Seven Baltimore Police Officers of the Gun Task Force now convicted of robbery and fraud in Federal Court. Taylor and Hersl were found guilty by a jury of their peers on Feb. 12, 2018, while six have now pleaded guilty.

Crooked Baltimore Cops Hersl and Taylor Convicted of Robbing Drug Dealers as well as Innocent Victims, and Fleecing Taxpayers of Overtime

THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY – Now on newsstands in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia – AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE ON AMAZON – FREE FOR KINDLE UNLIMITED CUSTOMERS

BALTIMORE, MD.  – While six of their co-defendants entered guilty pleas, two Baltimore Police officers assigned to the Gun Trace Task Force decided to contest the corruption charges against them.

Hersl and Taylor each face 20 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy, 20 years in prison for racketeering, and 20 years in prison for Hobbs Act Robbery. 

On February 12, 2018, a federal jury convicted Detective Daniel Thomas Hersl, 47, of Joppa, Maryland and Detective Marcus Roosevelt Taylor, 30, of Glen Burnie, Maryland for racketeering conspiracy and racketeering offenses, including robbery and overtime fraud.

Hersl and Taylor were convicted of racketeering conspiracy, racketeering, and Hobbs Act Robbery. The two defendants were acquitted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

In some cases, there was no evidence of criminal conduct by the victims; the officers stole money that had been earned lawfully.

Sgt. Thomas Allers entered a guilty plea to robbery and fraud in Baltimore City corruption case.

According to evidence presented at the three-week trial, Hersl and Taylor stole money, property, and narcotics from victims, some of whom had not committed crimes; swore out false affidavits; submitted false official incident reports; and engaged in large-scale over time and attendance fraud.

In some cases, there was no evidence of criminal conduct by the victims; the officers stole money that had been earned lawfully. In other instances, narcotics and firearms were recovered from arrestees. In several instances, the defendants did not file any police reports. The amounts stolen ranged from $200 to $200,000.

• Count One, racketeering conspiracy, charged 14 acts of robbery and extortion violations committed by Hersl and Taylor in 2015 and 2016 when they were officers in the police department’s Gun Trace Task Force, a specialized unit created to investigate firearms crimes.
• Count Two, a substantive racketeering charge, alleged those crimes as well as 16 acts of robbery and extortion committed by Hersl and Taylor beginning in 2015 before they joined the task force.
• Count Three and Five, charged Taylor and Hersl, respectively with Hobbs Act Robbery and Extortion.
• Count Four and Six, charged Taylor and Hersl, respectively with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence

Prosecutors report that it was proven at trial that Hersl and Taylor stole money, property, and narcotics by detaining victims, entering residences, conducting traffic stops, and swearing out false search warrant affidavits. In addition, the defendants prepared and submitted false official incident and arrest reports, reports of property seized from arrestees, and charging documents.

The following six
co-defendants had all previously pleaded guilty to federal racketeering charges;

•             Sergeant Thomas Allers, age 49, of Linthicum Heights, Maryland
•             Detective Momodu Bondeva Kenton Gondo, a/k/a GMoney and Mike, age 36, of Owings Mills, Maryland;
•             Detective Evodio Calles Hendrix, age 32, of Randallstown, Maryland;
•             Sergeant Wayne Earl Jenkins, age 37, of Middle River, Maryland;
•             Detective Jemell Lamar Rayam, age 37, of Owings Mills;
•             Detective Maurice Kilpatrick Ward, age 37, of Middle River.

Hersl and Taylor each face 20 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy, 20 years in prison for racketeering, and 20 years in prison for Hobbs Act Robbery. 

Sentencing dates for Hersl and Taylor have not yet been scheduled.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI, DEA, Baltimore County Police Department, and Harford County Sheriff’s Department for their work in the investigation. Acting U.S. Attorney Schenning also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise and Derek E. Hines, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.