Annapolis, MD – Yesterday in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, Jermaine Donte Mitchell, age 44, of Annapolis, was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Michael Malone to fifteen years suspending all but ten years active incarceration in the Division of Correction for the May 2025 armed robbery of a taxi cab driver in Severna Park. On November 6, 2025, a jury found Mitchell guilty of armed robbery, robbery, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and dangerous weapon: wear and carry with intent to injure, following a two-day trial. Judge Malone also ordered Mitchell to serve five years of supervised probation upon his release from prison.
Following the sentencing, Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess commented, “This is certainly the worst nightmare for taxi and rideshare drivers, to be attacked and robbed by a passenger. This defendant had a chance to pay the fare and exit the taxi, but chose to pistol-whip the driver and take his phone. The defendant will have plenty of time to reflect on his crime behind bars.”
On May 1, 2025, officers with the Anne Arundel County Police Department were dispatched to the area of Ritchie Highway and Earleigh Heights Road in Severna Park for the report of a robbery. Officers received a description of the suspect, and were able to locate him on foot near Magothy Bridge Road and Ritchie Highway. The suspect, Jermaine Donte Mitchell, was placed into handcuffs.
The victim, a taxi driver, told officers that he picked up Mitchell from a hotel in the 100 block of Womack Drive in Annapolis to take him to Marley Station. The victim said that while he was driving the defendant in the area of Ritchie Highway and Magothy Bridge Road, Mitchell began arguing with him about the price of the taxi ride. The driver offered to let Mitchell out at the intersection, but he would have to pay the $40 fare. Mitchell then produced what appeared to be a black handgun and struck the driver in the right temple with the firearm. The defendant then demanded the driver give him his cell phone so he would not be able to call police. Mitchell got out of the taxi without paying the $40 fare and with possession of the victim’s phone. The victim noticed a Prince George's County Police vehicle at the intersection and immediately reported the armed robbery. The police pulled into the firehouse parking lot located at 161 Ritchie Highway and followed Mitchell in his vehicle as Mitchell walked away on foot. Mitchell returned the cell phone back to the victim when he realized police were nearby. Additional Anne Arundel County plain clothes officers in the area assisted in taking Mitchell into custody.
Using video footage from the area, detectives were able to observe the defendant place something near a white Ford Expedition in the parking lot of the Earleigh Heights Firehouse. Officers located a firearm underneath the vehicle. The County Police Evidence Collection Unit responded to the scene to collect the firearm, which was determined to be a black BB gun labeled “Glock 17” and included a serial number.
The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorney Shane Nolan on behalf of the citizens of Anne Arundel County. The investigation was led by the Anne Arundel County Police Department.