Category Archives: Uncategorized

Baltimore Man Convicted of First Degree Murder

MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: December 22, 2022
RE: Conviction and Sentencing of Milton Mondowney, III

(Bel Air, Maryland) — Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the conviction and sentencing of Milton Mondowney, III, 31, from Baltimore, Maryland, for murder in the first degree and use of a firearm in commission of a felony and crime of violence.

On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 5:23 a.m., Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to 1904 North Fountain Green Road, Apartment 203, in Bel Air, Maryland, for a reported shooting. Upon arrival, deputies located Corey Samuels, 23, deceased as a result of multiple gunshot wounds to the torso and head. Detectives responded to the scene and began an investigation. Witness interviews and surveillance from the apartment complex revealed that Milton Mondowney, III, entered the apartment and shot Corey Samuels multiple times.

On December 14, 2022, Milton Mondowney, III, pled guilty to murder in the first degree and use of a firearm in commission of a felony and crime of violence. Following victim impact statements made by Mr. Samuels’ parents and siblings, the Honorable Kevin Mahoney sentenced Mr. Mondowney to life suspend all but forty years to serve for the first-degree murder of Corey Samuels, and a concurrent twenty years suspend all but five years without parole to serve for the use of a firearm in commission of a felony and crime of violence. Upon completion of those sentences, Mr. Mondowney will be subject to five years of supervised probation.

“Senseless acts of violence in our communities will not be tolerated,” said Harford County State’s Attorney Albert J. Peisinger, Jr. “I am very proud of the work that my office and the Sheriff’s Office did to hold Mr. Mondowney accountable for this tragedy in the name of pursuing justice for the victim and his family.”

Mr. Peisinger expressed gratitude to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their response and thorough investigation, as well as to Assistant State’s Attorney Charles Fitzpatrick, whose diligence and advocacy led to the conviction of Mr. Mondowney.

Harford County Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison

December 21, 2022
Contact MARCIA LUBIN at (410) 209-4854
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.justice.gov/usao/md

HARFORD COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR HIS PARTICIPATION IN A DRUG DISTRIBUTION CONSPIRACY

Defendant, Who was Previously Convicted of Drug Trafficking, and a Co-Conspirator Were Convicted After an Eight-Day Federal Trial

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III sentenced Che Jaron Durbin, age 44, of Aberdeen, Maryland, on December 19, 2022, to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine and for two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in connection with his participation in a drug trafficking organization distributing cocaine and crack cocaine in Harford County, Maryland.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Harford County State’s Attorney Albert J. Peisinger, Jr.; Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration; Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division; Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office; and the Harford County Drug Task Force, a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, comprised of members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, the Aberdeen Police Department, the Bel Air Police Department, and the Havre de Grace Police Department.

According to evidence presented at the eight-day trial, in May 2019, members of the Harford County Drug Task Force were investigating Durbin, who was suspected of drug trafficking in the Harford County area. Witnesses testified that on May 17, 2019, a U.S. Postal Inspector notified detectives that a suspicious package was en route to Durbin’s mother’s apartment in Aberdeen, Maryland. Detectives watched as a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier delivered the parcel to Durbin, who took it into the apartment. A short time later, a woman, later identified as co-defendant Jameka Cara Thompson, left the apartment with the parcel and drove to her home. Law enforcement detained Thompson and obtained a search warrant for her vehicle. The parcel was found to contain one kilogram of compressed cocaine. Further investigation revealed that co-defendant Jack Anderson from Tucson, Arizona was the sender of the package.

On January 22, 2020, law enforcement learned from U.S. Postal Inspectors that Durbin sent a parcel from Havre de Grace, Maryland, addressed to Anderson in Tucson, Arizona. A search warrant was obtained for the parcel after a K9 gave a positive alert. The parcel contained $82,300 in cash inside a wireless headphones box.

