Maryland

Eastern Shore landlord sought sex for rent, AG alleges

Published

2 years ago

July 19, 2024

Press Room

Eastern Shore landlord sought sex for rent, AG alleges

In 2021, Eric Sessoms rented a home in Maryland to a woman who had been unhoused.

In exchange for engaging in sex acts, Sessoms offered to reduce her rent. She acquiesced.

The woman recounted being illegally evicted after telling Sessoms she no longer wished to continue with that arrangement.

Those allegations are included in the first lawsuit that the Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division filed on Friday in Wicomico County Circuit Court against Sessoms and Mt Vernon Group LLC, for which he serves as the resident agent.

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Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said Friday his top priority when taking office was obtaining the authority to enforce local, state and federal civil rights laws and described the occasion as historic.

The lawsuit alleges that Sessoms preyed on vulnerable women who were unhoused or at imminent risk of experiencing homelessness and engaged in a “persistent course of conduct” that subjected female tenants and prospective tenants to gender-based discrimination. Sessoms could not be reached for comment.

“The defendant’s conduct was severe, pervasive and humiliating to the women forced to endure his relentless advances and harassment,” Brown said at a news conference at the office’s headquarters on St. Paul Place in Baltimore.

“This case underscores the inherent power imbalance that is often at the root of sexual harassment,” he added, “and is only further magnified by the power imbalance in the landlord-tenant relationship.”

Later, Brown said, he wanted to take a moment to address other people who might be experiencing similar circumstances. “I believe you, and I’m taking action,” he said. “But first, we need to hear from you.”

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The chief of the Civil Rights Division, Jonathan Smith, said Sessoms started serving as a landlord in Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester counties as early as 2018.

The lawsuit recounts the experience of five women.

In one case, Sessoms invited a prospective tenant who had four children and was experiencing homelessness to meet at a warehouse under the guise of signing a lease in 2023. He shut the door, unzipped his pants, grabbed her hand and put it on his penis, the lawsuit alleges.

The woman, the lawsuit asserts, “did not move into the property because of this sexual assault.” She remained unhoused for more than a year after that happened.

Sessoms also asked renters to date him, requested hugs and kisses and entered their homes without permission for no legitimate purpose, Smith said.

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Jamie Miliman, supervising attorney of the Lower Eastern Shore Office of Maryland Legal Aid, the state’s largest provider of free civil legal services, first uncovered wrongdoing.

The private, nonprofit law firm filed a series of lawsuits and obtained settlements and peace of mind for its clients, said Vicki Schultz, the organization’s executive director.

“But we couldn’t stop there,” Schultz said. “And our team didn’t stop.”

Schultz said the group reached out to the attorney general’s office. She described the work as an example of government and nonprofit organizations partnering to deliver justice.

Maryland Chief Deputy Attorney Candace McLaren Lanham said it took a lot of courage for the women to come forward.

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“We see you; we thank you, we are now fighting for you and fighting with you,” she said. “But we have reports that there are other women.”

Tipsters can contact a hotline that’s been set up for the case at 1-833-282-2977 or email MDvSessoms@oag.state.md.us.

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Maryland

Speeding motorcycle rider dies in t-bone crash along Marriottsville Road

Published

6 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Speeding motorcycle rider dies in t-bone crash along Marriottsville Road

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — A t-bone crash involving a motorcycle left a 24-year-old Hampstead man dead on Saturday evening.

It happened around 6:30pm, along Marriottsville Road in Howard County.

That’s where a Yamaha FZ09 was heading northbound when it collided with an oncoming Nissan Rogue that was trying to make a left turn onto Warwick Way.

“Preliminary investigation suggests the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed,” Howard County Police said in a press release.

The motorcycle rider later died at University of Maryland Shock Trauma.

Police say the Nissan driver, who was not hurt, remained on scene and cooperated with investigators.

Marriottsville Road was reopened after being closed for about three-hours.

