Press Releases

FREDERICK, MD – In a written opinion released this morning, Circuit Court Judge Julie Stevenson Solt ruled that Ernesto Cesar Torres, age 70, of Frederick is incompetent to stand trial.  In December 2019, Defendant Ernesto Torres, was charged with ninety-eight counts of sexual offenses against nineteen separate juvenile victims from 7/2/2001 to 4/29/2019.  A hearing was held before Judge Solt on June 23, 2021 to determine the Defendant’s competency. Competency is defined as a defendant’s capability to assist counsel in preparing a defense and to understand the nature of the proceedings.

The State’s expert Psychiatrist, Dr. Danielle Robinson, of the Maryland Department of Health opined that the Defendant was competent to stand trial. However, the Defendant’s psychiatrist, Dr. Christiane Tellefsen, disagreed and believed the Defendant remains incompetent due to a delusional disorder and belief in an “Evil Black Witch”.  The Court concluded that each opinion is equally possible and therefore could not conclude, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the Defendant is presently competent to stand trial.

The court ordered that Torres continue to be held in an appropriate hospital under the supervision of the Department of Health.  Further, the Court will review competency again in 90 days and hold subsequent annual reviews.

In reaction to today’s ruling, State’s Attorney Charlie Smith commented, “It’s very frustrating that these countless victims won’t be able to confront the Defendant and have their day in court.  It often provides some closure and assists in the healing process.  With this ruling, that avenue is closed.  We still feel strongly that he is competent and fully understands the abuse that he inflicted.”

FREDERICK, MD-     This morning in Frederick County Circuit Court, Judge Julie Stevenson Solt sentenced Mekhi Caire Davis, age 22, of Frederick, MD to eighteen and a half years in the Division of Corrections.

Davis pleaded guilty to possession of a regulated firearm with a prior felony conviction and received a sentence of five years to the Division of Corrections without eligibility for parole. At the time of this offense, Davis was on probation for felony possession with intent to distribute cocaine and another prior firearm offense. He received an additional consecutive sentence of 13.5 years to the five-year sentence after admitting to violating based on his guilty plea to the firearm offense.

Davis is a repeat gun offender and a convicted felon as a result of his prior conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Both prior offenses prohibit him from possessing a handgun.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith commented, “This defendant has had numerous opportunities to turn his life around. Judge Solt’s strong sentence will serve to protect our community from someone who has shown a disregard for the safety of those around him.”

The investigation leading to the arrest and indictment of Davis was a coordinated effort led by the Frederick Police Department in consultation with the State’s Attorney’s Office under the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN). The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services provides grant funding and strategic support to MCIN member sites to identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal organizations through interagency coloration and data sharing to make Maryland safer.

The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca Clinton. The lead investigator was Frederick Police Department Detective Yackovich.

Mekhi Caire Davis

FREDERICK, MD – This afternoon in Frederick County Circuit Court, a Frederick County jury found Everett Leroy Barton Jr., age 61, of Monrovia, MD guilty of 1st Degree Assault and 2nd Degree Assault.

On April 19, 2020 at approximately 11:00pm, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 3700 block of Blueberry Drive in Monrovia for the report of a domestic incident. Responding deputies determined that the defendant and his wife, the victim, had been involved in an altercation when the Defendant accused her of infidelity.

During the course of the altercation, the defendant grabbed the Victim by her arms, and strangled her, and punched two holes through a wall on either side of her head as he held her neck. A family member intervened, and Barton proceeded upstairs, grabbed a knife from the kitchen and threatened the victim. The victim sustained injuries consistent with strangulation, as well as injuries to her arms.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith commented, “Domestic violence is a huge problem both locally and nationally. It is critical that we hold domestic abusers accountable and provide protection to victims of these acts. According to the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, victims are 750% more likely to be killed by their abuser if they have previously been strangled. That statistic is not only shocking, but proves the important of domestic violence prosecution.”

The Honorable Judge Scott Rolle scheduled sentencing for June 24, 2021 at 9am.

The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorney Brett Engler.

Everett Leroy Barton Jr.