Thurmont Man Sentenced On 10 Counts, Including Hate Crimes Offenses

He will be incarcerated at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center.Michael David Burns (Photo from Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office._Frederick, Md (IKM) A Thurmont man will be spending some time in the Frederick County Adult Detention. . Michael David Burns, 53. was sentenced on Thursday in Frederick County Circuit Court to nine years in the local jail  with all  but 18 months suspended  for ten counts: three hate crime counts, two counts of harassment, three counts of trespassing and two counts of disorderly conduct against his neighbors who are a same-sex couple. Burns was found guilty of those offenses in January, and has been on home detention since then.The State’s Attorney’s Office says its investigation by Assistant State’s Attorney Carly Gibson determined that Burns continued to trespass on his neighbors’ property with a rifle.   He was also accused of verbally harassing them with hate-filled threats, throwing large rocks on to the victims’ driveway to prevent them from having access to their property, and blocking the entrance to their property.While he’s incarcerated for 18 months, officials with the Adult Detention Center will arrange for work release for Burns, according to the State’s Attorney’s Office. .After he gets out of jail, Burns will be placed on five-years supervised probation. During that time, Burns is required to enter drug, alcohol and mental health treatment. He must have no contact with the victims or trespass on their property.By Kevin McManus