Three Baltimore residents have pleaded guilty to charges related to a bribery and identity fraud scheme at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). The defendants, all former state employees, were involved in a scheme that allowed individuals to fraudulently obtain driver’s licenses and learner’s permits in exchange for cash payments. The case was initially announced by Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown in July 2024.
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Shanice Tiera Smith, 35, Erica Danielle Watson, 30, and Larry Antonio Marshall, 55, orchestrated the scheme at the MVA branch on Reisterstown Road in Baltimore. Watson advertised MVA credentials on Instagram for $600 each, while Smith, a customer agent at the time, facilitated the fraudulent administration of knowledge tests. Marshall, a contract custodian, and Watson collected payments from applicants, using a portion of the money to bribe Smith. The fraudulent operation involved at least 66 applicants whose identities were assumed by others to take the written driving test on their behalf.
Smith pleaded guilty to misconduct in office and bribery on September 27, 2024, and received a five-year suspended sentence with three years of supervised probation. Marshall pleaded guilty on December 20, 2024, to charges including felony identity fraud, bribery, and conspiracy to commit bribery. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with all but 17 months suspended, followed by five years of supervised probation. Watson entered her guilty plea on January 15, 2025, facing similar charges. She was sentenced to 10 years, with all but six months suspended, followed by three years of supervised probation.
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The investigation was conducted by the Maryland Attorney General’s Criminal Division, specifically the Fraud and Corruption Unit. Attorney General Brown credited the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration’s Security and Investigations team and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance in prosecuting the case. The convictions highlight ongoing efforts to combat fraud within state agencies and ensure the integrity of Maryland’s driver’s licensing process.
Article by multiple RFHC contributors.
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