Frederick Man Sentenced For 1st-Degree Murder

He was also sentenced  for explosives charges.Joshua Eckenrode (Photo from Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office)Frederick, Md (KM) Sentencing was handed down on Friday to a Frederick man for murder. Joshua Eckenrode, 20, was given life in prison for the shooting of Curtis Mason Smith last year with all but 40-years suspended. He was also given a suspended 51-year sentence for possession of a destructive device, possession of explosives without a license and related weapons charges.After his release from prison, Eckenrode will be placed on five years of supervised probation with all the standard conditions such as education, evaluation  and testing for substance abuse, abstaining from alcohol and controlled dangerous substances, and abuse use and illegal  possession of prescription drugs. He also must undergo random drug and alcohol testing, mental health evaluations and any treatment as directed.   Eckenrode must also have no contact with the victim’s family, and stay away from their residences and places of unemployment. He must also undergo GPS monitoring. .The State’s Attorney’s Office says Smith and Eckenrode had agreed to the sale of a firearm last year.. During the transaction at the defendant’s home, Eckenrode shot and killed Smith. .On March 19th, 2021, Frederick Police were dispatched to a missing person’s report. Later that night, Curtis Mason Smith’s name was entered into the National Crime Information Center as a missing adult. On March 20th, Smith’s body was found inside of his car in the 8100 block of Runnymeade Drive. He had been shot in the head.As part of the investigation, authorities conducted a search of Eckenrode’s home, and found firearms, explosive devices and bomb making material.According to the State’s Attorney’s Office, the investigation leading to Eckenrode’s arrest and indictments was a coordinated effort between Frederick County Sheriff’s Detective Joshua Stears and Frederick Police Department Detective Tyler Deartrich. . Also lending their assistance to the case were Office of the Frederick County Fire Marshal and, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The State was represented in this case by Chief Assistant State’s Attorneys Michael J. Moore and Rebecca K. Clinton,  and Assistant State’s Attorney Samantha Slattery.By Kevin McManus