Former bank employee convicted after fraudulently opening bank accounts in Maryland

UPDATE: Daniel Velcru has been sentenced to prison. Original story below… GREENBELT, MD—A Maryland man has been convicted on fraud charges after fraudulent opening bank accounts. A federal jury has convicted Diape Seck, 29, of Rockville, for his role in a bank fraud scheme in which he and his co-conspirators obtained or attempted to obtain almost $2 million by fraud, […]

Federal indictment returned charging Baltimore County woman, Florida man for plotting to attack Baltimore power grid, including Perry Hall substation

BALTIMORE, MD—A federal grand jury in Maryland on Tuesday returned an indictment charging Sarah Beth Clendaniel, 34, of Catonsville, and Brandon Clint Russell, 27, of Orlando, Florida, with conspiracy to destroy an energy facility. The defendants have been detained since their arrest on February 3, 2023, on related charges. The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District […]

Baltimore man sentenced to 25 years in prison for carjacking, armed robbery conspiracy in which 2 people were killed

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore man will spend more than two decades in prison for his part in a carjacking and armed robbery conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher this week sentenced David Banks, 29, of Baltimore, to 25 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for a carjacking and armed robbery conspiracy, including six armed robberies […]

Maryland man sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for sex trafficking of a child

BALTIMORE, MD—A Cecil County man has been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for sex trafficking of a child. On January 17, 2023, U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Xavier Lee, a/k/a “X,” 44, of Elkton, to 150 months in federal prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release, for sex trafficking of a minor. Judge Hollander […]

Maryland man sentenced to more than six years in prison for his role in $28 million Ponzi scheme

GREENBELT, MD—A Maryland man has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for his role in a $28 million Ponzi scheme involving “1st Million Dollars” wealth management company. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Arley Ray Johnson, 63, of Bowie, to 78 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy, wire […]

Maryland sex offender sentenced to 45 years in prison for sexual exploitation of two minor girls to produce child pornography

BALTIMORE, MD—A Maryland man has been sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for the sexual exploitation of two minor girls to produce child pornography. Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar on Tuesday sentenced Dennis James Harrison, 40, of Rocky Ridge, to 45 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for the sexual exploitation of children to […]

Two biotech company presidents indicted in Maryland for securities fraud schemes

UPDATE: Both CEOs have been convicted. Original story below… BALTIMORE, MD—Two biotech company presidents have been indicted in Maryland in connection with a securities fraud scheme. A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Nader Pourhassan, 59 of Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Kazem Kazempour, 69, of Potomac Maryland, for their roles in schemes to defraud investors in CytoDyn Inc., […]

Six Baltimore BGF gang members indicted for racketeering, murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery

BALTIMORE, MD—A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging six Baltimore men for conspiring to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as the Black Guerilla Family gang. The indictment, which was returned on December 15, 2022 and unsealed on Monday, charges the following defendants: David Warren, a/k/a “Meshawn” and “LA Meshawn,” 30; Barak Olds, 33; Davante Harrison, a/k/a […]