Credit: St. Mary's County States Attorney's Office
The St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office has been awarded a $72,488 Gun Violence Reduction Grant to continue efforts combating violent crimes involving firearms.
State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced the grant Monday. In her first year in office, Sterling used similar funding to establish a full-time Digital Evidence Analyst position and launch the Evidence Review Unit. The unit manages complex digital evidence such as body-worn camera footage, surveillance video, social media records and cell phone data while providing specialized support in gun violence cases.
“As technology continues to shape criminal investigations, a dedicated evidence analyst position is mission critical to our office’s operations,” Sterling said. “This grant ensures a seamless continuation of the office’s digital evidence analyst role, which bolsters the successful prosecution of criminals who commit violent crimes while utilizing firearms in St. Mary’s County.”
The grant from the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy marks the fourth consecutive year the office has successfully competed for this funding, totaling $348,470 over four years. Combined with other grants, the office has secured more than $2.6 million since Sterling took office in 2023.
Chief of Staff Jessika Hall prepared the competitive FY27 application.
The Evidence Review Unit addresses growing challenges in modern prosecutions where digital evidence plays a central role. Sterling emphasized the unit’s importance in seeking justice for victims of gun violence while protecting the community.
This project is supported by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy under GVRG-2027-0009.
