Tag Archives: felon

ABERDEEN MAN CONVICTED OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER FOLLOWING FOUR-DAY JURY TRIAL

Date: August 5, 2026
RE: State v. Trevor Taylor

On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, Trevor Taylor, 35, of Aberdeen, was found guilty of First-Degree Murder, Second-Degree Murder, First-Degree Assault, Reckless Endangerment, Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Loaded Handgun on Person, and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence following a four-day jury trial before the Honorable Paul Ishak in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Evidence presented in trial proved that on January 23, 2025, at approximately 8:28 PM, Aberdeen Police Units were dispatched to the area of Washington Street and Dorsey Street in Aberdeen. 911 callers advised a slender black male was lying in the middle of the intersection even though it was “freezing cold.”

Officers arrived on scene at approximately 8:39 PM and observed an individual, later identified as Travis Marquise Davis, lying in the roadway. Officers attempted to talk to Travis, but he was unresponsive. Two gunshot wounds were observed on the victim’s chest, and life-saving measures were attempted. Ultimately, Davis was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers seized a bag that was in Davis’ left hand and a loaded 9MM Ruger Security-9 handgun that was located to the left of his body. A spent 9mm shell casing was also located near Davis’ head.

Multiple detectives from the Aberdeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, Special Operations Unit, and Harford County Narcotics Task Force canvassed the area for potential witnesses and surveillance video footage. Law enforcement collected multiple videos capturing four gunshots and a light-colored sedan traveling away from the crime scene at a high rate of speed following the shooting.

On January 27, detectives were canvassing the area of Washington Street when a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle was observed to be parked in the driveway of 422 Washington Street. The vehicle was a white 2019 Honda Accord with exterior auto-body repair work utilizing Bondo on the rear driver’s side door. The suspect vehicle was registered to Trevor Martin Clifton Taylor.

On January 29, detectives responded to 417 Washington Street in Aberdeen and reviewed surveillance video footage from January 23. At approximately 8:31 PM, an individual was observed walking from the direction of 422 Washington Street towards the sewer drainage system in front of 417 Washington Street. The individual was observed throwing an unknown object down the sewer system. A minute later, the same individual was observed throwing another unknown object down the sewer system. The individual then walked back in the direction of 422 Washington Street. The individual captured on the surveillance footage was determined to be Trevor Taylor.

On January 30, law enforcement responded to the area of 417 Washington Street while accompanied by individuals with the Bel Air Department of Public Works. Believing that Trevor Taylor discarded casings or evidence related to this incident, law enforcement searched the immediate area of the sewer system, as well as inside the sewer. Law enforcement located a 9MM shell casing in the rocks next to trash cans for 417 Washington Street, and another 9MM shell casing on a cement divider underneath the sewer drainage grate. An analysis of the casings located on Washington Street indicated that they were not fired from the 9MM Ruger Security 9 handgun recovered near the victim’s body. It was also determined that the shell casing located on January 23, near Davis’ body, was fired from the 9MM Ruger Security-9 handgun.

On February 3, 2026, Detectives with the Aberdeen Police Department executed the search and seizure warrant on the white 2019 Honda Accord registered to the Defendant. Bullet holes were observed in the interior rear driver’s side and passenger side door. It was ultimately determined through the course of the investigation, including a shooting incident reconstruction, that Trevor Taylor shot Travis Davis twice in the chest. While falling to the ground, Davis was able to return gunfire, striking Trevor Taylor’s vehicle as it fled the scene.

Following the verdict, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following statement: “I commend Assistant State’s Attorney Gabriella Vazzana and Assistant State’s Attorney Ari Kodeck for their efforts in securing a First-Degree Murder conviction in this case. We have repeatedly shown and continue to prove that gun violence in our communities is not something we will tolerate in Harford County. Utilizing the incredible investigative efforts and shooting incident reconstruction from our law enforcement partners, I am proud that my office has once again removed another violent criminal from our streets, as we continue to demonstrate our success and commitment to keeping Harford County safe.”

State’s Attorney Healey also commends Detective Lightner for his investigative efforts leading to the arrest of this Defendant, as well as the brilliant work and testimony of Cpl. Gahner for his shooting incident reconstruction and testimony resulting in this conviction. The defendant will continue to be held at the Harford County Detention Center while pending sentencing, which has been scheduled for Friday, November 13, 2026, at 1:30 PM.

HAVRE DE GRACE MAN CONVICTED OF ROBBERY

Date: June 16, 2025
Re: State of Maryland v. Andre James McFarland

On June 9, 2025, Andre James McFarland, 55, of Havre de Grace, was convicted of Robbery, Assault in the 2nd Degree, Theft Less Than $100, Fleeing and Eluding by Vehicle, Fleeing and Eluding by Foot, and Obstructing and Hindering, following a two-day jury trial before the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Evidence presented at trial proved that on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Havre de Grace Officers were dispatched to the Royal Farms located at 803 Pulaski Highway, Havre de Grace, Maryland for the report of a fight. As Officers arrived on scene, witnesses pointed to a vehicle that was leaving resulting in officers giving pursuit. The driver of the vehicle was identified as the Defendant, Andre McFarland. McFarland failed to stop and eventually exited his vehicle and fled from the Officers on foot. Further investigation revealed that the entire incident was captured on surveillance videos from inside and outside the Royal Farms. The videos showed McFarland entering the store, walking behind the counter and trying to push past the store clerk. The clerk put her hands up to hold McFarland back, when he grabbed the clerk by the neck and shirt and violently threw her to the ground. At that time, a customer in the store saw the commotion and tried to assist the store clerk and stop McFarland. The Defendant was not deterred and grabbed two packs of Newport 100 cigarettes before exiting the store. The store clerk and the customer followed McFarland outside and pointed Officers to his vehicle. A warrant was obtained, and Officers reported to McFarland’s last known location on December 26, 2024, where he was observed, and attempts were made to take him into custody. McFarland once again fled, requiring pepper spray and taser deployments before ultimately placing him under arrest.

On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, McFarland was sentenced to twenty-one (21) years, suspending all but eight (8) years to serve, despite the State’s recommendation for a twenty-five (25) year sentence of active incarceration.

Following the conviction, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey stated: “Once again, our office continues to prove that we will take these cases to trial and hold violent offenders accountable. We will settle for nothing less than Harford County citizens feeling safe in our communities. We will not tolerate offenders placing our citizens in danger or committing violent acts upon them in their place of employment and routine locations like convenience stores. We will continue to request significant sentences to remove these offenders from our streets.”

State’s Attorney Healey commends Assistant State’s Attorney Vincenzo Culotta for his efforts and advocacy in this jury trial. She also expresses her sincere gratitude to the Havre de Grace Police Department and Officer Persuhn for their efforts in the investigation and apprehension of this repeat violent offender.

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.