Maryland Law Blog

In a report from NBCWashington.com, a 33-year-old Maryland resident has been charged in three violent home invasions and two sexual assaults in a Bethesda case in which he allegedly committed a home invasion robbery and sexually assaulted a housekeeper. In addition, he was charged with two other home invasions in Wheaton and Temple Hills.

In the Temple Hills home invasion, the convicted man allegedly tied up six people, including a seven-year-old, and sexually assaulted a woman in the home. According to police, the offender apparently used credit and debit cards that were taken during the home invasions, and a surveillance image of the man using one of the cards led to him being identified, tracked down, and arrested in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

The man arrested in connection with these heinous crimes has a criminal record that goes as far back as 17 years. He is also a convicted sex offender who was placed on Maryland’s sex offender registry in 2005 after being convicted of a third-degree sex offense. Additionally, he had previously been charged with manslaughter in 1995 after pleading guilty to the crime. The Montgomery County States Attorney is exploring the possibility of prosecuting the 33-year-old under a repeat offender law that could lead to him being locked up in prison without the possibility of parole.

Anyone convicted of robbery in the state of Maryland will be facing serious penalties, including lengthy prison sentences. When additional charges are added, as is the case in these Maryland home invasion robberies, the punishments can be even more severe and prosecutors will likely seek the maximum penalties for each charge. Any Maryland resident who is facing criminal charges would be well advised to hire a knowledgeable Bethesda criminal defense attorney. At the law firm of Alpert Schreyer, we have years of experience defending those convicted of crimes in the state of Maryland and will work tirelessly to ensure your legal rights are protected. Please call (866) 444-6363 for a free consultation.

The office of the Maryland Attorney General states that identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country, affecting an estimated 10 million Americans each year. Maryland residents are unfortunately not immune and are cautioned to try and protect their personal information; in 2005, MD was ranked 11th in the country for identity theft cases.

A common example of identity theft is when an individual uses your personal information to open a credit card account in your name. Identity thieves can obtain a MD resident’s private information a number of ways, including:

• Stealing mail;
• Stealing wallets or purses;
• Sifting through trash or “dumpster diving” for mail or documents with personal information;
• Phishing (sending e-mails posing as a legitimate business asking for information); or
• Overall using of false pretenses to obtain private information (known as pretexting).

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and law enforcement across the country take the growing crime of identity theft very seriously. Any offender convicted of the crime of identity theft will likely pay a very high price. In Maryland, identity theft charges vary based on the total amount of financial losses incurred during the crime. For a financial loss to the victim of less than $500, the crime is considered a misdemeanor and can carry a maximum 18-month prison sentence or a $5,000 fine (or both). If the financial loss is more than $500, it will be considered a felony crime and the punishments will be more severe. A person convicted may face up to five years in prison or a fine of $25,000, or both. In addition, a convicted identity thief will likely be ordered to pay both legal fees and any costs associated with the victim repairing their credit record.

A convicted identity thief in the state of Maryland will certainly face heavy fines and possibly time in prison, so hiring a skilled Waldorf theft defense lawyer can help a person avoid severe and harsh punishments. At the law firm of Alpert Schreyer, we have a wealth of experience defending MD residents charged with the crime of identity theft and we will work diligently to protect your legal rights. If you are in need of legal counsel, call (800) 489-1577 for a free consultation.

CBS Baltimore reports that a St. Michaels resident convicted of armed bank robbery received a 51-month prison sentence this week. The suspect entered the Talbot Bank of Tilghman, located on Tilghman Island, in March of last year with a .22 caliber rifle. He demanded money from a teller and walked out with more than $4,700; however, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stated that the suspect was identified very quickly by the truck he was driving when he left the bank and was arrested that night. The money stolen was recovered by authorities.

Robbery with an armed weapon is considered a felony theft crime in Maryland and it is treated very seriously by the state. Robbery is defined as the obtaining of property from another person by force or through the threat of force. The “property” could be money or valuables, and the “force” could be actual physical contact or simply threatening a person. The state penalty for robbery (without a weapon) is a maximum 15-year prison sentence, and an armed robbery conviction carries with it a maximum jail sentence of 20 years. Anyone convicted of the similar crime of armed carjacking may receive up to 30 years behind bars.

Being convicted of robbery charges can have a very negative impact on a person’s future, and the penalties one may face can be severe. As the state takes this crime very seriously, hiring a knowledgeable Bethesda theft defense lawyer would be well advised as the state will do everything possible to punish you with the maximum penalty. At Alpert Schreyer, we have years of experience defending those facing robbery charges and we will help build a defense to protect your legal rights throughout your case. For a no-cost consultation, please call (866) 444-6363.

According to The Baltimore Sun, an 18-year-old male resident of Pasadena, Maryland was arrested this past Saturday for suspected burglary. After responding to a call from neighbors, Anne Arundel County officers found the young suspect knocking on the door of a Leeds Drive home and peering into the windows. The suspect was arrested after climbing back over the backyard fence of the home and drugs were found in the suspect’s possession. Police officers found the back sliding glass door of the home open and items in the house “disturbed.”

