Press Releases

Press Release

For Immediate Release

February 6, 2024

Frederick Man to Serve 50 Years for First-Degree Murder, Attempted First-Degree Murder, Narcotics Distribution, Gang Involvement and Illegal Possession of a Firearm.

Frederick, Maryland – Today, in Frederick County Circuit Court, Judge Scott Rolle sentenced Lavonte Darnell Nash to Life, suspend all but 50 years, in the Department of Corrections after the Defendant plead guilty on December 27, 2023, to first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy to participate in a criminal gang, participation in a criminal gang, and distribution of cocaine.  The Defendant received credit for time served from September 24, 2019, when he was first held without bond pending trial.

On June 27, 2019, Lavonte Nash shot and killed Mr. Gregory Knight and severely injured Ms. Camryn Wilson while Mr. Knight and Ms. Wilson were in Mr. Knight’s car, parked at the 1000 block of Columbine Drive. The Defendant murdered Mr. Knight after learning that Mr. Knight would be a witness against the Defendant regarding a drug distribution offense committed by the Defendant.

The Defendant was a member of PA-32, a criminal street gang originating in Frederick City. As part of the murder investigation, law enforcement and the State’s Attorney’s Office obtained authority from the Circuit Court to wiretap the Defendant’s cellphone communications. During the period of the wiretap investigation, a gang-related shooting occurred on August 31, 2019, outside of Café 611. The Defendant’s guilty plea included admitting his involvement in this shooting, in association with PA-32.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “Despite the complex nature of the investigation, all levels of teamwork proved extremely effective and provided justice to the victims.”

 This investigation was a coordinated effort between the Frederick Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, Frederick Police Department Tactical Investigations Unit, and allied agencies of the Frederick HIDTA, 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 inter-agency collaboration and data sharing to make Maryland safer.

The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services funded this project under sub award number, MCIN-2024-0013. All points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of any Maryland State office or agency.

The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen K. Swanson, Chief Counsel Joyce R. King, and Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Tumulty.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

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Press Release

For Immediate Release

January 26, 2024

Frederick County Circuit Court Jury Finds Thurmont Man Guilty on 10 Counts, Including 3 Hate Crimes, Harassment and Trespassing

Frederick, Maryland – Yesterday in Frederick County Circuit Court, Judge Julie Solt presided over a three-day jury-trial involving defendant, Michael David Burns.  The jury found Burns guilty of three counts of Hate Crimes, Trespassing on Posted Property, Trespassing on Private Property, two counts of Disorderly Conduct and two counts of Harassment.

The victims, a same-sex couple who are neighbors of the defendant, reported the trespassing and harassment last year directly to the State’s Attorney’s Office.  Beginning in March 2023, Assistant State’s Attorney, Carly Gibson, investigated the case by visiting the home of the victims and reviewing the evidence thoroughly.  ASA Gibson’s findings warranted numerous charges including the defendant’s continually trespassing onto the victims’ property while in possession of a rifle, verbally harassing the victims with hate-based threats, throwing large rocks on the victims’ driveway to prevent them from accessing their property, and physically blocking the entrance to the property.  The defendant has been placed on home detention, monitored by A1 Trusted Monitoring, until his sentencing on April 4, 2024.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities, regardless of race, sexual orientation, faith, or other status.  When hateful words turn into hateful actions, the State’s Attorney’s Office will work diligently to protect the public and secure a just outcome.  Hopefully these convictions send a strong message that hate will not be tolerated in Frederick County.”

The charging, prosecution and conviction of Michael David Burns was a result of the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office’s investigation led by Assistant State’s Attorney, Carly Gibson.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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Press Release

For Immediate Release

January 7, 2024

Brunswick Man Sentenced for Manufacturing a Destructive Device and 2^nd Degree Assault

Frederick, MD – Last Friday, in Frederick County Circuit Court, Judge Julie Solt sentenced Dominic Michael Valenti to 35 years in the Department of Corrections for manufacturing a destructive device and second-degree assault, suspending all but 10 years to serve.  Upon release he will serve 5 years of supervised probation to include drug and mental health evaluation and treatment.

