Rocky Ridge Man Enters Guilty Plea, Sentenced for Felony Domestic Violence

FREDERICK, MD  – This morning in Frederick County Circuit Court, Michael Anthony Simpson, age 34, of Rocky Ridge, entered a guilty plea to two counts of 1st Degree Assault and one count of Violating a Protective Order. The Honorable Judge Julie Stevenson Solt sentenced Simpson to a combined 50 years with all but 10 years suspended. He must also serve 5 years of supervised probation upon release.

 

On September 14, 2022, officers with the Frederick Police Department were dispatched to the Woodspring Suites hotel located at 341 Ballenger Center for the report of a domestic assault. The female victim told officers that the defendant strangled her that day at the hotel as well as the day prior during their drive to Frederick. The Victim addressed the Court and advocated for the sentence that was ultimately imposed, detailing her fear of the Defendant and her long journey toward understanding the impact that the cycle of domestic violence had on her.

 

Following the sentencing, Domestic Violence Unit Chief Brett Engler commented, “Unfortunately, we see cases of strangulation on a daily basis, and assaults by strangulation are a huge risk factor toward future lethality. It is critical that victims know that there are resources in the community to help them, and that the State’s Attorney’s Office will work tirelessly with our agency partners to hold offenders accountable for their actions–with serious consequences where appropriate.”

 

The State’s Attorney’s Office encourages anyone experiencing domestic violence to reach out to law enforcement and/or the Heartly House at (301) 662-8800 for assistance.

 

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

 

Michael Anthony Simpson