Resident Files Civil Rights Violation and RICO Complaint Against Multiple Local Officials

HAGERSTOWN, MD News (6/5/2024) – In a detailed and extensive complaint spanning 228 pages, Justin Holder, a resident of Washington County, Maryland, brings forth a myriad of allegations against a wide array of defendants, including the Mayor and Council of Keedysville. The complaint not only seeks injunctive relief and damages but also shines a light on the perceived malfeasance and systemic issues within local governance.

This case, filed under case number C-21-CV-21-000116 in the Circuit Court for Washington County, Maryland, highlights a deeply intricate web of property disputes, alleged corruption, and civil rights violations. Holder has named numerous defendants in his complaint, including Christine and Scott Morral, the Mayor and Council of Keedysville, Mayor Kenneth Lord, David Leroy Ickes, Benjamin Estes, and others. The defendants also include several unknown individuals labeled as John, Jane, Jim, Jen, and Jack Does, who are alleged to be co-conspirators from various governmental and non-governmental entities.

Holder is being represented by local attorney Adam Greivell, who represents the plaintiffs in the Dan’s Taphouse civil rights violation complaint, as well as plaintiffs in a separate case before the Supreme Court of Maryland for disputes over the location of early voting sites in Washington County.

The complaint establishes that all parties are residents or entities within Washington County, Maryland, and that the actions in question occurred within the county, making jurisdiction and venue appropriate in the Circuit Court for Washington County.

The complaint outlines a series of disputes and incidents that have escalated over the years, involving property rights, easement violations, and alleged retaliatory actions by local officials and residents. Key allegations include:

• Illegal Fence Construction: Christine and Scott Morral erected a fence on their property in a designated stormwater management area, violating easement restrictions and local ordinances. Despite repeated complaints, the Town of Keedysville allegedly refused to enforce the restriction.
• Property Disputes with Benjamin Estes: Holder details a contentious relationship with Benjamin Estes, marked by accusations of trespassing and malicious prosecution. Estes, a local attorney, is accused of leveraging his influence and filing false charges to obstruct Holder’s property rights and development plans.
• Water and Sewer Hookup Issues: Holder’s attempts to connect his properties to the municipal water and sewer systems have been met with significant bureaucratic hurdles and alleged deliberate obstruction by town and county officials.
• Denial of Public Information Requests: Holder has continuously encountered challenges in obtaining information from Washington County Government, including water/sewer agreements with the Town of Keedysville, records relating to the proposed Civil War Rail Trail, and even the county government cybersecurity incident. In these requests, Holder has repeatedly encountered a “crystalized policy” resulting in unjustified delay by means of an initial denial followed by the eventual release of the requested record(s).
• Retaliation and Defamation: The complaint includes numerous instances of alleged retaliation against Holder for his political activities and efforts to expose local corruption. This includes defamatory statements, false charges, and misuse of official power.

The complaint is organized into several counts, each detailing specific legal claims against the defendants:

• Defamation and Invasion of Privacy: Holder alleges that false statements made by the defendants have damaged his reputation and portrayed him in a false light.
• Malicious Prosecution and Abuse of Process: The complaint accuses several defendants of initiating legal actions without probable cause, intending to harass and intimidate Holder.
• Interference with Easement Rights: Defendants are accused of unlawfully interfering with Holder’s property rights and easements.
• Civil Rights Violations: Under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and other federal statutes, Holder claims that his constitutional rights have been violated by the defendants’ actions.
• RICO Violations: The complaint includes claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, alleging a pattern of racketeering activity involving extortion, fraud, and other illegal acts.

Holder’s complaint is grounded in various legal theories, including violations of federal and state constitutional rights, common law torts, and statutory violations. The relief sought includes compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive relief to prevent further harm, and declaratory relief to affirm his rights.

The case presents a complex legal battle that underscores deep-seated issues within local governance and property rights in Washington County, Maryland. Holder’s exhaustive complaint paints a picture of a community entangled in disputes over land, power, and governance, raising significant questions about the conduct of local officials and the integrity of municipal operations. The outcome of this case may have far-reaching consequences for the parties involved and set important precedents for similar disputes in the future.

Story by multiple RFHC contributors.