Tag Archives: bel air

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.”

ABINGDON MAN CONVICTED IN 2024 BEL AIR MURDER

Date: March 21, 2025
Re: State v Angelo Terrell Spencer

On Friday, March 21, 2025, Angelo Terrell Spencer, 25, of Abingdon, pled guilty to First Degree Murder before the Honorable Paul Ishak in the Circuit Court for Harford County. Following the plea, Spencer was sentenced to Life, suspend all but seventy-five (75) years to serve in the Division of Corrections.

Facts presented in support of the plea showed that on February 22, 2024, the Bel Air Police Department was dispatched to a residence for a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, Officers located a 73-year-old female victim in the foyer of the residence suffering from multiple stab wounds. Despite the efforts of emergency medical personnel, the victim succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased while en route to the hospital.

The victim’s granddaughter was on scene and advised her ex-boyfriend, Angelo Terrell Spencer, entered their home and stabbed her grandmother. Members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were able to locate Spencer at his home, and he was taken into custody. After being read his Miranda rights, Spencer agreed to speak with Detectives and advised that on the night in question he was texting with the victim’s granddaughter and wanted to see her. He further advised that he went to her home and attempted to get her attention by “crunching branches” near the rear basement door of the residence. When that was unsuccessful, he got back in his vehicle and drove to the Bel Air Home Depot. Upon arrival, he observed a marked police car in the front of the store and waited for it to leave before entering and purchasing a glass cutter, pocketknife, and a pair of gloves. He stated that he then returned to the victim’s residence where he used the pocketknife to cut through a piece of the laminate material that was covering one of the windows of the rear basement door in an effort to gain entry to the residence by sticking his hand through the hole. He discovered, however, that the door was secured by a key lock deadbolt and was unable to unlock the door. Spencer then went around to the front of the residence and knocked on the front door. The victim answered the door and Spencer indicated to her that he was “looking for John.” The victim told him that she did not know anyone by that name, and at that point, Spencer forced himself into the home. Spencer further advised he then stabbed the victim in the shoulder, panicked, and continued to stab her multiple times. The autopsy of the victim revealed twenty-five stab wounds to her neck and upper back area.

Following the incident, Spencer told Detectives that he fled the scene, traveled to Bel Air Middle School to pick up his current girlfriend from work, traveled to H&R Block to get his taxes, and stopped at the Bel Air Safeway to wash his hands, before ultimately collecting his juvenile daughter from daycare and returning home.

Investigators were able to speak with Spencer’s girlfriend who corroborated his version of events following the incident. She further advised that she did not notice anything strange or off about Spencer, except that she found it odd that he called his juvenile son and stated he loved him and cried.

Following the plea, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following statement: “Angelo Spencer deserves every day of this sentence for the violent, unjustified, and brutal murder of this seventy-three-year-old grandmother. The premeditated steps he took to take her life are incomprehensible. I hope that her family can now have some peace knowing her killer has been held accountable.”

State’s Attorney Healey thanks Assistant State’s Attorney Jeremy Brooks for his efforts as her Second Chair in this case. She further expresses gratitude to Detective Corporal Sam Vivino of the Bel Air Police Department for his thorough investigation, as well as the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the apprehension of this Defendant.

DEFENDANT SENTENCED IN 2024 HARFORD MALL SHOOTING

DATE: February 13, 2025
RE: State v. Wesley Larry Lyons Jr. – SENTENCING UPDATE

On Thursday, February 13, 2025, Wesley Larry Lyons Jr. was sentenced by the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin following his December 2024 conviction for Attempted Second Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm After Being Convicted of a Disqualifying Crime, Loaded Handgun on Person, and five (5) counts of Reckless Endangerment in the Circuit Court for Harford County. The conviction stemmed from a June 2024 shooting in the Harford Mall, followed by a 28-day manhunt that led to Lyons’ arrest.

