Former Baltimore City GTTF Police Officer Sentenced To 18 Years In Prison For Racketeering

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                     at (410) 209-4885      

Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced former Detective Marcus Roosevelt Taylor, age 30, of Glen Burnie, Maryland today to 18 years in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for racketeering conspiracy and racketeering offenses, including robbery and overtime fraud.

The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.

Taylor and co-conspirator Detective Daniel Thomas Hersl, age 47, of Joppa, Maryland were convicted by a federal jury on February 12, 2018 for racketeering conspiracy, racketeering, and Hobbs Act Robbery.

According to evidence presented at the three-week trial, former detectives 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 overtime and attendance fraud.

In some cases, there was no evidence of criminal conduct by the victims and 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. 

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.

Hersl is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Blake on June 22, 2018. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise and Derek E. Hines, who prosecuted these Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force cases.