CALVERT COUNTY, MD – Three 13-year-old students at Plum Point Middle School face juvenile charges for harassment and violations of Maryland’s hate crime statutes. The charges stem from incidents beginning in December 2023, where the students are accused of displaying swastikas, performing Nazi salutes, and directing offensive comments towards a classmate due to their religious beliefs.
Despite requests to cease their behavior, the students continued their actions over several months, leading the victim to report the incidents to the Maryland State Police. Following an investigation, charges were filed against the juveniles.
The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) will decide on further actions, which may include referring the charges to the Calvert County Circuit Court for a hearing. The State must then prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey emphasized Maryland’s foundational principle of religious toleration and expressed astonishment at the persistence of religious persecution. Harvey called on parents, educators, community, and faith leaders to educate children on the inacceptability of religious persecution in society.