REAL ID enforcement deadline pushed back to 2025

WASHINGTON, DC—On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security announced it would extend the REAL ID full enforcement date by 24 months, from May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025. Under the new regulations published to execute this change, states will now have additional time to ensure their residents have driver’s licenses and identification cards that meet the security standards established […]

Maryland receives $10.87 million in federal funds from Homeland Security to enhance state, local preparedness

REISTERSTOWN, MD—The Maryland Department of Emergency Management has distributed more than $10.87 million to prepare State and local governments against terrorist attacks. The State award was issued in May by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and MDEM recently announced its distribution to partners in Maryland. “The safety of Maryland and the protection of our residents is a top priority […]

Maryland’s DNA database records 10,000th total hit

PIKESVILLE, MD—Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, this week announced the latest milestone for Maryland’s DNA database, supporting its role as a tool for law enforcement in the ongoing effort to reduce crime, apprehend criminals, and exonerate the innocent. Maryland’s DNA database, housed at the State Police Forensic Sciences Division laboratory, has now recorded 10,000 […]

Maryland Department of Emergency Management receives $693,000 grant to help partners prevent targeted violence, terrorism

REISTERSTOWN, MD—The Maryland Department of Emergency Management has received a Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention grant of $693,000 to help community partners build capacity to keep Marylanders safe. The grant will cover activities from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2024. “The TVTP grant provides the funding that will improve our understanding of targeted violence aimed at public spaces where […]

Harford County man sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexual exploitation of minor, illegal possession of firearm

BALTIMORE, MD—A Harford County man has been sentenced to prison on child pornography and weapons charges. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III this week sentenced Travis Joseph Crawford, 34, of Edgewood, to 15 years in federal prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release, for sexual exploitation of a child to produce child pornography and for being a felon […]

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials warn of telephone scam

GRAND FORKS ND—A telephone scam is targeting residents nationwide in an attempt to gain banking information from unsuspecting residents. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and officers nationwide are continuing to receive numerous calls from residents concerned about unsolicited calls from scammers posing as U.S. Border Patrol agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. Residents are reporting the calls […]

State of Maryland announces over $8 million in federal homeland security grant funds to 68 nonprofitts

REISTERSTOWN, MD—The Maryland Department of Emergency Management this week announced awards totaling more than $8.7 million in federal homeland security grant funds to 68 nonprofit organizations around the state. The awards are funded by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 2022 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). “This funding provides much needed financial support to nonprofit groups, which are […]

Nottingham hospital employee sentenced to 18 years in prison for producing exploitative images of unconscious minor patient

BALTIMORE, MD—A Nottingham man has been sentenced to prison for production of child pornography involving an underage female patient who was unconscious at the time. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Donald Benson, 42, of Nottingham, to 18 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for production of child pornography. Judge Blake also ordered that, […]