Author Archives: osa_webadmin

CHILD ABUSE CONVICTION FOLLOWING THREE-DAY JURY TRIAL

Date: March 3, 2025
Re: State v. Douglas Grazuties

On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Douglas Grazuties, 36, of Middle River, was found guilty of Second Degree Child Abuse, two counts of Second Degree Assault, and two counts of Reckless Endangerment following a three-day jury trial before the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Evidence presented in trial proved that on January 10, 2024, Child Protective Services was dispatched to a residence in Abingdon, Maryland regarding a safety concern pertaining to two minor children. Upon arrival, both children disclosed to Child Protective Services that Douglas Grazuties, their stepfather, physically harmed them almost every day. One of the child victims disclosed that Grazuties slapped them on the side of their heads, punched them in their faces and chests, and tripped them if they ran from him. They also indicated that in the past Grazuties struck them in the face, causing their noses to bleed, including an incident on one of the victim’s 7th birthday. The victim went on to advise that on January 9, 2024, the victim was playing with their sister in their bedroom when she put a toy in her mouth. Grazuties saw this and put a toy in one of the victim’s mouths, pushing the toy in with his fingers while saying “how does it feel to choke on something?” The defendant did this because he was angry that the victim was not watching his little sister when she began to chew on the toy.

The victim also reported to Child Protective Services that he was bleeding out of his ear during the interview. He further advised that on January 8, 2024, Grazuties asked him about his day and proceeded to hit him in his ear when he did not answer. The victim was later taken to Express Care, followed by the Upper Chesapeake Emergency Room by Child Protective Services on January 10, 2024, and was diagnosed with perforation of the tympanic membrane of his right ear. Doctors advised that there was a high risk of hearing loss associated with the injury without treatment. The other child victim was also seen at Express Care on January 10, 2024. He was also diagnosed with marginal perforations of tympanic membrane consistent with the abuse they reported. Child Protective Services also noticed bruising and redness on both victim’s faces and chests during their interviews. Following the conviction, the Defendant was taken to the Harford County Detention Center where he will remain pending sentencing which is currently scheduled for May 22, 2025.

After the verdict, State’s Attorney Healey issued the following statement: “Working with victims of child abuse is an incredibly challenging and sensitive area of the law. We are lucky to have one of the best Child Advocacy Centers in the State of Maryland, filled with professionals who have dedicated their lives to helping children. I commend these children for their bravery and honesty in coming forward and reliving their traumas, which ultimately led to the conviction in this case. I hope this verdict will result in a more peaceful future for both victims.”

State’s Attorney Healey also expresses her gratitude to Assistant State’s Attorney Jessica Earlbeck, as well as the detectives, support staff, advocates, and social workers of the Harford County Child Advocacy Center that work tirelessly everyday to ensure the safety of Harford County’s most vulnerable victims.

DRUG DEALER CONVICTED OF MURDER IN RELATION TO FATAL OVERDOSE

Date: March 3, 2025
Re: State v Kusan Hines

On Friday, February 28, 2025, Kusan Hines, 43, of Havre de Grace, pled guilty to one count of Second Degree Depraved Heart Murder and one count Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substances before the Honorable M. Elizabeth Bowen in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Facts presented in support of the plea proved that on October 12, 2023, Deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to an apartment in Havre de Grace for a welfare check. Upon arrival, contact was made with the handy man for the property who reported that he arrived to fix the locks and could not gain access to the unit. Using a ladder to see into the apartment, he observed the male victim slumped over in the bedroom.

Deputies made entry and discovered a 33-year-old male victim deceased from a suspected overdose. Detective Armiger from the Harford County Drug Task Force assumed the investigation and located a glass smoking device commonly used for smoking Crack Cocaine under the body of the victim. The victim was then taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where a Forensic Toxicologist confirmed that he had a combination of Cocaine, Benzoylecgonine, Fentanyl, and Despropionyl Fentanyl in his system. Assistant Medical Examiner Dr. Vincenti then performed an autopsy and confirmed that the cause of his death was Fentanyl, Despropionyl Fentanyl, and Cocaine Intoxication.

Through further investigation, surveillance videos from the victim’s apartment were reviewed which showed that a male, later identified as Kusan Hines, and a female, later identified as Kusan Hines’ girlfriend, arrive at the victim’s apartment the night of the overdose on October 11. The next video showed them leaving the victim’s apartment a bit later. They were the last ones to be at the victim’s apartment before he was found deceased the next day.

