ABERDEEN MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE SUSPEND ALL BUT 50 YEARS FOR FIRST DEGREE MURDER

On Friday, November 22, 2024, Parrise Marcellous Valentine, 33, of Aberdeen, was sentenced to Life suspend all but fifty (50) years to serve following an August 2024 guilty plea to First Degree Murder.

Facts presented in support of the plea showed that on February 17, 2024, members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office responded to D&M’s Tiki Bar in Edgewood for reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they observed the victim present on scene and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Shortly after, that victim was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. Further investigation produced video surveillance from inside the business that showed the suspect as a black male with long hair. An anonymous tip later identified the Defendant, Parrise Marcellous Valentine, as the suspect in the incident, and additional video surveillance showed him fleeing the scene of the shooting that evening. Valentine was later tracked to Philadelphia and apprehended on February 19, 2024. He and the victim were known to each other and had been involved in an ongoing feud. In an interview, Valentine admitted to killing the victim after having been in two fights with him that were filmed in the preceding weeks. Valentine further stated he feared further assaults in the future.

The Honorable Alex M. Allman sentenced Valentine to Life suspend all but fifty (50) years to serve for First Degree Murder and a concurrent fifteen (15) years for use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence. The first five years of that sentence will be without the possibility of parole. The State requested an aggregate sentence of 65 years to serve. Following the sentencing hearing, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey commented: “This is yet another significant sentence for a crime of violence in Harford County and another violent offender off our streets for what we hope will be the rest of his life. I’m proud of my team and how hard our office works every day to make Harford County a safe place to live, work and visit.”

State’s Attorney Healey further thanks Deputy State’s Attorney David Ryden and Assistant State’s Attorney Ari Kodeck for securing this significant sentence for the senseless act that took a young man’s life. Ms. Healey also thanks Detective Smith from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigations Division for a swift and thorough investigation in the identification of the Defendant, the Sheriff’s Office’s Special Investigations Division for locating the Defendant, and the Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide and Fugitive units for their assistance in his apprehension without incident.

ABERDEEN MAN CONVICTED IN BELCAMP MURDER

Date: November 18, 2024
RE: State v Djbril Ramatoulay

On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Djbril Ramatoulay, 32, of Aberdeen, was convicted of Attempted First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, and various related firearms offenses following a four-day jury trial before the Honorable Kevin J. Mahoney in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Facts presented in trial proved that on April 23, 2024, members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office responded the McDonald’s on Riverside Parkway for reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they observed one deceased victim inside the McDonald’s suffering from two gunshot wounds to the head. An additional victim was also on scene and had taken shelter in the stockroom of the restaurant. Surveillance footage also showed that the suspect chased the surviving victim out of the McDonald’s and into the parking lot of the nearby Waffle House, firing three additional rounds. Through the course of their investigation, Detectives were able to identify the shooter as Djbril Ramatoulay. A search warrant was executed on the Defendant’s residence where they located the clothing worn in the surveillance footage during the incident. Those items were seized, swabbed and submitted for testing, where DNA analysis was conducted and confirmed that blood from the deceased victim was present on Ramatoulay’s clothing. The Defendant was interviewed, where he denied interacting with either victim and also gave a false description of the clothing he was wearing on the night in question. Ramatoulay is currently being held in the Harford County Detention Center pending his sentencing hearing on March 18, 2025.

Following the jury’s verdict, State’s Attorney Alison Healey offered the following comment: “This is yet another prosecution by our office for a violent crime, and another violent criminal convicted by a Harford County jury will be removed from the streets of Harford County. Our citizens are safer because of the successful prosecutions by our office. Violence of any kind will not be tolerated but committing such an egregious act in a public place which put so many innocent citizens at risk calls for a strong message to be sent. My heart is with the families of the deceased victim in this case as well as with the surviving victim. While I know that nothing can bring back the young man that was lost, I hope that this verdict will bring some sense of peace and justice to them as they all try move on from this horrific crime.”

State’s Attorney Healey thanks Deputy State’s Attorney Trenna Manners for her efforts in the prosecution of this case as well as the outstanding support staff of the State’s Attorney’s Office that assisted in preparing this case for trial. She also expressed her gratitude for the efforts of Harford County Sheriff’s Office Detective Ross, Dr. Mounkes from the Maryland State Police Crime Lab, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Dean, and the civilian witnesses and surviving victim whose testimony was instrumental in securing a conviction in this case.

