In The News
25 Black Marylanders to Watch for 2023, plus 5 Living Legends
- Details
Bates graduated from William & Mary Law School in 1995 and began a legal career that has, so far, spanned more than 25 years and culminated with his swearing-in as Baltimore State’s Attorney. Read more.
Mayor Scott to back SA Bates' gun legislation that now has bipartisan support
- Details
“I look forward to supporting the state’s attorney. I told his staff earlier today that if they need me to come testify, I’ll be there to work with them, absolutely,” Scott said. Read more.
Baltimore man sentenced to life in prison for two 2021 murders
- Details
"This defendant is a repeat violent offender who took two lives in two days with clearly no regard for humanity or the law," Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates said. "It is apparent to me that he should never be on the streets of our city again. My heart goes out to the families and community members impacted by these devastating acts of violence." Read more.
Congress' witness protection bill hopes to curb 'stop snitching' culture
- Details
New Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates sees a lot of potential in this bill. For one, he said it would allow his office to gain additional attorneys to specifically prosecute witness intimidation. Read more.
Baltimore state’s attorney to conduct new review of ATF report into blaze that killed 3 firefighters
- Details
Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates said his office will conduct a new review of a federal investigation into a fire a year ago that killed three firefighters in a vacant West Baltimore rowhouse. Read more.
SA Bates pushes for tougher gun offense sentences while concerns remain in Annapolis
- Details
On day one in office, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates said his legislative push included evening the sentencing maximums for misdemeanor gun offenses. Bates said if a defendant is between 18 and 20 years of age, the maximum sentence was five years, but for offenders over the age of 21, he said the max penalty was three years. Read more.
Life sentence sought for suspect in Baltimore jail killing
- Details
Weeks later, authorities announced charges against his cellmate, Gordon Staron, 34, who had been locked up since September after his arrest in the deadly stabbing of Keith Bell, 63, near a Baltimore bus stop. Jail officials have refused to answer questions about why Staron was housed with Gantt, a disabled man facing relatively minor charges. Read more.
State’s Attorney Ivan Bates will handle prosecution of man accused of fatally stabbing deaf cellmate in Baltimore jail
- Details
The development came to light Friday morning during a routine Reception Court appearance for Gordon Staron, who is charged with murder in two cases: Gantt’s death and the fatal stabbing of 63-year-old Keith Bell in September. Read more.
Man pleads guilty to 2021 murder of Baltimore church volunteer Evelyn Player
- Details
"This case was deeply traumatic for everyone in the community and especially for the family of Evelyn Player, a matriarch of the neighborhood, who can never be replaced," Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates said. "This plea allows the family to receive closure and process their grief, resulting in a lengthy sentence that will ensure this dangerous individual never returns to the streets of our city again." Read more.
Baltimore prosecutor, police commissioner appear before Senate panel over gun violence
- Details
Bates is lobbying state lawmakers to make the possession of an illegal firearm a five-year maximum offense across the board. He emphasized this is not a mandatory minimum sentence. Read more.