Justin Fenton
@justinfenton.bsky.social
Investigative reporter at the Baltimore Banner
Please state your name for the record, the court clerk said.
"Justice"
What is your age?
“Timeless.”
What year were you born?
“I have been born many times.”
Alleged leader of violent "Zizian" group makes appearance in Maryland federal court
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
"Justice"
What is your age?
“Timeless.”
What year were you born?
“I have been born many times.”
Alleged leader of violent "Zizian" group makes appearance in Maryland federal court
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Alleged leader of cultlike ‘Zizian’ group pleads not guilty to federal gun charge
Ziz LaSota gave meandering answers at her initial appearance and arraignment in U.S. District Court related to a Western Maryland gun arrest, which ended what had been a cross-country search.
www.thebanner.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Please state your name for the record, the court clerk said.
"Justice"
What is your age?
“Timeless.”
What year were you born?
“I have been born many times.”
Alleged leader of violent "Zizian" group makes appearance in Maryland federal court
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
"Justice"
What is your age?
“Timeless.”
What year were you born?
“I have been born many times.”
Alleged leader of violent "Zizian" group makes appearance in Maryland federal court
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
New: Nearly six years after having them sealed, Pennsylvania prosecutors drop opposition to the release of autopsy records in the mysterious 2003 death of Maryland federal prosecutor Jonathan Luna lancasteronline.com/news/local/d...
DA asks judge to lift seal on federal prosecutor's autopsy records of Jonathan Luna
Nearly six years after having them sealed, the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office has dropped opposition to the release of autopsy records in the 2003 death of federal prosecutor Jonathan
lancasteronline.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:21 PM
New: Nearly six years after having them sealed, Pennsylvania prosecutors drop opposition to the release of autopsy records in the mysterious 2003 death of Maryland federal prosecutor Jonathan Luna lancasteronline.com/news/local/d...
‘Marooned’ in Baltimore: Crew of ship that destroyed Key Bridge are still here 19 months later, not permitted to leave. “A few have been granted permission to temporarily return home, including one for his own wedding.” By @hayesgardner.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/economy/dali...
Deal between Dali and U.S. has left crew ‘marooned’ for 19 months
The NTSB will discuss probable cause of the Key Bridge collapse during a meeting Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, nine crew members of the Dali ship that struck the bridge are stuck in Baltimore...
www.thebanner.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:19 PM
‘Marooned’ in Baltimore: Crew of ship that destroyed Key Bridge are still here 19 months later, not permitted to leave. “A few have been granted permission to temporarily return home, including one for his own wedding.” By @hayesgardner.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/economy/dali...
Reposted by Justin Fenton
Scoop: Reps for Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank have been lobbying Gov. Wes Moore’s office in an effort to persuade Maryland to buy Plank’s horse farm, email show.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Kevin Plank wants Maryland to buy his horse farm
Emails detail a pitch to turn Sagamore Farm into a state-owned horse training facility.
www.thebanner.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Scoop: Reps for Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank have been lobbying Gov. Wes Moore’s office in an effort to persuade Maryland to buy Plank’s horse farm, email show.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Update: The commander of the Eastern District is among the officers suspended amid a criminal investigation in San Francisco www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
November 17, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Update: The commander of the Eastern District is among the officers suspended amid a criminal investigation in San Francisco www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Breaking: Four Baltimore Police officers suspended amid criminal investigation in California www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Four Baltimore Police officers suspended amid California criminal investigation
Four members of the Baltimore Police Department are suspended amid a criminal investigation in California, the department confirmed Monday.
www.thebanner.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Breaking: Four Baltimore Police officers suspended amid criminal investigation in California www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
BREAKING at @thebaltimorebanner.com: Man charged with second degree murder in 2022 Stricker Street blaze that killed 3 Baltimore firefighters www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Man charged in 2022 Stricker Street fires that killed 3 Baltimore firefighters
More than three years after three Baltimore firefighters died battling a blaze in vacant buildings on Stricker Street, James Barnett is now charged with their deaths.
www.thebanner.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:17 PM
BREAKING at @thebaltimorebanner.com: Man charged with second degree murder in 2022 Stricker Street blaze that killed 3 Baltimore firefighters www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Why is this influential member of the Baltimore Jewish community on prosecutors’ stay-away list for at least one of the defendants in the Dalya Attar extortion case? W/ @leeosanderlin.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
What does the founder of Tov Pizza have to do with Dalya Attar’s case?
