Category Archives: Uncategorized

911 DISPATCHER SENTENCED IN DUI

Date: April 16, 2026
Re: State v. Nadene Smith

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Nadene Letonya Smith, 42, of Reisterstown, entered into a plea agreement and was found guilty of Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol and Fleeing and Eluding by Failing to Stop before the Honorable Judge Donald Walter in the District Court for Harford County. At that time, sentencing was postponed at the request of the Defense and was scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026.

The facts presented in support of the plea proved that on November 16, 2025, deputies of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office observed a dark colored SUV traveling east on Philadelphia Road, driving over the double solid yellow lines and ultimately reversing in the middle of a roundabout after traveling in the wrong direction. Deputy Kanner positioned himself behind the vehicle to initiate a traffic stop. However, the vehicle continued to drive through the center of the roundabout. A pursuit was initiated as the vehicle continued down Philadelphia Road, into another roundabout, lost control, traveled off the roadway, and came to rest in a grassy area, disabling the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was identified as the Defendant, Nadene Smith. Smith was ordered to exit the vehicle, and Deputies observed her stumbling and falling upon her exit prior to being detained. Deputies further observed the Defendant’s eyes red and glassy and her speech slurred. When asked where she was coming from, the Defendant originally declined to answer but eventually did state that she was a 911 dispatcher coming from a co-worker’s bonfire where she consumed two drinks that were 16% Alcohol by Volume. Smith consented to standardized field sobriety testing, where multiple observations indicated impairment. Following these tests, Smith refused to submit to a breath test to measure her blood alcohol levels. As a result of her standardized field sobriety testing and the observations of Deputies, she was placed under arrest. Following her arrest, Smith became belligerent with the Deputies, all of which was captured on the in-car camera footage during the arrest.

Due to the egregious nature of the Defendant’s conduct, including but not limited to her driving, failure to stop, impairment by alcohol, and her behavior during and after arrest, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa Moloney highlighted these as aggravating factors and advocated for incarceration despite the Defendant’s lack of record and this being her first offense. The Honorable Judge Donald Walter agreed and imposed a sentence of two (2) years, all suspended but forty-five (45) days to serve.

State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following statement at the conclusion of the hearing: “Driving Under the Influence is a criminal offense that puts innocent victims at risk and one that my office always takes seriously. Some, but not all, first-time offenses result in probationary findings with conditions for treatment. However, when you couple that dangerous behavior with fleeing and eluding and mistreatment and threats directed toward our county’s law enforcement, incarceration becomes the only acceptable consequence, despite the Defendant’s lack of record. The Defendant’s behavior in this case was egregious, and we are grateful that Judge Walter agreed with us in imposing his sentence. I also thank Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa Moloney for her pursuit of justice and advocacy in this case and extend my sincere gratitude to our incredible law enforcement who put their lives on the line each day to protect the citizens of this county and show enormous levels of professionalism when dealing with the challenges of criminal behavior on our streets.”

ABINGDON WOMAN CONVICTED ABOVE SENTENCING GUIDELINES IN MULTIPLE RETAIL THEFT CASES

Date: March 23, 2026
Re: State v. Jessica Mary Hubbard

On Friday, March 13, 2026, Jessica Mary Hubbard, 33, of Abingdon, Maryland pled guilty to Organized Retail Theft, Theft Scheme, Second Degree Assault, and two counts of Theft having a value between $100 and $1,500 in four criminal cases before the Honorable Judge Paul Ishak in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Facts presented in support of the plea proved that on multiple dates between August 2025 and January 2026, the Defendant stole merchandise from numerous Harford County locations. including BJ’s Wholesale Club, Kohl’s, Target, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Walmart, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, totaling $8,395.06. Hubbard would enter these locations, fill her cart with merchandise, pass all points of sale, and make no effort to pay prior to exiting the stores. Following a coordinated investigative effort with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and loss prevention at each of the named locations, Hubbard was arrested and charged.

Following the conviction, the Defendant was sentenced to fifteen (15) years of incarceration, suspending all but five (5) years to serve, followed by three years of supervised probation upon release. She was also banned from the named locations and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,747.37. This was a significant upward deviation from this Defendant’s Maryland Sentencing guidelines, which suggested a sentence of probation to two years of incarceration. This sentence, at the recommendation of Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa Moloney, was two and a half times more than the top of those guidelines.

