AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
OCTOBER 23, 2007
TWO CHARGED IN THE 2005 MURDER OF A FEDERAL WITNESS
Frederick Man Had Received Grand Jury Subpoena
Baltimore, Maryland - A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment today charging Steven Stone, age 23, of Frederick, Maryland, and Jessie Dorsz, a/k/a “3D,” age 26, of Walkersville, Maryland with conspiracy to commit witness tampering in connection with the death of David Lee, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. Steven Stone is also charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana, and Chester Stone, age 42, of Frederick, is charged with being an accessory after the fact, assisting Steven Stone and Dorsz in order to prevent their apprehension, trial and punishment for the murder of David Lee.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said, “We pledge to be relentless in pursuing anyone who intimidates, injures or kills a witness in a criminal case.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge Gregory K. Gant stated, “We take the crime of witness tampering and intimidation very seriously. In an effort to reduce violent crime and keep our communities safe, we rely on citizens to come forward; and we will investigate, and work to prosecute, anyone who stands in their way.”
According to the six count indictment, Steven Stone and others operated a drug distribution organization known as “B-6" which stood for “the bottom of 6th Street” in Frederick, where they sold their drugs. On June 7, 2005, David Lee received a federal grand jury subpoena requiring his appearance before the federal grand jury in Baltimore, pertaining to an investigation of Steven Stone for drug and gun violations. On June 23, 2005, David Lee appeared at the United States Attorney’s Office in relation to that subpoena. He requested the opportunity to obtain counsel and was issued a new subpoena for appearance on July 21, 2005.
Steven Stone and his associates, including Jesse Dorsz, suspected that David Lee was cooperating with law enforcement authorities in the federal investigation of Stone. In June-July 2005, Steven Stone directed Jesse Dorsz and others to kill David Lee in order to prevent Lee from cooperating or continuing to cooperate with law enforcement authorities. David Lee was killed on July 7, 2005.
Steven Stone and Dorsz each face a maximum sentence of death or life in prison for conspiracy to commit witness tampering and for witness tampering. Steven Stone also faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Chester Stone faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for being an accessory after the fact. All three defendants are in federal custody. No court appearances have been scheduled.
The decision whether to seek the death penalty is made by the Attorney General of the United States after carefully considering the defendant’s background and the circumstances of the crime.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police and Frederick County State’s Attorney J. Charles Smith for their assistance in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorneys Stephanie A. Gallagher and John Sippel, who are prosecuting the case.