In the News
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Conviction in Gold Bar Scam Case
February, 27 2025
In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Sharon Burrell, defendant, Neel Patel, 24, of Carol Stream, IL, entered a guilty plea to one count of theft over $100,000 and one count of conspiracy to commit theft over $100,000.
Patel faces up to 20 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 9, 2025.
On March 5, 2024, Patel stole $331,817.54 worth of gold bars from a 64-year-old victim who was made to believe she was handing over the precious metal to FBI agents for safekeeping. The theft was part of a ‘gold bar scam.’
Assistant State’s Attorneys Hannah Gleason and Robert Hill are prosecuting this case.
Conviction in Gold Bar Scam Case
February, 31 2025
Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Sharon Burrell, defendant Vipul Thakkar, 53, of Owings Mills, pleaded guilty to the following charges:
theft over $25,000 to under $100,000
conspiracy to commit theft
financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult $25,000 to $100,000
attempted theft over $100,000
conspiracy to commit theft over $100,000
financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult over $100,000
In total, the charges carry a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison. Thakkar is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on April 29, 2025.
Thakkar was part of a Gold Bar Scam, targeting elderly victims for gold. On July 24, 2024, Thakkar was arrested when he arrived at a victim’s house in Bethesda to pick up $246,500 worth of gold bars. Through the course of the investigation, detectives with the Montgomery County Police Financial Crimes Section determined that on July 16, 2024, Thakkar picked up $40,000 in cash from an 80-year-old victim in a shopping center parking lot located at 3860 International Drive in Silver Spring.
Assistant State’s Attorneys Hannah Gleason and Robert Hill are prosecuting this case.
Speak up save a life winner
January, 31 2025
Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, in two separate hearings, the Honorable Terrence McGann sentenced defendants, Elmer Lopez-Cortez, 25, of Silver Spring, and Junior Del-Cid, 21, of Takoma Park, to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He also sentenced each defendant to three additional consecutive life sentences plus 105 years in prison.
Lopez-Cortez, Del-Cid and a third co-defendant were convicted by a jury on August 30, 2024, on charges of First-Degree Murder, three counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder, four counts of Use of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence, and Participation in a Criminal Organization Resulting in Death, for the shooting death of 19-year-old Willians Anderson Alberto Cruz and for shooting at three additional victims, two of whom were hit and survived their injuries. It was the first time a defendant was convicted on the charge of Participation in a Criminal Organization Resulting in Death in Montgomery County, MD.
Co-defendant Elvin Guzman-Machato, 20, was convicted along with Lopez-Cortez and Del-Cid. He is scheduled for sentencing on February 21, 2025.
The fourth co-defendant, Jonathan Leon-Chacon, 26, of Silver Spring, is still pending trial.
This stems from an incident on November 9, 2022. The victims and defendants were previously unknown to each other. The four defendants have been validated by Montgomery County Police as members of the La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang. As stated during trial, the State submits that the motive for the shooting was retribution for defaced gang graffiti in the forested area next to the parking lot where the shooting occurred. Del-Cid and Lopez-Cortez opened fire on the victims after the defendants became convinced the group was responsible for defacing the graffiti. Guzman-Machado and Leon-Chacon waited in the get-away vehicle. The victims were standing around a vehicle, listening to music, when they were suddenly fired upon. They attempted to run for their lives. Victim, Alberto Cruz, died at the scene. The two other victims, who were hit multiple times, were treated at the hospital for their injuries. The fourth victim was the only one to escape without a gunshot wound.
Assistant State’s Attorneys Teresa Casafranca and Kimberly Cissel are handling prosecution of these cases.
Speak up save a life winner
January, 05 2025
Hundreds of middle and high schoolers turned out for the Save a Student Summit hosted by Montgomery County Public Schools on Saturday, January 4, 2025. The students and their parents attended workshops and seminars focused on the dangers of illicit opioid use and fentanyl. They were provided with information about life-saving resources available through the county and state of Maryland including Narcan training and free Narcan kits.
The grand finale of the summit was the announcement of winners in the State’s Attorney’s Office’s ‘Speak Up Save a Life’ student video PSA contest.
The first-place winners, Erol Kalayoglu and Zachary Carter, who are juniors at Montgomery Blair High School, were also selected as the Fan Favorite by MCPS students. They won a total of $4,750 for their video entitled “You Have One Life Not Nine.”
