Justicereport

STATE’S ATTORNEY DELIVERS COLLABORATIVE INVESTIGATION BALTIMORE CITY SAO TESTIMONY AT VIRTUAL LEADS TO SEIZURE OF 600 PIECES ISSUE ELIMINATES 586 WARRANTS POLICE REFORM SESSIONS OF FENTANYL State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby State's Attorney Marilyn The Baltimore City State’s THREE announced that her office has Mosby testified at two police Attorney’s Office and the 3 successfully eliminated 586 4 reform and accountability 5 Baltimore Police Department’s open warrants, and dismissed sessions with the Maryland (BPD) West Side Major Case Squad, the underlying cases. General Assembly and the announced the indictment of FALL Senate Judiciary Committee. seven suspected drug trafficking organization members.

STATE'S ATTORNEY EXPANDS ‘TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER’ VICTIM & WITNESS SERVICES PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN

t the end of October, the Balti- human trafficking, reported in July Amore City State's Attorney's that their call volume for services Office (SAO) launched Phase II has increased by 300 percent in of the ‘Together We Are Stron- the last six months compared to ger' campaign, continuing the the previous time period. public education push to remind “As we all adjust to our new norms residents about the support and of living with this global pandemic, services for victims and witnesses we must continue to remain vigilant of crime in Baltimore City. The about ensuring that both victims campaign includes a targeted and witnesses aren’t suffering in push to share resources available silence and feel supported and for domestic violence survivors protected throughout the judicial in light of the spike during the process and beyond,” said State's COVID-19 pandemic. Attorney Marilyn Mosby. Baltimore has seen an increase The campaign also includes a in domestic violence calls since dedicated resource page on the the beginning of the coronavirus agency’s website, billboards, a toll- pandemic. This comes as national free tip line to report crime, and a statistics reveal and uptick in domes- series of public service announce- TurnAround, a local victim services agency for survivors tic violence cases when victims ments that will run on television of domestic violence, sexual violence and human are forced to stay at home with and radio stations across the city. their abusers. These will tell authentic stories from trafficking, reported in July that their call volume for TurnAround, a local victim services the perspective of family members services has increased by 300 percent in the last six agency for survivors of domes- who have been impacted by crime months compared to the previous time period. tic violence, sexual violence and while highlighting an array of victim continued on next page

OFFICE OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY FOR BALTIMORE CITY

Marilyn J. Mosby, State's Attorney JUSTICEREPORT PG. 2 MARYLAND JURY TRIALS POSTPONED THROUGH 2020

ury trials for criminal and civil notice. In Phase 3, courts will sched- submit to a written or verbal ques- buildings with a focus on frequently J cases resumed briefly state- ule and hold a broader range of tionnaire regarding any COVID-19 touched surfaces. wide in Maryland from October 5 matters than Phases 1 and 2, includ- related symptoms, and submit You can find more information to November 16. During that time ing certain non-jury trials in the to a contactless thermometer on COVID-19 and court operations period, the nation experienced District and Circuit Courts, as well temperature check. online here. a dramatic increase in COVID-19 as attorney disciplinary matters The Maryland Judiciary contin- cases. In response, Maryland courts in the circuit courts, with limited ues to follow guidelines from the are going back to Phase 3 of their in-person services to be offered Maryland Department of Health COVID-19 re-opening plan. as determined by the administra- and Centers for Disease Control and Jury trials scheduled from Novem- tive judge. Prevention to prevent the spread of ber 16 through December 31, Anyone currently entering a court- COVID-19 and is routinely cleaning 2020 will be postponed until further house is required to wear a mask,

STATE'S ATTORNEY EXPANDS ‘TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER’ VICTIM AND WITNESS SERVICES PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN

