Inmate Charged with Prison Homicide

(JESSUP, MD) – Maryland State Police have charged a state prison inmate with the murder of his cellmate earlier this year.

The accused inmate is identified as Johnnie L. Sellers, Jr., 37, who is a state prison inmate in the Maryland Division of Correction. He is charged with second degree murder, manslaughter, first degree assault and second degree assault.

The inmate victim is identified as Glenn E. Smith, 58. Smith was a state prison inmate serving time at the Jessup Correctional Institution in Jessup, Md.

On January 21, 2016, the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was contacted by investigators from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Internal Investigative Unit (DPSCS IIU) about an inmate death. Investigators told State Police Smith was found in his cell with multiple injuries on January 18, 2016. He was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center and died at the hospital on the morning of January 21st.

An autopsy was conducted at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore. The autopsy determined Smith’s death was a homicide, resulting from multiple blunt force injuries.

The investigation revealed Smith was last seen uninjured on the evening of January 17th, before the cells were locked for the night. Smith shared a cell with another inmate. The next morning, Smith’s cellmate reported to the tier correctional officer that Smith was injured. Correctional officers responded and could see Smith had sustained injuries to his face. Medical assistance was summoned and Smith was transported to the hospital.

At the conclusion of their investigation, State Police Homicide Unit investigators reviewed the case with the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office. After consultation with members of the state’s attorney’s office, investigators were directed to obtain an arrest warrant charging the suspect with the listed charges.

State Police Homicide Unit investigators were assisted in the investigation by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Internal Investigations Unit. Assistance was also provided by State Police crime scene technicians and investigators from the State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, as well as members of the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office.