The second-place prize, $2,000, was awarded to T.J. Lau, a student at Julius West Middle School, for his video, “ 2mg Killer.” Two students from The Heights School, Sully Dettleff and Thomas Cooney, were awarded the third-place prize of $750 for their video, “Protect a Friend.”
The generous prize donors, Magnolia Companies and The Good Samaritan Fund, surprised the ten remaining groups of finalists with $500 each.
State’s Attorney John McCarthy said, “Through this contest, we enlist middle and high school students to help spread awareness and life-saving messages about illicit opioid use and the dangers of fentanyl. We received more than 600 entries, many from groups of students working together, meaning thousands participated. The production value and creativity was outstanding.” He continued “While reviewing the entries we noted a common theme this year. Many of the videos focused on the pressure and stress of academics and teen life. We are gaining insight from this video contest. We need to help our young people make better choices and support them, so they don’t turn to drugs as a means of coping with the anxiety they have in their lives.”
The State’s Attorney’s Office would like to thank Montgomery County Public Schools, the PTSA and Montgomery Goes Purple for their partnership in these efforts. We have tremendous gratitude for Magnolia Companies and the Good Samaritan Fund who provide support in honor of two young community members lost to fentanyl, Michael Pisarra and Matthew Loudon.
Defendant, Callen Baker, 21, of Jefferson, MD, is sentenced to 400 years in prison
Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Marielsa Bernard sentenced defendant, Callen Baker, 21, of Jefferson, MD, to 400 years in prison suspend all but 30 years to serve plus five years of supervised probation upon release. The judge recommended Baker be admitted to the Patuxent Youthful Offenders Program while incarcerated.
Baker and a co-defendant, Zachary Ciccantelli, were convicted on charges related to a hail of gunfire in the 700 block of Monroe Street in Rockville on March 1, 2023. Ciccantelli fired the gunshots. Baker provided Ciccantelli with the handgun and drove the getaway vehicle. There was a school bus dropping off children at the time which captured the sounds of gunfire and the getaway car fleeing on its surveillance video. Co-defendant Ciccantelli is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on September 13, 2024.
Assistant State’s Attorneys Teresa Casafranca and Kimberly Cissel are prosecuting this case. The State would like to thank Rockville City Police who led the investigation and Montgomery County Police Department for their assistance.
“If you’re willing to engage in this type of activity you belong in jail, and for a long time. There was zero regard for the innocent lives in close proximity to the reckless gunfire. We thank the judge for this sentence, which should send a clear message that this terrifying behavior will not be tolerated,” said State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
Maryland Teenager Sentenced to 18 Years for Shooting Student at Magruder High
A judge sentenced a teenager to 18 years in prison on Thursday after he was accused of using a ghost gun to shoot another student at Magruder High School in Maryland in January. Steven Alston Jr., 18, previously pleaded guilty to the charge of attempted first-degree murder. While incarcerated, Alston will be admitted into the Patuxent Youthful Offender Program.
“This is the first time that we’ve ever had a shooting in a Montgomery County Public School,” Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said.
Montgomery County officials work to combat rising drug overdose deaths in young people.
McCarthy held a presentation about the issue at Thomas S. Wootton High School on Thursday. He spoke with Wootton seniors about the about the state’s good Samaritan law:
If you see someone overdosing, call 9-1-1. "I am telling you as the state’s attorney and under the law in Maryland and our good Samaritan doctrines, make the call, bring in those emergency people, save the life of that young person. I think that’s the highest priority, saving lives," said McCarthy.
State's Attorney, John McCarthy Testifies to Maryland Legislators to Ban Ghost Guns
Legislation banning ghost guns in Maryland is making its way through Annapolis.
It comes at a critical time as local jurisdictions report more incidents of crime involving these untraceable guns.
State’s Attorney John McCarthy pledges to protect reproductive rights.
The State's Attorney's Office will not participate in the extradition of any person who travels to Maryland as a safe haven in order to obtain an abortion, nor cooperate with any investigative efforts to identify providers.
It is the position of the State’s Attorney’s Office that no state would have the legal authority to pass a law that would criminalize the legal activity of a woman who came to Maryland to obtain a medical procedure. The State’s Attorney’s Office for Montgomery County will continue to protect the privacy and HIPAA rights of anyone who receives medical care in the state of Maryland.
John McCarthyThe Magnolia Companies has proudly chosen to partner with the State's Attorney's Office for Montgomery County in support of their program, "Speak Up, Save a Life."