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and witness services such as court the Governor’s Office of Crime office has served 7,199 victims and nity members can download called accompaniment, victim witness Control and Prevention including witnesses to date. the Community Court Watch App, relocation, sign language inter- $50,000 in COVID relief funding In March of 2018, the Baltimore an on-line tool that allows the user preters, victim/impact statements, for personal protection equipment. City SAO unveiled a new trauma-in- to track cases, available through transportation arrangement and The grant funds have underwrit- formed therapeutic Victim and Google Play and the Apple App grief counseling. ten this campaign and provided Witness Services Waiting Room in store.In 2018, approximately 35% of “Many of our residents are the support for the Baltimore City the Mitchell Courthouse that was the cases that we dismissed were staying at home or in nearby SAO to double the size of the Victim renovated to create a more welcom- due to the lack of victim/witness communities during the COVID-19 and Witness Services Unit, adding ing space for victims and witnesses cooperation and/or victim/witness pandemic, sometimes exacerbat- unavailability. Last year 30% of the "If you or your loved one are a victim or witness of a crime, ing difficult situations by being cases we dismissed were due to the in close contact and confines with please call 1-877-SAO-4TIP and visit TogetherWeAreStronger. lack of victim/witness cooperation. criminal activity,” said State's Attor- com for information on local resources available. We must “If you or your loved one are a victim ney Marilyn Mosby. “These factors prioritize resources to ensure the protection and support for or witness of a crime, please call have contributed to an increase in 1-877-SAO-4TIP and visit Together- victim and witnesses of crime to make it easy to come forward domestic violence cases, so we want WeAreStronger.com for information to ensure that all parties affected and put an end to the vicious cycle of witness intimidation and on local resources available,” said by this damaging crime are aware the “stop snitching” mentality.” — State's Attorney Mosby State's Attorney Mosby. “We must of the resources available to them.” prioritize resources to ensure the This campaign is the most recent 20 new victim advocate positions of crime to receive services and await protection and support for victim milestone in the Mosby administra- that are assigned to every division their appearances in court. The and witnesses of crime to make it tion’s commitment to keeping Victim of the Baltimore City SAO. In the renovation included a dedicated play easy to come forward and put an and Witness Services a paramount past two years, the office has served area for children, power-integrated end to the vicious cycle of witness priority for the agency. Since 2015, 18,586 victims and witnesses – 34 furniture, and a computer allowing intimidation and the ‘stop snitch- the Baltimore City SAO has secured times the 546 victims and witnesses visitors to access resources while ing’ mentality.” over $7.9 million in Victims of Crime served in 2015. This year alone, the they await trial. In 2019, the agency Act (VOCA) grant funds through also launched an app that commu- JUSTICEREPORT PG. 3 BALTIMORE CITY SAO ELIMINATES 586 WARRANTS

On June 25, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced n March 18, State’s Attorney charge. The hearings took place that her office has successfully eliminated 586 open warrants, and OMosby announced that her in District Court on June 17 and dismissed the underlying cases. The cases relate to offenses the Baltimore office was not prosecuting the ended on June 19. An additional aforementioned offenses during hearing took place in Circuit Court. City SAO is not currently prosecuting, and include the following offenses: the coronavirus. Unfortunately, we 540 warrants were quashed (elim- became aware that people were still inated) in the district court and CDS (DRUG) POSSESSION being arrested due to open warrants 46 misdemeanor warrants were for failing to appear in court on an quashed in the circuit court. The PARAPHERNALIA POSSESSION offense the office no longer intended underlying charges were dropped PROSTITUTION to prosecute. Unlike a standalone in each instance. offense, the Baltimore City SAO has The office is currently working TRESPASSING to go to court to request that the to dismiss all cases that were the warrant be “quashed” before being subject of a citation, where an indi- MINOR TRAFFIC OFFENSES able to dismiss the case. vidual may have been instructed to Baltimore City SAO prosecutors appear in court on an offense the OPEN CONTAINER gathered and assessed open and SAO is not currently prosecuting. pending warrants, requested hear- Serious traffic offenses, burglary, ROGUE AND VAGABOND ings to eliminate the warrants and theft, and drug sales remain pros- entered a “nolle prosequi” in each ecutable offenses. URINATING/DEFECATING IN PUBLIC case, effectively dismissing the