On November 16, 2023, Detective Armiger conducted an interview with Kusan Hines where he advised that he was friends with the victim and confirmed that it was in fact him and his girlfriend on the surveillance video entering the victim’s residence. He further advised that the victim had a preexisting mental condition that caused him to have hallucinations, that drugs made the hallucinations worse, that his mental condition was worse than ever, and the victim was admitted to the hospital for his mental conditions not long before the overdose. Hines further stated that he went to the victim’s apartment to cook crack cocaine and smoke with him. The victim smoked the crack cocaine most likely unaware that it contained the Fentanyl and Despropionyl Fentanyl and after smoking, he started “acting weird.” Despite this, Hines left with his girlfriend, leaving the victim alone in his apartment without seeking any medical assistance.

Detective Armiger was also able to speak with an independent witness who spoke with Hines regarding the incident. This witness stated that Hines came into the Fluff and Fold Laundromat the day after the overdose and kept repeating “It’s my fault, it’s my fault.” When asked what he was referring to, Hines said “I gave him too much.” This same witness confirmed that Hines was the only one that would deal drugs to the victim, since other dealers refused due to his mental conditions.

Following the plea, Kusan Hines was sentenced to 30 years suspend all but 12 years to serve at the Department of Corrections, and 5 years of supervised probation following release. State’s Attorney Healey issued the following statement: “I cannot say enough about the importance of this case and the precedent it has set for how we will handle future overdose cases in Harford County. I commend Assistant State’s Attorney Stuart Welch for his tireless efforts and collaboration with our Harford County Drug Taskforce to support the investigation and prosecution of those that deal drugs in our communities, especially in cases that result in death. To our knowledge, this is the first murder conviction in the State of Maryland related to a fatal overdose, and Harford County has now opened the door for this to become the norm. We will continue to seek even higher sentences in an effort to deter the distribution of these poisons in our community.”

State’s Attorney Healey also expresses her gratitude to Detective Armiger and the entire Harford County Drug Taskforce for their efforts in this investigation and for all that they do daily to ensure the safety of Harford County citizens. Their professionalism and skill are unmatched, and they should be commended for the very important role they play in Harford County’s public safety.

FELONY FIREARM CONVICTION AFTER BALTIMORE MAN IMPERSONATES POLICE OFFICER

DATE: February 13, 2025
RE: State v. Edward Renard Kyler Sr.

On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Edward Renard Kyler Sr, 42, of Baltimore, was convicted of Possession of a Firearm with a Felony Conviction following a two-day jury trial before the Honorable Alex Allman in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Facts presented in trial proved that on June 26, 2022, Deputies with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office executed a search and seizure warrant in the 1100 block of Iron Bark Court in Bel Air, MD. The warrant was in furtherance of an investigation into Edward Renard Kyler, Sr. Kyler is prohibited from possessing regulated firearms and was reported to have some in his possession. A search of the residence revealed a black backpack belonging to Kyler, containing 3 BB guns, a Glock 9mm 10-round magazine (empty), a Glock BB magazine, a black handgun magazine with blank rounds, a CYTAC handgun holster, and a .22 caliber ROHM Model 66 revolver. A second search and seizure warrant of the Defendant’s vehicle revealed a black polo shirt labeled “SECURITY”, a black police-style outer carrier vest with attachments, “Security” patches, blue line flag patch, a Maryland State Police pin, 1 set of black handcuffs, an ASP-style baton, and four small light bars. Testimony given in trial revealed that Kyler was impersonating a Maryland State Trooper and was even observed pulling over a vehicle and representing himself as such while on a FaceTime call with his then-girlfriend. Following the guilty verdict, Kyler was sentenced to 10 years suspend all but 5 years to serve without the possibility of parole. Following his release, Kyler will submit to a period of 3 years of supervised probation.

Following the sentencing, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following comment: “This defendant was clearly a threat to our community, impersonating police officers, violating our laws, and possessing firearms illegally with prior felony convictions. Removing these illegal firearms from a convicted felon’s possession ensures a safer community for all our citizens.”

State’s Attorney Healey thanks Assistant State’s Attorney Megan Lintott for her efforts in this case as well as Deputy First Class Snee and Deputy First Class Dixon of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation and testimony leading to this conviction.

NOTTINGHAM MAN CONVICTED IN 2022 EDGEWOOD MURDER

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.

