July 9, 2021: Correctional Officer at Metropolitan Transition Center in Baltimore Pleads Guilty to Charges of Felony Theft and Misconduct in Office

Maryland State Prosecutor Charlton Howard announced today that Ms. Erica Byrd, a former Correctional Officer assigned to the Metropolitan Transition Center in Baltimore, pleaded guilty on June 7, 2021, in Baltimore County Circuit Court to charges of Felony Theft Scheme and Misconduct in Office.  She was sentenced by the Hon. Robert E. Cahill, Jr. to 5 years’ incarceration, with all but 60 days suspended, and 5 years’ probation.  Ms. Byrd was also ordered to pay $114,065.70 in restitution to the State of Maryland.

As part of the statement of facts accompanying her plea, Ms. Byrd acknowledged that during her employment as a Correctional Officer for the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services she was prohibited from making changes to her documented work hours in the human resources management program Workday. Ms. Byrd, however, exploited a flaw in the Workday mobile application to change her documented work hours at the Metropolitan Transition Center in Baltimore on at least 31 occasions, claiming an additional 3,855.45 hours she did not work. Her fraudulent reporting resulted in a collective theft of $114,065.70 from the State of Maryland.

“Ms. Byrd abused her position of trust to steal money from Maryland taxpayers,” said Howard.  “She has now been held accountable.  Our office will continue to investigate and where appropriate prosecute any allegation of criminal behavior by state or local public officials.”

“This was an outstanding cooperative investigation by DPSCS detectives and the State Prosecutor. We are committed to rooting out any vestige of fraud and corruption because our hardworking correctional employees deserve better,” said Robert Green, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.  

Mr. Howard thanked Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Lindsay Bird, Office of the State Prosecutor Special Agent Daniel Bralove, and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for their collaboration in this effort.