STATE'S ATTORNEY MOSBY SPEAKS TO NATIONAL MEDIA ABOUT GEORGE FLOYD CASE

he State's Attorney's appearances The State’s Attorney has discussed the need to change the culture and function of police departments Ton MSNBC, CNN, Nightline, and and their unions, as well as the challenges prosecutors face when it comes to holding police an Op/Ed in the New York Times accountable. She has outlined several challenges and steps needed for systemic change including: have echoed the sentiments of the individuals protesting police 1. Police should not be policing themselves. 5. Repeal of LEOBOR. There are officers that have brutality against Black and Brown A police department that investigates their been convicted of misdemeanors that pertain people and have reinforced her own officers and presents those findings to the to their credibility that are still on the payroll decision to bring charges against prosecuting office presents a natural conflict because of the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill the BPD officers involved in the of interest. A prosecution is only as good as of Rights (LEOBOR). death of Freddie Gray in 2015. She the investigation on which it is built. has also participated in numerous 6. Misconduct should be a statutory felony crime virtual discussions surrounding the 2. It's time to re-think and revamp the outdated with a defined sentence, which would allow issue including: internal affairs approach to police misconduct the Police Commissioner the ability to fire the investigations. A prosecutor’s office needs guilty officer. Justice is on the Ballot the ability to independently investigate and 7. We need a system to publicize and share hosted by The Collective PAC prosecute the police from the start to the information on misconduct across the state. completion of a case. Building Trust Between Someone with integrity issues for misconduct Police and the Communities 3. Provide better whistle blower protections. in Baltimore City should not end up working for They Serve hosted by While witness intimidation is widely recognized Anne Arundel County a few weeks later. Columbia University's and tracked in traditional criminal cases that 8. Restrict police unions power. We have seen School of International are prosecuted on a daily basis, unspoken over the years that police unions will fight and Public Affairs witness intimidation occurs behind the blue reform tooth and nail at every turn and we must wall of silence. Unmuted: A Legal Perspective limit their political involvement because they hosted by the NAACP 4. Police often circumvent juries and choose exacerbate the toxic culture of political division bench trials. When we are able to go to trial for in this country. police officers, it is in the hands of the defense to decide if the trial will be a jury or bench trial. JUSTICEREPORT PG. 4 STATE’S ATTORNEY DELIVERS TESTIMONY AT VIRTUAL POLICE REFORM SESSIONS

n September, State's Attorney coupled with reform that makes it IMarilyn Mosby testified at two easier for police commissioners to State's Attorney Pens Numerous police reform and accountabil- get rid of problematic officers,” said ity sessions with the Maryland State's Attorney Mosby. “Misconduct Articles Addressing Police Reform should be a statutory felony crime General Assembly and the Senate Prosecutors, Please Stand Up to the Police - New York Times Judiciary Committee. The State's with a defined sentence. There are Attorney was joined by members instances where police have not been “Minor offenses should not lead to deadly encounters with of the Maryland State's Attor- forthright about a crime, and the officers. But when police brutality happens, the state should ney Association, the Office of statute of limitations has expired.” come down hard.” the Public Defender, and criminal State's Attorney Mosby also justice advocates. testified that LEOBR has hindered Marilyn Mosby: Rethink policing and restore Baltimore | “Now that the blinders have been her office's ability to investi- removed from Americans, particu- gate misconduct cases, including COMMENTARY - Baltimore Sun the officers involved in Freddie larly from conservative associations “Now as our nation demands police accountability following the in the State, denial is no longer a Gray’s death and the Gun Trace murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Rayshard Brooks, choice and we recognize that we Task Force. will be a better country only when “In case after case, LEOBR has the systems that prevent police accountability still exist.” we move from protest to policy,” made it harder for our office said State's Attorney Mosby. “I to investigate officer actions, I was the prosecutor in the Freddie Gray case. Here’s what harder to make charges stick, and support all the recommendations Minneapolis should know. - Washington Post of The Maryland State's Attorney harder for the public to learn Association, all of which my office what is actually happening,” the “Like any American, I was sickened by footage of a police officer has been advocating for the past State's Attorney said. “By design, kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, forcing the life out of him five years.” LEOBR reinforces the ‘Blue Wall of as he struggled to say the words that have defined a movement: The State's Attorney went on to Silence’ under which good cops are elaborate and define reform initia- pressured to keep silent, essentially ‘I can’t breathe.’ In 2015, I found myself at the heart of a similar tives that are particularly important perpetuating a culture where miscon- national storm after Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man, was for Maryland to embrace. duct is acceptable and expected to killed while in Baltimore City police custody.” “Because police misconduct is some degree.” currently a misdemeanor, officers The State's Attorney's Office click here. To watch a recording remain on the payroll, even when has successfully prosecuted and some of those convicted officers of the Senate Judiciary Commit- incarcerated. Changing misconduct convicted 22 officers since April remain on the force. tee session from September 25, to a felony would enable speed- 2015, but LEOBR has ensured that To watch a recording of the work- click here. ier dismissal, but this must also be group session from September 17,

