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JOPPA MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER OF HCSO CORRECTIONAL DEPUTY

On June 22, 2023, Matthew Dwight Tingler, 37, of Elkton, Maryland pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted First Degree Murder in the Circuit Court for Harford County for his brutal attack of Corporal Michael Vesek in the Harford County Detention Center on November 20, 2022.

Evidence presented to the Honorable Judge Diane Adkins-Tobin revealed to following facts: On November 20, 2022, Corporal Michael Vesek, a Correctional Deputy at the Harford County Detention Center, was supervising Tingler while he placed a phone call in the counseling office at the facility. During the call, Tingler became enraged and used the telephone receiver to strike Corporal Vesek in the face. Tingler fought Corporal Vesek to the floor, and once on the ground, Tingler manually strangled Corporal Vesek and wrapped the phone cord around Corporal Vesek’s neck multiple times, using that cord to further strangle him. Tingler then continuously struck him in the face with the phone receiver, a tape dispenser, and a portable radio that Tingler removed from the desk during the attack. Corporal Vesek lost consciousness as a result of Tingler’s vicious conduct. Other Correctional Deputies heard Corporal Vesek yelling for help and responded, finding Tingler continuing to attack Corporal Vesek, who was motionless, semi-conscious, and bleeding profusely. Deputies immediately rendered assistance to the victim, unwrapping the cord that remained tightly wound around his neck. Corporal Vesek was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview for treatment. In an interview following the incident, Tingler stated that he became upset while on the phone because he believed his fiancé was with another man.

State’s Attorney Alison Healey and Assistant State’s Attorney Megan Lintott negotiated this guilty plea, which includes the agreement that the State will recommend the maximum sentence of life in prison, and the Defense may not argue for anything less than thirty years of incarceration. Pursuant to this plea agreement, the Court may not impose a sentence of less than thirty years of incarceration and may impose up to the maximum sentence of life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for August 10, 2023 following the completion of a Pre-Sentencing Investigation report and a Psychological Evaluation.

Following the plea, State’s Attorney Healey stated, “I commend Corporal Vesek for his bravery in both enduring this brutal attack and for his willingness to testify in this trial, which he was fully prepared to do in the coming days, as we were scheduled to select the jury for trial today. I also thank him for his nearly 25 years of service to Harford County as a Correctional Deputy. Justice was served today as this conviction guarantees that this incredibly violent criminal will not walk free in the streets of our community for a long time to come. My office will not tolerate violent crime of any kind, but the attempt to take the life of one of our Correctional Deputies, is particularly egregious and deserves the maximum penalties allowed by law. We will argue for not a day less than a life sentence on August 10th.”

Ms. Healey thanks Assistant State’s Attorney Megan Lintott for her assistance in preparing this case for trial. She also thanks the many Correctional Deputies who responded to this crime scene for their rapid response to render lifesaving aid to Corporal Vesek and preserve the evidence in this case. Finally, she commends the Harford County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies who responded and Detectives Pilachowski and Wilsynski of the Criminal Investigations Division for securing the evidence required to ensure a conviction.

ABDERDEEN WOMAN CONVICTED OF MULTIPLE ASSAULT OF CHARGES

Ieshia Smiley, 40, of Aberdeen, Maryland was convicted on April 18, 2023 of First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, and Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Assault following a two-day jury trial in the Circuit Court for Harford County. The case originated following a report of a stabbing that occurred in the Unit Block of N. Philadelphia Boulevard in Aberdeen, Maryland on October 27, 2022.

Evidence at trial before the Honorable Judge M. Elizabeth Bowen established that officers from the Aberdeen Police Department were dispatched to the Exxon at 7 N. Philadelphia Boulevard at approximately 5:38 p.m. Officers initially met with Smiley and a co-defendant who acknowledged being in a fight with the victim. Witnesses at trial testified that Smiley and the co-defendant approached the victim as she was leaving the Exxon and confronted the victim about $10. Smiley and the co-defendant then began to attack the victim using a knife and, what were believed to be, brass knuckles. The victim was believed to be stabbed in the head two times suffering lacerations to her head, a contusion to her forehead, and the loss of three teeth.