Assistant State’s Attorneys Vincenzo Culotta and Frank Van Dyke argued for a sentence of 93 years to serve, sending a very clear message in their arguments that Harford County will not tolerate senseless acts of violence. Ultimately, Judge Adkins-Tobin sentenced the Defendant to 93 years, suspending all but 65 years to serve, the first 20 years of the sentence without the possibility of parole. Additionally, because this conviction is a crime of violence, Lyons will not be eligible for a parole review until at least half of his sentence is served.

Following the sentencing, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey stated: “This significant sentence sends the message loud and clear that gun violence that endangers the lives of our citizens has no place in Harford County. Wesley Lyons will likely spend the rest of his life in prison, and I am incredibly proud of the hard work that my office is doing to ensure the safety of our community. As promised, we are trying cases, securing strong and lengthy sentences, and working hand in hand with our law enforcement partners to ensure the public safety of Harford County.”

State’s Attorney Healey continues to express her thanks to Assistant State’s Attorneys Vincenzo Culotta and Frank Van Dyke for their incredible efforts in securing this significant sentence as well as to Bel Air Police Department Detectives Vivino and Marchesani for their partnership from start to finish on this case.

JURY CONVICTS EDGEWOOD MAN OF ATTEMPTED SECOND DEGREE MURDER IN HARFORD MALL SHOOTING

DATE: December 11, 2024
RE: State v. Wesley Larry Lyons Jr.

On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Wesley Larry Lyons Jr. was found guilty of Attempted Second Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, two (2) counts of Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm After Being Convicted of a Disqualifying Crime, Loaded Handgun on Person, and five (5) counts of Reckless Endangerment following a four-day jury trial before the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Evidence presented in trial proved that on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at approximately 4:00 p.m., Bel Air Police Officers were dispatched to the Harford Bounce Party Place located at 698 Bel Air Road, in the Harford Mall, for the report of a shooting with an injured person. It was reported that the suspect in the shooting had already fled the scene, running out of the mall.

Officers were able to develop information on the suspect quickly from numerous victims and witnesses on scene. Officers were also able to review security footage of the shooting. The video showed a group of individuals arguing and fighting when the suspect produced a handgun from his waist area, which appeared to have an extended magazine. The suspect fired several shots at the victim who was trying to break up the altercation. The victim was struck by one bullet in his upper left thigh, one bullet in his groin, and one in his finger. It was discovered that the victim was there helping set up for a one-year-old’s birthday party. The child’s father, Wesley Larry Lyons Jr, was identified as the shooter. A fight broke out between Lyons’ mother and the mother of the one-year-old. Lyons took several seconds to clear a path before firing the gun five times at the victim. Lyons then put the gun in his waist band and fled the mall, running past several people.

Surveillance footage showed that at the time the victim was shot, two additional adults and two children were standing behind the victim, recklessly endangering them by putting them at risk of being shot. It was learned during the investigation that Lyons was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a 2017 conviction for Possession with the Intent to Distribute and a 2009 conviction for Robbery.

Police were unable to apprehend Lyons on the day of the shooting. After a 28-day manhunt, Lyons was found in a Red Roof Inn in Anne Arundel County where he was arrested and transported back to Harford County Detention Center. Following the verdict, Lyons was returned to the custody of the Harford County Detention Center where he will be held pending sentencing. Sentencing has been scheduled in this matter for February 13, 2025.

Following the conviction, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey stated: “It is despicable that anyone would resort to gun violence to resolve their issues. However, I am particularly appalled by Wesley Lyons and the decision he made to commit this heinous and very violent crime at the birthday party for a one-year-old child. This is further exacerbated by the fact that he did so in the presence of multiple other children and adults as well, placing them all in danger, when they were simply trying to engage in a celebration for a child in a bouncy house in as public of a place as the Harford Mall. As a prohibited person, he showed his complete disregard for the law as well as for the lives of those around him. Harford County will be a safer place with him incarcerated for decades to come.”

