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Thurmont resident Michael David Burns was sentenced to nine years, with all but 18 months suspended to be served in the Frederick County Adult Detention Center after being convicted on 10 counts, including multiple hate crimes involving his neighbors.
Prosecutors say that the victims, a same-sex couple who are neighbors of Burns, reported the trespassing and harassment last year directly to the State’s Attorney’s Office, prompting a lengthy investigation.
Charges were filed based on his repeated trespassing onto his neighbor's property while in possession of a rifle, verbally harassing them with hate-based threats, throwing large rocks on their driveway and physically blocking the entrance to their property, they added.
Burns was found guilty by a jury in January of:
- Three hate crimes;
- Two counts of harassment;
- Three counts of trespassing;
- Two counts of disorderly conduct.
During his time in jail, prosecutors say that they arranged or him to be on work release. He has been on home detention since late January pending his sentencing.
In addition to his jail sentence, which began on Thursday, a judge also ordered that Burns serve five years of supervised probation upon his release that includes: alcohol and drug treatment, mental health treatment and no contact with the victims or their property.
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