A portion of the incident was captured on Exxon’s video surveillance system and was introduced at trial. Three knives were recovered at the scene, with one being located near Smiley and the co-defendant, which had a strand of hair on it that was the same color as the victim’s.

Smiley is being held without bail pending sentencing. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 26, 2023. Smiley faces up to twenty five years of incarceration for First Degree Assault and twenty five years of incarceration for Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Assault. The Second Degree Assault conviction will merge into First Degree Assault for purposes of sentencing. Smiley also faces a Violation of Probation for an unrelated First Degree Assault.

State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey said after the jury’s verdict: “The permanent injuries the victim sustained during this violent crime are deplorable, and in Harford County, we will not tolerate injuries of any kind being perpetrated upon our citizens, and especially not injuries of this magnitude. My office continues to demonstrate that we are aggressively pursuing violent offenders to remove them from our community. I commend the victim in this case for her courage to stand up against a Defendant who committed a horrific crime against her by providing compelling testimony that was supported by the independent evidence, resulting in this significant verdict.”

Ms. Healey thanks Deputy State’s Attorney David W. Ryden for his hard work and pursuit of justice for the victim in this case. In addition, she thanks Officer Epps, Corporal Hoffman, and Detective Soto from the Aberdeen Police Department for rapidly responding to render aid to the victim and for securing evidence during their investigation leading to Smiley’s arrest and conviction.

MIDDLE RIVER MAN CONVICTED OF THIRD-DEGREE SEX OFFENSE AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR

On April 4, 2023, Marvin Scriven, 51, of Middle River, Maryland was convicted of Third-Degree Sexual Offense and Sexual Abuse of a Minor following a two-day jury trial, in the Circuit Court for Harford County. The charges are a result of an investigation by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, which revealed that Scriven sexually assaulted a twelve (12) year old minor female victim.

Evidence presented at trial before the Honorable Elizabeth Bowen established that the victim was found by her mother and sister in the basement of an Edgewood residence on September 25, 2019, visibly upset and crying. The victim disclosed that while watching a movie with Scriven and her sister, Scriven adjusted himself in such a way that his penis became visible to the victim from the bottom of his basketball shorts. The victim further disclosed that on three occasions, Scriven pulled her hand towards his penis, forcing her to touch it, despite her attempts to pull her hand away. During the investigation, Scriven gave multiple inconsistent statements to the police when describing what had occurred between him and the victim.

Upon conviction, Special Victims Unit Chief, Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher Smith, requested that Judge Bowen revoke Scriven’s bond and hold him at the Harford County Detention Center pending sentencing. The request was granted, and he is currently being held at the Harford County Detention Center without bail. Scriven faces up to ten years for the count of Third-Degree Sex Offense and twenty-five years for the count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. Sentencing is scheduled for September 5, 2023.

Following the trial, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey commented, “Today justice was served in a case involving one of our most vulnerable victims, a child. This type of predatory behavior has no place in our county and community. Sexual predators will always be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law under my administration. I commend this child for her immense bravery in testifying in open court to hold her abuser accountable for his criminal acts.”

Ms. Healey thanks Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher Smith and the State’s Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit for their compassion in walking this victim through the court process and for their diligence in preparing and presenting this case at trial. In addition, she thanks Detective Skica, Deputy Becker, Deputy Tatum, Deputy Zimmerman, Deputy Reese, and Deputy Van Helten for their thorough investigation leading to the arrest and conviction of this sexual offender.

ABERDEEN MAN CONVICTED OF VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER AND CARRYING A CONCEALED DANGEROUS WEAPON

Frank George Hudson, III, 21, of Aberdeen, Maryland was convicted on April 3, 2023 of Voluntary Manslaughter and Carrying a Concealed Dangerous Weapon, following a five-day jury trial in the Circuit Court for Harford County. The case originated following an investigation by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office in the stabbing death of 17-year-old Christopher Kerfoot near his home in the 1200 block of Agora Drive in Bel Air, Maryland, on July 8, 2021.