State’s Attorney Healey further expressed thanks to Assistant State’s Attorneys Vincenzo Culotta and Frank Van Dyke for their efforts in prosecuting this case and securing these felony convictions of this violent offender. She also expresses her gratitude to Bel Air Police Department Detectives Vivino and Marchesani and Harford County Sheriff’s Office Detective Wilsynski for their thorough investigation, as well as the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Apprehension Unit for their perseverance that ultimately led to the defendant’s capture.

CONVICTED FELON FOUND GUILTY IN FIREARM POSSESSION CASE

DATE: December 6, 2024
RE: State v. John Thomas Preston Jr.

On Thursday, December 5, 2024, John Thomas Preston Jr. was found guilty of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Rifle/Shotgun, False Statement to a Police Officer, and multiple related firearms and ammunition offenses following a three-day jury trial before the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin in the Harford County Circuit Court.

Evidence presented in trial proved that on January 10, 2023, Deputies with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Bel Air, Maryland for reports of a shooting. Deputies made contact with the Defendant, John Thomas Preston Jr., who was suffering from a gunshot entry wound on his left thigh and a gunshot exit wound on his left shin. Deputies recovered a bullet in Preston’s sock. Preston told deputies that he was arriving home after being followed by a vehicle and was ultimately shot upon exiting his vehicle. Preston was unable to provide any identifying information for the vehicle or the alleged shooter and told police multiple conflicting versions of the incident. A shell casing and blood was located near an exterior side entrance of his residence. Through the course of their investigation, detectives began to suspect Preston made up this story to cover up accidentally shooting himself in the leg.

Detectives ran a criminal background check for Preston and learned that he was prohibited from possessing a regulated firearm due to prior felony convictions for Possession with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances. Detectives executed a search warrant for Preston’s residence. During that search warrant, they recovered a short-barreled shotgun with an obliterated serial number, and a shell casing matching the one found on the exterior of the residence was also located in Preston’s bedroom. A Rossi .357 revolver and .45 caliber ammunition were also recovered from the residence.

Following the conviction, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey offered the following comment: “I will always be a strong advocate for responsible, legal gun ownership, but when a convicted felon blatantly ignores the restrictions imposed upon him by the law and diverts law enforcement resources into knowingly false investigations, it puts our community at risk. I commend this jury for seeing through the Defendant’s false statements and finding him guilty of these offenses.”

State’s Attorney Healey further expressed thanks to Assistant State’s Attorney Gabriella Vazzana for her efforts in securing these firearm and related convictions and to Harford County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Tabler and Vasquez and Detectives Sergent and Reynolds for their thorough investigation of this case. Further gratitude goes to Harford County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Ghaner and Maryland State Police Firearms Examiner Houser for their expert firearm testimony that was instrumental in securing these convictions.

BEL AIR MAN CONVICTED OF RAPE FOLLOWING FIVE DAY JURY TRIAL

On Thursday, February 8, 2024, Jose Wilfred Orellana-Cedillos, 33, of Bel Air, Maryland was found guilty by a jury of Second Degree Rape, Fourth Degree Sex Offense, and Second Degree Assault following a five-day jury trial before the Honorable Diane Adkins Tobin.

Evidence presented during the trial proved that on July 14, 2023, the Bel Air Police Department responded for a reported rape of a 23-year-old woman. The victim testified that Orellana asked her for a kiss to which she said no. Orellana continued to pursue her, groping her breasts, digitally penetrating her, and forcibly raping her in the basement of the residence while she was doing laundry. The victim was related to the mother of the Defendant’s children who were inside the residence when the incident occurred. Orellana was apprehended later that evening during a traffic stop. The victim was taken to Harford Memorial Hospital for a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination. A Forensic Nurse Examiner determined that the victim had bruising to her breasts with the assistance of an Alternative Light Source (ALS) and injuries to her vagina consistent with non-consensual intercourse. DNA taken from the victim’s breasts was analyzed by the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division and matched the Defendant.

