PRINCESS ANNE, Md.- A Princess Anne town commissioner was arrested Monday in connection with an alleged extortion scheme to keep someone from running for town commissioner.
According to Maryland State Police, 25-year-old Lionel D. Frederick 2nd is charged with three counts of extortion and one count of theft. Police said the investigation began on May 5 when investigators received information indicating Frederick had contacted a fellow Princess Anne town commissioner and told him he had someone who would run for the town commissioner's seat.
According to court documents, Frederick allegedly told the town commissioner, identified as Dennis Williams, that if he paid him $5,000, Frederick would convince the person not to run.
Charging documents state that on Monday, Frederick contacted Williams and arranged to meet to receive half of the $5,000. Police said troopers conducted surveillance of the meeting, which occurred at Frederick's home. Williams was also in possession of a digital recorder, which was used to record the conversation he had with Frederick, according to charging documents.
Police said that after observing Williams give Frederick $2,500, troopers arrested Frederick.
Princess Anne Town Commissioners President, Garland Hayward said he was surprised to hear about Frederick's arrest.
"I'm concerned, I'm concerned as I'm always concerned about individuals...so you know...I'm concerned about the cohesiveness of our commissioners and trying to keep it together so we can continue to do the towns business," Hayward said.
Following his arrest on the aforementioned charges, Frederick was ordered held on $100,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Frederick on June 3.
Click here to read the charging documents.
Editor's note: Maryland State Police originally identified the person who Frederick is accused of extorting as a Somerset County commissioner. Police later issued an update to indicate that person was a Princess Anne town commissioner.