Evidence presented at trial before the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin established that the victim’s brother was awakened shortly before 5:00 a.m. at their residence in the 1200 block of Athens Court. Christopher Kerfoot had suffered stab wounds to his upper torso, and he was able to tell his brother prior to dying that “Frank did it.” The investigation identified Hudson as the suspect, known to both the victim and his brother. Hudson was arrested at his residence in the 1400 block of Pannell Drive that evening, where a knife was located in a nearby dumpster.

Following his arrest, Hudson was interviewed by Harford County Sheriff’s Office investigators and stated that he believed he was meeting a juvenile female with whom he was communicating via SnapChat. Hudson testified in his own defense that the victim approached him, instead of the female, and a physical altercation took place inside and outside of his vehicle. The victim was stabbed three times and bitten on the upper left arm. The victim left the area on foot, arriving at his residence nearby where he succumbed to his injuries.

Forensic evidence determined that the victim’s DNA was found on Hudson’s driver’s side door, and Hudson’s DNA was found on the knife recovered near his residence. A digital forensic analysis of the victim’s phone revealed that it had been recently used to message Hudson using the female’s name to arrange the meeting at that location.

After the verdict, Assistant State’s Attorney Jeremy Brooks requested Judge Adkins-Tobin to continue to hold Hudson at the Harford County Detention Center without bail. Hudson faces up to ten years of incarceration for Voluntary Manslaughter and an additional three years for the conviction regarding the weapon. Judge Adkins-Tobin ordered that a Pre-Sentence Investigation and a psychological evaluation be conducted on Hudson for consideration during sentencing and stated that sentencing will be scheduled in approximately six weeks.

State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey said after the jury’s verdict: “Nothing can bring Christopher Kerfoot back, but today’s verdict is justice for Christopher and for his family that was present for the entire trial. This was a difficult case to try without eyewitnesses, but my office will always vigorously pursue truth and justice with the use of the physical evidence. I commend our prosecutors and staff in this case for preparing this case for trial so quickly after having it reassigned to them following the beginning of my term in office in January. It demonstrates their skill, work ethic, and tenacity.”

Ms. Healey thanks Assistant State’s Attorney Jeremy B. Brooks and Deputy State’s Attorney David W. Ryden for their advocacy and their care and attention to the victim’s family in this case. In addition, she thanks Deputy First Class Tatum, Detective Smith, and Detective Pilachowski, for their roles in attempting life-saving measures for the victim, swiftly identifying a suspect, and conducting a thorough investigation leading to Hudson’s arrest and conviction.

State’s Attorney Healey releases prosecutorial determination relating to the April 23, 2022 police-involved shooting death in Harford County, Maryland

Pursuant to current Maryland law regarding police-involved shooting deaths, an investigation must be conducted by the Office of the Attorney General, Independent Investigations Division, and a report of their investigative findings shall be issued and sent to the Office of the State’s Attorney for the county in which the incident occurred. After the State’s Attorney receives that report, they are obligated to review said report and are also able to review all evidence in the case to make a determination as to whether any prosecution shall occur as a result of the incident.

On April 23, 2022, a police-involved shooting death of John Fauver occurred in Forest Hill, Maryland involving two law enforcement officers from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. In accordance with the Maryland law, the Office of the Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division issued their report to the Office of the State’s Attorney for Harford County on November 23, 2022, prior to Alison M. Healey taking office as State’s Attorney for Harford County. The prior State’s Attorney for Harford County had issued a declination of prosecution letter related to this incident on June 29, 2022. However, that declination letter was noncompliant with the law, as it was issued prior to the completion of the Independent Investigations Division investigation and issuance of their report. In addition, no additional action was taken by the prior administration in response to the November 23, 2022 report from the Independent Investigations Division once it was received. As a result, Ms. Healey was obligated by law to formally make a prosecutorial determination in this matter, as it was still outstanding when she took office on January 3, 2023.

