Cecil County News

03/17/2026

For nearly a decade, the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office has operated under the leadership of Sheriff Scott Adams.

Now, as he prepares to step down—and with his endorsed successor stating he “would not change anything”—we believe the public deserves a closer look at that record.

We’ve reviewed internal accounts and source documents outlining serious concerns involving misconduct, leadership decisions, and accountability within the agency.

Today, we are publishing an open letter calling for transparency.

This is not about politics.
This is about public trust.

Read the full letter below and decide for yourself.

An Open Letter to the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office: A Call for Transparency and Accountability To Sheriff Scott Adams, the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office, and those seeking to lead it next: As Sheriff Scott Adams prepares to step down after three terms in office, the future direction of the Ceci...

03/16/2026

As the political season approaches, make sure you take the time to do your own research.
Here are a few tools that can help you properly vet the candidates.

While it is true that media coverage can make our national politics more intriguing, it is important to be informed of what events and back room deals transpire at the local level. Property is the highest tax to pay and it can directly affect the cost of rent and control the quality of your life. [....

02/20/2026

As debate intensifies across Maryland regarding changes to 287(g) agreements, sheriff candidate Nick Jaskiewicz has publicly clarified his position on cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities

As debate intensifies across Maryland regarding changes to 287(g) agreements, sheriff candidate Nick Jaskiewicz has publicly clarified his position on cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. The 287(g) program, authorized under federal law, allows state and loc...

02/19/2026

Since 14 years old, Nick has been serving the communities in which he lived. He is the Higher Standard in Law Enforcement!

Nick Jaskiewicz is assigned to his agency’s Field Operations Bureau at one of busiest barrack’s in Maryland. He was previously assigned to the agencies Aviation Command where he served as Crew Chief and Paramedic in Command on the state-of-the-art AW139 Medevac helicopter.

Nick was tasked with Tactical Flight Officer operations, Hoist, Aerial Rescue, and Medevac missions. He has been in the Emergency Services field since 2004 and has spent most of that time teaching in some capacity. His career began in Connecticut as a First Responder at the age of 14. He then obtained his Paramedic at 19 from Hartford Hospital Paramedic Program.

Once he obtained experience with one of the busiest 911 systems in the state, he then became a Fire Fighter/ Paramedic prior to entering law enforcement in 2015.

Nick is still active with Aviation Command while upholding his full-time assignment an duties. He is a Tactical Paramedic, Rappel Master, Certified Sniper, and rescue specialist.

02/07/2026

https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/former-cecil-county-executive-speaks-out-after-sexually-graphic-voicemail-surfaces

The former Cecil County executive is speaking publicly after a disturbing voicemail from 2023 surfaced online this month, containing violent sexual comments.

02/07/2026

Maryland Criminal Law § 3-803 & § 3-804 prohibit making threats or engaging in offensive conduct intentionally meant to alarm or terrorize another person.
If the voicemail contains statements that would cause a reasonable person to fear imminent harm (including sexual violence), then the speakers could be criminally liable for criminal threatening or harassment/intimidation under state law. Those statutes apply even if the threats aren’t carried out.
The fact that the remarks allegedly refer to specific named individuals with implied sexual violence strengthens the likelihood that, if proven, this could meet the statutory elements of a threat.

The former Cecil County executive is speaking publicly after a disturbing voicemail from 2023 surfaced online this month, containing violent sexual comments.

02/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/187KxGTSaz/

What boxes does threatening to brutalize the County Executive and describing horrific sexual acts at the FOP Lodge actually check under the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office Standards of Conduct?

Quite a few.

Section (d)
Unauthorized or unlawful threatening or attempting to inflict unlawful bodily harm on another.
Threatening to “brutalize” a specific person is exactly that.

Section (f)
Discourteous, disrespectful, or discriminatory treatment of any member of the public or the County.
This was directed at a sitting County Executive.

Section (g)
Use of obscene, indecent, profane, or derogatory language while on duty or in uniform while in view of the public.
The language speaks for itself.

Section (h)
Criminal, dishonest, or disgraceful conduct, whether on or off duty, that adversely affects the member’s relationship with this office.
Threats of sexual violence qualify as disgraceful by any standard.

Section (k)
Activity incompatible with a member’s conditions of employment or appointment.
Law enforcement officers investigate sexual assault. They do not fantasize about committing it.

Section (m)
Any other on or off duty conduct that a member knows or reasonably should know is unbecoming, contrary to good order, efficiency, or morale, or that reflects unfavorably on the office or its members.
This one alone captures the entire voicemail.

