Baltimore County man sentenced after pretending to be paralyzed to receive VA benefits

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore County man who lied about needing a wheelchair for a service-related injury was sentenced to home confinement after prosecutors said he fraudulently obtained more than $750,000 in disability benefits. William Rich, 44, of Windsor Mill, was found guilty in June of wire fraud and theft of government property following a four-day trial. Rich, who served in the […]

Baltimore County man sentenced to 11 years for drug conspiracy

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore County man has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to drug distribution and money laundering charges, authorities say. Ronald White, 56, of Pikesville, was involved in a large-scale drug conspiracy that operated in and around Baltimore, according to the Department of Justice. He was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison followed by five years […]

Chinese money laundering ring busted in Baltimore area, 17 Charged

BALTIMORE, MD—Federal agents have charged 17 people in Maryland and other states for their alleged roles in a complex money laundering scheme and illegal marijuana distribution network that led to the seizure of more than $6 million and 2,000 pounds of marijuana. The Department of Justice announced this week that a Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Homeland Security investigation […]

Baltimore County businessman pleads guilty to fraudulently obtaining over $1.3 million in COVID-19 CARES Act loans

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore County businessman has admitted to using more than $1.3 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans to purchase a Mercedes-Benz and make extensive home renovations, federal authorities announced. David Epstein, 46, of Owings Mills, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud after submitting fraudulent CARES Act loan applications, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland. The […]

Federal, local agencies arrest 14 in regional drug bust

BALTIMORE, MD—Federal and local law enforcement agents arrested 14 people and seized narcotics, guns and drug paraphernalia in an operation that spanned Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and the Baltimore area, authorities announced this week. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland said in a news release that the “large-scale drug and gun bust” involved more than 500 officers, […]

Maryland man charged in $1 million unemployment benefits fraud scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A federal grand jury charged a Maryland man with conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft for his role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $1 million in unemployment benefits, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland. Mervyn Fombe Abiko, 35, also known as “Magic,” was indicted on May 22, 2024. The indictment was unsealed upon […]