Gunman in Armed Robbery of Columbia Cab Driver to Serve Five Years

crime_scene
A Columbia, Maryland, man who appears to have participated in an armed robbery of a taxi driver last spring was sentenced to five years in prison.*

The man in question is just 20 years old. He was the last of four Columbia young men, each of them teenagers at the time of the incident, who participated in the crime to be sentenced. All of them have pleaded guilty.

Judge Richard S. Bernhardt of the Howard County Circuit Court sentenced the man after the accused submitted a guilty plea for armed robbery and conspiracy charges relating to the actual event. It appears that the man in question got into the cab on March 1st at Sweet Fern, heading to Sewells Orchard. As they drove, one teen began to choke the driver. The passenger in the front seat then said, “I’m going to kill you.”

The driver accelerated and rammed a tree. The airbags deployed and the driver ran away during the distraction.
Police arrived and found a yellow karate belt and a black BB gun. They used cell phone data to link the teens to the crime.

The other teens’ sentences ranged from 18 months in jail to a suspended sentence with five years’ probation. Additionally, the young men must repay the cab driver $4,187.02 in restitution.

Award-Winning Attorney Fights Hard for Clients

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has a longstanding reputation for building strong cases for the defense due to his care and respect for his clients, his thorough preparation and his knowledge of the law. His results speak for themselves.

Mr. Smith’s 30-plus years of results have earned him recognition among both his peers and his clients. Among the recognitions he has received are:

Maryland Super Lawyer List
Listed in the Top 100 Lawyers in Maryland by Super Lawyers (2014)
10.0 Superb as a litigation attorney by AVVO, the consumer review website
AV-Preeminent,** the highest peer rating by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, for the past 25 years in a row

The Smith Law Firm handles cases involving drug charges, theft offenses, violent crimes including murder defense and adult sex offenses. We represent clients throughout Maryland, including Columbia, Clarksville, Sykesville, Fulton, Elkridge, Frederick, Mt. Airy, Ellicott City, Laurel, Westminster and Baltimore, and throughout Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

Former Maryland Prosecutor Fights for the Defense

Mr. Smith brings more than 30 years of experience to each individual case. Before he turned to criminal defense, he served in the Maryland prosecutor’s office, learning how the state prepares and presents criminal defense cases. He anticipates the state’s moves and uses his experience to build a strong case in your defense.

Contact Our Office

Find out how attorney Jonathan Scott Smith can help you. Contact us by e-mail or call our office at 410-740-0101 to schedule an appointment. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

*http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/columbia/ph-ho-cf-taxi-attempted-murder-20140210,0,1876139.story#ixzz2th0QI5gq

**AV® Preeminent™, BV® Distinguished™ and Rated are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings fall into two categories — legal ability and general ethical standards.

Police say Edgewater man was making methamphetamine in his basement

Valentine’s Day was not full of love for
meth
one young Edgewater man. In fact, the 22-year-old was busted on this special day for making methamphetamine in his uncle’s basement according to The Baltimore Sun. Evidently, he chose the wrong basement.

Residents in a house nearby called Anne Arundel County Police complaining of a man who was acting in an unusual manner. After police arrived, they noticed an unusual chemical smell, and the man himself admitted he’d been making meth. Too much “Breaking Bad,” the show about a chemistry teacher who turns to meth-making for all the wrong or right reasons, depending on how you look at it, gives young men bad ideas, perhaps.

Police and fire fighters evacuated the area, as there were many combustible, dangerous chemicals in the basement. Residents were also treated for potential toxic exposure to dangerous materials. Meth making is a dangerous process, and in this case, the quality of the air was even checked to see if it was safe. It was safe.

The 22-year-old man is facing charges of possession of methamphetamine and illegally manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance.

Skilled Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney

Jonathan Scott Smith is a former Maryland prosecutor turned criminal defense attorney. He understands criminal law from both sides. This thorough understanding of criminal law, coupled with his extensive experience, helps him build strong, cases for his clients’ defense.

We Fight for Your Rights

In addition to defending those accused of drug offenses, defense attorney smith also represents adults and minors accused of everything from robbery, theft, sex offenses, drunk driving, and other crimes. We represent clients throughout Maryland, including Columbia, Clarksville, Sykesville, Fulton, Elkridge, Frederick, Mt. Airy, Ellicott City, Laurel, Westminster, and Baltimore and throughout Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

Contact The Smith Criminal Defense Law Firm

In addition to our criminal defense practice, lawyer Jonathan Scott Smith also represents clients involved in personal injury, medical malpractice, and drunk driving cases throughout Maryland.

To discuss your situation with an attorney who can help, please contact us by e-mail or call our office at 410-740-0101 to schedule an appointment. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results — has earned him the recognition of his peers and clients:

Maryland Super Lawyer.
Top 100 Lawyers in Maryland by Super Lawyers (2014)
“10.0 Superb” as a litigation attorney by AVVO.
“Client’s Choice Award” by AVVO, based on average client reviews of 5 stars – the highest client review possible.
Client Distinction Award (Client Review Rating of 4.5 or higher on 5.0 scale – less than 4% of 900,000+ attorneys listed by Martindale-Hubbell)
Top Attorneys in Maryland (American Registry)(2013)
Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and Martindale-Hubbell (2013)
The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers (by invitation only and limited to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers from each state).
“AV-Preeminent™*” Highest Peer Rating by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (25 consecutive years).

**AV® Preeminent™, BV® Distinguished™, and Rated are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.

Jonathan Scott Smith Criminal Defense Firm

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