He was also sentenced for firearms and gang-related offenses.
Lavonte Darnell Nash (Photo from Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office)
Frederick, Md (KM) Sentence was handed down on Tuesday in Frederick County Circuit in connection with a murder nearly five years ago. . Circuit Court Judge Scott Rolle gave Lavonte Darnell Nash.,30, of Frederick, life in prison with all but 50 years suspended. for 1st-degree murder, attempted 1st degree murder, possession of a firearm in a crime of violence, conspiracy to participate in a criminal gang, participating in a criminal gang and distribution of cocaine. Nash pleaded guilty to those charges on December 27th, 2023..
He received credit for time served from September 24th, 2019 when he was first held without bond.
On June 27th, 2019, the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office says Nash shot and killed Gregory Knight and severely injured Camryn Wilson while both were sitting in a car in the 1,000 block of Columbine Drive. . Nash murdered Knight after learning he was to be a witness against him in a drug distribution offense.
Nash also admitted to a gang-related shooting out outside of Cafe 611 on August 31st, 2019. He was a member of PA 32, a criminal street gang originating in Frederick.
“Despite the complex nature of this investigation, all levels of teamwork proved extremely effective and provided justice to the victims,” says State’s Attorney Charlie Smith, in a statement.
The State’s Attorney’s Office says this was an investigation between the Frederick Police Criminal Investigations Division and Tactical Investigations Unit, and allied agencies of the Frederick HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) under the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network. The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victims Services provided grant funding and strategic support.
By Kevin McManus