Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Numerous Convictions Amidst Federal Funding Lapse

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland has announced a series of convictions, indictments, plea agreements, and sentencings secured during a recent period of lapsed federal appropriations. The office emphasized its continued commitment to public safety and the administration of justice during this time.

In October 2025, David Donnell Fulton, 32, of York, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child. Law enforcement discovered images of a child victim and commercially available child sex abuse material during a search of his residence. In a separate case, Mehul Ramesh Khatiwala, 43, also known as “Mike Khatiwala,” of Voorhees, New Jersey, received a seven-year prison sentence for his involvement in a multi-million-dollar bank fraud conspiracy, marking his second federal conviction for such offenses. A federal grand jury indicted Jamari James David Leverett, 22, of Baltimore, Maryland, on charges of child sexual exploitation and possession of child sexual abuse material, alleging he used online platforms to extort minors across the country. Fode Sitafa Mara, 40, of Takoma Park, Maryland, was convicted by a federal jury on multiple counts of aggravated sexual abuse, coercion, and obstruction. Evidence presented at trial indicated that Mara committed repeated sexual assaults against two teenage girls in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Lester Massey, Jr., 42, of Oxon Hill, Maryland, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition. During a search of his residence, agents discovered 243 rounds of ammunition. Lawrence Earl Smith, Jr., 51, of Perry Hall, Maryland, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and tax evasion. While employed as a Baltimore City School Police Officer and high school football coach, Smith defrauded the school system by submitting fraudulent overtime slips, receiving over $200,000 for unworked hours, and evaded more than $60,000 in federal income taxes. Additionally, Duane Watts, 46, and Donna Jones, 59, both of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with an unemployment insurance fraud scheme.

During November 2025, the District of Maryland also saw significant legal actions. Donzell Lernard Campbell, 44, of Laurel, Maryland, was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison for charges including possession of a machine gun, intent to distribute controlled substances, and being a felon in possession of ammunition. Jayre Reaves, 48, of Ellicott City, Maryland, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison and ordered to forfeit $615,000 and pay $614,000 in restitution for his role in a mail fraud scheme. Jennifer Tinker, 42, of Ellicott City, Maryland, received a 70-month prison sentence for embezzlement from two employers, totaling over $1.1 million. The stolen funds were reportedly used for luxury purchases, vacations, concert tickets, and vehicles. In a case involving hate crimes, Jackson Traylor, 27, of Dania Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty to using a telecommunications device to harass and threaten a Jewish individual from Maryland with antisemitic messages over a period of several months.

This series of prosecutions highlights the ongoing efforts of the District of Maryland’s U.S. Attorney’s Office to address significant criminal activity, including child exploitation, financial fraud, violent offenses, and hate crimes, regardless of federal funding status.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland

---