WHITEFORD MAN SENTENCED TO DOUBLE THE TOP OF MARYLAND SENTENCING GUIDELINES FOR RAPE

On February 9, 2024, Earl Samuel Jones III, 44, of Whiteford, pled guilty to First Degree Rape before the Honorable Judge Diane Adkins-Tobin in the Circuit Court for Harford County. The plea agreement was for open sentencing, meaning that both the State and the Defense were free to argue for any period of incarceration they deemed appropriate.

Facts presented in support of the plea showed that on September 12, 2022, officers from the Aberdeen Police Department responded to the Red Roof Inn on Hospitality Way in Aberdeen for a report of a rape. The victim, a 36-year-old female, reported being asleep in a room when she was awoken by a naked man she did not know. It was later determined that the victim’s boyfriend had left the room to use the vending machine, propping the door open with the swing bar lock.

The victim was awoken by the naked suspect, who grabbed her by the throat and began strangling her. She described the suspect as a thin white male with short hair and a distinctive black curvy line tattoo on the side of his torso. The suspect threatened to kill her if she screamed, penetrated her vaginally, attempted to penetrate her anally, and forced her to perform fellatio.

The Aberdeen Police Department responded and began an immediate investigation. Detectives collected DNA, photographs, video footage of the suspect entering and leaving the hotel, and a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination was performed on the victim.

The Aberdeen Police Department posted a media release via Facebook seeking help identifying the suspect and his vehicle. An anonymous individual responded identifying the suspect as Earl Samuel Jones III of Ridge Road in Whiteford, Maryland. A vehicle registered to Jones and his wife matched the type of vehicle in which the suspect fled. Jones’s wife contacted Detective Lightner identifying the pictures released on social media as her husband, provided Jones’ clothing, which matched what was worn on the video, and his cell phone. A DNA analysis also confirmed Jones as the contributor to the DNA found inside the victim during the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination. Additionally, the victim drew a rendition of the distinctive cursive tattoo on the suspect’s torso, which closely resembled the tattoo Jones had at arrest.

On Thursday, August 22, 2024, Deputy State’s Attorney David Ryden and Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca Malkowski requested a sentence of Life, suspend all but Sixty (60) years to serve, well over the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines, which were calculated at eighteen (18) to twenty-five (25) years. Conversely, the defense argued for a below-guidelines sentence. Ultimately, Judge Adkins-Tobin sentenced Jones to Life, suspend all but fifty (50) years to serve, requiring a 5-year period of supervised probation and lifetime sex offender registration upon release.

Following the sentencing hearing, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following statement: “This victim lived through every woman’s worst nightmare. Asleep, attacked, and violated in the most horrific of ways, and now she is forced to forever live with the trauma of what Earl Jones did to her that September night. I applaud her bravery in presenting her impact statement to the court in sentencing and for her involvement with the investigation and prosecution of this case. This is another example of the aggressive and relentless manner in which my office will pursue above-guidelines sentences to seek justice for victims of violent crime.”

State’s Attorney Healey further thanks Deputy State’s Attorney David Ryden and Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca Malkowski for their advocacy for the victim in this case, as well as their efforts in successfully securing such a significant sentence. She also thanks Aberdeen Police Department Patrol and Criminal Investigation Divisions, and specifically Detective Lightner, for diligently and swiftly identifying and apprehending the Defendant. She also expresses her gratitude to the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division for their crucial work in conducting the DNA analysis, which was critical to the investigation.

40 YEARS TO SERVE FOR REPEAT OFFENDER

On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, Sathrie Zach Robinson Jr. was sentenced following his July, 2024 conviction for Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotics, Possession of a Firearm in a Drug Trafficking Crime, two counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (not cannabis), Possession of a Firearm with a Prior Felony Conviction, Illegal Possession of a Firearm, Handgun on Person, Loaded Handgun on Person, and Illegal Possession of Ammunition.

Assistant State’s Attorney Gabriella Vazzana requested a sentence of thirty-seven (37) years and six (6) months of incarceration, which was the top of the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines. Ultimately, the Honorable Kevin J. Mahoney sentenced Robinson Jr. to thirty (30) years, ten of which are without the possibility of parole.

In addition to the period of incarceration sentenced in this case, Robinson Jr. was also sentenced to an additional ten (10) years by the Honorable Alex Allman to be served consecutively for a Violation of Probation in a 2015 First Degree Assault case.

These two cases result in a total sentence of forty (40) years of incarceration.