A member of the Baltimore City Democratic State Central Committee for the 41st District, Ronald Rosenbluth, 62, is a fixture in political and Jewish civic circles.
www.thebanner.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Why is this influential member of the Baltimore Jewish community on prosecutors’ stay-away list for at least one of the defendants in the Dalya Attar extortion case? W/ @leeosanderlin.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Breaking: BPD Officer Robert Parks has been indicted on charges of attempted second degree murder and related charges www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Baltimore officer shown in viral video charged with attempted murder
The charges against Officer Robert A. Parks were not immediately clear. Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates announced he would discuss charges against an unnamed officer today at a noon news confere...
www.thebanner.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Breaking: BPD Officer Robert Parks has been indicted on charges of attempted second degree murder and related charges www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Breaking: The Baltimore Police officer seen in a recent viral video driving into a vacant lot and towards a man has turned himself in after being criminally indicted. Details expected at noon press conference … www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Baltimore officer indicted in viral video case
The charges against Officer Robert A. Parks were not immediately clear. Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates announced he would discuss charges against an unnamed officer today at a noon news confere...
www.thebanner.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Breaking: The Baltimore Police officer seen in a recent viral video driving into a vacant lot and towards a man has turned himself in after being criminally indicted. Details expected at noon press conference … www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Breaking: Baltimore Police carried out pre-dawn raids and made arrests this morning related to continuing investigation into July’s Penn North mass overdose event www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Police carry out raids related to summer’s Penn North mass overdose event
Authorities carried out pre-dawn raids and made arrests in the city Wednesday as part of a continuing investigation, sources familiar with the matter said.
www.thebanner.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Breaking: Baltimore Police carried out pre-dawn raids and made arrests this morning related to continuing investigation into July’s Penn North mass overdose event www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Update: Now the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office says they will announce the indictment of a police officer tomorrow at noon
NEW: In a possible sign of looming criminal charges, the Baltimore Police officer depicted in a viral video driving his car at a man in Northwest Baltimore has been suspended without pay www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Baltimore police officer, suspended after viral video, loses pay
In a possible sign of looming charges, the Baltimore Police officer depicted in a viral video driving his car at a man in Northwest Baltimore has been suspended without pay during an ongoing criminal ...
www.thebanner.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Update: Now the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office says they will announce the indictment of a police officer tomorrow at noon
NEW: In a possible sign of looming criminal charges, the Baltimore Police officer depicted in a viral video driving his car at a man in Northwest Baltimore has been suspended without pay www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Baltimore police officer, suspended after viral video, loses pay
In a possible sign of looming charges, the Baltimore Police officer depicted in a viral video driving his car at a man in Northwest Baltimore has been suspended without pay during an ongoing criminal ...
www.thebanner.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:50 PM
NEW: In a possible sign of looming criminal charges, the Baltimore Police officer depicted in a viral video driving his car at a man in Northwest Baltimore has been suspended without pay www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Breaking: Anthony Barksdale, Baltimore’s deputy mayor for public safety and a former deputy Baltimore Police commissioner, whose tenures in both roles corresponded with steep declines in gun violence, is dead at 53. W @emilyopilo.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/obituaries/a...
Anthony Barksdale, deputy mayor, dies
Anthony Barksdale, Baltimore City’s deputy mayor for public safety and a former deputy police commissioner, died Thursday. He was 53.
www.thebanner.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Breaking: Anthony Barksdale, Baltimore’s deputy mayor for public safety and a former deputy Baltimore Police commissioner, whose tenures in both roles corresponded with steep declines in gun violence, is dead at 53. W @emilyopilo.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/obituaries/a...
In a new statement, Sen. Dalya Attar, charged yesterday in federal extortion scheme, admits she did have a consultant followed and her family did capture an illicit video of the consultant. But she says it was legal. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Dalya Attar says she’s the real victim in new statement
According to the senator, the consultant was a “disgruntled woman” whom she fired from her first campaign in 2018 “for cause.” Attar does not state why.
www.thebanner.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:50 PM
In a new statement, Sen. Dalya Attar, charged yesterday in federal extortion scheme, admits she did have a consultant followed and her family did capture an illicit video of the consultant. But she says it was legal. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
New: This successful furniture chain owner sprinkled tens of thousands of dollars among Maryland politicians before becoming a Baltimore cop at age 48. Now he’s federally indicted in a political blackmail scheme www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
This furniture chain owner became a Baltimore cop. Now he’s federally indicted
Kalman Finkelstein was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly being part of a blackmail scheme involving a Democratic state senator and former city prosecutor, Dalya Attar.
www.thebanner.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:33 PM
New: This successful furniture chain owner sprinkled tens of thousands of dollars among Maryland politicians before becoming a Baltimore cop at age 48. Now he’s federally indicted in a political blackmail scheme www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
A union election will be overturned and rerun as a result of social media posts from Baltimore Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming that interfered with the process, a judicial panel for the union ruled this week, @emilyopilo.bsky.social reports www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Union panel rules Baltimore IG interfered in election, orders new vote
Isabel Mercedes Cumming's social media posts constituted “an act of interference” and an endorsement, regardless of the intent behind them, the union panel ruled.
