Maryland
Maryland launches sexual assault evidence kit tracking system
Gov. Wes Moore and Attorney General Anthony Brown discussed the launch of an online system Monday for sexual assault survivors to anonymously track their DNA evidence test kits as they progress through the criminal justice system.
Using a barcode system, survivors of sexual assault will be able to keep tabs on their evidence kits as they move from the hospital, to the police department, to a crime lab and so on. Survivors will be given a unique tracking number and password after their evidence kit is completed at a hospital. Everyone who comes into contact with the kit is to scan the barcode when its in their custody, so that survivors can look up its exact location at any given time.
“When survivors don’t feel the system is on their side, survivors won’t come forward and justice won’t be served. And that’s hurting all of us,” Moore, a Democrat, said at a news conference in Annapolis on Thursday morning. “But when people feel there’s accountability, we have a better chance of getting evidence, and a better chance of closing cases, and a better chance of serving justice.”
After someone reports to law enforcement that they have been sexually assaulted, oftentimes they will undergo a forensic exam at a hospital to collect DNA evidence to confirm or identify their attacker. The evidence is then preserved so that it can be used during a criminal trial.
“This kit is a promise of justice,” Brown, a Democrat, said. “However, for too many victims and survivors in too many communities — not only here in Maryland, but across the country — when kits left hospital rooms, victims were left with nothing but questions: ‘Where’s my evidence kit? When does justice come?’”
The program, known as Track Kit, is already in place. Legislation passed in 2023 mandates that all evidence kits in the state’s backlog be added to the system by Dec. 31, 2025.
Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger, a Democrat, said the tracking system will aid his office in identifying witnesses to introduce DNA evidence, and allow prosecutors to ensure that kits are actually being tested.
Shellenberger is in his fifth term as the county’s top prosecutor. His office and the Baltimore County Police Department came under fire in 2019, when county officials said that both agencies needed to do a better job of investigating and prosecuting sexual assault cases.
Online tracking systems already exist in states across the country, including North Carolina, Ohio and Oklahoma. But Maryland is the only state to track all existing evidence kits, including those that were collected before its system was created.
According to the governor, Maryland had 5,000 untested evidence kits in 2022.
Lisae Jordan from the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault said that survivors who need assistance using the tracking system can contact her organization at (833) 364-0046, or can reach out to their local rape crisis center.
As of Thursday morning, Brown said 14 survivors have logged into the system a combined total of 90 times since May 28.
“What does that tell you?” he asked. “Survivors want action.”
Angela Wharton is a prime example.
In 1996, Wharton, a mother of two girls, was raped at gunpoint in a wooded area in Northeast Baltimore. She underwent a forensic exam, which she said was “invasive and humiliating.”
“It was a grueling ordeal, where my body was a literal crime scene,” Wharton said Thursday. She said she endured the exam in the hope that the person who attacked her would be held accountable for his actions.
That day never came.
In 2018, she discovered that all of the evidence in her case, including her untested evidence kit, had been destroyed by the local police department less than two years after she was assaulted. Wharton said that the tracking system “represents a ray of light” for survivors who often have their “trauma dismissed and their pursuit of justice thwarted.”
“I vow to continue to use my voice to advocate for change, to raise awareness, and to support efforts that give other survivors a greater chance at justice,” Wharton said. “I want my daughters to grow up in a world where their voices are heard, their bodies are respected, and their rights are upheld.”
Lawmakers have worked for years to bring more transparency to survivors of sexual assault.
Sen. Shelly Hettleman, a Democrat from Baltimore County, who has championed the issue throughout her legislative tenure, said she was inspired to act after reading an article in The Baltimore Sun about a young woman who alleged she was vaginally penetrated by a beer bottle after going out for drinks with a coworker. She said that Baltimore County Police didn’t take her seriously, and found out three years after she was assaulted that her evidence kit and the beer bottle she gave to law enforcement had been thrown away.
“And so began my journey building on the work of so many who came before me,” Hettleman said.
Moore said that the new system will hold law enforcement accountable to send sexual assault evidence kits to crime labs for testing rather than having them go unprocessed in evidence lockers.
In 2017, Hettleman successfully sponsored legislation that standardized the method in which sexual assault evidence kits are preserved. The bill also had a provision mandating evidence kits be held for 20 years before they are thrown away. That was later changed to 75 years.
In 2018, the General Assembly passed legislation that required the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention to apply for federal funding to create a sexual assault evidence kit tracking system.
Maryland has received $5 million from the federal government for kit testing and the tracking system.
During the 2023 legislative session, Hettleman and House Judiciary Committee Vice Chair Sandy Bartlett sponsored a bill to regulate reporting requirements for the tracking system.
“It wasn’t good enough to build it,” said Hettleman. “We actually have to hold stakeholders accountable for interacting with it.”
“Survivors deserve justice and they deserve peace,” she continued. “I hope this tracking system will allow them to have both.”
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
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.
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.
More from Maryland On SI
Stay up to date with the Terrapins by bookmarking Maryland On SI and follow us on Twitter.
Follow
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Maryland Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 17, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 17 drawing
38-43-44-49-62, Mega Ball: 08
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 17 drawing
Midday: 2-2-6
Evening: 5-7-9
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 17 drawing
Midday: 6-8-3-7
Evening: 4-4-9-3
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 17 drawing
Midday: 0-3-7-6-8
Evening: 1-5-3-9-6
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 17 drawing
9 a.m.: 04
1 p.m.: 07
6 p.m.: 07
11 p.m.: 12
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Bonus Match 5 numbers from April 17 drawing
08-15-17-26-28, Bonus: 19
Check Bonus Match 5 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.
-
Washington, D.C30 seconds agoStorm Team4 Forecast: A chilly, gusty Sunday before a cool start to the week
-
Cleveland, OH7 minutes agoWinners and Losers From Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Playoffs Game 1
-
Austin, TX12 minutes agoStorms dump small hail throughout Austin area Saturday
-
Alabama19 minutes agoYMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort
-
Alaska25 minutes ago
Bear injures two US soldiers during military training in Alaska | The Jerusalem Post
-
Arizona31 minutes agoNFL mock draft: 4-round projections for Arizona Cardinals
-
Arkansas37 minutes agoNo. 6 Arkansas ends top-ranked OU’s 31-game home winning streak with 3-2 decision
-
California43 minutes ago
Billionaire Steyer’s spending binge dwarfs rival campaigns in California governor’s race