In February 2020, as part of the investigation, law enforcement intercepted Durbin’s communications, as well as those of Anderson, co-defendant Terrell Walton, and other co-defendants to whom Durbin supplied cocaine and crack cocaine. The evidence at trial demonstrated that Walton obtained cocaine from Durbin, which Walton then sold to a network of individuals in Harford County. Intercepted communications between Durbin and Walton included discussions regarding the amounts of drugs and the price, often using coded language.

According to trial testimony, in May 2020, law enforcement surveilled Durbin meeting with Anderson at a Tucson, Arizona hotel. Soon after the meeting, Durbin picked Thompson up at the Tucson Airport and drove her back to his hotel room. Durbin flew back to Maryland the next day and Thompson ultimately obtained a bulk supply of cocaine from Anderson on Durbin’s behalf. Thompson drove cross-country from Arizona to Harford County, where she was arrested on May 12, 2020. Law enforcement searched her vehicle, seizing 1.4 kilograms of cocaine. Durbin was also arrested. According to trial testimony, over the course of the conspiracy Thompson made at least eight similar trips on Durbin’s behalf, transporting almost 40 kilograms of cocaine to Maryland for Durbin to distribute.

Co-defendant Terrell Darnell Walton, age 36, of Delaware, was also convicted at trial for the drug conspiracy and was sentenced on September 23, 2022, to 13 years in federal prison. Co-defendant Jack Anderson IV, age 46, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced to 126 months in federal prison in December 2021, after Anderson entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Co-defendants Jameka Cara Thompson, age 42, of Abingdon, Maryland, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison; Gerrick Devlon Jackson, age 40 of Havre de Grace, Maryland, was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison; and Michael Ronnell Wells, age 38, of Forest Hill, Maryland, was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison, for their roles in the conspiracy.

United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office, the DEA, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, and the Harford County Drug Task Force for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Romano, who prosecuted the case.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Edgewood Woman Receives Four Consecutive Life Sentences Plus Twenty Years from May 2019 Arson

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced Judge Paul Ishak has sentenced Bobbie Sue Hodge to four consecutive life sentences plus twenty years. The Defendant received a life sentence for each felony murder, five years for the assault in the second degree on Brenda Ayres, five years for the assault in the second degree on Dustin Gerhart, and ten years for the assault in the second degree on Marquise St. John, who suffered a broken ankle and arm from jumping out of the third-floor window to escape the fire.
A Harford County jury found Bobbie Sue Hodge, 63, of Edgewood, Maryland, guilty of arson in the first degree, four counts of felony murder, and three counts of assault in the second degree stemming from an arson that occurred on May 9, 2019, at 1862 Simons Court in Edgewood, Maryland. Ms. Hodge was facing a maximum penalty of four life sentences plus 30 years.

Ernest Lee, Dionne Hill, and Kimberly Shupe who were all on the third floor, perished in the fire. Another third-floor occupant was able to escape the fire by jumping out of his third-floor bedroom window. He sustained a broken ankle and arm. The Defendant and two other basement occupants were able to escape to safety. Mary Elizabeth Kennedy who was living on the second floor was rescued by fire personnel and transported to an area hospital for treatment of her burns. Ms. Kennedy later died from her injuries on January 22, 2020.

The Maryland State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosions, and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint investigation of the fire. After interviewing numerous witnesses including the occupants of the house, neighbors, and the Defendant, review of the 911 calls, and consulting with experts at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosions, the Defendant was arrested for arson and murder.

“This tragedy shocked our Harford County community,” said Mr. Peisinger. “It is my hope that this verdict and now sentence is a step towards healing for the surviving victims and the families of those who lost loved ones.” Mr. Peisinger thanked the Maryland State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosions, and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their joint efforts in the investigation and arrest of Bobbie Sue Hodge. He also thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys Angela Diehl and Timothy Doory for their extraordinary advocacy that resulted in the verdict.

Former Baltimore Police SWAT Officer Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Child to Produce Child Pornography

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher sentenced Donald Hildebrandt, age 52, of Bel Air, Maryland, yesterday to 25 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for sexual exploitation of a child to produce child pornography, and possession of child pornography. The indictment was returned on June 3, 2021. Hildebrandt is a former Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officer with the Baltimore Police Department.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler; Lieutenant Paul Marziale of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Director of the Harford County Child Advocacy Center; and Harford County State’s Attorney Albert J. Peisinger, Jr.

