Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNE 27, 2025

BALTIMORE MAN RECEIVES 60 YEAR SENTENCE IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR FELONY WITNESS INTIMDATION (4 COUNTS), AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, COMMITTED WHILE ON PROBATION FOR FIRST-DEGREE MURDER

Frederick, MD – Yesterday, in Frederick County Circuit Court, The Honorable Judge Julia Martz-Fisher sentenced Milton Stewart, 58, of Baltimore to a total of 60 years in the Division of Corrections for four counts of felony witness intimidation and one count of obstruction of justice.  A jury found the Defendant guilty of those offenses on March 20, 2025. The Defendant received a total sentence across the five counts of 85 years, with 25 years suspended.

On March 28, 2024, Sergeant Welsh of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 70. The Defendant, Milton Stewart, nicknamed “Silk” was one of four occupants inside the stopped car. After a positive K9 alert, deputies searched the car and recovered a significant amount of controlled dangerous substances. The Defendant was charged with felony drug offenses as a result of the investigation.

During the traffic stop, one of the other passengers provided information to Sergeant Welsh about the Defendant relevant to the drug investigation. The information provided by that witness was included in the statement of probable cause submitted in the District Court with the drug charges against the Defendant.

The Defendant, while in custody at the Frederick County Detention Center pending trial for the felony drug offenses, then committed several acts of witness intimidation against that witness over the course of several months. In Maryland, if someone commits or attempts to commit witness intimidation in connection with felony drug offenses or a crime of violence, the acts of intimidation (or corrupt means to influence a witness) then constitute felonies.

Evidence admitted at trial showed that the Defendant, from the detention center, sent threatening and corrupting text messages to the witness’s daughter, addressed to the witness and intended to be seen by the witness.

Evidence reviewed by the jury also included a birthday card the Defendant sent to the witness from the detention center. That card had a handwritten message with phrases including “I LOVE YOU TO DEATH” (with an angry face drawn next to it), “SHH” (also with an angry face), and “Bodymore Murdaland.” On the back of the envelope for the card, the Defendant wrote “I NEVER FORGET” and “ANYTHING.”

“While witness intimidation rarely occurs with disinterested or unrelated witnesses,” said State’s Attorney Charlie Smith, “we do see it in cases of domestic violence, or with cooperators as it was in this instance.  In any event, prosecutors and judges take a very dim view of those who intimidate a witness, which is why this deserving sentence was so long.”

The Defendant was on probation for First-Degree Murder at the time of these offenses. He was found guilty of First-Degree Murder in Baltimore City in 2006 and was then released in November 2021.

Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Tumulty of the Felony Narcotics Division 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

MAY 28, 2025

FREDERICK MAN TO SERVE 18 YEARS IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR SECOND-DEGREE SEX OFFENSE AND TWO COUNTS OF THIRD-DEGREE SEX OFFENSE OF TWO MINORS

Frederick, MD – Today in Frederick County Circuit Court, Judge Joanie Raymond-Brubaker sentenced 67-year old Donald Bernard Brooks to serve 18 years in the Division of Corrections for one count of Second-Degree Sex Offense and two counts of Third-Degree Sex Offense of two minors.  The Defendant pleaded guilty in both cases.

On July 15, 2024, Frederick Police received a call from an adult male victim who asked to remain anonymous regarding a sexual offense committed on him by the Defendant.  The victim told police when he was seven years old, the Defendant (36 years old at the time of the incident) sexually assaulted him in the home of a family friend.  The Victim remained silent until he turned 18, when he told his mother about the incident.  His mother contacted the police at that time, however the victim did not wish to proceed with an investigation.  On July 15, 2024 the victim contacted the police after learning that the Defendant was babysitting minor children.

On August 5, 2024, a female victim called Frederick Police after she saw the news of the Defendant’s arrest.  She told police the Defendant sexually abused her multiple times when she was seven years old inside the family home where the Defendant resided.  The Defendant was 21 years old at the time of the incident.  The Victim initially told her mother after the last incident who elected not to notify authorities but did not allow the minor victim to go over to the Defendant’s residence any more.

Investigators became aware of three additional Victims, however charges were not filed as they were either unable to be fully identified or elected not to proceed with a criminal investigation.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “This is really a story of courage. The courage for these victims to come forward many years later to make sure that this abuse did not happen to anyone else is truly admirable.”

During the Plea and Sentencing Hearing, Victim #1 addressed the Court in a Victim Impact Statement: “This is healing for me. He ruined my whole life.  It replayed in my head over and over; so many nightmares.”  Victim # 2 also told Judge Raymond-Brubaker: “No one should have to give a statement like this.  He was like family to me.  He used every opportunity to abuse me.”

Probationary conditions will include five years of supervised probation upon release, no contact with the victims, no contact with any minor child and additional electronic and internet monitoring.

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

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Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAY 19, 2025

Frederick Man Sentenced to 13.5 Years in the Division of Corrections for

Second-Degree Assault and 17 Counts of Violating a Protective Order

Frederick, MD – Today in Frederick County Circuit Court, The Honorable Joanie Raymond-Brubaker ordered 45-yr-old Jerome Mario Britton, of Frederick, MD to serve a total of 13.5 years in the Division of Corrections for Second-Degree Assault and 17 counts of Violation of a Protective Order.  A jury found the Defendant guilty of those crimes on March 20, 2025.

On September 4, 2024, Frederick Police responded to Frederick Health Hospital for a report of a domestic assault.  The Victim had asked her husband to drive her to the hospital to get medical attention for “a toothache.”  When she was safe, she disclosed that her actual injury was to her eye area from having been assaulted by her husband several weeks prior. The hospital staff reported the assault to police immediately with the consent of the Victim.

The victim told police that on August 15, 2024, the Defendant punched her in the eye with his closed fist, causing her to lose consciousness.  The victim took photos of the injuries of her bruised and swollen eye, which she showed law enforcement.  Police observed the victim’s eye was still swollen and bruised from the assault upon observing her.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “My office takes Domestic Violence extremely seriously, we know how difficult it is to navigate an abusive situation and seek help. We commend this victim for finding safety in reporting and for sharing her story with the jury.  We are pleased with the sentence and feel that justice was done.”

The State read the Victim’s impact statement, “My children were fearful when they say my injuries.  He has no regard for the pain he caused us.  We are safe now and I no longer take my safety for granted.”

Chief Assistant State’s Attorney, Domestic Violence Unit, Brett Engler represented the State of Maryland.

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Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith Advocates for Prosecutors at the U.S. Department of Education

April 29, 2025

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith, Chairman of the Board for the National District Attorneys Association, addressed the U.S. Department of Education today to express his support of Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income-Driven Repayment Programs.  These programs help ensure that experienced, committed prosecutors can continue serving their communities without being driven out of public service by financial strain.  It takes years for prosecutors to develop the legal skill, discretion, and judgement necessary to manage serious cases – homicide, child abuse, human trafficking, and fentanyl trafficking. Without PSLF and IDRs, prosecutors’ offices will face increasing difficulty in maintaining staffing levels, especially in hard-to-fill jurisdictions.  These programs enhance the safety and stability of our communities.