Frederick Man Sentenced To 10 Years In The Division of Corrections for Fifth Offense DUI Charges Involving a Fatality, Violation of Probation for Second-Degree Assault and Illegal Firearm Offenses
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 16, 2024
Frederick Man Sentenced To 10 Years In The Division of Corrections for Fifth Offense DUI Charges Involving a Fatality, Violation of Probation for Second-Degree Assault and Illegal Firearm Offenses
Frederick, MD – Yesterday, in Frederick County Circuit Court, The Honorable Judge Minner sentenced 43-year-old John Michael Hartman Jr. to 10 years in the Division of Corrections for a 5th Offense DUI violation which involved a fatality. Mr. Hartman was also sentenced for violating the conditions of his probation from a 2020 second degree assault charge. Hartman was found guilty of 10 DUI-related charges during a September 17th 2024 bench trial. At the time of the trial, Hartman was on probation for assault and firearms offenses from 2020. Per the conditions of his probation, he was to totally abstain from alcohol. Judge Minner reinstated eight and a half years which remained from his 2020 conviction to run concurrently to the 10-year sentence on the new DUI conviction.
On October 14, 2022, Maryland State Police responded to Baltimore National Pike and Harmony Road for a report of a vehicle collision. Upon the arrival of State Troopers, they found that a vehicle, being driven by Hartman, had collided with a car being driven by Mr. Donald Reineke (aged 89). Mr. Reineke died from injuries sustained in the collision. Troopers detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage on Hartman’s breath. Hartman admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages and using marijuana prior to driving. Hartman was flown to R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center to be treated for injuries. At the hospital, Hartman submitted to a blood test which indicated a result of .08 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, which is above the legal limit. Hartman had been previously found guilty of four prior DUI offenses before the collision on October 14, 2022. Hartman was charged and ultimately convicted of 10 DUI-related offenses after a bench trial before the Honorable Julia A. Minner.
On September 23, 2020, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for a shooting at 4317 Buckeystown Pike in Frederick, MD. The victim told police that the Defendant pulled a .45 caliber handgun from his waist and shot five rounds into the engine blocks of two of the victim’s vehicles, and in the direction of where the victim was standing. Police recovered .45 caliber shell casings at the scene. The victim heard the Defendant tell him, “Have a nice night” before the Defendant left the scene. In that incident, Hartman was charged with First-Degree Assault, Second-Degree Assault, Illegal Possession of a Firearm Reckless Endangerment and Illegal Possession of Ammunition. Hartman ultimately pleaded guilty to one count Second Degree Assault and Registered Firearm: Illegal Possession. One of the conditions of Hartman’s probation was to totally abstain from alcohol.
State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “This defendant is not only a threat to public safety but a threat to the lives of others. He deserves this lengthy sentence. Drunk driving can quickly turn into a situation that has a profound impact on the lives of others. Most do not realize this at the time that they get behind the wheel.”
Assistant State’s Attorney, Patrick W. Flynn 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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