According to his plea agreement, between 2018 and 2020, Hildebrandt purchased at least three “spy” cameras, which he hid in a shared bathroom in his home to secretly record minors showering and using the bathroom. Hundreds of videos of minors in various stages of undress were made, and the minors who were recorded were between the ages of three and 16. At least 10 children were recorded in videos taken in the bathroom and dozens of videos were produced that depicted children with exposed genitals, including at least five minors, four of whom were under 12 years of age.

As detailed in the plea agreement, Hildebrandt placed the cameras slightly above the seat of the toilet and at other location at a height designed to capture the victims’ genitals while getting in and out of the shower, and while using the toilet. In order to record as many victims as possible, visitors were instructed to change clothes only in the bathroom and not in the bedrooms. The images recorded in the videos were located on Hildebrandt’s computer which was seized during a search on October 20, 2021. Additional images depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct were found on other electronic media seized during the search.

One day prior to the execution of the search warrant, Hildebrandt was notified that he was the subject of a child exploitation investigation, through a witness and when he was contacted by a member of Child Protective Services. Sometime after that, but before the execution of the search warrant, Hildebrandt admitted that he performed a factory reset of his tablet. Investigators also did not locate any “spy” cameras in the residence.

Finally, it was also proved that Hildebrandt sexually abused a minor, demanding that the victim engage in sex acts with him.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.

United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended HSI, the Maryland State Police, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, the Harford County Child Advocacy Center, and the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Budlow and Mary Setzer, who prosecuted the federal case.

Edgewood Woman Convicted of Arson and Felony Murder

MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: October 25, 2022
RE: Multiple Homicide convictions

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced that yesterday afternoon, a Harford County jury found Bobbie Sue Hodge, 63, of Edgewood, Maryland, guilty of arson in the first degree, four counts of felony murder, and three counts of assault in the second degree stemming from an arson that occurred on May 9, 2019, at 1862 Simons Court in Edgewood, Maryland. Ms. Hodge faces a maximum penalty of four life sentences plus 60 years.

On May 9, 2019, at 2:28 a.m., a third-floor occupant of the dwelling, Ernest Lee, called 911 to report a fire at 1862 Simons Court. Members of the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department were the first engine to respond to the fire. By 2:35 a.m. when the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department arrived, the third floor of the townhouse was completely engulfed in fire. Abingdon Volunteer Fire Department, Bel Air Volunteer Fire Department, Aberdeen Proving Ground Fire Department, and Baltimore County-Kingsville Volunteer Fire Department, also responded to the fire. Ernest Lee, Dionne Hill, and Kimberly Shupe who were all on the third floor perished in the fire. Another third-floor occupant was able to escape the fire by jumping out of his thirdfloor bedroom window. He sustained a broken ankle and arm. The Defendant and two other basement occupants were able to escape to safety. Mary Elizabeth Kennedy who was living on the second floor was rescued by fire personnel and transported to an area hospital for treatment of her burns. Ms. Kennedy later died from her injuries on January 22, 2020.

The jury trial took place from October 5, 2022, until the verdict was reached on October 24, 2022.

“This tragedy shocked our Harford County community,” said Mr. Peisinger. “It is my hope that this verdict is a first step towards healing for the surviving victims and the families of those who lost loved ones.”

Mr. Peisinger thanked the Maryland State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosions, and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their joint efforts in the investigation and arrest of Bobbie Sue Hodge. He also thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys Angela Diehl and Timothy Doory for their extraordinary advocacy that resulted in the verdict. Mr. Peisinger additionally thanked the Honorable Paul Ishak for diligently and patiently conducting the trial.

