MARYLAND STATE PROSECUTOR ANNOUNCES SENTENCING OF EASTON POLICE OFFICER FOR MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE

Talbot County, MD - In a recent announcement, Charlton T. Howard III, the Maryland State Prosecutor, has revealed that Easton Police Department Sergeant Jason Dyott has been sentenced on two counts of Misconduct in Office.

The sentence includes four years of incarceration, with all but six months suspended and three years of supervised probation. This ruling was handed down in the Circuit Court for Talbot County by the Hon. C. Carey Deeley, Jr.

Back in September, Sergeant Dyott was found guilty of two separate incidents where he engaged in physical sexual conduct with two different minors while on duty with the Easton Police Department. The court discovered that on two occasions in November 2022, Sergeant Dyott violated his duty as a sworn law enforcement officer, using his position to take advantage of these young victims.

The Office of the State Prosecutor also noted that the guidelines for the crime of Misconduct in Office have increased, effective today, November 1, 2024. The updated guidelines were considered applicable to Sergeant Dyott's sentence.

The Office of the State Prosecutor had advocated for this increase in the guidelines during a session with the Maryland Sentencing Commission last year.

The judgement stressed the need for accountability, especially in cases where individuals are victimized by someone in a position of trust, leading to the recommendation for a custodial sentence for Sergeant Dyott. The Judge indicated that there were compelling reasons to deviate from the guidelines and respond to the gravity of the crime, characterizing the behavior as "awful" and "well beyond an embarrassment."

In the closing remarks of his announcement, State Prosecutor Howard emphasized the importance of holding law enforcement officials accountable to maintain public faith in their agency and government authority.

Howard extended thanks to Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Mary Setzer and Deputy State Prosecutor Sarah David, who prosecuted the case, as well as Office of the State Prosecutor Senior Special Agents George Taylor and Jeff Stauder, the Talbot County Sheriff's Office, and Joan Stammnitz, Director of Victim Witness Services for the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office.

This case serves as a strong reminder of the justice system's commitment to hold public officials accountable for their actions and to ensure the safety and protection of the community.