BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh on Monday announced the conviction of Jaylen Skinner, 20, of Baltimore on charges related to a home invasion and carjacking criminal enterprise that operated in Baltimore County and Baltimore City. Skinner was the ringleader of a crew charged with multiple carjackings and home invasions.
On September 14, 2022, Jaylen Skinner pleaded guilty in Baltimore County Circuit Court to his involvement in five separate incidents. Skinner was sentenced to 20 years in prison with all but 14 years suspended, followed by two years of supervised probation upon release. Skinner pleaded guilty to his involvement in a robbery in the 7600 block of Eastern Avenue on February 21, 2020, where three Hispanic victims were robbed. Skinner pleaded guilty to his involvement in a home invasion in the 7700 block of Gough Street on March 18, 2020, where a single Hispanic male was robbed at gunpoint in his home. Skinner also pleaded guilty to his involvement in a separate home invasion from March 18, 2020, in the 7600 block of Gough Street where another Hispanic male was robbed at gun point. Skinner pleaded guilty to his involvement in a home invasion in the 4300 block of Crest Heights Road on March 28, 2020, where one of Skinner’s co-conspirators accidentally fired a gun shot into the stairwell of the home while attempting to rob multiple Hispanic occupants. Finally, Skinner pleaded guilty to his involvement in a home invasion in the 200 block of Melvin Avenue on April 2, 2020, where one Hispanic victim was struck in the head with a fire extinguisher, requiring medical treatment. Skinner was 18 years old at the time of these offenses.
During the investigation, two additional defendants were charged:
Tommy Graham, 19, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit home invasion; conspiracy to commit carjacking; conspiracy to commit robbery; conspiracy to commit first degree burglary; two counts of use of a firearm in commission of a crime of violence; and common law conspiracy. Graham was sentenced to 20 years in prison with all but 14 years suspended, followed by one year of supervised probation upon release.
Daquan Hart, 20, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit home invasion; conspiracy to commit carjacking; three counts of use of a firearm in commission of a crime of violence; and common law conspiracy. Hart was sentenced to 20 years in prison with all but 14 years suspended, followed by three years of supervised probation upon release.
Graham and Hart were both 17 years old at the time of the crimes and were charged as adults.
In total, six individuals were prosecuted in Baltimore County, Baltimore City, and in the juvenile system as a result of the investigation into the criminal enterprise. The investigation included the Organized Crime Unit of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Baltimore City Police Department. The enterprise was believed to be responsible for more than 50 separate criminal offenses, including 30 home invasions and attempted home invasions, and more than 20 carjackings and robberies that intentionally targeted Hispanic victims because the defendant’s believed that they would be less likely to cooperate with police and more likely to carry cash. The members of the enterprise were known to use vehicles that had been stolen during a previous carjacking to drive to or from other crimes.
“Skinner was involved in multiple violent assaults, robberies, and carjackings” said Attorney General Frosh. “He and his co-conspirators targeted and terrorized their victims. Combining our resources and working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners is key to our efforts to make our communities safer.”
“This crew intentionally preyed on and terrorized Hispanic victims with violent carjackings, home invasions, and more, robbing them of not just money but also any sense of safety,” said ATF Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby. “Through the crime gun intelligence model of investigation, the relentless work of ATF, Baltimore City Police Department, and Baltimore County Police Department, and the support of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, we have ensured that this crew can no longer threaten the people of this region. Our mission is always to protect the public and we hope the community feels some sense of justice and peace now knowing these criminals are prosecuted and off the street.”
“We appreciate the cooperation and countless hours of hard work by the members of The Baltimore County Police Department and our law enforcement partners from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Baltimore City Police Department have dedicated to this investigation.” said Baltimore County Police. “We are grateful to the Attorney General’s Office and their team for bringing justice to the victims of these crimes.”
Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels
