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.
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**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.
