Holiday Giving



Each year, the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Adult Drug Treatment Court Program raises money to assist in the purchase of 50 turkeys for the Annapolis Community Turkey Dinner. The event was held on November 24th at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Annapolis. Annapolis Police volunteers helped roast the turkeys, while other participants provided side dishes.

The donations are made in honor of former Drug Court Case Manager Ms. Michelle Ludlow, who spearheaded the Circuit Court Drug Treatment Court's efforts to raise donations to fund 50 turkeys each year. Following Ms. Ludlow's sudden passing in 2021, Drug Court Peer Support Specialist Ms. Sylvia Snowden stepped in to lead the donation drive.

We are truly grateful for all the efforts of Ms. Snowden and the generosity of our staff, who donated a total of $600, as well as the Drug Treatment Court Case Management staff, the Office of the Public Defender, the Annapolis Police Department, and the community for donating and supporting those in need on Thanksgiving!

(Left to right: Deputy State's Attorney Brian Marsh, State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess, SAO's Beth Wilson, Christina Gran, Jane Strong, Drug Court Peer Support Specialist Sylvia Snowden, SAO's William Katcef, Jennifer DuLaney, Deputy State's Attorney Jessica Daigle, and SAO's Ann Potthast)

In addition to the Turkey Drive, our Office donated $260 for a Thanksgiving Food Drive led by members of the Empowering Believers Church. Members provided fresh produce, turkeys, baked goods, and a bag of staples to more than 115 families. The SAO's donation funded extra food to supplement these bags with goodies, including pies, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, and rolls!

We were extremely humbled by the need and gratitude of community members, who formed a line of more than two hours before the distribution opened - a stark reminder of the great need that exists. 

(Top left: State's Attorney Leitess, SAO staff, and members of the Empowering Believers Church)

(Top right: State's Attorney Leitess, SAO's Jackie Flores, and Maxine Smith)

(Bottom right: State's Attorney Leitess greets a community member in need)

In The News

Annapolis Man Found Guilty of First-Degree Assault in Violent Domestic Attack

On November 20, 2025, Timothy Lee Styles, 57, of Annapolis, was found guilty by a jury of First-and Second-Degree Assault, Reckless Endangerment, and False Imprisonment in a domestic-related assault that took place at an Annapolis home in April. He was sentenced this month to 13 years of active incarceration at the Division of Corrections, followed by five years of supervised probation.

"This was a verbal argument that turned increasingly violent against the victim as she attempted to flee to safety," said State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess. "The Defendant threatened to kill the victim, held a knife to her neck, and strangled her to the point that she could not breathe. I am grateful to the jury, who heard the facts and agreed to the seriousness of this domestic attack."

The State was represented by Assistant State's Attorney Isabelle Ferraro on behalf of the citizens of Anne Arundel County. The investigation was led by the Annapolis Police Department.

Click here to read more.

Gambrills Man Receives Maximum Sentence, Lifetime Sex Offender Registry for Rape of 12-year-old Girl

On November 14, 2025, in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, Christopher Steven McGee, 36, of Gambrills, was sentenced to twenty years in prison, the maximum sentence allowed by law, for Second-Degree rape. He must also register as a Tier III sex offender for life. McGee was convicted by Judge Pamela Alban following a three-day bench trial that ended in August.

Following sentencing, State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess commented, "This young survivor showed tremendous courage, and the evidence made unmistakably clear that McGee posed a serious and ongoing threat to children. The court's sentence reflects the gravity of his actions and the danger he presents. Our Office will always stand with survivors of sexual abuse and work tirelessly to safeguard those who cannot protect themselves."

The State was represented by Assistant State's Attorney Sean Fox. Anne Arundel County Police Detective Katerina Brummitt and Child Protective Services conducted the investigation.

Click here to read more.

Jury Finds Jessup Man Guilty of First-Degree Felony Murder in Glen Burnie Homicide

On November 7, 2025, an Anne Arundel County jury found Andy Daniel Aguilar-Amaya, 21, of Jessup, guilty of First-Degree Felony Murder and Robbery.

Aguilar-Amaya was charged in May 2024 in the October 2021 homicide of 26-year-old Gene Fayga Martin. He was subsequently indicted by the Anne Arundel County grand jury the following month.

Following the jury's verdict, State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess commented, "The defendant killed the victim during the course of a robbery, thereby making this a felony first-degree murder. Our laws are meant to deter people from committing dangerous felonies where the death of any person is a foreseeable result."

Leitess added, "I am glad the jury saw this clearly, and their verdict will provide some peace for Mr. Martin's family."

The Honorable Pamela Alban scheduled sentencing for January 7, 2026.

The State was represented by Assistant State's Attorneys David Russell and Jeremy Whitlock. The investigation was led by the Anne Arundel County Police Department.

Click here to read more.

Pasadena Man Sentenced for February 2025 Domestic Assault

On November 5, 2025, The Honorable Stacy McCormack sentenced Robert Wallace Grim, 66, of Pasadena, to 25 years, with all but nine years suspended, to be served at the Division of Corrections. The sentence follows the August 2025 plea to Felony First-Degree Assault in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court.

"This was not only a terrible assault by the victim's boyfriend, but what makes this particularly egregious is that he held the injured victim against her will for hours," said State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess. "The Defendant has shown no remorse or accountability for his actions. The top-of-the-guidelines sentence addresses the need for significant prison time for the protection of the victim."

The State was represented by Assistant State's Attorney Shane Nolan. The investigation was led by the Anne Arundel County Police Department.

Click here to read more.

Community Engagement



Cyber Safety Presentation at St. Martin's-in-the-Field Episcopal School

Last month, Deputy State's Attorney Brian Marsh visited St. Martin's-in-the-Field Episcopal School in Severna Park to provide our Cyber Safety Presentation to 5th-8th grade students!

It was wonderful being back to teach these impressionable students about the dangers that lurk on smartphones and computers, the impacts of cyberbullying, and the consequences for online behavior.

If your school or organization would like to learn more about staying safe in the digital world, we are here to help.

Click here to request a presentation today!

(Deputy State's Attorney Brian Marsh at St. Martin's-in-the-Field Episcopal School in Severna Park)

UMD Law School Career Exploration Fair



We had a wonderful time attending the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law's Career Exploration Fair!

Assistant State's Attorney Rachel Severance and Public Information Officer Will Cockey shared details of our Office's Summer Clerkship Program, which provides law students with hands-on experience supporting our prosecutors.

(Assistant State's Attorney Rachel Severance gives details about the SAO Summer Clerkship Program)

Second Annual Wellness Celebration, Hosted by AACPS



On November 5th, SAO Juvenile Justice Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Coordinator Maxine Smith attended the Second Annual Wellness Celebration (Celebración del Bienestar), a Hispanic Wellness Event for Spanish-speaking families, at Severna Park High School. The event was hosted by Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

Ms. Smith shared information about the resources she provides to AACPS students throughout the county.

(Maxine Smith, MSW, LCSW-C, State's Attorney's Office, greets guests at the SAO table )