A federal judge on Monday denied a request by a former member of the disgraced and defunct Baltimore police Gun Trace Task Force to be let out of prison early. Hersl pleaded with the courts to reduce his 18-year sentence because he has terminal cancer, and release him to home detention. His attorney’s request is for compassionate release, a statute that allows courts to release prisoners early under special circumstances. U.S. District Judge George Russell III wrote in his ruling released Monday that Hersl’s sentence must serve as a deterrence.”Although the defendant asserts he will be at a very low risk of reoffending because of his medical condition, there is a significant need for general deterrence,” Russell wrote. “A message certainly needs to be sent that if you commit conduct or otherwise engage in a racketeering conspiracy, you will be held accountable and punished.”The judge further noted that Hersl committed institutional infractions violations while incarcerated, saying, “His behavior demonstrates a continued lack of personal accountability.”The judge wrote that the court is sympathetic to Hersl’s medical condition but said the Bureau of Prisons is capable of managing his medical condition and Hersl “is able to interact with his family during his period of incarceration.”In 2018, federal prosecutors said Hersl’s crimes were among the most egregious. Hersl was convicted in 2018 of racketeering conspiracy and racketeering offenses, including overtime fraud and robbery charges.Hersl is one of eight officers who were accused of stealing money and property from people, submitting false reports and engaging in overtime and attendance fraud.The Baltimore Comptroller’s Office created a website tracking how much the city has paid out in settlements related to each member of the GTTF. It shows Baltimore has paid out more than $323,000 in settlements in connection to Hersl’s cases.A federal appeals court in November 2019 affirmed Hersl’s conviction.
A federal judge on Monday denied a request by a former member of the disgraced and defunct Baltimore police Gun Trace Task Force to be let out of prison early.
Hersl pleaded with the courts to reduce his 18-year sentence because he has terminal cancer, and release him to home detention. His attorney’s request is for compassionate release, a statute that allows courts to release prisoners early under special circumstances.
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U.S. District Judge George Russell III wrote in his ruling released Monday that Hersl’s sentence must serve as a deterrence.
“Although the defendant asserts he will be at a very low risk of reoffending because of his medical condition, there is a significant need for general deterrence,” Russell wrote. “A message certainly needs to be sent that if you commit conduct or otherwise engage in a racketeering conspiracy, you will be held accountable and punished.”
The judge further noted that Hersl committed institutional infractions violations while incarcerated, saying, “His behavior demonstrates a continued lack of personal accountability.”
The judge wrote that the court is sympathetic to Hersl’s medical condition but said the Bureau of Prisons is capable of managing his medical condition and Hersl “is able to interact with his family during his period of incarceration.”
In 2018, federal prosecutors said Hersl’s crimes were among the most egregious. Hersl was convicted in 2018 of racketeering conspiracy and racketeering offenses, including overtime fraud and robbery charges.
Hersl is one of eight officers who were accused of stealing money and property from people, submitting false reports and engaging in overtime and attendance fraud.
The Baltimore Comptroller’s Office created a website tracking how much the city has paid out in settlements related to each member of the GTTF. It shows Baltimore has paid out more than $323,000 in settlements in connection to Hersl’s cases.
A federal appeals court in November 2019 affirmed Hersl’s conviction.
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