And remember, Cecil County deputies are issued take-home patrol vehicles because they are expected to be available and represent the office at all times. The handbook does not carve out a “safe window” for this kind of behavior.

So no, this is not about clocking in or clocking out.
It is not about technicalities.
It is not about politics.

By the Sheriff’s Office’s own written standards, threatening to brutalize and sexually assault the County Executive checks multiple violations, not just one.

The policy question is answered.
What remains is whether it will be enforced.

02/05/2026

Cecil County News will always back the blue.

Through the thick and thin, we stand with the men and women of law enforcement who serve our community with integrity, courage, and honor. While there are challenges and ongoing issues with some personnel within the Sheriff’s Office, our support remains steadfast for the deputies and officers who show up every day, protect our families, and uphold the law with professionalism.

We honor their sacrifice and commitment — and we thank them for everything they do.

👇 Watch this great moment from the Back the Blue parade:
https://youtu.be/X8dQ-F-AJHE

Back the Blue Parade at the North East Barracks on 7/25/2020

02/04/2026

A law firm is also pursuing this. We need accountability and transparency with our Sheriff's Office.

02/03/2026

Voicemail Raises Serious Allegations Involving County Officials

A voicemail left on May 19, 2023, at approximately 11:31 a.m. has prompted serious concerns after it allegedly captured a private conversation among several county law enforcement officials.

According to the recipient of the voicemail, who has asked to remain anonymous, due to possible and/or very likely retribution, the recording resulted from an apparent accidental call placed by Lt. Joseph Wilson that went to voicemail. The message allegedly contains a conversation involving Lt. Michael Zack, Sgt. Fran Wallace, Cpl. Jeremy Strohecker, and Lt. Wilson.

In the recording, the individuals (Mainly Mike Zack and Fran Wallace) are allegedly heard making explicit and degrading remarks about County Executive Danielle Hornberger, including statements that implied their intentions of sexual violence. The conversation reportedly turns to Wayne Tome, longtime Paramedic and firefighter in the county, and derogatory comments involving all firehouses and firefighters as well as Mr. Tome, who was at the time the county’s Director of Emergency Services.

The existence of the voicemail has raised questions about professional conduct, workplace culture, and potential abuse of authority. No official statement has yet been released by the county, the CCSO, or the individuals named regarding the recording or its contents.

As of this report, it is unclear whether an internal and/or external investigation has been initiated.

**The VM can be heard by going to our website or link below.
https://youtu.be/WtCFzO_6voI

A voicemail left on May 19, 2023, at approximately 11:31 a.m. has prompted serious concerns after it allegedly captured a private conversation among several county law enforcement officials. According to the recipient of the voicemail, who has asked to remain anonymous, due to possible and/or very l...

02/01/2026

Zoning decisions don’t just shape development — they shape who benefits.

In Cecil County, Enterprise Zones are promoted as tools to grow jobs and strengthen the economy. But zoning changes and incentives don’t affect everyone equally.

When land is rezoned or placed inside an Enterprise Zone, property values can rise overnight — before anything is built. Tax breaks and fee reductions often follow. The benefits are immediate for a few, while the costs are spread across taxpayers over time.

These decisions are legal. They’re public.
But they’re often made when most working people can’t be in the room.

Segment 5 of Cecil County Under the Microscope explains how zoning and Enterprise Zones work, why access matters, and who really pays in the end.

📍 Featuring a simplified map of Cecil County Enterprise Zones
📖 Part of our ongoing investigative series

Read it. Share it. And ask who the system is designed to serve.

Zoning, Enterprise Zones, and Who Really Benefits Up to this point, this series has shown how elections are often decided early, how money narrows the field, and how public institutions multiply power. Now we look at results — where influence turns into land, money, and long-term taxpayer impact. ...

01/19/2026

Elections don’t operate in a vacuum!

In Cecil County, public institutions such as schools, law enforcement, courts, and other government agencies play a powerful role in shaping careers, livelihoods, and who feels safe enough to speak out about misconduct, favoritism, or abuse of authority.

Public institutions don’t campaign.
They don’t endorse.
But their influence multiplies political power in ways most voters never see.

In the last segment, we looked at who can afford to compete in local elections — and why money and early access narrow the field long before most voters are paying attention. But money alone doesn’t explain why power in Cecil County feels so stable, even when voters are frustrated or elections c...