Florida man sentenced to 20 years for conspiring to destroy Baltimore region power grid

BALTIMORE, MD—A Florida man was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in federal prison for conspiring to destroy power substations in the Baltimore area. Brandon Clint Russell, 30, of Orlando, was given the sentence by Senior U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar, who also ordered a lifetime of supervised release. Russell’s co-conspirator, Sarah Beth Clendaniel, 37, of Catonsville, Maryland, was previously […]

Baltimore County named in DOJ’s new ‘sanctuary jurisdiction’ list, Executive disputes claim

BALTIMORE, MD—The U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday released a list of 35 states, counties, and cities identified as “sanctuary jurisdictions” for allegedly impeding federal immigration enforcement, with Baltimore County, Maryland, among those included. The designation, part of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in April, signals potential legal action against jurisdictions deemed to hinder cooperation with federal […]

Baltimore fentanyl trafficker sentenced to 10 years in prison

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore man who led a fentanyl trafficking operation has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Vincent Edison, 45, for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession of firearms by a prohibited person. Authorities say Edison’s operation […]

Maryland man sentenced to 30 months for pet-selling, goods fraud scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A Maryland man was sentenced last week to 30 months in federal prison for his role in a wire fraud conspiracy that scammed victims out of nearly $1 million through fraudulent pet sales and non-delivery of agricultural goods. Anomah Ndonwi, 32, of Chillum, will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term, according to an announcement […]

Virginia man pleads guilty to federal swatting charges

BALTIMORE, MD—A Virginia man pleaded guilty this week to federal swatting and cyberstalking charges, admitting his role in an online group that coordinated false emergency calls designed to draw armed law enforcement responses to targeted locations. Evan Strauss, 27, of Moneta, Virginia, entered his plea in federal court in Baltimore, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney for the District […]

Three MS-13 members charged following murder of Maryland man

GREENBELT, MD—Three alleged members of the notorious La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, gang have been charged with racketeering conspiracy, including murder and drug trafficking, following their initial appearance in the District of Maryland on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. According to court documents, Maxwell Ariel Quijano-Casco, 24, of El Salvador; Daniel Isaias Villanueva-Bautista, 19, of El Salvador; and Josue Mauricio Lainez, […]

FBI warns investors of surge in ‘ramp-and-dump’ stock schemes via social media

WASHINGTON, DC—The FBI is issuing a public warning about a significant increase in “ramp-and-dump” stock manipulation schemes targeting U.S. investors through social media platforms and messaging applications. The agency reports a 300% surge in victim complaints related to this type of fraud in 2025 compared to last year. These sophisticated schemes often lure investors into what appear to be legitimate […]

Former Harford County manufacturer employee sentenced to prison in $29 million kickback scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A Bel Air, Maryland, man was sentenced to federal prison this week for his role in a $29 million embezzlement and kickback scheme that defrauded his employer, a Harford County manufacturer. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Eugene Andrew DiNoto, 54, to concurrent terms of 70 months for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and engaging in an illegal […]