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Maryland

Maryland Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for April 18, 2026

Published

18 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Maryland Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for April 18, 2026

The Maryland Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at April 18, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from April 18 drawing

24-25-39-46-61, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 5

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 18 drawing

Midday: 9-4-0

Evening: 9-3-4

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 18 drawing

Midday: 8-3-0-6

Evening: 7-2-1-2

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 18 drawing

Midday: 5-3-8-8-7

Evening: 6-7-3-8-9

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 18 drawing

9 a.m.: 03

1 p.m.: 14

6 p.m.: 10

11 p.m.: 08

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Bonus Match 5 numbers from April 18 drawing

06-20-33-34-36, Bonus: 11

Check Bonus Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from April 18 drawing

02-38-45-53-63, Powerball: 21

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Keno

Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Maryland Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes above $600, winners can claim by mail or in person from the Maryland Lottery office, an Expanded Cashing Authority Program location or cashiers’ windows at Maryland casinos. Prizes over $5,000 must be claimed in person.

Claiming by Mail

Sign your winning ticket and complete a claim form. Include a photocopy of a valid government-issued ID and a copy of a document that shows proof of your Social Security number or Federal Tax ID number. Mail these to:

Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center

1800 Washington Boulevard

Suite 330

Baltimore, MD 21230

For prizes over $600, bring your signed ticket, a government-issued photo ID, and proof of your Social Security or Federal Tax ID number to Maryland Lottery headquarters, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD. Claims are by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This location handles all prize amounts, including prizes over $5,000.

Winning Tickets Worth $25,000 or Less

Maryland Lottery headquarters and select Maryland casinos can redeem winning tickets valued up to $25,000. Note that casinos cannot cash prizes over $600 for non-resident and resident aliens (tax ID beginning with “9”). You must be at least 21 years of age to enter a Maryland casino. Locations include:

Horseshoe Casino: 1525 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD
MGM National Harbor: 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD
Live! Casino: 7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD
Ocean Downs Casino: 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, MD
Hollywood Casino: 1201 Chesapeake Overlook Parkway, Perryville, MD
Rocky Gap Casino: 16701 Lakeview Road NE, Flintstone, MD

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Maryland Lottery.

When are the Maryland Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 11 p.m. ET Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5 Midday: 12:27 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, 12:28 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.
Pick 3, 4 and 5 Evening: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Cash4Life: 9 p.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop: 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily.
Bonus Match 5: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
MultiMatch: 7:56 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
Powerball Double Play: 11 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Maryland editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Maryland

Forward Maban Jabriel Becomes Maryland’s Fourth Transfer In

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Forward Maban Jabriel Becomes Maryland’s Fourth Transfer In

Buzz Williams has brought the number of new players joining the Maryland Terrapins next season to eight.

The Terps have the nation’s No. 8 freshmen recruiting class, consisting of four players including five-star small forward Baba Oladotun. Now, they have just as many transfer portal additions.

Their latest acquisition is forward Maban Jabriel, who previously spent two years with Queens University of Charlotte, a member of the ASUN.

Jabriel announced his commitment to Maryland on his Instagram account:

During his sophomore campaign with the Royals, Jabriel played in all 35 games, mainly off the bench, and averaged 7.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 19.8 minutes.

Shooting is Jabriel’s greatest strength. At 6’9″, he has the size to win battles close to the basket, but the Waterloo, Ontario native can score from all over the court.

Jabriel shot 49.5% from the field, 43.2% from deep, and 77.4% at the free throw line last season. The Terps can certainly use the help after being the worst shooting team (40.7% overall) not just in the Big Ten, but across all the Power conferences.

The rest of Maryland’s transfer class looks like this:

Tomislav Buljan – power forward who averaged 13.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists for New Mexico last season.

Robert Jennings II – power forward who averaged 5.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.3 assists for Oklahoma State in 2024-25 (injured most of last season).

Bishop Boswell – combo guard who averaged 6.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists for Tennessee last season.

Put together, the Terps currently have the No. 4 incoming crop of players, according to 247 Sports. That figure was as high as No. 1 this offseason and could rise back up with additional moves.

Maryland is confirmed to be keeping at least three players from last season: Rakease Passmore, who redshirted due to injury, along with Andre Mills and George Turkson Jr.

Pharrel Payne also wishes to return but is waiting for his medical hardship waiver to be approved by the NCAA.

That leaves Buzz with three scholarship spots to fill – either with more transfers or the undecided members of last year’s team, Myles Rice and Guillermo Del Pino.

Players only have until this Tuesday, April 21 to enter the portal, so a decision for both Rice and Del Pino will be made soon.

Maryland On SI will continue to cover the Terps’ transfer portal transactions as they occur.