FREDERICK, Md. — A Baltimore man was sentenced Thursday to 60 years in the Maryland Division of Corrections for four counts of felony witness intimidation and one count of obstruction of justice, after committing the offenses while on probation for a prior first-degree murder conviction, according to prosecutors.
Milton Stewart, 58, was found guilty by a Frederick County jury in March. The total sentence imposed by Judge Julia Martz-Fisher was 85 years, with 25 years suspended, leaving 60 years to serve.
The case began on March 28 of last year when Frederick County deputies stopped a vehicle on Interstate 70 and found Stewart among four occupants. A K9 scan led to the discovery of controlled dangerous substances and felony drug charges. During that stop, another passenger provided information about Stewart that was included in the probable cause affidavit.
While awaiting trial in the Frederick County Detention Center, Stewart sent threatening messages to the witness’s daughter intended to intimidate the witness, including text messages and a birthday card containing phrases such as “I love you to death” and “Bodymore Murdaland,” prosecutors said.
Prosecutor highlights intimidation dangers
State’s Attorney Charlie Smith stated witness intimidation is taken seriously, particularly in cases involving cooperators or domestic violence. Smith noted that prosecutors and judges “take a very dim view of those who intimidate a witness,” emphasizing the severity of Stewart’s actions.
Stewart was on probation for a 2006 Baltimore City first-degree murder conviction at the time of these offenses and had been released in 2021.
Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Tumulty of the Felony Narcotics Division prosecuted the case on behalf of the state.
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office led the original investigation after the traffic stop.
Stewart will serve his sentence in state prison following the witness intimidation convictions.