State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following statement at the conclusion of the hearing: “In Harford County, we aggressively pursue justice in all criminal matters, big and small. I commend the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for taking a zero-tolerance approach to retail theft as we continue our partnership to ensure safe communities. All crimes impact public safety, regardless of their nature. I would also like to thank Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa Moloney for her commitment and advocacy in this case. A tremendous amount of time and effort goes into these convictions which involve multiple incidents. I am thankful for the efforts and partnerships of all those involved that brought these cases to a close. Let this be a strong message from the Harford County law enforcement team that there is no such thing as a “smaller crime” in Harford County. If you break the law, you will be held accountable under my administration.”

FIRST DEGREE CHILD ABUSE CONVICTION

On February 27, 2026, Defendant Alex Lawson, 34, of Havre de Grace, pled guilty to First Degree Child Abuse (Severe Physical Injury) and Second Degree Child Abuse. He was sentenced to forty (40) years suspend all but twenty-two (22) years to serve in the Division of Corrections. Upon his release from incarceration, he will be on five (5) years of supervised probation. The Defendant is the father of the victim, who is now eleven months old.

Facts presented in support of the plea showed that on June 24, 2025, Harford County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a call for service involving a 12-week-old baby girl in cardiac arrest. The baby was rushed to Upper Chesapeake Hospital and was subsequently flown to Nemours Children’s Hospital for further lifesaving treatment. It was discovered that she suffered from bilateral subdural hemorrhaging on her brain, bleeding on both sides of her brain, an occipital fracture, a skull fracture, a hemorrhage in her spine, and too numerous retinal hemorrhages to count. The medical team identified all these injuries as non-accidental trauma. She was intubated and remained in Nemours Children’s Hospital until July 11, 2025, where she also suffered from seizures as a result of the trauma she endured from the Defendant.

Harford County Sheriff’s Office Detective Scurto, who is assigned to the Child Advocacy Center, conducted an investigation. The evidence showed that the Defendant abused the victim on several occasions while alone with her. The abuse included the Defendant violently shaking the victim between his legs, causing her head to forcefully bounce back and forth between his knees, whipping her with a swaddling blanket, and throwing her onto a pillow causing her body to violently bounce. In addition, the Defendant picked the victim up by one leg and flipped her over before tossing her onto the sofa and also pushed and bent her body in half before carrying her. As a direct result of the Defendant’s assaults and abuse, the victim has permanent physical injury, although the exact extent of those injuries is not fully known at this time.

Following the conviction, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following statement: “There is perhaps nothing more important than protecting our community’s most vulnerable victims, our children. The collaborative efforts of our prosecutors, support staff, and the law enforcement officers in the Harford County Child Advocacy Center are a testament to the commitment, skill, and passion of those who have dedicated their lives to being champions for the children that need it most. It is our hope that this sentence will ensure that this young victim will never be at risk of harm at the hands of this Defendant again.” State’s Attorney Healey expresses her gratitude to Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Christina Cuomo, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Allen, Detective Scurto, and all the Child Advocacy Center staff who fought for justice on behalf of this victim and her family.

BEL AIR MAN INDICTED IN RELATION TO SEPTEMBER 2025 FATAL VEHICLE COLLISION INVOLVING TWO C. MILTON WRIGHT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

BALTIMORE MAN FACES LIFE IN PRISON FOLLOWING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CONVICTION

Date: January 16, 2026
Re: State v. Theodore Richards, Jr.

On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Theodore Richards, Jr., 40, of Baltimore, was convicted of Attempted Second Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Rape, Attempted Second Degree Rape, and First Degree Assault following a four-day jury trial before the Honorable Paul W. Ishak in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Evidence presented at trial proved that on June 26, 2025, at approximately 11:18 p.m., law enforcement responded to a reported assault at a residence in Edgewood, Maryland. Officers made contact with the victim, who reported a series of escalating incidents involving her former partner, Theodore Richards Jr. The victim explained that on June 23, 2025, she ended her relationship with Richards following an altercation several days prior. In the days that followed, Richards repeatedly contacted her through phone calls and text messages, including from alternate phone numbers after being blocked and threatened to show up at her home uninvited.

On the evening of June 26, 2025, the victim arrived home with her three minor children and found Richards waiting outside. Despite being told to leave, he continued to attempt to speak with her. Out of concern for her children’s safety, the victim later took them to her mother’s home. When she returned alone to her residence later that night, Richards ambushed her from behind a bush and chased her around her vehicle. He grabbed her wrist, followed her to the front door, restrained her by the waist, and kissed her neck despite her repeated verbal objections. Richards continued to request entry into the home, which the victim denied.