Following the sentence, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey offered the following statement: “We will continue to request top of the guideline sentences for repeat offenders committing crimes in our communities. I applaud Assistant State’s Attorney Vazzana’s efforts in securing a strong sentence in this case and contributing to the safety of our county by removing this repeat offender from our streets.”

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT & MS-13 GANG MEMBER PLEADS GUILTY IN BRUTAL 2022 MURDER

On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, Walter Javier Martinez, 19, entered a guilty plea for the charge of First Degree Murder before the Honorable Yolanda L. Curtin in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Fact presented to the court in support of the plea showed that on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, a twenty-year-old female victim was found unconscious on the floor of her bedroom by her boyfriend and was bound at the wrists and with a phone charging cord wrapped tightly around her neck and mouth. Upon arrival of Emergency Medical Services, she was observed to be clearly deceased. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ultimately ruled the victim’s death a homicide by strangulation.

Investigation revealed that on the day of the incident, both the victim’s boyfriend and the other family that resided in the home were at work, leaving the victim and Martinez alone in the residence for the first time. Martinez had only been residing in the home for approximately five days prior to the murder. Police observed the victim’s purse and belongings scattered around the room, and it was ultimately determined that money was removed from her wallet, and her cell phone was missing. The victim’s boyfriend also advised that on his way home, just prior to discovering the victim’s body, he observed Martinez, walking down the street away from the residence. A cellular device ping of the victim’s phone later put the device in the general location where Martinez was seen that day. The victim, who was diagnosed with high functioning autism, would often call her boyfriend when someone would knock on the door of their bedroom. During the time of the incident, the victim followed that pattern of behavior, and the murder was recorded on the boyfriend’s voicemail and played in court in support of the plea. Martinez could be heard apologizing to the victim at the end of the recording.

DNA swabs were also taken from the victim’s body, to include anal swabs. In addition, her underwear and shorts were also analyzed for the presence of DNA and compared against a known sample from Martinez. The DNA profile was consistent with the DNA of the defendant, Walter Martinez.

Following his arrest, Martinez authored a letter while incarcerated at the Harford County Detention Center where he admitted to committing 4 murders, 2 rapes, and additional other crimes, which was also provided to the court in support of the plea.

During sentencing, the State asked the court to impose the agreed sentence of Life suspend all but seventy (70) years to serve. Pursuant to case law, due to the defendant’s age (16) at the time of this offense, the State was unable to seek Life without Parole in this case. Defense Counsel for Martinez gave a brief history of the defendant’s life in El Salvador and stated that the defendant illegally entered the United States by employing “cayotes” or smugglers in March 2022, just four months prior to this brutal murder. They also confirmed that Martinez was, in fact, a member of the MS-13 gang. Further, there is an active Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detainer, which would be in effect upon his release. Thus, Martinez may be subject to additional immigration proceedings and deportation at that time.

During the hearing, the victim’s paternal grandmother, stepfather, and mother all gave victim impact statements to the court. During her remarks prior to handing down the sentence, the Honorable Judge Curtin stated that “it is unbearable to think what victims’ families go through,” and “in your words, you have conveyed the beauty of her life,” referencing the victim. She ultimately imposed the agreed sentence of Life suspend all but seventy (70) years to serve with a period of five years of supervised probation upon release. She further commented that nothing that happened to this defendant in El Salvador gave him the right to do what he did and that, at this time, she did not think Martinez was a candidate for “any rehabilitative measures.”
Following the guilty plea, State’s Attorney Alison Healey issued the following statement: “This murder was one of the most brutal and heinous crimes I have ever prosecuted. No one deserves to suffer and die at the hands of a monster like this victim did. Additionally, this defendant, residing in our country illegally, had no legal right to be here, preying on the members of our communities, and perpetuating the same violent gang activity that he did in his own country. I commend the victim’s family for their bravery today in delivering their statements to the court and facing this murderer. I recognize that no amount of time will ever be enough to take away the pain and suffering that this family has experienced as a result of Walter Martinez’s horrific and criminal conduct, nor will any sentence bring this victim back to them.”

State’s Attorney Healey continued by thanking Assistant State’s Attorney Gabriella Vazzana for being her Co-Counsel in this case and for her assistance in preparing this case for trial. She further commends Detective Shoffstall, Detective Soto, Lieutenant Persuhn and the entire Aberdeen Police Department for their remarkably thorough investigation of this case, which ultimately led to justice for a truly innocent victim.