As she does in all cases, Ms. Healey spent a significant amount of time reviewing the evidence in this case, the applicable statutes and case law, as well as relevant and potential defenses in the case to make a determination. That review was completed on March 27, 2023, resulting in Ms. Healey issuing a letter to the Office of the Attorney General, Independent Investigations Division indicating that she declines prosecution related to this incident, and she is releasing that declination letter to the public at this time. Ms. Healey further stated, “While the death of any of our county residents is tragic, and I am very sorry for the loss of Mr. Fauver’s life, the evidence in this case does not support criminal prosecution.” Ms. Healey is committed, as promised, to full transparency and always keeping Harford County citizens fully informed, as well as to ensure the safety of all who live here.

Ms. Healey’s letter is included below:

Dear Ms. Mulhauser:

I have thoroughly reviewed the information which you provided to my office regarding the above referenced investigation as well as additional body-worn camera and in-car video footage. At this time, I am declining prosecution in the matter of the police-involved shooting death of John Fauver as it relates to both Corporal Christopher Maddox and Sergeant Bradford Sives.

While the Independent Investigations Division Report (hereinafter “IID Report”) provided to my office was extensive, the description of the events leading up to the police-involved shooting in this matter seem to be generally and purposefully vague. Due to descriptions in the IID Report being overly broad, they do not thoroughly and clearly illustrate what actually transpired in this matter. Most relevant to my declination of prosecution in this matter are the following facts as depicted in body-worn camera and in-car video footage.

When Harford County Sheriffs Office members initially make contact with Mr. Fauver, they have received information from Mr. Fauver’s wife that she believes there may be two rifles in the vehicle. That information was broadcast over the radio to law enforcement and is stated numerous times throughout the interaction with Mr. Fauver in this matter. They finally locate Mr. Fauver near Chopstix Restaurant on Rock Spring Road in Forest Hill, Maryland.

During this “initial encounter,” as it is called in the IID Report, Mr. Fauver is told to put his hands up and open the door. Not only does Mr. Fauver fail to comply with that order, after some verbal exchange, he responds by driving directly at Sergeant Sives with his vehicle at a high rate of speed jumping the median behind where Sergeant Sives was standing, thereby using the vehicle as a dangerous and deadly weapon. The single and only reason Mr. Fauver did not strike Sergeant Sives with his vehicle was because Sergeant Sives was able to jump out of the way, causing him to fall and land in the bushes of that very same median. They then are able to detain Mr. Fauver within the parking lot and have surrounded him. Once he is confined to that location, various members of the Harford County Sheriffs Office are consistently speaking with Mr. Fauver trying to bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion through various means. Officers on scene are speaking to him, and FaceTime calls are made to him. During one of the FaceTime calls, he tells law enforcement more than once to “get your snipers” and also when asked whether the item Deputy First Class Sullivan viewed in the vehicle via FaceTime was a cane or a rifle, Mr. Fauver answers, “AR-15 hollow point. Ready to go, brother.” Mr. Fauver is continuously ignoring commands to show his hands and fluctuates multiple times from being in a place where officers can see his hands to reaching back in the vehicle where they cannot. Members of the Harford County Sheriffs Office withhold discharge of their weapons several times when they have adequate time to confirm the item in Mr. Fauver’s hand is a cane. Sergeant Sives and other law enforcement then hear Mr. Fauver saying goodbye on the phone, and such is noted in the report. While it is accurate that seconds before firing, Sergeant Sives stated “It’s a cane, it’s a cane,” the report fails to properly articulate that after Sergeant Sives makes that statement, Mr. Fauver goes back behind the door of the vehicle appearing to be reaching into the car and grabbing something and then reemerging quickly. The report definitely lacks clarity as to Mr. Fauver’s next action. The IID Report describes Mr. Fauver as “holding something in his hands with his arms raised and his left foot positioned in front of him.” I find this description to be very misleading. When Mr. Fauver reemerged from behind the vehicle door, Mr. Fauver immediately and quickly took a shooter’s stance and raised a long item in the exact manner in which you would hold a rifle or shotgun and pointed it in the direction in which the officers who discharged their weapons were located. Mr. Fauver then quickly turns toward the vehicle and resumes a shooter’s stance a second time. All of this occurs within a period of less than two seconds. It is only after these actions by Mr. Fauver that Corporal Christopher Maddox and Sergeant Bradford Sives discharged their firearms.