Multiple Individuals Convicted of Conspiring to Import Large Amount of Cocaine into Harford County

MEDIA RELEASE

DATE: July 18, 2022

RE: Convictions of Geofrey Raheim Brown, Keneil Carlos Callender, and Danita Ginette Cromwell

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the
convictions of Geofrey Raheim Brown, 29, of Bel Air, Maryland, Keneil Carlos Callender, 32, of Edgewater,
New Jersey, and Danita Ginette Cromwell, 46, of Elkton, Maryland for conspiracy to import into Maryland at
least 28 grams of cocaine.

Between the months of August, 2021 and November, 2021, the Harford County Narcotics Task Force
conducted a lengthy investigation involving numerous individuals engaged in a drug trafficking conspiracy
throughout Harford County. Utilizing court ordered surveillance, investigators identified Geoffrey Raheim
Brown as an importer of illicit narcotics and Keneil Carlos Callender as his supplier.

Through additional surveillance methods, Task Force detectives and federal agents of the United States Drug
Enforcement Administration observed a meeting between Geoffrey Brown and Keneil Callender at Keneil
Callender’s residence in New Jersey for the purpose of acquiring cocaine. Subsequent to that meeting,
investigators became aware that Geofrey Brown utilized couriers to make trips from Maryland to Keneil
Callender’s residence in New Jersey to acquire illegal narcotics for street level distribution. One of the couriers,
identified as Danita Ginette Cromwell, met with Keniel Callender on November 12, 2021 at Geofrey Brown’s
direction at a restaurant in New Jersey. Following this meeting, Danita Cromwell drove back to Maryland,
where she was then stopped by law enforcement. During a search of her vehicle, investigators recovered more
than 300 grams of cocaine and more than 100 grams of a cutting agent. Also seized were 336 grams of
marijuana. The drugs that were seized were intended to be delivered to Geofrey Brown so he could redistribute
them in Harford County.

On July 18, 2022, the Honorable Emory A. Plitt Jr. sentenced Geofrey Raheim Brown to 12 years of
incarceration to be served at the Division of Corrections. Upon release, Mr. Brown will be subject to four years
of supervised probation with an additional 13 of incarceration should he violate. Keneil Carlos Callender was
sentenced to 11 years of incarceration to be served at the Division of Corrections. Upon his release, Mr.
Callender would be subject three years of probation and an additional nine years of incarceration should he
violate. Danita Ginette Cromwell’s sentencing was set for November 14, 2022.

Mr. Peisinger thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys Christopher J. Romano and Jennifer Jaskulski-Tripp who
prosecuted this matter and commended the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force, Maryland
State Police, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Aberdeen Police Department, the Havre
de Grace Police Department, the Bel Air Police Department, the Cecil County Drug Task Force, the Baltimore
County Police Department, the Bergen County New Jersey Police Department, and the Maryland State Police
Forensic Sciences Division for their hard work and dedication to conducting the investigation which resulted in
the arrest and convictions of Geofrey Raheim Brown, Keneil Carlos Callender, and Danita Ginette Cromwell.

Edgewood Man Indicted for Second Degree Murder

MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: July 7, 2022
RE: Indictment of James Sanders

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced that a Harford County Grand Jury has indicted James Marnell Sanders, 35, for murder in the second degree and related charges including child abuse resulting in the death of his 5-year-old son.

On Thursday, May 5, 2022, at approximately 10:45 p.m., emergency services personnel responded to Route 24 just north of Edgewood Road for a report of a collision with a pedestrian and a child. Upon arrival, first responders found James Sanders and his 5-year-old son Trayln Sanders on scene and transported them to area hospitals. Trayln was sent to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries, while James Sanders was taken to University of Maryland Shock Trauma.

An investigation by the Maryland State Police, which included witness interviews and surveillance camera footage, revealed that James Sanders and Trayln Sanders had tried to cross Route 24 and were almost struck by a vehicle. Mr. Sanders continued to try and cross the intersection with Trayln, despite oncoming traffic and not crossing in a designated crosswalk. A 2018 Toyota RAV4 that had the steady green signal then struck both Mr. James Sanders and Trayln.

