Two are charged in connection with a homicide in 2022.
Frederick, Md (KM) Two individuals charged in connection with a homicide almost two years ago are among the nine defendants indicted on Friday by the Frederick County Grand Jury.
Hakeem Earnest Sampson, 27, of Washington DC is charged with 1st-degree murder; conspiracy to commit 1st-degree murder; 2nd-degree murder; use of a firearm in crime in a felony crime of violence; two counts of 1st-degree assault; having a loaded handgun on his person; having a loaded handgun in a vehicle; and having a handgun in a vehicle.
Also indicted as a co-defendant is Benjamin Michael Johnson, 37, of Hyattsville, Maryland, who is charged with being an accessory after the fact in a 1st-degree murder; being accessory after the fact in a 2nd-degree murder; possession of a firearm with a felony conviction; having a handgun on his person; 1st-degree murder; conspiracy to commit 1st-degree murder; two counts of 1st-degree assault; two counts of conspiracy to commit 1st-degree assault; and the use of a firearm in a felony crime of violence.
These charges come from the shooting death of Michael Isiah Olaniyi.
Frederick Police say during the early morning hours of July 23rd, 2022, a officer on patrol near the 300 block of North Market Street heard gunshots. Police responded to the area, and found Olaniyi with a gunshot wound. He was taken to Frederick Health Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities say Johnson was seen on a video in the area taking an individual to the scene, and taking him away after the shooting.
Sampson was arrested last month in Virginia. Johnson was taken into custody in January, 2023.
Other defendants indicted by the Grand Jury on Friday are:
*Kent Thomas Friend, 59, of Sabillsville, Md. who is charged with 1st-degree assault; 2nd-degree assault; reckless endangerment; influencing a witness in a felony case; influencing a witness; and violation of his release conditions for incidents which occurred between February 11th, 2024 to February 23rd, 2024.
*Rockline Noyer Ngu, 35, of Frederick, who is charged with 2nd-degree child abuse by a custodian; and 2nd-degree assault for an incident which occurred on January 29th, 2024.
*Shaunte Marie Dotson, 30, of Frederick, who is charged two counts of 1st-degree assault; one count of 2nd-degree child abuse by a custodian; and two counts of 2nd-degree assault for incidents which occurred between January 30th, 2023 to February 5th, 2024.
*Noel Lyn Ay, 35, of Woodsboro, who is charged with extortion with a value of between $1,000 to $10,000 for incidents which occurred between December 18th, 2023 and December 20th, 2023.
Both of these individual were indicted at co-defendants:
*Matthew Joseph Martin, 34,of Martinsburg, WV, who is charged with possession with intent to distribute and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; possession of methamphetamine; possession of fentanyl; possession of paraphernalia: various packaging for cocaine; digital scale for cocaine for an incident on January 11th, 2024
*Kiesha Necole Lindsay, 44, of Martinsburg, WV, who is charged with possession with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; possession of paraphernalia (crack pipe);,and cylindrical blue container for cocaine for an incident which occurred on January 11th, 2024.
*Rodney K. Surrett, 39,of Baltimore, Md., who is charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession of heroin; possession of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute a fentanyl- heroin mix; driving without a license; and displaying expired registration plats for an incident which occurred on January 17th, 2024.
These indictments move these cases to the Circuit Court where trial dates will be scheduled.
The Fredrick County State’s Attorney’s Office says indictments are charging documents alleging criminal conduct and all defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
By Kevin McManus