FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR FIRST DEGREE MURDER
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 14, 2025
FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR FIRST DEGREE MURDER
Frederick, MD – Today, in Frederick County Circuit Court, The Honorable Judge Kathleen English sentenced Santos Felipe Reyes Valle, 40 years old, to Life in the Division of Corrections for First-Degree Murder. On June 23, 2025, a jury found Valle guilty of First-Degree Murder and at the sentencing hearing today, the State asked for Life in prison.
On May 17, 2023, Frederick Police Department officers responded to the Home Depot parking lot at 51 North McCain Drive in Frederick for a 9-1-1 call regarding an unresponsive male lying on the ground. Police immediately observed that the victim, covered in blood, had been stabbed in the neck and was barely breathing. Police administered first aid to the victim until EMS arrived on scene. EMS transported the victim to Frederick Health Hospital, however, the victim did not survive.
Detectives interviewed multiple witnesses on scene. Witnesses told police they observed the defendant, known as “Felipe”, wielding a knife and that he appeared intoxicated. The defendant lived within walking distance of the Home Depot, in the Hickory Hills Apartment complex. Police found a folding knife with blood on it in a wooded area in close proximity to where the victim was located.
Police interviewed the defendant, who was walking near the crime scene. The defendant’s clothing was wet and he had multiple scratches on his face and arms. Forensic analysis of the weapon revealed the defendant’s DNA and fingerprints, and the victim’s DNA were found on the knife. The victim was identified as Jose Pedro Hernandez.
State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “Our prosecutors put in substantial effort in order to get this murderer a substantial sentence. Life in prison achieves both justice for the victims and our community.”
Pedro’s family members described how this crime affected their family, in Victim Impact Statements, telling the court, “Pedro was the head of our family and it has affected us greatly. I don’t know why he was taken from us and I want the defendant to never get out of jail.”
Deputy State’s Attorney Kirsten Brown and Assistant State’s Attorney Tyler Cejka 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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