TWO SENTENCED IN FELONY CHILD ABUSE CASE

DATE: December 16, 2024
RE: State v. Seth Slaseman and Jane Harrison

On Monday, June 17, 2024, Seth Slaseman and Jane Harrison pled guilty to First Degree Child Abuse before the Honorable Judge Mickey Norman in the Circuit Court for Harford County. Harrison was sentenced that day to twenty years suspending all but fifteen years to serve. On Monday, December 16, 2024, Slaseman was sentenced, also receiving twenty years suspending all but fifteen years to serve.

Facts presented in support of the plea showed that on January 2, 2020, a seven-month-old child was taken to Johns Hopkins in cardiac arrest. The child was suffering from severe malnutrition, weighing less than eight pounds. Authorities immediately began an investigation focusing on the birth parents, Seth Slaseman and Jane Harrison. Doctors kept the child at the hospital and determined that the child was not given adequate access to food. In less than four weeks, the child gained three pounds with regular and appropriate nutrition. After a series of delays in the case, several attributable to COVID and at least one due to each defendant’s failure to appear, both defendants entered guilty pleas to First Degree Child Abuse. The victim’s adoptive mother was present at both sentencing hearings and provided a statement to the Court, noting that the child who has now been entrusted to her care is thriving and is a light in her family’s life.

Following the sentencing, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following comment: “I’m thankful today that this story has a happy ending, an ending where this innocent child is thriving, loved, and no longer suffering at the hands of her abusers. All the work we do is important, but in cases such as this, it is truly life changing. I’m so grateful for the incredible team of medical personnel, law enforcement, advocates, and prosecutors who stepped in to fight for this child and to ensure her safety, health, and growth moving forward.”

State’s Attorney Healey further expressed her gratitude to Assistant State’s Attorneys Jason Allen and Becky Malkowski for their tireless efforts in seeking justice for this child. She also thanks Harford County Sheriff’s Office Detective Dix, Department of Social Services Worker Kansler, and all of the dedicated staff of the Harford County Child Advocacy Center for the incredible work they do each day to protect our county’s most vulnerable victims, our children.

MIDDLE RIVER MAN FOUND GUILTY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FIRST DEGREE ASSAULT

DATE: December 13, 2024
RE: State v. Timothy Frye Jr.

On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Timothy Frye Jr. was found guilty of First-Degree Assault and Second-Degree Assault 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 November 14, 2023, at approximately 8:09 AM, Deputy First Class Tatum and Deputy First Class Harvell responded to a residence on Plaza Circle in Joppa in reference to a 911 hang up. Dispatch advised the deputies that the caller called them back and stated that there was no emergency, and nobody needed to come to the previously provided address, but during that second call, dispatch could hear an infant crying in the background, and the caller sounded extremely out of breath.

Upon arrival, Deputies met with the victim, who was holding her one-year-old daughter and crying. The victim also had multiple scratches under her left eye, a swollen lip, bruising and scratches around her neck, and bruising and scratches on her left arm. It was later discovered that the victim had bruising on her left foot as well. Upon speaking to the victim, she advised that she had gotten into an argument with her boyfriend, Timothy Frye, Jr., over a miscommunication about a question Frye had asked her. The victim further explained that during the argument, Frye had forcefully grabbed her, thrown her into a wall, tried to pull her teeth out of her mouth, punched her in the face, stomped on her foot, and strangled her to the point where she felt like she could not breathe. The victim told the deputies that she tried to call 911 for help, but Frye forced her to hang up and threatened to kill her if she did not call back and tell 911 that police did not need to come. After realizing police were likely coming, Frye fled the residence, leaving the victim and their one-year-old daughter behind.

Following the jury’s guilty verdict, Frye was returned to the Harford County Detention Center where he will await sentencing on February 7, 2025. Frye also remains on probation for an unrelated Domestic Second-Degree Assault in Baltimore County.

Following the conviction, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following comment: “As a long-time domestic violence prosecutor, these cases are always ones close to my heart. Every victim and child should feel safe in their own homes and not be subjected to violence and abuse at the hands of those who claim to love them. I’m incredibly proud of the amazing effort put forth by Assistant State’s Attorney Logan Hayes to ensure that this victim and her child no longer must be subjected to any type of violence at the hands of this defendant. It is abundantly clear that the convictions in this case will aid in the prevention of future danger to the victim in this case.”

State’s Attorney Healey further expressed her gratitude to Harford County Sheriff’s Office Detective DeFazio, Deputy First Class Tatum, and Deputy First Class Harvell for their investigation and testimony leading to this conviction.

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.

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.