After the victim entered her residence, the Defendant forced his way inside and continued to assault the victim by pushing and grabbing her, tearing her underwear, and making statements indicating an intent to force sexual intercourse. He ultimately physically restrained her on the couch. Once he had the victim pinned to the couch, Richards placed his hands around her neck multiple times, impeding her ability to breathe, and attempted to gouge out her left eye with his thumb. Throughout the assault, he made repeated threats to kill her. The victim fought back during the assault, causing a laceration to Richards with keys she had in her hand. An associate of Richards arrived at the residence and intervened, urging him to leave before the police arrive. Both men left the scene shortly before law enforcement arrived.

Officers observed physical injuries to the victim that were consistent with strangulation and assault as well as blood inside the residence. There was also damage to the living room consistent with a struggle. Ring doorbell footage corroborated events outside the home and captured Richards making a homicidal threat as he was leaving.

Sentencing has been set for April 2, 2026, at which time the Defendant faces a maximum penalty of a life sentence plus thirty years of incarceration. Following the conviction, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey made the following comment: “As a former domestic violence prosecutor myself, the prosecution of these cases will always be meaningful to me. No person should ever live in fear of their partner or ex-partner, and a person’s home should be their safe harbor. Violating that safety and security is inexcusable. We will stop at nothing to hold domestic violence offenders, such as this Defendant, accountable, so they are never again free to put another person at risk. I commend Assistant State’s Attorney Logan Hayes for her valiant effort in this case, but also for generally being a constant champion for our domestic violence victims. These cases can be extremely challenging to prosecute, and her efforts have surely resulted in a positive impact on the lives of those she’s touched and the community as a whole.”

State’s Attorney Healey further commends Detective DeFazio, Deputy First Class Szczepanski, and Digital Forensic Examiner Waltimyer of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their efforts in the investigation of this case, which ultimately led to this successful prosecution.

ABERDEEN MAN CONVICTED IN RELATION TO OCTOBER 2023 SHOOTING

Date: January 7, 2026
Re: State v. Alexander Maszkiewicz

On Monday, December 22, 2025, Alexander Maszkiewicz, 27, of Aberdeen, was sentenced to twenty-five (25) years of incarceration, suspending all but eighteen (18) years to serve by the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin in connection with an October 2023 shooting in Aberdeen, Maryland.

Following a three-day jury trial, Maszkiewicz was convicted by a jury on November 4, 2025, after the State proved that on October 18, 2023, approximately ten gunshots were fired in the 100 block of New County Road in Aberdeen. At the time of the incident, no witnesses or victims came forward, and the investigation initially went cold.

Despite the lack of immediate leads, Detective Lightner of the Aberdeen Police Department continued to pursue the case. In mid-2024, Detective Lightner received a critical ballistics lead that identified a possible suspect as Alexander Maszkiewicz. Through diligent and persistent investigative work, Detective Lightner was able to locate the Glock 43X used in the shooting and ultimately charge Maszkiewicz in relation to the shooting. Following the presentation of evidence in this case, the jury deliberated for 90 minutes, returning guilty verdicts against the Defendant on all charges presented, to include Illegal Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Handgun on a Person, and Reckless Endangerment. The Defendant’s Maryland Sentencing Guidelines suggested a period of incarceration of five (5) to eight (8) years of incarceration. However, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Joel Muneses was able to successfully argue for an upward deviation of the sentence in this case.

Following the sentencing State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following statement: “This case underscores the dedication of local law enforcement and further reinforces my office’s ongoing commitment and collaborative approach with law enforcement to investigate, charge, and convict violent offenders. Our focus continues to be protecting the citizens of Harford County by holding violent offenders accountable, even when cases begin with few leads.” State’s Attorney Healey further commends Detective Lightner on his outstanding investigative work in this case and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Joel Muneses for his unwavering dedication to justice.

NEW YORK MAN INDICTED IN RELATION TO AUGUST 2025 INCIDENT INJURING HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE LIEUTENANT

On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Juan Yahir Quiroz Manzueta was indicted by a Harford County Grand Jury following his extradition from the state of New York on Attempted First Degree Murder, Second Degree Burglary, Hit and Run Causing Serious Bodily Injury, and various related offenses in connection with the incident occurring on August 26, 2025, injuring Harford County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Robert Burgess.

