On November 30th, 2004 Detective 1/C Clay Safford from the St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) investigated threats made towards the Honorable Karen H. Abrams, St. Mary's County Circuit Court Judge. The person making the threats was identified as 45 year old Emad Emile Dides. Mr. Dides was sentenced by Judge Abrams on August 16th, 2004 to six (6) months in the St. Mary's County Detention Center for a Theft conviction.
The defendant was authorized Work Release at the time of his original sentencing. On September 24th, 2004 he was removed from the Work Release Program for violating his conditions. The Defendant filed Motions with Judge Abrams' Office for reconsideration and the motion was denied. On November 16th, 2004 the defendant made threatening statements of bodily harm / kidnaping to a third party individual directed towards Judge Abrams. These threats were made at the St. Mary's County Detention Center during visiting hours.
Additional witnesses were identified who provided information the defendant has made similar threatening statements to other persons in the past. The defendant was served with an arrest warrant by Det. Safford on December 2nd, 2004 and he is currently awaiting his appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
The St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations is an investigative team comprised of Detectives from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office and the Maryland State Police, Leonardtown Barrack. The unit was established on July 1, 2003 and is based in Leonardtown, Maryland.