FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885  

July 17, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md                                       

CIVIL RIGHTS CHARGES FILED AGAINST
FORMER BOONSBORO POLICE OFFICER JEFFREY SHIFLER

BALTIMORE, Maryland - Jeffrey Shifler, age 41, of Maugansville, Maryland, was charged today by criminal information with interference with attendance at public schools and interference with housing, in connection with threats he made against African American students at two Hagerstown high schools, and against an African American woman living in Hagerstown, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Wan J. Kim.

The two-count information charges Shifler with calling the Washington County Board of Education in Hagerstown on November 29, 2005 and threatening to shoot African American students at North Hagerstown and South Hagerstown High Schools. The information also charges that on January 31, 2006 Shifler left a voice mail message at the home of an African American woman living in Hagerstown claiming to be from the Ku Klux Klan, and threatening to kill her and burn down her home.

Shifler faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; 3 years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine on each charge. The defendant’s arraignment has not yet been scheduled.

On February 9, 2006 Shifler was originally charged by criminal complaint with making threats and maliciously conveying false information concerning attempts to kill, injure and intimidate individuals, by means of fire and explosives and falsely alleging to place anthrax at the Hagerstown, Maryland City Hall. He has been detained since his arrest.

United States Attorney Rosenstein and Assistant Attorney General Kim commended the investigative work performed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Rosenstein and Mr. Kim thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning, Trial Attorney Ryan Morrison and Senior Litigation Counsel Mark Blumberg of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section, who are prosecuting the case.

This page last modified—July 17, 2006