AS ELECTION APPROACHED, STATE’S ATTORNEY RELEASED STATEMENT ON GENERAL ELECTION

n October, State’s Attorney Marilyn to ensure the law is followed and jurisdiction of Maryland’s Attor- State's Attorney Mosby also asked IMosby reminded prosecutors of applied in all circumstances.” ney General and the State Board of prosecutors “to pay special atten- their role in ensuring that they apply Georgetown University’s Insti- Elections, and can be the purview tion to alleged crimes that occur in the law in the context of next tute for Constitutional Advocacy of the Department of Justice, any the context of the election, appear month’s election. and Protection advised and assisted violence associated with the elec- to be politically motivated, occur in “Like many across the country, I the State’s Attorney’s Office (SAO) tion that results in arrests by the or around a polling location, or are am concerned about the potential during the formulation of this policy. Baltimore Police Department will aimed at voters or election officials.” for violence in the days leading up State's Attorney Mosby highlighted ultimately result in cases pros- Click here to download the full to and following this year’s elec- a number of troubling incidents and ecuted by our office. I am asking memo sent to SAO staff. tion," said State's Attorney Mosby developments across the state and you to be vigilant around these in an email to staff. "I do not expect the country in her memo to staff types of cases and ensure that such Baltimore City to be a flashpoint, and noted that, “We must also be cases receive a forceful response from but as prosecutors we must be ready prepared. While the integrity of elec- our office.” tions and voter fraud are under the JUSTICEREPORT PG. 5

COLLABORATIVE INVESTIGATION LEADS COURTROOM TO SEIZURE OF 600 PIECES OF FENTANYL ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1. On August 12, Gregory FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION Brown plead guilty to the October 2018 First out Baltimore City between April approximately $22,000 USD, and Degree Murder of his and September of 2020. drug paraphernalia. stepfather in Mental According to the indictment, Items were seized from target Health Court. Brown was the alleged drug trafficking orga- search locations including a cut determined not criminally nization, composed of seven house on the 1800 block of Fair- responsible and was mount Avenue; a stash house on subsequently committed. the 800 block of Fairmount Avenue; DTO member’s homes on Cherry 2. On August 25, Tiffany Hill Road, Lincoln Avenue, and W. Alston was convicted of Baltimore Street, and two vehicles. Voluntary Manslaughter “Continuous collaboration and in the stabbing death of partnership is key to tackling the her sister that occured in violence in our city,” said State’s March of 2018. Alston’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. “As illus- disposition hearing is trated today, data-driven tactics, scheduled for December. and forthright and deliberate sharing among all local, state, and federal 3. On September 3, 2020, law enforcement partners can strate- following a three day gically combat the violence plaguing jury trial, George Hall individuals, including Javahn our communities.” was sentenced to five Wilson and Richard Cooper who “The Baltimore Police Department years suspended and have been arrested, distributed is committed to making our streets three years probation quantities of fentanyl in and safer and working in collaboration concurrently on two around the area of the 1800 with all of our law enforcement counts of felony theft block of Lombard Street. Wilson partners to reduce crime in our and embezzlement. n September 29, 2020, the and Cooper, along with the five neighborhood,” said Commissioner Hall was found guilty OBaltimore City State’s Attor- other alleged suspects, face a total Harrison. “I look forward to many ney’s Office and the Baltimore more cases like this one in the months for embezzling money and stealing equipment Police Department’s (BPD) West Side “Continuous collaboration and years ahead, as we work together Major Case Squad, announced the to create a safer Baltimore.” from a construction and partnership is key indictment of seven suspected drug This investigation was a coordi- equipment rental trafficking organization members, to tackling the violence nated effort between the Baltimore company he co-owned charged with a range of crimes in our city. As illustrated Police Department and Baltimore with another partner. from Conspiracy to Volume Dealer, today, data-driven tactics, City State’s Attorney under the The continuing theft as well as Possession With Intent Maryland Criminal Intelligence and forthright and scheme occurred over to Distribute. If convicted of all Network (MCIN). The Governor’s a three-year period. In charges, the group faces a total of deliberate sharing among Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, addition to the suspended 480 years imprisonment. An indict- all local, state, and federal and Victim Services provides grant prison sentence, Hall ment is not a finding of guilt. An funding and strategic support to law enforcement partners was ordered to repay his individual charged by indictment MCIN member sites to identify, can strategically combat is presumed innocent unless and disrupt, and dismantle criminal partner $25,000 until proven guilty at some later the violence plaguing organizations through inter-agency criminal proceedings. our communities.” collaboration and data sharing to and Victim Services. “We see time In April, BPD West Side Major Case —State's Attorney Mosby make Maryland safer. and again that drug trafficking is Squad detectives, Ryan McLaughlin “We are pleased to provide resources responsible for a large portion of and David MacNeill, led the inves- of 30 counts of charges including that allow police and prosecutors to violence in Baltimore City. Disman- tigation into the “One Way” Drug Possession With Intent to Distrib- address the violent crime in Balti- tling this organization through the Trafficking Organization (DTO) ute, Conspiracy, Volume Dealer, more City, and make progress in Maryland Criminal Intelligence operating in the 1800 block of and CDS Distribution. realizing Governor Hogan’s vision Network means there are fewer drugs W. Lombard Street. Investigators The investigation led to the for making communities in Baltimore and fewer violent repeat offenders observed seven members of the seizure of: suspected cocaine, City safer,” said Executive Director terrorizing our communities.” DTO trafficking fentanyl through- suspected fentanyl, other suspected Glenn Fueston of the Governor’s CDS, cutting agents, ammunition, Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, JUSTICEREPORT PG. 6 Team Highlight CHARGING DIVISION The Charging Division of the Baltimore City SAO operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, including holidays, weekends, and even in the midst of a global pandemic. Division Chief Patrick Motsay and Deputy Division Chief Douglas Vey lead a team of 13 attorneys, 18 paralegals, a program coordinator, office clerk, and computer analyst.

he screening team is comprised Since COVID-19 hit Maryland in arrested for the following offenses, able to balance public safety with Tof paralegals and experienced March 2020, the Charging Divi- which are nonviolent, pose no threat public health. attorneys who review the filings sion has been able to complete all to public safety, and would likely “We are performing extremely and charging documents on all of its duties remotely. The team was result in pre-trial release: well during this time of stress and arrests made in Baltimore City. The immediately equipped with State CDS (drug) possession uncertainty,” said Vey. “In light of team makes decisions to release computers that give them access Paraphernalia possession the many obstacles we all face during or charge arrestees based on the to the booking system in order Prostitution a pandemic, I am proud of the work facts of the case and principles for them to complete their work Trespassing product that our team is complet- of law; they also make recom- safely from a health standpoint and Minor traffic offenses ing. Fully realizing that what we do mendations for every case for the securely from a technological stand- Attempted distribution of drugs is relied upon by the entire State’s Court Commissioners at the Initial point. They developed a teleworking Open container Attorney’s Office and the citizens Appearance, advocating for pretrial system to ensure the health of the Rogue and vagabond of Baltimore City, I know that our release, home detention, or hold- team during the pandemic without Urinating/defecating in public team will continue to push through ing the defendant without bail. The sacrificing workplace efficiency. By expediting the Charging Divi- this challenging time with grace Charging Division collaborates with At the onset of the pandemic in sion’s transition to remote work, and positivity.” other law enforcement agencies to Maryland, State’s Attorney Mosby and the release of nonviolent For more information about the ensure that the most accurate and instructed prosecutors in Central offenders within Central Booking, Charging Division, click here. complete data are utilized during Booking to immediately dismiss the Baltimore City SAO has been the screening process. any charges and release individuals

SAO'S CRIME CONTROL & PREVENTION UNIT WRAPS UP THEIR VIRTUAL SUMMER BMORE POP UP SERIES

eginning Friday, July 10, the Mayor's Office of Children and BBCSAO has hosted a one hour, Family Services, Baltimore City virtual party weekly at 7PM that Health Department, and Radio One. concluded on August 28, through The finale show included special live Facebook and YouTube Live, and performances by Delina Hillock and featured celebrity guests, prize Woody Rock, as well as a conversa- raffles, and live music. tion with Grammy & NAACP Image Participants interacted with some award-winning artist Tamela Mann of their favorite local artists and and her husband, NAACP Image DJs. The event was made possible award-winning actor and comedian by partners including DJ Quick- David Mann. silva, DTLR, Parks and Recreation, Click here to watch a recap of the Baltimore City School Police, the 2020 virtual Bmore PopUp Series

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