FOREST HILL MAN SENTENCED FOR FIRST DEGREE RAPE

DATE: August 8, 2024
Re: UPDATE – Sentencing in State v Kareem Parker

On Thursday, August 8, 2024, Kareem Parker, 30, of Forest Hill, was sentenced by the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin following his June 2024 conviction for Rape in the First Degree.
Deputy State’s Attorney Trenna Manners and Assistant State’s Attorney Logan Hayes requested a sentence of Life suspend all but eighty-six (86) years to serve, which is within the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines in this case that were calculated to be twenty-eight (28) years to Life.

Ultimately, the Honorable Judge Adkins-Tobin sentenced Parker to Life suspend all but fifty (50) years to serve. In support of the sentence Judge Adkins-Tobin cited the evidence produced at trial of the victim’s extensive injuries and the defendant’s deceptiveness in his initial interview with law enforcement. She further described the tone of the social media messages in this case as the 30-year-old Defendant grooming the 18-year-old victim for sex. The Judge further noted the callousness of the Defendant in leaving the victim alone and undressed in the woods.

At the conclusion of the hearing, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey stated, “It is my sincere hope that this significant sentence will give the victim in this case some peace in knowing that justice has been served. Today, Harford County is a safer place with Kareem Parker behind bars for decades to come.”

EDGEWOOD MAN RECEIVES MAXIMUM SENTENCE FOR SECOND DEGREE MURDER

DATE: August 9, 2024
RE: UPDATE – Sentencing in State v Alton William Cumbo Jr.

On August 8, 2024, Alton William Cumbo Jr., 30, of Edgewood was sentenced by the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin following his February 2024 convictions for Second Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in a Crime of Violence, and Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm by a Prohibited Person with a Felony Conviction. During sentencing, the State argued for, and the Judge imposed, the maximum possible sentence of seventy-five (75) years to serve, twenty (20) years of which are without the possibility of parole. This sentence is an upward deviation from the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines, which were calculated to be twenty-five (25) to forty (40) years to serve.

During his sentencing, considering the Defendant’s criminal history and the facts of this case, Judge Adkins-Tobin noted that he was not a candidate for rehabilitation, as nothing the Court could do would deter him from further criminal behavior, and therefore, a sentence had to be crafted that would protect the community from this person who is a threat and a danger.

During the same appearance in court, Judge Adkins-Tobin also sentenced Cumbo on a Violation of Probation stemming from convictions for Second Degree Assault and Theft Under $100 in 2014. On the Violation of Probation, the Defendant received a sentence of seven years and six months to serve, just one month shy of the maximum sentence he could have received in that case.

The sentence in the Second Degree Murder case and the sentence in the Violation of Probation case were ordered to be served consecutively to each other for a total of eighty-two (82) years and six (6) months. These sentences were also ordered to be served consecutively to any outstanding unserved sentences both in Harford County and other jurisdictions.

Following the sentencing hearing State’s Attorney Alison Healey issued the following statement, “I am incredibly proud of the tremendous work by Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Allen to ensure this maximum sentence today. As stated by the Court, Alton Cumbo is not a candidate for rehabilitation or someone that will be deterred from future criminal behaviors. His criminal conduct tragically took the life of a Harford County citizen, and that simply will not be tolerated. My office will continue to pursue aggressive and above guidelines sentences for anyone who commits acts of violence in our community. Today, I hope the victim’s family can be at peace and feel as though justice was served in knowing that the person responsible for their terrible loss will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.”

State’s Attorney Healey also thanks Detective Moro and Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their efforts that led to this successful prosecution. She also expresses gratitude to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the State Medical Examiner for their cooperation in furthering this investigation. Finally, she acknowledges the emergency responders that responded to the scene and made every effort to save the life of this victim.

ABINGDON MAN CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER

DATE: August 7, 2024
RE: State v Charles Alfred Webster Jr.

On Monday, July 29, 2024, Charles Alfred Webster Jr., 50, of Abingdon, was found guilty Attempted First Degree Murder, First Degree Assault, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, Illegal Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person with a Felony Conviction, Reckless Endangerment, and Loaded Handgun in Vehicle, following a three-day jury trial before the Honorable Kevin J. Mahoney in the Circuit Court of Harford County.

Facts presented during trial showed that on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at approximately 9:30 a.m., the victim in this case was completing her Amazon Flex delivery route for the day in the Woodsdale apartment complex in Abingdon, Maryland. While driving out of the complex on Waldon Road, a black Audi sedan with no registration plates pulled alongside the victim’s driver’s side window with its windows down. Thinking the person was asking directions, the victim lowered her driver’s window. Without a word, the driver of the Audi then raised his arm, holding a black handgun, and aimed it at the victim’s face. She quickly stomped on the gas pedal as she heard a single shot ring out. Ducking down near her dashboard while holding the gas pedal down, the victim fled the area, ultimately arriving at Wawa on Woodsdale Road where she called 911 for help.

Deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call, observing a bullet hole entering through the victim’s rear driver’s side window and exiting through her rear passenger side window. As deputies were relaying identifying information regarding the suspect’s Audi sedan, the vehicle was observed driving northbound on Route 924 near Ring Factory Elementary. A traffic stop was conducted, and the victim was transported to the scene where she was able to positively identify the driver as the man that shot at her. The defendant, Charles Alfred Webster, Jr., was identified as the driver of the Audi and taken into custody without incident. At the time of his arrest, in plain view on the driver’s seat, was a spent 9mm ammunition casing. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Services Unit conducted a further lawful search of the defendant’s vehicle and apartment, which revealed a firearm purchase box for a Springfield Armory 9mm handgun on the nightstand in the master bedroom. It was also determined that the defendant was prohibited from lawfully possessing a firearm pursuant to his 1998 felony conviction for Assault in the First Degree in Delaware.

Following the conviction, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey commented, “This was truly a senseless act of violence, as the defendant and the victim were not known to each other prior to the day of this incident. This victim showed tremendous bravery by facing her attacker in court and testifying to ensure his conviction in this case. I hope that she can find some peace in knowing that justice was served and that this person will never be a threat to her again.”

State’s Attorney Healey thanks Deputy State’s Attorney Trenna Manners for her hard work and advocacy in securing this conviction. She also extends her gratitude to Detective Maddox, Lieutenant Burgess, and all of the members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office that assisted in the investigation and swift apprehension of this Defendant.

GANG MEMBER CONVICTED OF MULTIPLE COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED MURDER FOLLOWING SIX-DAY TRIAL

DATE: August 2, 2024
RE: State v Nigel Pearson

On Thursday, July 25, 2024, Nigel Isaiah Pearson, 22, of Aberdeen, was convicted of two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder, Four Counts of First Degree Assault, Four Counts of Use of a Firearm in a Crime of Violence, Four Counts of Reckless Endangerment, One Count of Handgun in Vehicle, One Count of Loaded Handgun in Vehicle, One Count of Handgun on Person, and One Count of Illegal Possession of a Firearm by a Minor following a six-day bench trial before the Honorable Paul W. Ishak in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Through the testimony of twenty-one witnesses, including members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, the Aberdeen Police Department, and three experts, the evidence presented in trial showed that on November 16, 2022, Nigel Pearson, along with additional members of the “Rollin’ 20’s” gang, drove in two separate vehicles to 302 Stevens Circle in Aberdeen with the intent to shoot and kill members of the “Choppa Boys” gang. Evidence also showed that the motive behind the shooting was that rival gang members had posted a rap video on YouTube just a few days prior. Once at Stevens Circle, Nigel Pearson, along with others, mercilessly shot at a group of four teenage victims who were actively changing a tire in the parking lot and then drove away. Two out of the four teenagers were struck by gunfire: one in the chest and one in the head. Due to the quick response of First Responders, both victims survived. The following day, Pearson then drove his vehicle to a secluded location in the woods in Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania and burned the vehicle, which was used during the shooting. The vehicle was later discovered by Pennsylvania State Police who began an investigation into Pearson.

Sentencing is set for October 25, 2024, before the Honorable Paul W. Ishak. Following the verdict, State’s Attorney Healey issued the following statement: “Gang activity produces some of the most violent cases we see as prosecutors. This defendant, having no regard for the lives of others, made a conscious decision to take and endanger the lives of other human beings for no reason other than his gang affiliation. We will relentlessly pursue justice in cases such as this one to deter others from engaging in similar conduct. Our community is safer with Nigel Pearson behind bars. My office will seek to ensure that he is never a danger to our citizens again. I commend the victim for her bravery in testifying during trial and for all that she has had to overcome as a result of this defendant’s actions.”

State’s Attorney Healey further thanks Detective Shoffstall, Detective Soto, Detective Garrett, Detective Lightner, and Lieutenant Persuhn for their hard work investigating this case. She also commends Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca A. Malkowski and Deputy State’s Attorney David W. Ryden for their incredible efforts in securing these convictions.

EDGEWOOD MAN FOUND GUILTY OF POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE AND FIREARMS CHARGES FOLLOWING A THREE-DAY JURY TRIAL