MS-13 gang members indicted for murder in Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD—Two Maryland MS-13 gang members have been indicted for murder in aid of racketeering, federal authorities announced. Manuel Erazo Alvarado, 46, and Erick Guillen Pleitez, 46, both of Annapolis, were charged in a federal grand jury indictment returned on February 13, according to the Department of Justice. On March 6, 2025, Guillen Pleitez made his initial appearance in the […]

Former Harford County Sheriff’s Office detective facing federal charges for sexual exploitation of two minors

BALTIMORE, MD—A former detective with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office is facing federal charges relating to the sexual exploitation of two children. A federal grand jury has indicted Ryan Christopher Hall, 50, of Woodstock, Maryland, charging him with sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child sexual abuse material. Hall is a former domestic violence detective who served 27 […]

High-ranking MS-13 leader arrested in Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD—A high-ranking leader in the MS-13 transnational terrorist organization was arrested in Hyattsville, Maryland last month, according to authorities. David Alejandro Orellana-Aleman, 27, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the FBI on February 27, 2025. He is charged in his home country with possession of firearm, extortion, and terrorist affiliation, ICE said in a press […]

Baltimore woman sentenced to 15 years in prison for operating sex trafficking ring across Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore woman has been sentenced to prison for running a sex trafficking ring that operated across the state of Maryland. Attorney General Anthony G. Brown on Monday announced the sentencing of Kenika Danielle Leach, 33, as a result of a multi-agency, two-year investigation was led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit. On November 18, 2024, Leach pleaded […]

Maryland AG Brown joins coalition against organized retail crime

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has joined a bipartisan coalition of 38 states and territories urging Congress to pass legislation addressing the rise of organized retail crime. The coalition highlighted the significant financial losses and impact on consumers and businesses caused by this growing problem. Organized retail crime, which includes cargo theft and other forms of coordinated criminal activity […]

Baltimore man faces federal indictment for sexual exploitation of a minor, producing child sexual abuse material

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore man has been indicted on charges of sexual exploiting a minor and producing child sexual abuse material. A federal grand jury has returned an indictment, charging Jose Adan Lopez-Guevara, 37, with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material. Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced […]

Rosedale, Belcamp men indicted for unemployment insurance fraud scheme of more than $1 million

BALTIMORE, MD—Two Maryland men have been indicted for allegedly stealing more than $1 million in unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Daiwor Woah-Tee, 51, of Belcamp, and Dekwii Woah-Tee, 46, of Rosedale, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, respectively. The indictment was unsealed when the defendants were arrested on December 18, 2024, and […]

Maryland MVA launches app for businesses to accept mobile IDs for age verification

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) has launched a new mobile app, Mobile ID Check by MD, enabling businesses to accept mobile driver’s licenses and identification cards for age verification. The free app, available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play, aims to provide a secure and convenient way for businesses to verify […]