Federal drug agents and prosecutors don't often have occasion to venture into St. Mary's County. But last year, Cpl. Mark Howard, a county sheriff's deputy and DEA task force member, helped spearhead an investigation that culminated in federal charges against 12 local men accused of trafficking and distributing crack cocaine there. How rare was such an investigation? U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said total number of people charged from St. Mary's County in recent years - about 50 - may be more than the number charged federally in previous years combined. One defendant actually went by the nickname "Barney Fife," and one of the places they are accused of storing the drugs was a Mechanicsville barn, according to court records.
Howard was one of 13 people recognized yesterday by the U.S. Attorney's Office for their work over the past year. In addition to Howard, those honored included the family of Warren Fleming, a man who was killed in a 2006 carjacking. His accused killer was set free in 2007 after a Baltimore County judge ruled that fingerprint evidence was not admissible in a capital case. Rosenstein, who said he didn't want to criticize the judge but called the decision "unusual," praised the Fleming family's "dignity and grace" in urging federal prosecutors to seek justice for Warren and waiting as the case played out. Rose pleaded guilty in January and received 40 years in prison.
Warren's father Wayne T. Fleming Sr. received the Carl S. Lackl Award, created last year in honor of the Baltimore County murder witness who was killed to silence his testimony. The family received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Others who were recognized included:
-Debra L. Dwyer and Kwame J. Manley, for their work prosecuting a heroin gang called "Special." Rosenstein said the prosecutors were subjected to personal attacks by the defendants, and in a rare move, members of the jury asked to meet with the attorneys after the trial to express their appreciation for their work on the case.
-Michael C. Hanlon and Christopher M. Mason, for prosecution of the Tree Top Pirus gang. One of the defendants was Ronnie Thomas, better known as "Skinny Suge" from the Stop Snitching DVD. "Skinny will not be producing anymore videos," Rosenstein quipped.
-Jamie M. Bennett was recognized for excellence in the prosecution of fraud, and Barbara S. Skalla was recognized for excellence in prosecution of organized crime. Tamera L. Fine's work on an identity theft task force won outstanding contribution to a law enforcement initiative. Stuart A. Berman won the Gary P. Jordan award.