Two biotech CEOs convicted in fraud scheme involving COVID-19 drug

BALTIMORE, MD—Two CEOs were convicted by a federal jury in Maryland for a scheme to defraud investors about a drug being developed to treat HIV and COVID-19, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Nader Pourhassan, 61, of Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Kazem Kazempour, 71, of Potomac, Maryland, were found guilty of the scheme involving CytoDyn Inc., a publicly traded […]

Baltimore man sentenced to 25 years in prison for robbery, murder of drug dealer

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore man has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison on robbery and murder charges. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has sentenced George Fields, a/k/a “Chin,” 49, of Baltimore, to 25 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit a Hobbs Act robbery and for using, carrying, […]

Man convicted after four-day trial for three armed robberies in Baltimore County, City

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore man has been convicted after committing three armed robberies in one day in Baltimore County and Baltimore City. A federal jury convicted Keith Poynter, Jr., 29, on federal charges related to a series of armed commercial robberies, all committed in one day, and for discharging his weapon during one of the robberies. The conviction was announced by […]

Former Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorney sentenced to two years in prison for unlawfully obtaining phone records

BALTIMORE, MD—A former Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorney has been sentenced to prison. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has sentenced former Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorney Adam Lane Chaudry, 43, of Baltimore, to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for two counts of fraud in connection with obtaining confidential phone records. As part […]

Maryland man sentenced to 33 months in prison for $1.2 million bank fraud scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A Maryland man has been sentenced to prison for his role in a $1.2 million bank fraud scheme. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III sentenced Daniel Ongele, 33, of Bowie, to 33 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. […]

Baltimore County police officer pleads guilty to accepting bribes in exchange for firearms training certifications

BALTIMORE, MD—An officer with the Baltimore County Police Department has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes. William R. Johnson Jr., 33, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty this week to a federal charge of honest services wire fraud, for seeking and accepting bribes and kickbacks, totaling at least $16,804, to falsely certify that applicants for Maryland handgun qualifying licenses (HQL) and wear and […]

Maryland fraudster sentenced to more than 9 years in prison for his role in $28 million ‘1st Million Dollars’ Ponzi scheme

GREENBELT, MD—A Maryland man has been sentenced to prison for his role in a massive Ponzi scheme. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has sentenced John Erasmus Frimpong, 42, of Upper Marlboro, to 114 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and securities fraud, in […]

Maryland MS-13 gang members plead guilty to participating in racketeering conspiracy, including murder

GREENBELT, MD—Two MS-13 gang members have pleaded guilty to racketeering and conspiracy charges. Hernan Yanes-Rivera, a/k/a “Recio,” 22, of Adelphi, and Agustin Eugenio Rivas Rodriguez, a/k/a “Terrible,” 25, of Silver Spring, pleaded guilty this week to their participation in a racketeering conspiracy, including murder, related to their activities as part of the MS-13 gang. The guilty pleas were announced by […]