www.thebanner.com
October 25, 2025 at 5:28 PM
A union election will be overturned and rerun as a result of social media posts from Baltimore Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming that interfered with the process, a judicial panel for the union ruled this week, @emilyopilo.bsky.social reports www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Update: More than two years after being charged, former Dunbar High School football coach Lawrence Smith pleaded guilty in federal court to charges that he stole $215,000 as a city schools police officer by lying about working overtime www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Ex-Dunbar football coach pleads guilty to stealing overtime pay
Lawrence Smith admitted that in his role as a school police detective for the district, he routinely claimed to be providing security at COVID-19 testing and food sites or assisting other law enforcem...
www.thebanner.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Update: More than two years after being charged, former Dunbar High School football coach Lawrence Smith pleaded guilty in federal court to charges that he stole $215,000 as a city schools police officer by lying about working overtime www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Ex-Baltimore cop Daniel Hersl, who went to prison for his role in Gun Trace Task Force corruption scandal and was released early due to cancer, has died www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Notorious Baltimore cop Daniel Hersl dies
Hersl was released early in January, after serving about eight years of his 18-year prison sentence, due to cancer.
www.thebanner.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Ex-Baltimore cop Daniel Hersl, who went to prison for his role in Gun Trace Task Force corruption scandal and was released early due to cancer, has died www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
New: Top Maryland prosecutor who investigated police-involved deaths is leaving post, weeks after unit’s first charged case went bust www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Top Maryland prosecutor who investigated police-involved deaths leaving post
Allison Green left as chief of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office’s Independent Investigations Division, which investigates police custody deaths.
www.thebanner.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:53 PM
New: Top Maryland prosecutor who investigated police-involved deaths is leaving post, weeks after unit’s first charged case went bust www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
New: Maryland State Police Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. is out, and the Moore administration has tapped state senator and former Prince Georges County sheriff Michael A. Jackson as his replacement www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Maryland State Police Secretary Butler is out
Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., the first Black person to lead the agency, is out as Maryland State Police secretary, with a former Prince George’s County sheriff and state senator tapped as his replacemen...
www.thebanner.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:48 PM
New: Maryland State Police Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. is out, and the Moore administration has tapped state senator and former Prince Georges County sheriff Michael A. Jackson as his replacement www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
My latest: For 7 years after Black Guerilla Family gang leader Ricky Evans pleaded guilty, nothing happened in his case.
Or so it seemed. He spent that time helping the feds solve dozens of murders and other acts of violence: www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Or so it seemed. He spent that time helping the feds solve dozens of murders and other acts of violence: www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Baltimore gang leader provided feds ‘incalculable’ cooperation for years
Former Black Guerrilla Family leader Ricky Evans has been waiting seven years to be sentenced. That's because he's spent that time helping authorities make other cases.
www.thebanner.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:49 PM
My latest: For 7 years after Black Guerilla Family gang leader Ricky Evans pleaded guilty, nothing happened in his case.
Or so it seemed. He spent that time helping the feds solve dozens of murders and other acts of violence: www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Or so it seemed. He spent that time helping the feds solve dozens of murders and other acts of violence: www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Both of The Sun’s reporters who covered the governor and General Assembly - and did a good job I might add - have left
October 8, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Both of The Sun’s reporters who covered the governor and General Assembly - and did a good job I might add - have left
Reposted by Justin Fenton
They tried the ritzy out-of-town developers. They tried local ones. They even tried breaking up the quagmire that is the "Superblock" into bite-size parcels.
All failed. Then, it burned.
What's next for the stagnant development?
w/ @emilyopilo.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/economy/supe...
All failed. Then, it burned.
What's next for the stagnant development?
w/ @emilyopilo.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/economy/supe...
The Superblock blaze followed a generation of development failure. Now what?
An ambitious plan to redevelop what’s called the Superblock, an area of downtown Baltimore, has been stuck in the mud for a quarter century. Much of the area was razed after a fire last month.
www.thebanner.com
October 7, 2025 at 12:00 PM
They tried the ritzy out-of-town developers. They tried local ones. They even tried breaking up the quagmire that is the "Superblock" into bite-size parcels.
All failed. Then, it burned.
What's next for the stagnant development?
w/ @emilyopilo.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/economy/supe...
All failed. Then, it burned.
What's next for the stagnant development?
w/ @emilyopilo.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/economy/supe...
Baltimore County government lately:
October 7, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Baltimore County government lately: