Md. group's grant to help victims of ID theft
A Maryland crime victim organization founded to aid those affected by violent crime will expand its efforts to deal with the victims of identity theft using a federal grant, officials announced yesterday.
Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein joined representatives of law enforcement agencies and the Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center to review federal progress in fighting identity fraud. Officials also announced the center's plan to assist victims of identity theft and financial fraud under a $500,000 grant from the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs.
Russell P. Butler, the resource center's executive director, said he also hopes that local attorneys will help by volunteering their time at the center to help victims of identity theft crimes.
Matthew Dolan
Baltimore
: District court
Man sentenced in marriage fraud
U.S. District Judge Andre M. Davis yesterday sentenced James Adjei Kyem to a year and a day in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for marriage fraud, perjury and passport fraud connected to a scheme in which Kyem married immigrants so they could become legal residents.
The judge also ordered Kyem 52, of Frederick, to perform 200 hours of community service.
From 1996 through April 2007, Kyem lived, or claimed in official government documents, to live at more than 21 different addresses in Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia, according to court papers. Prosecutors said during that time, Kyem married nine different immigrant women in those states.
Carroll
: Firefighter
Call asking for fire service funds a scam
Carroll County volunteer firefighters are warning residents of an apparent fundraising scam.
Neal Roop, county government liaison for the Carroll County Emergency Services Association, said yesterday that county residents have reported getting phone calls this month from an out-of-state person claiming to be soliciting funds for the fire service.
The caller is requesting a $50 donation, Roop said.
"No fire departments in Carroll County are making phone calls for solicitations for funds," Roop said, adding that state police are investigating the reports.
Roop urges anyone who receives a phone call asking for money for a fire company or the fire service to call him at 410-848-1488, ext. 209.
Ellie Baublitz
Howard
: Robberies
Man pleads guilty, gets 23 years
A Howard County judge sentenced a man to 23 years in prison yesterday for a string of robberies committed in the course of a month.
Robert Steven Gerhold, 36, who was being held at the Howard County Detention Center and had no previous fixed address, pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery and one count of armed robbery for the series of incidents in July. Prosecutors say he robbed several Howard County gas stations and convenience stores and took several thousand dollars worth of cash and calling cards.
Howard County Circuit Judge Richard S. Bernhardt handed down the sentence despite a request from Gerhold's attorney for an eight-year sentence. Gerhold told the judge that he committed the robberies to get money to pay for drugs.
Tyeesha Dixon
UM
: Medical system
Free health event planned for Sunday
The University of Maryland Medical System will host an event Sunday featuring cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, seminars on heart disease prevention and healthy cooking demonstrations by local chefs at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum.
The free event, dubbed 'From the Heart,' will run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Dr. Yvette Rooks, a family medicine physician at the University of Maryland Medical Center, will conduct mini-seminars on heart health. Organizers say there will be heart-related activities for kids.
A musical tribute to Baltimore jazz singer Ruby Glover, who died last year of a stroke, is also scheduled.
Arundel
: Davidsonville
Man found dead on road identified
Anne Arundel County Police released yesterday the name of a dead man whose body was found Wednesday in Davidsonville, and they said they were investigating his death as a homicide.
Frank Rodney Jones Jr., 38, was found shortly after 8 a.m. by a passer-by on the side of the road in the 2000 block of Brick Church Road. Police said there was "noticeable trauma" to the man's body, but they did not disclose details about his injuries. Jones lived in the 1400 block of Tyler Ave. in Annapolis, police said.
Gus G. Sentementes