Thurmont Man to Serve 18 Months in Jail for 10 Counts, Including 3 Hate Crimes, 2 Counts of Harassment, 3 Counts of Trespassing and 2 Counts of Disorderly Conduct

April 4, 2024/in Press Release/by Jacqueline Rottmann

Press Release

For Immediate Release

April 4, 2024

Thurmont Man to Serve 18 Months in Jail for 10 Counts, Including 3 Hate Crimes, 2 Counts of Harassment, 3 Counts of Trespassing and 2 Counts of Disorderly Conduct

Frederick, Maryland – Today, Judge Julie Solt sentenced Michael David Burns to 9 years, suspend all but 18 months to be served in the Frederick County Adult Detention Center for 10 counts, including three hate crimes, two counts of harassment, three counts of trespassing and two counts of disorderly conduct on his neighbors’ property. In January, a jury found the defendant guilty of those 10 counts. The FCADC will arrange for the defendant to be on work release during the 18-month sentence. The defendant has been on home detention, monitored by A1 Trusted Monitoring, since January 26, 2024, pending his sentencing date.

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. Assistant State’s Attorney, Carly Gibson filed charges against the defendant based in part on 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.

In addition to the 18-month jail sentence, which begins today, the defendant will serve 5 years of supervised probation upon his release to include: alcohol and drug treatment, mental health treatment and no contact with the victims or their property.

Assistant State’s Attorney, Carly Gibson led the investigation leading to the charging, prosecution and conviction of Michael David Burns. Several civil actions against the defendant are pending.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Communications Specialist

JRottmann@statesattorney.us

301-600-2972

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