WELCOME

I was born and raised in the Midwest. But growing up was rough. As a kid, I moved in and out of foster homes and orphanages. In my early teen years, I was finally placed in a home. Childhood was difficult, but it taught me that from obstacle comes opportunity.

So, at the age of 18, I decided to become part of another family. To escape poverty I joined the United States military as an enlisted combat soldier. It was the military that taught me the true value of justice, discipline, and hard work. It was my honor to serve our country in the Persian Gulf and Bosnia Herzegovina in both combat and medical units. During my enlistment, I attended many training academies to learn skills that empowered me as a non-commissioned officer. But, after 7 years I was forced to stop military service for medical reasons. After being honorably discharged I was once again at a crossroads.

Fortunately, through the G.I. Bill, I was able to enter Upper Iowa University where I graduated with a 4.0-grade point average and cum laude distinction, attaining my Bachelor's degree in Psychology. From there, I continued to utilize the G.I. Bill and received a merit scholarship to attend Howard University School of Law. But I struggled to pay the bills so I worked at nights and on weekends as a security guard, a library assistant and a legal assistant. This hard work allowed me to see even more opportunity for the days ahead. I turned as much time as I could to others. While getting my degree I started providing legal counsel to the poor and indigent.

After graduation, I was sworn into the Maryland Bar and began practicing as a defense attorney. But it just did not feel right for me. We have hundreds of lawyers in the area and I wanted more. Fortunately, I heard about a job opening in the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office. It was here that I was able to put my full life experience to work for the betterment of the community.

In late 2004, Prince George’s County was in the process of forming a “Community Prosecution” unit. Little did I know that this would start as a one-person show. As the first community prosecutor in Prince George’s County, I started attending local neighborhood watch meetings, going to schools and churches, riding along with street cops and working with other prosecutors to gain a better understanding of local crime. You can’t just arrest or convict your way out of crime. Like anything in life, to be successful, it requires a team. Teamwork with the community, the prosecutors, and the police led to the closing of drug houses, illegal slot parlors, and strip clubs. And when I kept going back to the community I saw hope. After 7 years, there is a full Community Prosecution Unit in the State’s Attorney’s Office with a staff of prosecutors that work with the community. It was my honor to serve as the Division Chief. In 2012, I ventured out on my own and started my own law practice.

But the best part of my life is my wife and 3 daughters. My background and my family have inspired me to become heavily involved with kids that don’t have a family. I sit on several boards that are dedicated to helping foster children that have no dependable family to speak for them. My experience tells me that every child is worth saving, but they need love, discipline, and structure. Just because they don’t have a family they don’t have to get trapped in a life of crime and poverty. They can turn their obstacles into opportunity.