St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling released a year-in-review summary highlighting the office’s work in securing grant funding, advancing legislation, earning statewide recognition, modernizing operations, and expanding community outreach throughout 2025.
The office secured $507,539 in grant funding during Sterling’s third year in office, focused on victim services and concentrated gun violence prosecution. This amount brings the cumulative total of federal and state grants obtained under Sterling’s leadership to $2,033,008 since she took office on January 3, 2023, as the first woman and first Asian American elected to the position in St. Mary’s County history.
Significant legislative efforts included championing House Bill 674/Senate Bill 394, which created a new felony for concealment of death, disturbing, or dismembering human remains, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Sterling testified before the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and the House Judiciary Committee alongside other state’s attorneys. The bill passed in its first year and took effect October 1, 2025. Sterling supported the legislation after encountering cases involving dismemberment and concealment that previously fell under only a one-year misdemeanor.
Sterling also advocated for Jamari’s Law (Senate Bill 364/House Bill 977), named after Jamari Duckett of Great Mills, who was killed in 2022 by an intoxicated driver. The bill aimed to double the maximum penalty for vehicular manslaughter from 10 to 20 years for a first conviction and from 15 to 30 years for subsequent convictions. Despite partnerships with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and testimony from victims’ families, the bill stalled in committee in both chambers.
The office earned statewide recognition through several awards. Assistant State’s Attorney Zachary Varda received the 2025 Victoria F. Gelfman Legal Excellence Award, given annually by the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association to a rising star prosecutor for public service, integrity, and community commitment. Varda prosecutes cases involving domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and animal cruelty, while volunteering at local events and multidisciplinary teams.
Kelsey Perkins, Director of Legal Administration, received the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association Award for Distinguished Service on July 10, 2025, the highest honor for a non-attorney employee. Perkins led the implementation of the office’s digital case management system, earning praise for efficiency and advising other counties. She is the first paralegal to receive this statewide distinction.
State’s Attorney Sterling was named to The Daily Record’s 2025 Top 100 Women list, the only prosecutor honored. The recognition celebrates professional accomplishments, community service, mentorship, and leadership, with nominators citing her ethics, public service, and involvement in events like Shop with a Cop.
Victim Services Division continued support using grant funds for contractual mental health services. Staff participated in the 35th Annual Memorial Service for Crime Victims, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Silent Angel Memorial, and Maryland Remembers Memorial. Kelli Dixon, Director of Victim Services, served as a panelist at the Maryland Crime Victims’ Rights Conference, presenting on strengthening victim support.
Technological advancements included launching iSubpoena to streamline subpoena delivery to law enforcement, reducing administrative burdens. The office also upgraded its website to improve public access to witness updates, daily dockets, court closings, and news releases.
Community outreach included organizing the annual Project Graduation for safe, substance-free celebrations for high school graduates; hosting the third annual Badges for Basketball with the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, and Leonardtown High School; participating in Splash for Special Olympics; joining Shop with a Cop events; attending National Night Out; and supporting the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
St. Mary’s County, home to about 113,000 residents and near Naval Air Station Patuxent River, relies on the State’s Attorney’s Office to prosecute cases ranging from violent crimes to child exploitation. The office’s focus on technology, victim support, and partnerships with law enforcement aligns with broader efforts to enhance public safety in Southern Maryland communities like Leonardtown, Lexington Park, and California.
The year-end summary underscores ongoing dedication to justice and innovation as the office prepares for future challenges.