The Defendant is currently held at the Harford County Detention Center pending trial. The trial date has not yet been set. As in all criminal matters, Manzueta is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

EIGHTY YEARS TO SERVE FOR JOPPATOWNE HIGH SCHOOL MURDER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 14, 2025
Re: State v. Jaylen Rushawn Prince
On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Jaylen Rushawn Prince was sentenced in the Circuit Court for Harford County before the Honorable Judge Keven Mahoney following his May, 2025 conviction by the jury for the First Degree Murder of Warren Grant and related charges on September 6, 2024 at Joppatowne High School.

In her sentencing presentation to the Court, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey read ten victim impact statements provided by various family members and friends of the victim. All the statements highlighted the “crushing emotional toll” the murder has had on the family, as well as the “incomprehensible loss” they have suffered, describing the victim as “selfless, loving, kind, and loyal.” Through their statements the victim’s family requested “accountability and justice” for the senseless murder that took Warren Grant’s life.

Ms. Healey argued that Prince is not, and may never be, amendable to treatment, introducing Harford County Public School records highlighting a longstanding history of violence to include dozens of incidents of threats toward teachers, multiple attacks and physical violence towards peers, and continuous verbally abusive behavior. She also introduced two hundred pages of records from the Charles H. Hickey School where the Defendant was held both pending trial and post-trial. These records outlined continued assaultive behaviors sometimes requiring physical restraint and often unprovoked. They also noted numerous occasions of threats and verbal abuse toward teachers, counselors, and staff continuing even following his guilty conviction in this case. A psychological evaluation that was performed on the Defendant by Dr. Witczak, a psychologist with the Department of Mental Health, was also filed with the Court for sentencing purposes, which found Prince to be an “extremely high risk for future violence.” Overall, Ms. Healey argued to the Court that the Defendant continues to be a serious risk to public safety and stated that the message “must be swift and certain” to deter future gun violence in our schools. Due to the Defendant’s age at the time of the offense, the State was unable to seek a sentence of Life without the Possibility of Parole, so instead requested a total sentence of Life suspending all but one hundred (100) years to serve to ensure that Prince would, in fact, remain incarcerated for a significant period of his life.

The Honorable Judge Mahoney stated that the effects of this tragedy are “profound and long lasting.” He also noted that children should be able to go to school and come home at the end of the day without fear of gun violence and that “this should not be an acceptable reality.” Ultimately, he noted that there was no threat toward the defendant by the victim in this case, and that Prince clearly and knowingly brought a loaded firearm to school with the intent to use it. He further highlighted the Defendant’s long and significant history of violence before handing down a sentence of Life plus twenty (20) years, suspending all but eighty (80) years to serve with five years of supervised probation upon release. Because this case involves a crime of violence, Prince will not be eligible for his first parole review until at least half of his sentence is served.

Following the sentencing State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey, commented: “No sentence will ever bring Warren back to his loved ones or make up for the fact that his life was cut short in the most tragic and senseless way. However, today we did our best to seek justice for both him and his family. Through this sentence, we have ensured that Jaylen Prince will no longer be a threat to our community. It is my hope that today will help close the hardest chapter of Warren family’s lives and send the message that gun violence will not be tolerated in our schools, or in our community at all for that matter.”

State’s Attorney Healey also continues to express her sincere appreciation for Assistant State’s Attorney Anthony Baranauskas for his continued assistance as second chair in the case.

MAXIMUM PENALTY IMPOSED FOR BRUTAL 2023 MA-PA TRAIL MURDER

Date: August 11, 2025
RE: State v. Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez

On Monday, August 11, 2025, Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez was sentenced following an April 2025 jury trial for the brutal 2023 rape and murder of Rachel Hannah Morin on the Ma & Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland. The trial resulted in a swift verdict with the jury finding Martinez-Hernandez guilty on all counts, which included First Degree Murder, First Degree Rape, Third Degree Sexual Offense, and Kidnapping after less than one hour of deliberation.

Evidence presented at trial proved that on August 5, 2023, Martinez-Hernandez pulled Rachel Morin from the Ma & Pa Trail, brutally raping and murdering her, ultimately concealing her body in the drainage culverts where she was found the following day. After a lengthy investigation involving both local and federal law enforcement partners, Martinez-Hernandez was apprehended and charged.

