Three former MVA employees were convicted for their roles in a bribery and identity fraud scheme that involved selling fraudulent driving credentials and allowing imposters to take written tests on behalf of applicants.
Per the news release: “Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced the convictions of former state employees Shanice Tiera Smith, 35, Erica Danielle Watson, 30, and Larry Antonio Marshall, 55, all of Baltimore, for their involvement in a bribery and identity fraud scheme at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). Attorney General Brown announced the charges in July 2024.
The charges stem from a fraud scheme where Smith, Watson, and Marshall defrauded the MVA’s system designed to award driving credentials to eligible drivers. In spring 2022, Marshall was employed as a contract custodian and Smith was employed as a customer agent at the MVA branch on Reisterstown Road in Baltimore City.
The scheme began with Watson advertising MVA credentials, including drivers’ licenses and learners’ permits, for $600 each on Instagram. Smith and Watson then accepted payment for learners’ permits and drivers’ licenses from MVA applicants and orchestrated a scheme whereby two individuals assumed the identities of at least 66 MVA applicants to take the written portion of the drivers’ tests in their place. While Smith’s responsibilities as a customer agent included the administration of the knowledge tests, she allowed tests to be completed for MVA applicants who were not present. Watson and Marshall then used a portion of the funds collected from MVA applicants to bribe Smith for her assistance in this scheme.
On September 27, 2024, Shanice Smith pleaded guilty to misconduct in office and bribery before the Honorable Sylvester B. Cox, Jr., in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Smith was sentenced to five years of incarceration, all suspended in favor of three years of supervised probation.
On December 20, 2024, Larry Marshall pleaded guilty to felony identity fraud scheme, conspiracy to commit identity fraud, bribery, and conspiracy to commit bribery before the Honorable Kimberly McBride in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Marshall was sentenced to 10 years of incarceration, suspending all but 17 months, to be followed by five years of supervised probation.
On January 15, 2025, Erica Watson pleaded guilty to felony identity fraud scheme, conspiracy to commit identity fraud, bribery, and conspiracy to commit bribery before the Honorable Jennifer B. Schiffer in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Watson was sentenced to 10 years of incarceration, suspending all but six months, to be followed by three years of supervised probation.
In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked his Criminal Division, specifically the Fraud and Corruption Unit, Chief Alex Huggins, Assistant Attorneys General Alyn Pearson and Gregory Jennings, and Investigative Auditor Harry Armstrong for their work on this case. Attorney General Brown also thanked the Security and Investigations team at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. Finally, Attorney General Brown thanked State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Ivan Bates for his assistance with this prosecution.”