These cases now move to Circuit Court where trial dates will be scheduled.
Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County Grand Jury handed down ten indictments on Friday. That included Ezra Malik Smith, 24, who is charged with two counts of possession of a firearm with a conviction for a crime of violence or a felony; possession of a rifle with a felony conviction; possession with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine on school property; drug distribution with a firearm; use of a firearm in drug trafficking; two counts of illegal possession of a regulated firearm; illegal possession of ammunition; and resisting arrest.
He was arrested on Tuesday, February 25th as he was leaving his apartment building on Motter Avenue in Frederick. The Sheriff’s Office says Smith put up a brief struggle with police before being handcuffed. Authorities says Smith had a handgun and some drugs on his person as well as drug paraphernalia. His apartment was searched, and the Sheriff’s Office says another handgun was found along with a rifle, and crack cocaine and powder cocaine.
Authorities say Smith’s arrest was part of a multi-agency effort to combat the trafficking of narcotics around the Washington DC and Baltimore areas.
Other indictments on Friday:
*Bruce Eugene Jacobs, 58, of Rocky Ridge, Md., who is charged with 1st-degree assault, 2nd-degree assault, use of a firearm in a felony or violent crime; nine counts of possession of a shotgun with a disqualifying crime conviction; 19 counts of possession of a rifle with a disqualifying criminal conviction; five counts of illegal possession of a regulated firearm; and illegal possession of ammunition for offenses which occurred on February 14th and 15th, 2025.
*Senay Gerbremariam, 27, of Essex, Md. who is charged with the 2nd-degree rape; 3rd-degree sex offense on a helpless and impaired victim; and 2nd-degree assault for an offense which occurred on November 13th, 2023.
*James Emanuel Killings, 33, of Vanwert, Oh., who is charged with 1st-degree assault, 2nd-degree assault, malicious destruction of property; and reckless endangerment for an offense which occurred on February 26th, 2025.
These next six individual are all co-defendants:
*Maranda Chere Pearson, 27, of Cumberland, Md., who is charged with possession with intent to distribute a large amount of cocaine; use of a firearm in a drug trafficking crime; distribution of drugs with a firearm; conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute a large amount of cocaine; conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to distribute drugs using a firearm; having a loaded handgun in a vehicle; illegal possession of a regulated firearm. for an offense which occurred on December 5th, 2024.
*Demond Arthur Scott, 37, of Cumberland, Md., who is charged with possession with intent to distribute a large amount of cocaine; possession of cocaine; use of a firearm in drug trafficking crime; drug distribution with a firearm; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a large amount of cocaine; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a large amount of cocaine; conspiracy to use a firearm for a drug trafficking crime; having a loaded handgun in a vehicle; having a handgun in a vehicle; possession of a firearm with a conviction for a felony or a crime of violence; possession of regulated firearm; and 4th degree burglary for an offense which occurred on December 5th ,2024.
*James Richardson Mitchell, 36, of Baltimore, Md. who is charged with possession with intent to distribute a large amount of cocaine and possession of a large amount of cocaine; use of a firearm in a drug trafficking crime; drug distribution with a firearm; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a large amount of cocaine; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to use a firearm in a drug trafficking crime; having a loaded handgun in a vehicle; having a handgun in a vehicle; possessing a firearm with a conviction of a felony or a crime of violence; illegal possession of a regulated firearm; and having a handgun on his person for an offense which occurred on December 5th, 2034.
* Alyssa E. Hockenberry, 22, of Cumberland, Md. who is charged with possession of a large amount and possession with intent to distribute cocaine; use of a firearm in a drug trafficking crime; distribution of drugs using a firearm. conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a large amount of drugs; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to use a firearm for drug trafficking; having a loaded handgun in a vehicle; having a handgun in a vehicle for an offense which occurred on December 5th, 2024.
*Diallo Deshawn Jackson, 32, of Baltimore, Md,, who is charged with possession of a large amount of cocaine; and possession of cocaine; conspiracy to possess a large amount of cocaine with intent to distribute; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; and conspiracy to possess cocaine for an offense which occurred on December 5th ,2024
* Sierra Michelle McManaway, 35, of Frostburg, Md., who is charged with possession with intent a large amount of cocaine; possession of cocaine; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a large amount of cocaine; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. conspiracy to possess cocaine; possession of drug paraphernalia, (crack pipe) for an offense which occurred on December 5th, 2024
These indictments move these cases to Circuit Court where trial dates will be scheduled.
The State’s Attorney’s Office says indictments are charging documents alleging criminal conduct, and all defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
By Kevin McManus