In the News

Maryland Teenager Sentenced to 18 Years for Shooting Student at Magruder High

A judge sentenced a teenager to 18 years in prison on Thursday after he was accused of using a ghost gun to shoot another student at Magruder High School in Maryland in January. Steven Alston Jr., 18, previously pleaded guilty to the charge of attempted first-degree murder. While incarcerated, Alston will be admitted into the Patuxent Youthful Offender Program.

“This is the first time that we’ve ever had a shooting in a Montgomery County Public School,” Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said.

By Darcy Spencer, News4 Washington (Full article)

Montgomery County officials work to combat rising drug overdose deaths in young people.

McCarthy held a presentation about the issue at Thomas S. Wootton High School on Thursday. He spoke with Wootton seniors about the about the state’s good Samaritan law:

If you see someone overdosing, call 9-1-1. "I am telling you as the state’s attorney and under the law in Maryland and our good Samaritan doctrines, make the call, bring in those emergency people, save the life of that young person. I think that’s the highest priority, saving lives," said McCarthy.

By David Kaplan, FOX 5 DC (Full article)

State's Attorney, John McCarthy Testifies to Maryland Legislators to Ban Ghost Guns

Legislation banning ghost guns in Maryland is making its way through Annapolis.

It comes at a critical time as local jurisdictions report more incidents of crime involving these untraceable guns.

Video - NBC News Washington

State’s Attorney John McCarthy pledges to protect reproductive rights.

John McCarthy Image The State's Attorney's Office will not participate in the extradition of any person who travels to Maryland as a safe haven in order to obtain an abortion, nor cooperate with any investigative efforts to identify providers.

It is the position of the State’s Attorney’s Office that no state would have the legal authority to pass a law that would criminalize the legal activity of a woman who came to Maryland to obtain a medical procedure. The State’s Attorney’s Office for Montgomery County will continue to protect the privacy and HIPAA rights of anyone who receives medical care in the state of Maryland.

John McCarthy

Read full statement (PDF file)

The Magnolia Companies has proudly chosen to partner with the State's Attorney's Office for Montgomery County in support of their program, "Speak Up, Save a Life."

Magnolia Plumbing is partnering with our Speak Up, Save A Life Campaign. We will be visiting new schools next month to talk about it and the Good Samaritan Law. Thanks to Phil Andrews and former A.S.A. Steve Chaikin for their work on this!

Click Here for More Details

John J. McCarthy

State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, Maryland

30 Years for Defendant in Love Triangle Stabbing Murder

Defendant, Denzel Kasaka, was sentenced by the honorable Judge David Lease to 40 years suspend all but 30 for the death of Jose Ruiz.

During trial, A.S.A.s Donna Fenton and Jennifer Harrison explained how the defendant used Instagram to threaten and stalk his ex-girlfriend and the victim, locating them in a parking lot, exiting his vehicle and engaging in a fist fight with the victim. Denzel Kasaka then retrieved a knife from his vehicle and stabbed Jose Ruiz to death. During the press conference following sentencing, S.A. McCarthy took the opportunity to mention how the SAO is supporting legislation in Annapolis that would broaden the definition of stalking to include electronic devices.

Article - WUSA9

John J. McCarthy

State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, Maryland

Dentist Charged with Murder of Girlfriend

Germantown oral surgeon, Dr. James Ryan, is charged with second-degree murder for the overdose death of his girlfriend and former patient, Sarah Harris. S.A. McCarthy joined Police Chief Marcus Jones for a press conference following the arrest.

A.S.A.s Kimberly Cissel, Jennifer Harrison and Jim Dietrich are prosecuting the case along with Marybeth Ayers. Ryan has been ordered held without bond.

Article - New York Post

John J. McCarthy

State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, Maryland

Maryland Legislators Aim to Ban Ghost Guns

Legislation banning ghost guns in Maryland is making its way through Annapolis. It comes at a critical time as local jurisdictions report more incidents of crime involving these untraceable guns.

Video - NBC Washington

John J. McCarthy

State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, Maryland

Court Upholds Involuntary Manslaughter Charge for Fire in Secret Tunnels in Bethesda

The Maryland Court of Appeals on Friday upheld an involuntary manslaughter conviction for a wealthy stock trader in the fiery death of a man who was secretly helping him dig tunnels for a nuclear bunker beneath a home in a suburb of Washington, D.C.

Article - NBC Washington

John J. McCarthy

State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, Maryland

Man Sentenced to 30 years for killing lover's husband in 2014.

ASAs Marybeth Ayers and CJ Herbert secured the maximum sentence for Hussain Zadeh. He was convicted a second time following a reversal on the original conviction for the death of his girlfriend’s husband, Cecil Brown. Powerful prosecution led to justice served for the victim’s family. Some of Brown’s children and grandchildren spoke about their loss and how grateful they are for the work of the SAO.

Article - Bethesda Magazine

John J. McCarthy

State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, Maryland

Magruder High School Students Return 4 Days After Shooting

Students at Magruder High School in Montgomery County, Maryland, are set to return to school Tuesday, four days after a student was shot on campus. News4's Juliana Valencia reports on how students are showing resiliency and support for the community.

Video - NBC News Washington

John J. McCarthy

State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, Maryland

The Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office leads the way in Reform and Innovation

John McCarthy Image

State’s Attorney John McCarthy Asks Independent Researchers to Look for Possible Bias in Prosecutorial Process.

As State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, my primary objective is to maintain public safety for all members of our diverse community. Critical to that mission is ensuring that criminal prosecutions are handled fairly and equitably across racial and ethnic lines.  Read More… (pdf file)

Prosecutorial Performance Indicators (PPI)

Montgomery County’s top prosecutor has launched an investigation into whether racial bias plays a role in prosecutorial decisions within his own office. By Dan Morse, The Washington Post

The Montgomery County State’s Attorney is Putting His Own Office Under the Microscope.

Independent researchers will examine how county prosecutors administer justice. By Cory Smith, News 4 Washington

The Montgomery County States Attorney's Office is a Model of Reform.

State’s Attorney John McCarthy announced a study to closely examine whether his own office has demonstrated a racial bias in prosecutorial decisions. That’s an extraordinary move, given that if bias is found by the independent research team, it will inevitably point a finger at Mr. McCarthy who is, after all, in charge of the office. That an elected official is willing to take this leap is not just a credit to him but should perhaps become a model for every state’s attorney in Maryland.  By The BALTIMORE SUN EDITORIAL BOARD

Moving forward, prosecutors and police must pave the way to public trust.

Moving forward, prosecutors and police must pave the way to public trust

As state's attorneys, our primary goal is to maintain public safety for all members of our communities. We must ensure that we hold to a philosophy of service and protection to the community rather than a militaristic warrior mentality. Integrity matters, and true public safety can be achieved only if we work together. Paving a pathway to public trust is that first step.

Article  - June 2020 Event

John J. McCarthy

State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, Maryland

State’s Attorney's Office Seeks Justice for Youth Killed in Tunnel, Stock Trader Daniel Beckwitt Held Accountable in Death of Askia Khafra

State's Attorney's Office Seeks Justice for Youth Killed in Tunnel, Stock Trader Daniel Beckwitt Held Accountable in Death of Askia Khafra.

The 2nd Degree Depraved Heart Murder Conviction of the Bethesda man exposes him to 30 years in prison. SA John McCarthy commends jury for seeing the recklessness and extreme lack of regard for human life of the defendant, praises family for strength and faithfulness under difficult circumstances.

Article  - April 2019 Event

John J. McCarthy

State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, Maryland