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 […]

Maryland nursing diploma fraudster sentenced to 21 months in prison

BALTIMORE, MD—A Maryland man has been sentenced to prison for selling more than $1.6 million worth of fake nursing diplomas, transcripts and licenses, that allowed people to become nurses without completing the necessary coursework. Ejike Sìe Asiaghunam, 55. of Upper Marlboro, was sentenced in federal court in Maryland on Monday to 21 months in prison and two years of supervised […]

Johns Hopkins settles disability discrimination lawsuit for $150,000

BALTIMORE, MD—The Johns Hopkins Health System has agreed to pay $150,000 to settle a federal lawsuit accusing it of discriminating against people with disabilities by denying them equal access to medical care. The lawsuit alleges that Johns Hopkins violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to allow patients with disabilities to be accompanied by a support person, such as […]

Two Baltimore County men sentenced for armed carjackings

BALTIMORE, MD—Two Baltimore County men were sentenced to federal prison on Monday, September 9, 2024, for their involvement in three armed carjackings, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Maryland announced. Franklin Jay Smith, 34, of Catonsville, received 9 years in prison for carjacking and 60 months consecutive for use of a firearm during a crime. Davon Tramont Dorsey, 30, of Gwynn Oak […]

Previously convicted bank robber sentenced To 14 years for three new bank robberies

BALTIMORE, MD—A previously convicted bank robber from Baltimore has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for three new armed bank robberies that he committed while he was on parole. According to prosecutors, 55-year-old Kevin Maurice Lawson, of Baltimore, had been convicted of armed bank robbery in 2004 and sentenced to federal prison. Lawson committed all three robberies in 2022 […]