Florida Woman Facing Federal Indictment for Second Degree Murder

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Janice Martina Mason, age 28, of Melbourne, Florida, with second degree murder.  The indictment was returned on February 3, 2022. 

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the U.S. Park Police.

According to the indictment, on November 24, 2021, Mason killed Victim 1 on property under the jurisdiction of the United States.

If convicted, Mason faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  Mason is in custody on related state charges.  She is expected to have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on February 14, 2022, although that date has not yet been confirmed.

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 Erek L. Barron commended the U.S. Park Police for their work in the investigation and thanked Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess and her office for their assistance.  Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen Nazmy and Kim Oldham, who are prosecuting the federal case.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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