorry for having harmed her. You hurt her, you scared her, you placed her life in jeopardy…. These kinds of things are horrendous.”

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith stated, “Strangulation is an especially dangerous form of violence that can have devastating and lasting consequences for victims. This sentence holds the defendant accountable for not only these assaults, but also for his decision to abscond from supervision and continue engaging in violent criminal behavior. We remain committed to protecting our community from repeat violent offenders.”

Assistant State’s Attorney, Carly Gibson, Domestic Violence Unit, represented the State of Maryland.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAY 15, 2026

2026 ADULT DRUG TREATMENT COURT GRADUATION CEREMONY HELD

A CELEBRATION OF RECOVERY

Frederick, MD – The Frederick County Drug Treatment Court (DTC) celebrated 20 successful graduates yesterday in the Circuit Court for Frederick County.  DTC is a specialized court for non-violent offenders who struggle with addiction. Participants enter guilty pleas and their sentencings are postponed for an intensive supervisory program lasting a minimum of sixteen months. Upon graduation, participants are placed on an additional period of supervised probation. Participants pass through phases as they progress, attending substance use treatment, mental health treatment, and self-help meetings, perform community service, engage in work force training, further their education, and seek employment. DTC meets in the courtroom every week where the presiding judge, the Honorable Julia Martz Fisher, along with the DTC staff, including representatives of the State’s Attorney’s Office, the Office of the Public Defender, Parole and Probation, the Frederick Police Department, and treatment providers review participants’ progress since the last court session. The Court holds a graduation ceremony periodically to celebrate those individuals who have successfully completed the program.

Since DTC began in 2005, the program has graduated 254 participants. The DTC Coordinator, Paul Wolford, noted the following: “Yesterday’s graduates proved to be exceptional. Two are working full-time for substance use disorder treatment providers in the county. One was hired by the Frederick County Government. Three of them completed the Peer Recovery Academy program and are in the process of certification. Most are working full-time. But most importantly, this group grasps the understanding that sobriety was not the ultimate goal-recovery was. And recovery is a lifelong journey.”

Graduates, family members, friends, staff members, and community partners gathered for the ceremony. The Honorable Judge Julia Martz Fisher addressed every graduate individually, congratulating them on each one’s particular triumphs, “As I often say, you all fill my cup! What a special group of people.”

The Phoenix Award was presented to Jennifer Booth Tomalewski, CAC-AD, employed by the New Horizons at Mountain Manor treatment program in Emmitsburg. Ms. Tomalewski is a successful DTC graduate, who has built a career over the last decade helping others as a certified addictions counselor. The Phoenix award recognizes a former participant who has risen from the ashes to achieve great things. Mickey Stenger, DTC Case Manager, thanked Ms. Tomalewski for her tireless dedication to helping others, and remarked that she and others like her remind the DTC staff why they choose to do this work everyday.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith noted, “The ongoing success of this program is a testament to the value of problem-solving court models. These programs reduce the jail and prison populations for non-violent substance using offenders, and the attendant burden on tax- payers of warehousing folks that can be successful in the community with the extensive supervision these programs offer. The results speak for themselves – drastically reduced recidivism rates means reduced future crime. In our mission to protect the community, sometimes the best thing we can do is give people an opportunity through this program to do the hard work to change their lives – to rebuild and become valuable community members. To recover.”

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAY 6, 2026

MIDDLETOWN MAN PLEADS GUILTY, WILL SERVE 35 YEARS IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR ATTEMPTED FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND THIRD-DEGREE SEX OFFENSE

Frederick, MD – Yesterday afternoon, in Frederick County Circuit Court the Honorable Judge Scott Rolle sentenced 24-year-old Trey Rice, of Middletown, MD to a life sentence and ordered him to serve 35 years in the Division of Corrections for Attempted First-Degree Murder and Third-Degree Sex Offense.  The Defendant pleaded guilty to both charges and the State’s request was above the guidelines for these offenses.

On January 14, 2025 Frederick police responded to 400 W. 7^th St., Frederick Health Hospital for a report of an assault. The female victim was transported by ambulance the night before on January 13, 2025 after an employee of McClintock Distillery called 9-1-1 around 11:00 pm. The call was originally for an unconscious woman in the bathroom at this location. EMS was dispatched and transported the female to FHH for a medial evaluation, however, the police were not notified at that time. At the hospital, the Victim was evaluated by a S.A.F.E. (Sexual Assault Forensic Examination) nurse and FHH staff contacted police the next day to formally report the Victim’s multiple injuries once the victim was able to recollect more of the evening.

The Victim told police she was at a holiday staff party at McClintock’s the night before and recalled seeing the Defendant on her way to the restroom but had no further recollection of what occurred after that.  Co-workers advised they were unable to locate the victim at the end of the party and attempted to call her phone numerous times to no avail.  The bartender explained to police that after the guests left, he heard ringing coming from the bathroom and knocked on the door of the bathroom and heard a man’s voice reply.  The man said he would be one minute, but after some time, the bartender knocked on the door again and then observed the Defendant exit the bathroom and run out of the establishment. The bartender looked in the bathroom and discovered the victim unconscious on the floor with her breasts exposed. The bartender attempted to run after the Defendant to stop him, but the Defendant was unable to be located.  The owner later provided surveillance video to police showing the Defendant fleeing the establishment.

