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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

ERO Baltimore arrests Honduran national convicted of assaulting a Maryland resident

BALTIMORE, MD—Enforcement and Removal Operations Baltimore apprehended an unlawfully present 26-year-old Honduran national convicted of assaulting a Maryland resident. Officers with ERO Baltimore arrested Evin Obdulio Ponce-Guillen on September 19 in Waldorf. “Evin Obdulio Ponce-Guillen unlawfully entered the United States, made his way to Maryland, and then victimized one of the members of our community,” said ERO Baltimore acting Field […]

Governor Moore announces additional funding for faith-based organizations, nonprofits to help protect against hate crimes

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore this week announced $1 million in additional emergency state funding for hate crime prevention grants. Local organizations that serve protected classes and religious institutions are eligible for funding to hire security personnel for their facilities and membership through a new grant from the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. “I’ve said it before, […]

Foreign national sentenced to prison after fraudulently opening bank accounts in Maryland

GREENBELT, MD—A foreign national has been sentenced to prison after fraudulently opening bank accounts in Maryland. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has sentenced Daniel Velcu, 43, of Baltimore, to 34 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. As part of his sentence, Velcu will be required […]

Maryland man sentenced to 5 years in prison for illegally smuggling firearms to Nigeria

BALTIMORE, MD—A Maryland man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for illegally transporting firearms with obliterated serial numbers and smuggling firearms to Nigeria. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett this week sentenced Eric Fru Nji, 42, of Fort Washington, to 63 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for conspiracy, for transporting firearms […]