In The News

Former Baltimore Teacher Receives Maximum Penalty For Student Sex Abuse

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Mustafa Pitts, 48, was found guilty on July 16 of two counts of sexual abuse of a minor, and faced a total penalty of 55 years in prison, the state's attorney said previously. Read more.

Sister of Baltimore homicide victim pleads guilty to witness intimidation during trial

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Kendal Holt, Cameran's sister, was convicted of sending threatening text messages to a witness after the witness testified during the homicide trial of Alexis Cancel-Soto, Bates said. Read more.

Cameran Holt's sister pleads guilty to felony witness intimidation, state's attorney says

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Kendal pleaded guilty to felony witness intimidation for sending a threatening text message to a witness after the witness testified in the first homicide trial concerning Cameran's death. Read more.

19 people indicted for West Baltimore drug trafficking schemes related to mass overdoses

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In July, two separate mass overdose incidents in Baltimore's Penn North neighborhood sent nearly 32 people to the hospital. In early October, seven people were hospitalized after police reported that 11 more people had overdosed in the same neighborhood. Read more.

State's Attorney Ivan Bates pledges no victim will be left behind in new ad campaign

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“My number one goal will always be to ensure that no victim of crime is every left feeling hopeless of helpless,” Bates says in a new TV and radio ad. Read more.

Bates to cut ties with mayor’s public safety office, citing ‘cloak of secrecy’

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Bates outlined numerous complaints about the office, known as MONSE, and programs it funds, which he said operate behind a “veil of secrecy,” according to a seven-page letter sent to Mayor Brandon Scott Tuesday and obtained by The Banner. Bates wrote that, in light of “recent events and reports,” it was clear MONSE does not share his values of integrity and transparency. Read more.

Joint Statement from Mayor Brandon M. Scott, State's Attorney Ivan J. Bates, Police Commissioner Richard Worley, and Department of Transportation Director Veronica McBeth

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"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Gregory Turnipseed, an employee of the Baltimore City Department of Transportation. Last month, while on duty, Mr. Turnipseed suffered significant injuries as a result of a physical assault. A suspect involved in the assault has been arrested, and an investigation is underway. Read more.

9 indicted in Texas-to-Maryland cocaine trafficking ring

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Authorities on Tuesday said they arrested nine people in connection with a drug trafficking network that transported a large amount of cocaine from Texas to Maryland, with drugs stashed in homes across the region, including in Southeast Baltimore City and in Baltimore County. Read more.

Twelfth graduation ceremony of DCREP | PHOTOS

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Nicole Pastore, associate judge of the district court of Maryland for Baltimore City gestures toward Myles Hutton, now a traffic roads marker with Mullen’s Markings after Ivan Bates, Baltimore City state’s attorney suggested that Hutton petition the court for probation before judgment during the twelfth graduation ceremony of DCREP, or Baltimore City District Court Re-Entry Project held at Eastside District Court. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Read more. 

Man charged in 2022 Stricker Street blaze that killed 3 Baltimore firefighters

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The suspect, 57-year-old James Barnett, was charged in June 2023 with a series of burglaries in the Carrollton Ridge neighborhood, including the morning of the fatal fire on Jan. 24, 2022. But authorities at that time stopped short of linking him to the blaze, and that burglary case fell apart, with Barnett being acquitted. Read more.