Lionel Frederick

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Former Princess Anne Commission President Lionel Frederick has been sentenced for illegally possessing a gun and ammunition.

Frederick was previously found guilty in September of illegally possessing a gun due to having a previous conviction. Investigators say he was found in possession of a shotgun in October 2024.

Frederick said he legally purchased the gun and was never told to turn it over after a violent crime conviction in 2019. Prosecutors, however, said he had signed a probation order acknowledging he was not allowed to possess a gun.

On Thursday, Oct. 30, a Somerset County Circuit Court Judge sentenced Frederick to 10 years in prison with all years suspended. Though he received no jail time, Frederick was sentenced to three years probation, which he must complete or face the original 10-year sentence.

Frederick told the judge on Thursday that he had already suffered enough, citing his loss of position from the Princess Anne Commission and claiming he is being politically targeted.

State’s Attorney Wes Garner said willful ignorance of the law is not a defense nor an excuse during the sentencing hearing Thursday morning.

Frederick’s lawyer says they plan to appeal the conviction citing 2nd Amendment rights.

WBOC’s Grace Harman was in Somerset County Circuit Court on Thursday for the sentencing. She will have more on this story on WBOC News at 6.

Digital Content Producer

Sean joined WBOC as Digital Content Producer in February 2023. Originally from New Jersey, Sean graduated from Rutgers University with bachelor’s degrees in East Asian Studies and Religion. He has lived in New York, California, and Virginia before he and his wife finally found a place to permanently call home in Maryland. With family in Laurel, Ocean Pines, Berlin, and Captain’s Cove, Sean has deep ties to the Eastern Shore and is thrilled to be working at WBOC serving the community.

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