The companion of the arrested man remains at large and is described as being approximately 18 years old and wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. The suspect is charged with first, third, and fourth degree burglary, as well as possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Under Maryland criminal law, the crime of burglary is divided into four degrees. The first three degrees are felonies, but fourth degree burglary is considered a misdemeanor crime. If convicted of burglary, the penalties can be quite severe. According to a report issued by the Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy, in 2009, those convicted of burglary in the first and second degree in Maryland received an average sentence of 7 years with close to 80% incarcerated for the crime. Meanwhile, an average of a 2 year prison sentence was given to those convicted of fourth degree burglary charges with more than 60% incarcerated.

Individuals charged with a theft crime in Maryland may see a very negative impact on their future. This crime carries a negative mark on your permanent record, and a conviction might mean trouble in the future finding employment. The skilled Maryland theft defense attorneys at the law firm of Alpert Schreyer can provide aggressive legal representation and fight to get you the best outcome in your case. Please call (866) 444-6363 for a free consultation.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the Maryland Court of Appeals has sent a case back to Baltimore County Circuit Court after they found that there was insufficient evidence to convict a man of robbery. The conviction stems from an incident that occurred in 2006 when the convicted man allegedly walked into a Jiffy Lube and told the clerk to “don’t say nothing.” Although the man did not brandish a weapon, the clerk immediately handed the man the money in his till and reported a robbery.

The man was convicted of robbery and, based on his two prior felony robbery convictions, was sentenced to 25 years without the possibility of parole. The man appealed his sentence and argued that the evidence was not sufficient to support his third felony robbery conviction. The judges on the appeals court discussed what robbery actually means and came to the conclusion that an ordinary, reasonable person would not have felt apprehension that the suspect was about to apply force since he did not use a weapon or make any threats. The judges ruled that something more than the man’s statement is needed to meet the legal standard for robbery.

In a case like this, having the right Maryland criminal defense attorney is crucial. An experienced attorney will know how to handle this type of appeal and may help get a conviction overturned or at least have a case sent back to a lower court. The criminal defense attorneys in Maryland at Alpert Schreyer have extensive experience helping those charged with robbery and other felonies. If you need help defending yourself against criminal charges, contact us at (866) 444-6363 to schedule a free review of your case.

The Baltimore Sun is reporting that a 37-year-old man has a received a 20-year prison sentence for his role in a Harbor East bank robbery. Reportedly, the convicted robber jumped over the bank counter and forced the tellers to open the bank vault by threatening them with a gun. The man and his accomplice also used a fake bomb to delay police response to the robbery. The robbery netted the men $157,000, far more than the average amount of money taken in a Maryland bank robbery.

The man will spend 20 years in prison for his conviction on charges of armed bank robbery, conspiracy to commit bank robbery, and possessing, using, and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime. The man received an enhanced sentence based on his two prior robbery convictions. His accomplice was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Anyone facing a bank robbery or firearms charge in Maryland during the commission of a violent crime needs to seek legal representation immediately. These are serious charges that can lead to long prison sentences and steep fines if convicted. In addition to prison time and probation, a robbery conviction can make it difficult to find or maintain employment, enroll in educational programs, and participate in community activities. An experienced Maryland defense attorney can help you build a strong defense against these charges.

If you have been charged with armed robbery, contact the Maryland theft defense lawyers of Alpert Schreyer. We have extensive experience representing those charged with Maryland crimes and will work hard to help you defend yourself against these serious charges. Call us at (866) 444-6363 or (301) 262-7005 to schedule a confidential review of your case.

In today’s digital, information-heavy world, many people take steps to protect themselves from identity theft. But many people don’t realize that children can also be victims of identity theft.

In fact, stealing a child’s identity can be even easier than stealing an adult’s, according to the Baltimore County police. Since children don’t have credit cards, mortgages, or other loans, they and their parents rarely check to see if someone is using credit in the child’s name. By the time the child reaches adulthood, he or she may discover that bad credit is already attached to their name - often, by being turned down for a student loan or other financial necessity.

According to the Baltimore County police, the most common thieves of a child’s identity aren’t complete strangers. Rather, they are people who know the child well, such as parents or other close adult relatives. Often, a parent will try to fix a debt-heavy financial situation by getting credit in the child’s name. The parent may have the best intentions of using the credit just enough to get the family out of a tough financial spot. However, if the debts rack up on the child’s account, he or she can literally be stuck with the bill.

If you’ve been charged with identity theft in Maryland, please don’t hesitate to contact an experienced Maryland identity theft defense attorney like those at Alpert Schreyer. We will examine the details of your case carefully and fight for the best possible outcome for your particular situation. Call 866-444-6363 today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

A Maryland man was recently arrested for a series of armed robberies in Maryland and Delaware, according to DelawareOnline.com.