John J. McCarthy
State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, Maryland30 Years for Defendant in Love Triangle Stabbing Murder
Defendant, Denzel Kasaka, was sentenced by the honorable Judge David Lease to 40 years suspend all but 30 for the death of Jose Ruiz.
During trial, A.S.A.s Donna Fenton and Jennifer Harrison explained how the defendant used Instagram to threaten and stalk his ex-girlfriend and the victim, locating them in a parking lot, exiting his vehicle and engaging in a fist fight with the victim. Denzel Kasaka then retrieved a knife from his vehicle and stabbed Jose Ruiz to death. During the press conference following sentencing, S.A. McCarthy took the opportunity to mention how the SAO is supporting legislation in Annapolis that would broaden the definition of stalking to include electronic devices.
John J. McCarthy
State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, MarylandDentist Charged with Murder of Girlfriend
Germantown oral surgeon, Dr. James Ryan, is charged with second-degree murder for the overdose death of his girlfriend and former patient, Sarah Harris. S.A. McCarthy joined Police Chief Marcus Jones for a press conference following the arrest.
A.S.A.s Kimberly Cissel, Jennifer Harrison and Jim Dietrich are prosecuting the case along with Marybeth Ayers. Ryan has been ordered held without bond.
John J. McCarthy
State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, MarylandMaryland Legislators Aim to Ban Ghost Guns
Video - NBC Washington
John J. McCarthy
State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, MarylandCourt Upholds Involuntary Manslaughter Charge for Fire in Secret Tunnels in Bethesda
Article - NBC Washington
John J. McCarthy
State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, MarylandMan Sentenced to 30 years for killing lover's husband in 2014.
Article - Bethesda Magazine
John J. McCarthy
State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, MarylandMagruder High School Students Return 4 Days After Shooting
Students at Magruder High School in Montgomery County, Maryland, are set to return to school Tuesday, four days after a student was shot on campus. News4's Juliana Valencia reports on how students are showing resiliency and support for the community.
Video - NBC News Washington
John J. McCarthy
State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, MarylandThe Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office leads the way in Reform and Innovation
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State’s Attorney John McCarthy Asks Independent Researchers to Look for Possible Bias in Prosecutor Process.
As State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, my primary objective is to maintain public safety for all members of our diverse community. Critical to that mission is ensuring that criminal prosecutions are handled fairly and equitably across racial and ethnic lines. Read More… (pdf file)
Prosecutor Performance Indicators (PPI)
Montgomery County’s top prosecutor has launched an investigation into whether racial bias plays a role in Prosecutor decisions within his own office. By Dan Morse, The Washington Post
The Montgomery County State’s Attorney is Putting His Own Office Under the Microscope.
Independent researchers will examine how county prosecutors administer justice. By Cory Smith, News 4 Washington
The Montgomery County States Attorney's Office is a Model of Reform.
State’s Attorney John McCarthy announced a study to closely examine whether his own office has demonstrated a racial bias in Prosecutor decisions. That’s an extraordinary move, given that if bias is found by the independent research team, it will inevitably point a finger at Mr. McCarthy who is, after all, in charge of the office. That an elected official is willing to take this leap is not just a credit to him but should perhaps become a model for every state’s attorney in Maryland. By The Baltimore Sun Editorial Board
Moving forward, prosecutors and police must pave the way to public trust.
Moving forward, prosecutors and police must pave the way to public trust
As state's attorneys, our primary goal is to maintain public safety for all members of our communities. We must ensure that we hold to a philosophy of service and protection to the community rather than a militaristic warrior mentality. Integrity matters, and true public safety can be achieved only if we work together. Paving a pathway to public trust is that first step.
Article - June 2020 Event
John J. McCarthy
State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, MarylandState’s Attorney's Office Seeks Justice for Youth Killed in Tunnel, Stock Trader Daniel Beckwitt Held Accountable in Death of Askia Khafra
State's Attorney's Office Seeks Justice for Youth Killed in Tunnel, Stock Trader Daniel Beckwitt Held Accountable in Death of Askia Khafra.
The 2nd Degree Depraved Heart Murder Conviction of the Bethesda man exposes him to 30 years in prison. SA John McCarthy commends jury for seeing the recklessness and extreme lack of regard for human life of the defendant, praises family for strength and faithfulness under difficult circumstances.