My review of all of the facts and evidence, the applicable statutes and case law, and relevant and potential defenses in this matter forms the basis for my decision to decline to prosecute this matter.

Respectfully

Alison M. Healey, Esq.
State’s Attorney for Harford County

FALLSTON MAN CONVICTED OF SECOND DEGREE RAPE

Garry Lamonte Pendleton, 52, of Fallston, Maryland was convicted of two counts of second-degree rape, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment, and two counts of second-degree assault, following a three-day jury trial on March 13, 2023, in the Circuit Court for Harford County. The charges are the result of an investigation by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office that Pendleton sexually assaulted an adult female victim in Fallston on July 8, 2022.

The victim testified at trial before the Honorable Kevin J. Mahoney that she sought a protective order against Pendleton on July 11, 2022, after Pendleton sexually assaulted her on July 8, 2022. The Sheriff’s Office investigated the complaint and determined that Pendleton initially threatened her with a firearm while inside of a vehicle parked at the Maryland State Police Bel Air Barracks. The victim was able to deescalate the situation but felt like she had no choice but to go back to her residence with him. While at the residence, the victim testified that Pendleton forced vaginal and anal sex on her. Several firearms, including a handgun registered to Pendleton, were located during a search of the residence by the Sheriff’s Office on July 13, 2022.

Assistant State’s Attorney Joel Muneses requested Judge Mahoney continue to hold Pendleton at the Harford County Detention Center without bail following the conviction. Pendleton faces up to twenty years’ incarceration for each count of second-degree rape, ten years for each count of second-degree assault, five years for reckless endangerment, and anything that is not cruel and unusual punishment for false imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for July 18, 2023.

State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey said after the jury’s verdict: “In just over two short months since I took office, this is the third sexual assault case that our office has taken to trial and received convictions. Yet another victim trusted our team of dedicated prosecutors and support staff to seek justice on their behalf. We will continue to work hard to serve victims and the citizens of Harford County by removing these violent predators from the community.”

Ms. Healey thanks Assistant State’s Attorney Joel Muneses for his hard work and advocacy in this matter and the Special Victims Unit of the State’s Attorney’s Office for their supportive role in preparing the case for trial. In addition, she thanks DFC Kacher and Det. DeFazio for their investigation leading to the arrest and conviction of a dangerous sexual offender.

Subsequent Offender Convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute

On March 8, 2023, Timothy Eugene Fisher, 51, of Port Deposit, Maryland was convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute: Cocaine and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance: Cocaine following a two-day jury trial in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Deputies testified before the Honorable Paul W. Ishak that a traffic stop was conducted on February 6, 2019, after a vehicle was observed passing a school bus on a double yellow, no passing zone. The vehicle had been observed earlier in the day by the Harford County Narcotics Task Force engaging in activity consistent with the sale of controlled dangerous substances (CDS). While approaching the vehicle, the stopping Deputy observed Fisher, the front seat passenger, making movements in the vehicle. While speaking with the occupants of the vehicle, the Deputy observed a black digital scale on the center console, prompting a request for a K-9 scan. Both occupants exited the vehicle. At that time, deputies observed a white powder substance in and around Fisher’s left nostril. Deputies attempted to take Fisher into custody, but he resisted. Fisher was ultimately restrained by deputies, and there was a positive K-9 alert on the vehicle. A search of the car revealed a digital scale and a white plastic bag containing numerous sandwich bags consistent with packaging cocaine. A search of Fisher’s person disclosed two additional plastic bags containing suspected cocaine. One of those bags contained ten (10) individual one gram bags of the substance. A third bag was recovered containing suspected cutting agent. The recovered CDS was submitted to the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division for testing and positively identified as cocaine. A law enforcement expert testified that the recovery of the scale, cutting agent, packaging materials, and large amounts of individually packaged CDS is consistent with intent to distribute.

The Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed a Notice of Intent to Request Subsequent Offender Enhanced Penalties on this case, citing Fisher’s prior convictions for Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotics in 2005 and Assault with Intent to Maim in 1990. Fisher faces a maximum sentence of forty (40) years in prison and fines of up to thirty thousand ($30,000) dollars.

The Honorable Paul W. Ishak ordered that Fisher remain out on bond pending sentencing which has been scheduled for July 5, 2023 in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Following the verdict, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey commented that a clear message is being sent to drug dealers that her administration has zero tolerance for drugs in Harford County. “Our office continues to send the message that we will not tolerate the distribution of this poison on our streets. If you distribute controlled dangerous substances in Harford County, we will make every effort to ensure you are incarcerated and that our community is safe.”

Ms. Healey would like to thank Senior Deputy Jackson, Sgt. Waldsmith, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the Narcotics Taskforce for their hard work in this case and their efforts every day to rid our community of these dangerous substances and the drug dealers that distribute them. She also commends Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew George for his hard work, preparation, and advocacy in this matter.

EDGEWOOD MAN CONVICTED OF FIRST DEGREE RAPE, ARMED ROBBERY, AND RELATED CHARGES SENTENCED TO LIFE PLUS FIFTY YEARS TO SERVE

UPDATE: On Friday, May 12, 2023, Devon Allen Odell Scott, 40, of Edgewood, Maryland was sentenced in the Circuit Court for Harford County following his February 13, 2023 convictions.

The Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin sentenced Scott to a total sentence of Life plus 50 years to serve. The breakdown of sentencing is reflected as follows:
Count 1: First Degree Rape – Life
Count 3: Armed Robbery – 25 years without parole, consecutive to Count 1;
Count 7: Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence – 20 years, consecutive to Counts
1 and 3, with the 1st 5 years without parole;
Count 8: Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm – 15 years SAB 5 years without parole, consecutive
to Counts 1, 3, and 7;
Count 11: Indecent Exposure – 3 years suspended, consecutive to Counts 1, 3, 7, and 8;
The remaining convictions merged into these convictions and sentences.

Upon release, if that were to occur, Scott will be placed on 5 years of supervised probation with standard conditions, as well as the requirement that he abstain from drugs and alcohol, submit to evaluation, testing and treatment as directed, register as a Tier III sex offender requiring lifetime registration, be supervised by a sexual offender management team, be monitored through global positioning satellite tracking or equivalent technology, participate in a sexual offender treatment program, submit to regular polygraph examinations, and have no contact with the victim in the case.

State’s Attorney Alison Healey requested at the sentencing hearing that the Court impose the maximum penalty allowed by law of Life plus 63 years. After sentencing, State’s Attorney Alison Healey stated, “We argued in sentencing that our community would be in great danger if this violent offender was ever released from commitment again. We are grateful that Judge Adkins-Tobin’s sentence demonstrates her agreement, and this sentence ensures that the citizens of our community will never have to be at risk from this Defendant ever again.”

___

February 13, 2023, Devon Allen Odell Scott, 40, of Edgewood, Maryland, was convicted of First Degree Rape, Armed Robbery, First Degree Assault, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Wearing, Carrying or Transporting a Handgun in a Vehicle, False Imprisonment, Indecent Exposure, and Theft: $100 to $1500 following a jury trial in the Circuit Court for Harford County. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office investigated and charged Scott with sexually assaulting the 28-year-old victim after she provided him with a ride from Baltimore to the Edgewood area on August 5, 2019.