When officers arrived at the crash scene, they could smell a strong odor of alcohol on Mr. Sanders. Blood tests were administered, and an analysis revealed that Mr. Sanders had an approximate blood alcohol content of a little more than four times the legal limit of intoxication.
Mr. Peisinger thanked and commended the Maryland State Police for its thorough investigation and all the first responders who responded to this scene.

All criminal defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court. An indictment is a charging instrument reviewed by a Grand Jury and not proof of guilt.

Edgewood Man Receives Life Sentence Plus an Additional 45 Years for Gang Related Murder

MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: June 10, 2022
RE: Rahzir Meyers sentenced in Gang Murder Conviction

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the sentencing of Rahzir Meyers, 21, from Edgewood, Maryland, for murder in the first degree, gang and firearm offenses.

On July 4, 2019 at 12:19 a.m., Harford County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to 1942 Eloise Lane in Edgewood, Maryland for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies and EMS learned that Khalil Johnson had been shot in the back and that the bullet exited through his chest. Johnson was transported to University of Maryland, Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore where, despite life saving measures, he succumbed from his injuries.

An investigation, which involved several tips including anonymous witnesses, revealed that Rahzir Meyers was a member of the 400 Tree Top Piru gang which was in a feud with a local subset of the Crips gang. Witnesses stated that at the time of the murder, Rahzir Meyers stood on Brookside Drive and fired a handgun in the direction of Eloise Lane and victim Khalil Johnson. Further, video surveillance captured by Harford County Watch Surveillance cameras showed several individuals standing on Brookside Drive with at least one suspect firing a handgun in the direction of Eloise Lane and the victim Khalil Johnson. The video also shows Johnson running from the scene in the direction of 1942 Eloise Lane where he later collapsed. Multiple firearm casings were recovered from the area where the suspects were standing as well as a laser gun attachment. It was later determined that Rahzir Meyers’ DNA was on the gun attachment.

Witnesses also stated that there was a group of people hanging out in the area most of the late afternoon and evening hours of July 3rd through early hours of July 4th. The group included children, adults and others from the neighborhood who were out celebrating when the shooting occurred.

Following a two-week jury trial before the Honorable M. Elizabeth Bowen, a jury ultimately found Mr. Meyers guilty of murder in the first degree, participating in a criminal organization in the commission of a crime that results in death as well as a multitude of firearm offenses. After listening to victim impact statements from Kahlil Johnson’s family and friends, Judge Bowen sentenced him to life in prison with an additional 45 years which will all be served in the Division of Corrections.

“As this complex prosecution and today’s sentence shows, we will use every tool and every resource at our disposal to eradicate brutal and senseless acts of gang violence and hold offenders accountable through lengthy prison sentences,” said Mr. Peisinger. “My heart goes out to Khalil Johnson’s family and I hope this conviction and sentence brings some closure to them.”

Mr. Peisinger further thanked Judge Bowen and the jurors who deliberated the case. He also praised the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, as well as all other first responders for their efforts in rendering aid at the scene and for the extensive investigation that resulted in the conviction and sentence of Mr. Meyers. Additionally, he commended Assistant State’s Attorneys Erin Smith and Toi Mason for their incredible advocacy in this highly intricate case.

Baltimore Man Receives 92 Years for First Degree Murder and Related Charges

MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: June 9, 2022
RE: Sheron Garrett Sentencing

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the sentencing of Sheron Garrett, from Baltimore, Maryland, for murder in the first degree, conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree, and possession of a regulated firearm by a person with a felony conviction.

On September 29, 2019, Harford County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 1931 Edgewater Drive for a reported shooting. Upon arrival, deputies located Deandre Sellers, who was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by deputies and emergency services personnel, Mr. Sellers succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. Detectives responded to the scene and began an investigation. Witnesses at the scene revealed to investigators that Mr. Sellers was involved in a verbal altercation earlier that day which ended with a threat of violence against him. A further argument was reported at approximately 6:55 that evening just before three gunshots rang out.