Sentencing is currently set for April 15, 2024, where Orellana-Cedillos faces up to 20 years of incarceration for Second Degree Rape, one year for Fourth Degree Sex Offense, and 10 years for Second Degree Assault. He is currently held at the Harford County Detention Center pending sentencing. The Defendant is also held on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement
detainer. Orellana could also face immigration consequences as a result of this conviction and is subject to removal proceedings following the completion of his sentence in this case.

Following the conviction State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey offered the following comments: “Reporting a sexual assault requires an immense amount of courage, particularly in a case such as this one where the victim is acquainted with the Defendant. The victim demonstrated that courage in this case by confronting her abuser through her report of this offense and through her testimony in trial. Our community is much safer with this Defendant behind bars, and we are relieved that he will face a substantial sentence criminally in this case. We are also optimistic that he will face the appropriate immigration consequences as well.”

State’s Attorney Healey thanks Deputy State’s Attorney David W. Ryden for his pursuit of justice in this case and for being an advocate for this victim during this challenging trial process. She also commends Officer McCraghan, Detective Vivino and Officer Maldonado of the Bel Air Police Department for their efforts in investigating and preparing this case for trial.
Further, she acknowledges the expert witnesses from both the Maryland State Police and Harford Memorial Hospital for their important work in corroborating the victim’s testimony and assisting with the successful prosecution of this case.

Bel Air Bank Teller convicted in Home Invasion

DATE: July 19, 2021
RE: Conviction of Nathan Newell

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the conviction of Nathan Newell, 21, from Bel Air, Maryland, for attempted murder in the second degree and related home invasion charges.

On November 11, 2019, deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Still Pond Way in Bel Air. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with 78 year-old Glenn Kulik who reported that earlier in the evening, his doorbell rang and as soon as he opened the door a large masked man attacked him, knocked him to the ground and strangled him. Mr. Kulik’s stepdaughter, Natalie Sodano, awoke from the commotion and came rushing downstairs. When she saw what was happening, she jumped on the assailant’s back. The attack continued through the living room, into the kitchen, back to the living room, and back to the front door. The assailant, whose mask came off during the struggle, ran upstairs looking for money before fleeing the house.

Mr. Kulik and Ms. Sodano identified their attacker as Nathan Newell, a bank teller who had served Mr. Kulik the week before. The Harford County Sheriff’s office took Newell into custody wherein he delivered a partial confession. Later, Mr. Newell acknowledged that he knew Mr. Kulik had withdrawn a large sum of money and that was the basis of his attack.

Following a two-day bench trial in front of the Honorable Angela M. Eaves, Mr. Newell was convicted of attempted murder in the second degree, home invasion, first degree burglary, robbery, first degree assault, second degree assault, and attempted theft of $1,500 to less than $25,000. Sentencing has been scheduled for October 15, 2021.

Mr. Peisinger thanked the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, emergency response personnel, and Assistant State’s Attorneys Jason Allen and Toi Mason for their outstanding work and dedication in conducting the investigation and prosecution that resulted in the conviction of Mr. Newell.

Department of Justice Announces Child Pornography Charges Against Bel Air Resident

Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Homeland Security Investigations, the Maryland State Police and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office in announcing the filing of a federal complaint against Donald Hildebrandt of Bel Air, Maryland for charges of possession and production of child pornography.

The full press release from the Department of Justice may be viewed here:

https://www.justice.gov/usaomd/pr/baltimore-police-swat-officer-facing-federal-charges-possession-and-production-child

In announcing his support for the charges, which were developed following an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), the Harford County Child Advocacy Center (CAC), and federal law enforcement partners, Mr. Peisinger stated: “I am thankful for the collaboration and cooperation amongst our partners that resulted in these charges.” Mr. Peisinger further added, “Today’s federal complaint serves as a reminder that crimes against our most vulnerable of victims will result in the strongest of responses.”