On January 15, 2025 the Defendant was apprehended at his residence 300 Franklin St. # C 32, Middletown, Maryland by Frederick Police.  A search warrant obtained authorized his transport to FHH for a SAFE exam. The Defendant told the S.A.F.E. nurse at the hospital, “I attacked a woman.”  He continued to state that he sexually assaulted the same woman and told police he had homicidal thoughts during the work holiday party.  He further explained that he began to seek out a victim to kill toward the conclusion of the party and that he identified the victim as who it was going to be. He lured the victim into the bathroom by telling her that he needed to show her something. He followed her inside, immediately placed her in a chokehold, rendering her unconscious.  He then sexually assaulted her while she was unconcious.  He said that when he noticed her hand moving, he began strangling her again.  He said when he heard an employee knock on the door, he decided to leave the bathroom and exited the establishment. He said that when he left the victim her breathing was labored, and when he didn’t hear anything the next day he assumed she was dead.

The Victim addressed the Court saying, “I was left for dead. . . .  He is a danger to all women in our society.  My life is changed forever.  He robbed me of the peace I once had.”

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “It’s unbelievable how low the Maryland State Sentencing Guidelines were for these crimes.  Thankfully Chief ASA Carpenter and Judge Rolle saw the magnitude of this horrible crime and the extreme potential for this Defendant to reoffend. This offender is what nightmares are made of.  I really feel for this victim and pray for her healing.”

Upon release, the Defendant will serve five years of supervised probation with all standard conditions.  Special conditions will include, Lifetime Sex Offender Registration and GPS supervision, no access to the Internet, no viewing of pornography, no contact with the victim or her family, no contact with minors, submit to psycho-sexual and mental health evaluation and treatment.  Upon conclusion of probation, the Defendant will be on lifetime sex offender supervision.

Chief Assistant State’s Attorney, Special Victims Unit, Lindsey Carpenter represented the State of Maryland.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 31, 2026

INTERCEPT TASK FORCE WELCOMES VISIT FROM ICAC PIONEERS

 AS FREDERICK INCREASES ITS RESOURCES TO PROTECT CHILDREN IN CYBERSPACE AND COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Frederick, MD – Members of the original ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Task Force (est. 1998, Maryland State Police Frederick Barrack) visited Frederick County’s INTERCEPT Task Force (Inter-agency Child Exploitation and Persons Trafficking), est. 2023.  The Enhanced Collaborative Model (ECM) Task Force, supported by the U.S. Department of Justice and Office for Victims of Crime, 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 law enforcement, non-governmental organizations, and community partners in a united effort to eliminate human trafficking from the region.

The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is a federally funded project designed to respond to and investigate complaints of online sexual child exploitation. The ICAC Task Force consists of law enforcement agencies from around the State and receives over 2,600 cyber tips annually.

Maryland State Police launched the initiative in 1998 and the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office established its ICAC Task Force in 1999, trying their first case in the same year.  The first two counties in Maryland to establish ICAC were Frederick and Carroll and Frederick’s ICAC was one of the first 20 ICACs in the nation.  MSP asked Charlie Smith to pioneer and lead the ICAC Task Force in Frederick to include:  MSP Lt Barry Lease, MSP Sgt Rob Smolick, MSP CPl Dave Brauning,  FCSO DFC Mike Sabol, CCSO DFC Brad Brown, U.S. Customs Gus Aquino, and U.S. Postal Inspector Keith Hayden.  Lt. Barry Lease, a computer crimes investigator, acquired the OJJDP Grant in 1999 to establish the ICAC Task Force.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “In the early days, we recognized that successful investigations would rise or fall on prosecutorial understanding of digital evidence.  Frederick County took the lead on developing search warrant templates for computers, establishing protocols for handling electronic evidence, and educating other prosecutors on emerging issues like IP tracing and file recovery.

People were using AOL chat rooms and peer-to-peer file sharing to commit crimes against children. Investigators—many without prior cyber experience—had to quickly learn digital forensics, undercover online operations, and the mechanics of internet communication. Limited technology and slow forensic tools created significant backlogs, while legal standards for digital searches were still unsettled.

Despite these obstacles, ICAC task force members adapted and we actually successfully tried Maryland’s first Internet Child Exploitation case here in Frederick, convicting two men of abusing 5 and 7 year old girls through the early internet.  We had successful partnerships with National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Customs (ICE) and FBI Innocent Images. These early challenges and partnerships ultimately shaped a more sophisticated, proactive investigative model that remains in place today.”

ICAC’s MISSION:  In order for children to thrive in today’s world and to compete in tomorrow’s workplace, they must be able to safely play, learn and grow in cyberspace.  Challenges exist, however, the work of ICAC is a vital step in protecting children in the information age.   The internet places ongoing demands on forensic resources as a result of daily software and device updates.  Predators attempt to stay ahead of law enforcement, however, through the collaboration of federal, state and local task forces such as ICAC,  detectives stay current on investigative techniques, evidence collection, prevention efforts and public awareness.  In addition to focusing on the removal of offenders, the participating agencies engaged in community outreach efforts to educate parents and guardians about the signs of solicitation and the importance of open communication with children regarding online safety.  Law enforcement encourages anyone with information related to the solicitation or exploitation of minors to contact their local authorities.  This collaborative model creates a safer environment for our children and hold offenders accountable for their actions.

Frederick County’s INTERCEPT Task Force consists of The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Frederick Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office who partner with Operation Light Shine, a nonprofit that has provided private grant funding for proactive investigations, technology, and forensic software to help protect and rescue children and trafficking victims.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

 

 

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