Today, Martinez-Hernandez appeared before the Honorable Judge Yolanda L. Curtin for sentencing. State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey and Deputy State’s Attorney David W. Ryden, who prosecuted the case, asked the court to impose a sentence of Life Without the Possibility of Parole, plus a consecutive and additional Life sentence, plus forty additional years to serve, which is the maximum penalty allowable by law. To support their sentencing recommendations, the State provided a lengthy presentation to the court demonstrating who Rachel was in life and not solely as the victim of a horrific crime. The presentation also showed the immense loss that her family has suffered at the hands of this Defendant through victim impact statements provided by her mother, children and siblings. State’s Attorney Healey also noted the impact that this tragedy had on the Harford County community, as well as the need to protect both our community and others from the Defendant, who has been proven to be an immense and continuing threat to public safety. State’s Attorney Healey supported this by highlighting the gross inconsistencies in the self-report provided by the Defendant in his pre-sentencing investigation and psychosexual evaluation, reminding the court of the preposterous lies told by the Defendant at each and every stage of the investigation and trial, as well as quoting the Doctor responsible for the evaluations who described the Defendant as “marked by coldness, dismissiveness, and a callous attitude when discussing the offense, along with an absence of remorse, insight, acceptance of responsibility, or empathy, significantly heightening concerns about his risk of reoffending.” In addition to the reports, the State continued by outlining the Defendant’s involvement in other violent acts, which included an active “Red Notice” from El Salvador for Aggravated Femicide relating to the murder of another female victim, listing him as “armed, dangerous, likely to escape, and violent.” Based on all the information contained in the various reports and evaluations, and the egregious nature of the offense, State’s Attorney Healey argued to the Court that Martinez-Hernandez is completely and entirely unamenable to treatment and thus, the Court should impose the maximum sentence.

Judge Curtin imposed a sentence of life without the possibility of parole, plus an additional life sentence to be run consecutively, as well as an additional forty (40) years to serve, the maximum penalty allowable by law.

Following sentencing, State’s Attorney Healey stated: “Arguably, Harford County has never seen a case or a Defendant more deserving of every single day of the maximum sentence this Court imposed today. This has been a long and grueling process for Rachel’s family, and it is our hope that this sentence provides some sense of justice as they close this chapter and move forward in their grief and toward healing. Nothing will ever bring Rachel back to them or restore their lives to what they were before this immense tragedy, but hopefully, knowing this monster will spend every single day of the rest of his life behind bars will give them some peace as they move into the next chapter of their family story. My wish for this family and Rachel’s children is that they believe we gave them some sense of justice for the loss of Rachel and that they continue to honor her memory and legacy in everything they do for the remainder of their lives.”

ABERDEEN MAN SENTENCED AFTER CONVICTION IN 2024 ARMED CARJACKING

Date: July 16, 2025
RE: State v. Michael Moore

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Michael Moore, 33, of Aberdeen, Maryland, was sentenced following a three-day jury trial in March 2025. The trial resulted in a swift verdict: the jury found Moore guilty of Armed Carjacking, Armed Robbery, and multiple related offenses after only 40 minutes of deliberation.

Evidence presented at trial proved that on February 16, 2024, the Aberdeen Police Department responded to a report of an armed carjacking and robbery in the 700 block of West Bel Air Avenue. The two victims were approached by two armed suspects. During the encounter, one of the victims sustained injuries to their face. A subsequent investigation led to the identification of Michael Moore as one of the suspects. The second suspect remains unknown. Continued investigation also recovered the 9mm ghost handgun used in this incident.

On July 16, 2025, Moore appeared before the Honorable Judge Kevin J. Mahoney for sentencing. Judge Mahoney imposed a sentence of 30 years to serve for Armed Carjacking, 20 years to serve consecutively for Armed Robbery, 20 years to serve concurrently for Armed Robbery, and 20 years, suspending all but five years to serve consecutively for Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence.

In total, Michael Moore was sentenced to 70 years, all suspended but 55 years to serve. Since the crimes are classified as crimes of violence, Moore must serve at least 27 and a half years before he is eligible for his first parole review.

“This case is a strong reminder that violent crime has serious and lasting consequences,” said State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey following sentencing. “Our office remains steadfast in our mission to protect the citizens of Harford County. I want to extend my gratitude to Assistant State’s Attorney Joel Muneses, Detective Helf, and Detective Soto of the Aberdeen Police Department for their exemplary work and commitment to justice in this case.”