The victim testified before the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin that Scott flagged her down for ride in Baltimore, as she stated that she sometimes works as an unlicensed taxi service in her personal vehicle to earn extra money. Throughout the duration of the trip, Scott refused to commit to a specific house number or road, but asked to be taken to the Edgewood area. Upon arrival to Edgewood, Scott instructed the victim to pull over to a secluded road and displayed a gray semi¬automatic handgun telling the victim that he was not going to kill her, but that she was going to perform oral sex on him. He took money from her, as well as her driver’s license, cell phone, and keys. Scott then forced her to perform oral sex on him, placing the gun next to the passenger side door within his reach. Scott also told the victim to “do it right” and hit her in the head and face with his hands. Scott forced the victim to view pornographic videos on the victim’s cell phone during the incident to show her how he wanted the act to be completed and forced her head down. After sexually assaulting the victim, Scott permitted the victim to spit out his pre-ejaculate fluids, which was later collected for DNA evidence. Scott told the victim to wait ten minutes before leaving, and he would throw her belongings at a nearby stop sign. Following a thorough investigation by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, Scott was identified by the victim in a photo lineup, as well as by a positive latent fingerprint match from inside of the victim’s vehicle, and DNA evidence recovered from outside of the victim’s vehicle. Scott is further prohibited from possessing a firearm because of prior disqualifying convictions in Baltimore City for Armed Robbery and Robbery.

Judge Adkins-Tobin ordered that Scott be continued to be held without bail and will continue to be housed at the Division of Corrections in Jessup following his convictions. Scott faces up to life in prison for First Degree Rape, 25 years for Armed Robbery due to the filing of enhanced penalties, 25 years for First Degree Assault, 20 years for Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence with the first five years being mandatory without the possibility of parole, 5 years for Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm by a Prohibited Person, 3 years for Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting a Handgun in a Vehicle, and 3 years for Indecent Exposure. The remaining counts will merge into the other counts for purposes of sentencing. Sentencing in this matter will be scheduled for a later date.

Following the verdict, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey stated, “My office is repeatedly proving to our citizens that we will fulfill our promise to hold violent offenders accountable. We will continue to work vigorously to incarcerate violent predators for as long as possible and remove them from our community. There are not adequate words to express the bravery the victim in this case demonstrated by reporting this horrific crime and testifying at trial in this case.”

Ms. Healey thanks Assistant State’s Attorney Angela Diehl for her hard work and advocacy in the prosecution of this case to obtain justice for the victim. The State’s Attorney’s Office would also like to thank Detective Moro, Detective Wilsynski, Sergeant Dietz, and Deputy First Class Jackson of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their thorough investigation resulting in this sexually violent offender being brought to justice.

FOREST HILL MAN CONVICTED OF SECOND DEGREE RAPE

UPDATE

On Thursday, May 18, 2023, Steven Jay Friedman, 40, of Forest Hill, Maryland was sentenced in the Circuit Court for Harford County following his January 30, 2023 convictions.
The Honorable Yolanda Curtin sentenced Freidman to thirty (30) years suspend all but eighteen (18) years to serve.

The breakdown of sentencing is reflected as follows:
-Rape 2nd – 20 years, suspend all but 18 years to serve
-Sex Offense 3rd Degree – 10 years, suspended, consecutive
-Providing Alcohol to a Minor – $1000 fine, suspended

Upon release, Friedman will be placed on 5 years of supervised probation with standard conditions, as well as the requirement that he submit to lifetime supervision as a sex offender and lifetime sex offender registration. As part of his probation, he is ordered to have no contact with the victim or her family, be subject to DNA testing and COMET supervision, sex offender treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy, abstinence from alcohol and drugs, drug testing, drug/alcohol treatment, and no unsupervised contact with minors.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Curtin thanked the victim for her strength and courage in testifying in the case and providing a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing.
After the sentence was handed down, State’s Attorney Alison Healey said, “I am very grateful that we were able to obtain justice for the victim in this case, who showed incredible resilience and bravery by facing her abuser not just at trial, but at the sentencing hearing as well. This offender is a danger to our community, and we are grateful that Judge Curtin’s sentence in this case will ensure that the citizens of our community are free from him for a long time and that he will be monitored extremely closely when he is eventually released.”

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On January 30, 2023, Steven Jay Friedman, 40, of Forest Hill, Maryland was convicted of Second Degree Rape, Sexual Offense in the Third Degree, Second Degree Assault, and Furnishing for or Allowing Underage Consumption following a bench trial in the Circuit Court for Harford County. The charges are the result of a Harford County Sheriff’s Office investigation, which found that Friedman lured a sixteen-year-old neighbor into his home and sexually assaulted her after providing her alcohol on February 18, 2022.

