Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JULY 21, 2025

PENNSYLVANIA MAN SENTENCED TO SERVE 30 YEARS IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE FENTANYL, COCAINE AND HEROIN MIXTURE

Frederick, MD – Today, in the Frederick County Circuit Court, the Honorable Judge Kathleen English sentenced 46-year-old Jerome Mario Britton to 30 years in the Division of Correction for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Cocaine and Heroin, following a March 28, 2025, jury verdict of guilty.  The Defendant was sentenced to 20 years to serve on Possession With Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, and an additional 10 years consecutive to serve in the Division of Correction for possesing with intent to distribute a mixture of fentanyl and heroin. The State had requested the sentence, which is significantly above the sentencing guidelines of between 6 and 22 years. The Court noted in delivering the sentence that the departure above the sentencing guidelines was in consideration of the State’s recommendation, and the lengthy criminal record of the Defendant.

On September 4, 2024, at approximately 10:34 a.m., police received a tip from Carroll Township in Pennsylvania regarding the Defendant.  Police were advised that the Defendant had just traveled to Harrisburg, PA to purchase narcotics for transport back to Frederick, with intent to distribute for profit.  At approximately 1:30 pm police observed a vehicle, parked in Frederick City and registered to the Defendant’s wife.  MVA records showed the vehicle’s registration was expired.  The Defendant was observed walking to the vehicle, entering it and driving away.  Police conducted a traffic stop with the Defendant and requested a K9 team to perform a scan of the vehicle. The K9 had a positive alert for the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle.  The Defendant was placed under arrest.  A search of the Defendant’s person yielded fifteen baggies of fentanyl mixed with heroin (9.4 grams) and eleven baggies of cocaine (2.3 grams.)

The sentence was structured as 20 years to the Division of Correction on the conviction for possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, and a consecutive 10 year sentence for the substance being a mixture of fentanyl and heroin. The Defendant will serve the 30 year sentence consecutively to a previously issued sentence of 13.5 years that he received for domestic assault and numerous violation of protective order convictions, after a separate jury trial concluding on March 20, 2025.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “This Defendant is the definition of a recidivist. He has been committing crimes for 30 years. These significant sentences, to be served consecutively, are a result of great work by the Frederick Police Department and my Domestic Violence and Narcotics Units.”

Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen K. Swanson, of the Narcotics Unit, represented the State of Maryland.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

####

Drug Treatment Court Graduation and 20th Anniversary

The Honorable Julia Martz-Fisher presided over the Frederick County Drug Treatment Court Graduation this afternoon.  The celebration recognized the D.T.C.’s proud graduates as well as marked the 20^th anniversary of the program’s success!  Participants receive supportive interventions to remain substance-free and to contribute responsibly to our community.  Congratulations to all!  Learn more about the D.T.C. in Frederick: https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/5508/Drug-Treatment-Court

Domestic Violence Unit Chief, Brett Engler Awarded

2025 Purple Ribbon Medal for Legal Advocate of the Year

May 22, 2025

Frederick, MD – DomesticShelters.org announced Chief, Domestic Violence Unit, Brett Engler, as one of their 42 winners, nationwide, of the 2025 Purple Ribbon Awards.  ASA Engler was chosen and judged by a national panel of leading professionals from across the domestic violence field.  2025 marks the fifth year of the Purple Ribbon Awards, presented by Alliance for HOPE International, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates DomesticShelters.org.

Launched in 2021, The Purple Ribbon Awards are the most comprehensive awards program honoring the countless hope-givers of the domestic violence movement. PRA winners include domestic violence advocates, programs, shelters, organizations, survivors and members of the community support system. Nominations for the Purple Ribbon Awards are submitted from around the world.  Purple Ribbon Awards are dedicated to honoring all the compassionate efforts to help victims of domestic violence.

The busiest unit in the State’s Attorney’s Office for Frederick County, Chief Engler’s D.V. team handled over 400 District Court misdemeanor cases and over 130 Circuit Court felony cases in 2024 alone.

