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 […]

Russian national extradited in $16 million Phobos ransomware scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—Evgenii Ptitsyn, a 42-year-old Russian national, was extradited from South Korea to face charges related to his alleged role in the Phobos ransomware scheme. He made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland on November 4th. The Justice Department alleges that Ptitsyn served as a key administrator of the Phobos ransomware operation, overseeing the […]

Maryland men charged in alleged odometer tampering scheme based in Rosedale

BALTIMORE, MD—Federal authorities have charged two Maryland men with conspiracy to commit odometer tampering and securities fraud, alleging they sold hundreds of vehicles with falsely lowered odometers. Jerry John Mathins, 50, of Laurel, and Braysean Owens, 23, of Baltimore, were indicted by a federal grand jury, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland said in a news release. […]

U.S. Army research biologist from Maryland sentenced To 51 months in prison for engaging in APG bribery scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A U.S. Army biologist from Maryland will be spending time behind bars for participating in a bribery scheme. Jason Edmonds, 45 of North East, was sentenced this week to 51 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release for conspiring to commit bribery at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. In addition, the Court ordered Edmonds to forfeit $111,794.83, […]

IT bid-rigging scheme uncovered by Justice Department

BALTIMORE, MD—The Department of Justice has indicted six individuals for their involvement in schemes to rig bids, defraud the government, and pay bribes and kickbacks in connection with the sale of IT products and services to federal government purchasers. These actions resulted in overcharges of millions of dollars to the U.S. government, impacting agencies like the Department of Defense (DoD). […]

Police arrest suspect who committed rash of bank robberies in Baltimore City, County

BALTIMORE, MD—Police have arrested a suspect who committed a rash of bank robberies in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. At around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2024, the Baltimore Police Department’s Warrant Apprehension Task Force, in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals’ Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF) and FBI Baltimore Field Office, successfully apprehended 34-year-old Donte Green aboard […]

Federal, local agencies arrest 14 in regional drug bust

BALTIMORE, MD—Federal and local law enforcement agents arrested 14 people and seized narcotics, guns and drug paraphernalia in an operation that spanned Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and the Baltimore area, authorities announced this week. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland said in a news release that the “large-scale drug and gun bust” involved more than 500 officers, […]

Two Baltimore County men sentenced for armed carjackings

BALTIMORE, MD—Two Baltimore County men were sentenced to federal prison on Monday, September 9, 2024, for their involvement in three armed carjackings, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Maryland announced. Franklin Jay Smith, 34, of Catonsville, received 9 years in prison for carjacking and 60 months consecutive for use of a firearm during a crime. Davon Tramont Dorsey, 30, of Gwynn Oak […]