On August 6, 2022 Brunswick Police responded to the family’s home in response to a call for the Defendant’s threats of violence and assaultive behavior.  Police found that he had assaulted his mother prior to their arrival.  The Defendant had left the home and police advised the family to call back if he returned.  On August 7, 2022, Brunswick Police responded again to the residence for the report of a burglary in progress and that the Defendant was again present and exhibiting aggressive behavior.  The family reported that the defendant had entered their home and threatened to kill them while having control over kitchen knives and a machete.  Brunswick Police responded and seized a BB gun, an additional fixed blade knife in a sheath on the defendant’s person, and a black backpack containing an improvised explosive device.  The device was inspected by Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Michael T. Redding and later the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and found to be operational and capable of inflicting injury.  Police also found additional fuse material and a box containing live pistol ammunition.  Police transported the defendant to Frederick Health Hospital for an emergency evaluation prior to charging him and secured a Court order requiring him to surrender and forfeit any firearms and ammunition.

The Defendant pleaded guilty to manufacturing a destructive device and 2^nd degree assault in September 2023.  Judge Solt ruled that as a condition of probation once released, the defendant may not return to the family residence “until further order of the court.”  The defendant had been previously required to leave the home due to his aggressive behavior and had been previously convicted of assaulting his father and violating protective orders.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “These cases are often the most frightening because of the potential for large-scale harm to our community.  Hopefully this lengthy sentence will send a message that there is zero tolerance for destructive-device crimes.”

The arrest and conviction of Valenti was a collaborative effort led by the Brunswick Police Department, the Maryland State Police Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office.  Frederick County Assistant State’s Attorney, Tim Gilbert of the Economic Crimes unit represented the State.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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Press Release

For Immediate Release

October 27, 2023

FREDERICK COUNTY GRAND JURY INDICTS NEW JERSEY MAN ON ONE COUNT OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND ONE COUNT OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER

Frederick, MD – This morning, a Frederick County Grand Jury has indicted 46-year-old Matthew Sidney Watley, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, on one count of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder of his domestic partner, Candice Thompson.

On September 24, 2023 at 1:31 a.m., deputies were dispatched to 5236 Intercoastal Drive in New Market, MD at the Costco Depot for a welfare check.  Dispatch advised that Costco security was out with a male subject yelling and screaming at his truck, destroying its interior.  Security then advised the male subject had cut himself after punching the windshield, and then proceeded to sound the horn.  Deputies from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene and met with Costco Security located at the entrance of the campus.  Security explained that a trailer had been disengaged abruptly from its cab and had been drug for several feet.  When deputies made contact with the defendant, who was operating the vehicle, they observed the driver speaking incoherently and refusing their commands to shut off the vehicle’s engine.  Deputies placed stop sticks behind the rear wheels of the tractor trailer.  Additional deputies arrived on scene when the defendant began driving the vehicle towards the gate house.  Upon relocating the stop sticks to the front side of the tires, deputies again attempted to speak with the defendant.  The defendant proceeded to run over the stop sticks and into the complex parking lot.  Wheel chocks were eventually thrown under all wheels after the suspect made several additional starts and stops with the truck.  Deputies were able to deflate the tires and commanded the driver to exit the vehicle, placing him in handcuffs.  The driver had what appeared to be blood on his shirt, hands, and face.

Upon searching the cab of the vehicle, Deputy Storm, of the FCSO, observed a female, identified as 46-year-old Candice Thompson, also of Sicklerville, New Jersey, lying face down on the floor of the cab.  The victim appeared to have multiple stab wounds to her back.  EMS arrived on scene and pronounced the victim deceased at 3:00 a.m.  Candice Thompson’s body was transported to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore, Maryland.  Based on the injuries observed on Candice Thompson’s body, the preliminary cause of death was identified as blunt and sharp force trauma.

The defendant, while detained, was transported to Frederick Health Hospital.  Although an arrest warrant was issued for Matthew Sidney Watley for the murder of Candice Thompson, he remained at Frederick Health Hospital for medical and mental health treatment.

Detectives learned that Candice Thompson and Matthew Watley were in a dating relationship and had a history of domestic violence in New Jersey with the Winslow Township Police Department.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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