“Domestic violence is a global pandemic affecting millions of people and costing taxpayers billions of dollars every year. Those that step up to help those in need rarely get the recognition they deserve,” said Ashley Rumschlag, National Director of DomesticShelters.org. “The Purple Ribbon Awards celebrates the remarkable people and organizations that might otherwise go unrecognized. The awards are all about bringing hope to the hope-givers and inspiring one another to do more for survivors.”

Chief Brett Engler said, “I am so honored and thank you to the Alliance for the recognition and to Maggie Henderson, Victim Services, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, for the nomination and for being an invaluable partner in this life-saving work on behalf of victims in Frederick County.”

https://www.allianceforhope.org/

https://www.domesticshelters.org/

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAY 15, 2025

State’s Attorney’s Office Declines Prosecution of Deputy Involved in Use of Force

Frederick, MD – The Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed body worn camera footage from the May 12, 2025 officer-involved shooting pertaining to Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Gregory Morton at the 300 block of North Market Street in Frederick.    Upon reviewing the body worn camera footage and consulting with the investigators assigned to this incident, my Office has concluded that the use of deadly force by Corporal Morton against Cody Berg was necessary and proportional.  Therefore, it was legally justified under Maryland law given the standard set by the United States Supreme Court case of Graham v. Connor.  As a result, it is our opinion that Corporal Morton did not commit a crime and therefore, no charges will be place against Corporal Morton.  We do not opine on lesser conduct and this opinion does not preclude any administrative actions that may be taken by Internal Affairs.

As Cody Berg has pending criminal charges against him, it is the policy of the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office to not release any evidence, including the body worn camera footage, nor provide further comment at this time.  The decision to not release evidence, including any verbal or non-verbal statements therein, being used against the Defendant at trial is governed by the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 19-303.6 and Rule 19-303.8 (e), which state in part:

(e) except for statements that are necessary to inform the public of the nature and extent of the prosecutor’s action and that serve a legitimate law enforcement purpose, [prosecutors shall] refrain from making extrajudicial comments that have a substantial likelihood of heightening public condemnation of the accused and exercise reasonable care to prevent an employee or other person under the control of the prosecutor in a criminal case from making an extrajudicial statement that the prosecutor would be prohibited from making under Rule 19-303.6.

A prosecutor has the responsibility of a minister of justice and not simply that of an advocate. This responsibility carries with it specific obligations to see that the defendant is accorded procedural justice and that guilt is decided upon the basis of sufficient evidence.  The potential impact of pretrial publicity on a pending prosecution must be balanced against the public’s interest in transparency and police accountability.  It is our duty to consider the due process rights of the accused when deciding whether to release, or to advise police departments to release, body-worn camera footage pre-trial.  With that said, the existing rules and law prioritize the functioning of our justice system over the public’s right and demand to immediately see and hear the evidence in any case.

This decision to not release certain evidence at this time is merely temporary.  In all police-involved shootings a full declination report disclosing and detailing all the evidence, including body worn camera footage, and the decision-making process as it relates to the use of force will be released by our office upon the conclusion of the pending criminal prosecution.

Respectfully,

Charles Smith III

State’s Attorney

####

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAY 9, 2025

FORMER FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR THE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A CHILD

Baltimore Maryland – Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin sentenced William Joseph Murrow, 43, formerly of Frederick County, Maryland, to 25 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a child.  Upon his release from prison, Murrow must register as a sex offender for life and was ordered to serve 20 years of supervised release.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Baltimore Field Office; J. Charles Smith, State’s Attorney for Frederick County; and Chief Jason Lando, Frederick Police Department.

According to court documents, Murrow sexually abused and exploited a minor by soliciting images and engaging in sexual acts with her.  The abuse occurred for more than 18 months, ending when the child’s mother discovered the abuse and reported it to the police.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc. Click the “Resources” tab on the left side of the page to learn about Internet safety education.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office, Frederick Police Department, and Brunswick Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joyce R. King who prosecuted the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

Contact

Kevin Nash
USAMD.Press@usdoj.gov
410-209-4946

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office

jrottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

####