The victim testified during the trial before the Honorable Judge Yolanda L. Curtin that she regularly takes walks in the neighborhood and a resident, identified as Friedman, approached her at approximately 5:00 p.m., stating that he had been watching her take her walks and thought she was very attractive. Friedman invited the victim into his residence to provide her alcohol. While in the residence, Friedman reached under her shirt and bra and touched her breast. The victim testified that she was too intoxicated to say no. Friedman overcame her attempts to resist and performed oral sex on her while digitally penetrating her without her consent. During the incident, Friedman’s family came home, and Friedman interacted with them before escorting the victim out of the residence undetected. The victim preserved video evidence of Friedman providing her alcohol and confirming the sexual contact. Friedman was interviewed by members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigative Division and admitted to providing the victim alcohol and to the sexual contact.

The Honorable Judge Curtin remanded Friedman to the custody of the Harford County Detention Center following his convictions. Friedman faces up to 20 years of incarceration. Sentencing will be scheduled following the completion of a Pre-Sentence Investigation.

State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey stated after the verdict was pronounced by the Court: “The conviction of Steven Friedman for this heinous and predatory crime gives the victim of this case closure to a difficult chapter that no individual deserves, and especially not a child. We will be seeking a maximum sentence to ensure this sexual predator is removed from our community for the protection of other children and our citizens. I commend the victim and her family for reporting the assault and for the bravery she exhibited by testifying at trial.”

Ms. Healey thanks Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew George for his hard work on this case for the last year and for taking the matter to trial to seek justice for this victim. Ms. Healey further thanks Deputy First Class Mansell, Detective Sergent, and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigative Division for their efforts in thoroughly investigating the case.

BALTIMORE COUNTY DRUG DEALER CONVICTED OF POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE COCAINE FOLLOWING TWO DAY JURY TRIAL

Bruce Vincent Tran, 51, of Rosedale, Maryland was convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of Heroin on January 20, 2023, following a two-day jury trial in the Circuit Court for Harford County. The charges stemmed from an investigation of Tran who was at the Motel 6 in Edgewood on April 1, 2021.

Tran’s car was known to be involved in an ongoing drug investigation by members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit and was seen engaging in activity consistent with the sale of drugs. Members of the Crime Suppression Unit followed Tran’s vehicle, stopping it for failing to use a left turn signal while turning onto northbound Route 24 from Edgewood Road. K-9 Rocco alerted on the vehicle for the recent presence of drugs, and it was searched. Tran was searched at the Harford County Sheriff’s Office’s Southern Precinct and found to have two bags secreted in his pants. One bag contained 40 small bags of crack cocaine, and the other bag contained 8 capsules of heroin and fentanyl. No paraphernalia associated with drug use was found on Tran or his car.

The Honorable Kevin J. Mahoney remanded Tran to the custody of the Harford County Detention Center after conviction at the request of Deputy State’s Attorney David Ryden, where Tran will remain while he awaits sentencing. Ryden cited Tran’s previous criminal history for Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances and a pending indictment for the possession of a large amount of drugs in the Baltimore County Circuit Court that is set for trial on April 10, 2023. Tran faces up to twenty years’ incarceration for Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and one year for Possession of Heroin on the Harford County case.

State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey commented that her administration has immediately begun working with her office’s law enforcement partners in securing convictions and punishment for drug dealers, and all criminals generally, since taking office on January 3, 2023. “Through this conviction, just 17 days after taking office, our office is sending a swift and certain message to anyone that plans to sell drugs in Harford County or to bring drugs from other jurisdictions to Harford County to sell that in Harford County, you will face trial and be incarcerated.”

Ms. Healey would like to thank Deputy First Class Ross, Senior Deputy First Class Dean, Deputy First Class Weilert, and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office’s Crime Suppression Unit for their effort in investigating this case, as well as Deputy State’s Attorney David Ryden for his prompt attention, preparation, and advocacy in this case. Their combined efforts led to Mr. Tran’s conviction in this case. Sentencing is scheduled in this matter for March 15, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.