Investigators located and collected three shell casings from the scene of the murder, as well as a cleaning rod to an SKS assault rifle. Seven days later, the SKS assault rifle itself was found by a concerned citizen and reported to law enforcement. Investigators were able to recover a fingerprint from tape around the gun and matched that fingerprint to Sheron Garrett. Further forensic testing by the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division confirmed this weapon fired the casings at the murder scene. Mr. Garrett denied having been in Harford County on September 29 or for months prior, but cell data analysis provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation demonstrated that he traveled from his home in Baltimore City to scene of the murder at the time of the shooting.

Following a multi-day jury trial in front of the Honorable Kevin J. Mahoney that began on March 23, 2022, the jury ultimately found him guilty of murder in the first degree, conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree, and possession of a regulated firearm by a person with a felony conviction. At today’s sentencing, after considering impact statements provided by Deandre Sellers’ mother and father, Judge Mahoney sentenced Sheron Garrett to an aggregate 92 years of incarceration to be served at the Division of Corrections. Should he be released, Mr. Garrett will be subject to five years of supervised probation and an additional two life sentence should he be found in violation of that probation.

“Sheron Garrett deserved and received a significant sentence for this senseless and violent act that terrorized this neighborhood,” said Harford County State’s Attorney Albert Peisinger, Jr. “This should serve as a message to all, that violence will not be tolerated in Harford County and I will continue to pursue the most significant sentences available for those individuals who harm our citizens.”

Mr. Peisinger praised the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as all other first responders for their efforts in rendering aid at the scene and for the extensive investigation that resulted in the conviction of Mr. Garrett. Additionally, he commended Assistant State’s Attorneys Jason Allen and Charles Fitzpatrick for their exceptional advocacy.

Essex Man Convicted of Vehicular Manslaughter

RE: Conviction of Joshua Zimmerman

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the conviction of Joshua Zimmerman, 32, from Essex, Maryland for vehicular manslaughter.

On December 27, 2020 at 7:40 a.m, a Maryland Department of Natural Resources Officer was heading to work when he observed a Ford pickup truck that was laying on its side near 3440 Conowingo Road in Street, Maryland. The officer stopped to see if anyone needed assistance and observed Joshua Zimmerman exiting the vehicle from the driver’s side. The officer also found the victim, Regina Welch, unresponsive on the side of the road after she had been ejected from the passenger seat of the vehicle. The Maryland State Police arrived on scene and transported Ms. Welch to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma by helicopter. Despite extensive lifesaving efforts, on December 29, 2020, Ms. Welch succumbed to her injuries.

When State Police troopers spoke with Mr. Zimmerman at the scene, his speech was slurred, he could barely walk without assistance or falling and displayed constricted pupils, which is an indication of being under the influence of some type of drug. Mr. Zimmerman was then transported to Upper Chesapeake to have his blood drawn to test for the possible presence of any controlled substance in his system. On May 27, 2021, the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division completed their analysis of Mr. Zimmerman’s blood which was found to contain alprazolam, methadone, fentanyl, cocaine, and benzoylecgonine (a cocaine metabolite).

A subsequently conducted Maryland State Police accident reconstruction concluded that Mr. Zimmerman was driving a 2008 Ford F-150 truck northbound on Route 1 when it drifted off the right side of roadway and into a grassy ditch and brush line and then struck a standing tree with its right front end. The Ford continued through the ditch and overturned onto its left side near 3440 Conowingo Road. Ms. Welch was ejected from truck as it overturned.

On June 3, 2022, Joshua Zimmerman pled guilty to the top count of vehicular manslaughter. Following victim impact statements made by the victim’s parents, stepfather and sister, the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin sentenced him to 7 years to be served in the Division of Corrections. The maximum penalty of vehicular manslaughter is 10 years. Upon release, Mr. Zimmerman will be subject to five years of supervised probation and an additional 3 years of incarceration should he be found in violation of that probation.

Mr. Peisinger thanked Assistant State’s Attorney Angela Diehl who prosecuted this matter and commended the Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland State Police, the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division as well as all other first responders for their collective teamwork and dedication which resulted in the arrest and conviction of Joshua Zimmerman.