The 31-year-old man was charged with 12 counts of first-degree robbery as well as possessing a deadly firearm, and one count of theft of a firearm in Delaware. Maryland police were also seeking the man as a suspect for an alleged armed robbery and carjacking near Elkton. The police claim that the suspect forced an elderly man to drive him into Wilmington, where he robbed a restaurant. The suspect was captured at a McDonald’s in Newark as he was getting into his girlfriend’s van.

The suspect has been accused of committing 12 robberies in businesses in Glasgow, Wilmington, and Christiana. The suspect is being held in jail after failing to post bond. He is awaiting extradition to Maryland to face robbery charges there.

Robbery charges can be very serious. Individuals who are facing any type of theft charges, including identity theft, burglary, robbery, embezzlement, petty theft, or grand theft need to obtain a skilled attorney as quickly as possible to determine their legal options. If you end up with a theft on your record, employers may be reluctant to hire you in the future.

If you are facing theft charges in Maryland, contact the skilled Maryland criminal defense attorneys at Alpert Schreyer. We have experience in a variety of theft cases, and we can help explain your legal rights and options to you so you can make an informed decision. Contact us today at 1-866-444-6363 to schedule a free consultation.

A recent wjz.com report discussed the arrest of twelve people for being alleged participants in a library theft ring in Maryland. According to the article, police discovered the suspects by tracking overdue books, uncollected fines and missing hardbacks worth thousands of dollars on the Internet. It appears to Police that all twelve suspects played a role in the alleged library theft ring. The twelve suspects allegedly checked out expensive library books, failed to return them, and then sold them online or to used book stores. The value of the 822 stolen library books amounted to more than $87,000.

Police stated that the library book thefts began in November 2008 and went undetected for so long due to each library system allowing up to 75 books to be checked out simultaneously. In addition, prosecutors believe that the ring began checking out books in Prince George’s County Library and then made its way to Harford, Baltimore, Baltimore City, and Carroll counties.

Based on the article, even with the twelve suspects behind bars, this is not a closed case and more indictments may be issued. Prosecutors indicted the group for aggregate theft over $500 which may result in each suspect serving a 15-year sentence if convicted.

Continue reading "Maryland Library Theft Ring: 12 Charged with Stealing Books Worth $87K" »

An article published in the Northern Virginia Daily recently discusses the case of a Winchester man convicted of robbing a Maryland bank with his grandson. The 54-year-old must serve more than 56 years in prison for robbing one bank in 2007 and attempting to rob another lending institution a month later. The official sentence handed down by Judge Catherine C. Blake sentences the man to 56 years and eight months according to information provided in a press release issued by the office of U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.

When the sentence was announced in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, the accused made no statement. A federal jury found the man guilty of various firearms violations and armed bank robbery in March 2009 stemming from a robbery that occurred on October 22, 2007. According to the press release, the man robbed the M&T Bank in Hagerstown of $33,888. In the course of committing the robbery and fleeing the scene, the man fired a shotgun at a police vehicle, stole a handgun, and held a mother and daughter hostage at gunpoint for several hours while he eluded law enforcement officials.

According to testimony from the man’s trial, the 56-year-old enlisted his 18-year-old grandson to assist with the robbery. The grandson, who was 17 at the time the robbery took place, wore pantyhose to conceal his identity during the robbery while his grandfather wore a mask. The grandson was charged in connection with his role in the robbery but agreed to cooperate with investigators. Through a plea bargain with his criminal defense attorney and prosecutors, the grandson’s case was kept in juvenile court.

Continue reading "Maryland Bank Robber Sentenced to 56 Plus Years in Prison" »

Law enforcement authorities are looking for three men in connection with an armed robbery that took place on June 20, 2009. An article published in the University of Maryland’s independent daily student newspaper Diamondback Online, claims that three armed men robbed a dry cleaning business on Route 1 as the store was opening for business. According to a University of Maryland crime alert report, three men entered the rear door of the dry cleaner located in the 7200 block of Baltimore Avenue as it opened for business around 6:30 in the morning. The report said that each of the men displayed a handgun during the robbery, allegedly took money from the cash register and personal property from the employees, and then fled in a burgundy Jeep Cherokee with Maryland license plate 545M727.

At the time the article was published, law enforcement officials investigating the robbery had not yet found the Jeep Cherokee and did not know whether or not the Jeep had been stolen for the purpose of committing the robbery. They also did not release how much money had been taken from the dry cleaner’s register or what personal property had been stolen from the store’s employees. The suspects are described as 18-to 25-year-old black men around 5’8” to 5’10” in height wearing dark clothing with medium to dark complexions.

If apprehended, the men face very serious criminal charges and if they are convicted of committing the armed robbery, they could be subject to severe criminal penalties. Under criminal law, the men could receive the following criminal penalties for robbery and weapons charges in Maryland:

• Many years and even decades in prison


• The inability to lawfully own a firearm


• Probation


• Parole


• Steep fines


• The inability to obtain certain types of employment


• A permanent mark on their record that can have a negative impact for the rest of their life


• And other life-changing criminal penalties

Continue reading "Police Looking for Three Armed Men in Dry Cleaner Robbery" »