In a May 7 hearing before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy, a Baltimore man was granted one day of unsupervised probation before judgment after pleading guilty to discharging a firearm during a violent street melee last December.
Cory Johnson, 47, accepted the plea agreement for the single count, which carries a maximum sentence of one year of incarceration. By accepting probation before judgement, Johnson effectively waived his rights to appeal the decision.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred Dec. 28, 2025, on the 2500 block of Calverton Heights Avenue. According to the statement of charges, patrol units responded to an aggravated assault involving approximately 15 suspects and a smaller group of victims. The conflict involved the use of bats, bottles and wooden sticks. Several individuals sustained injuries, including a pregnant woman who was reportedly kicked and punched.
While at home with his wife and son, Johnson reportedly observed the violence escalating and moving closer to his residence. Fearing for the safety of his family and the victims being assaulted, Johnson stepped onto his porch and discharged a single bullet from his registered firearm into the air. The warning shot successfully dispersed the crowd, and participants fled the scene.
During the hearing, the state’s attorney argued against the leniency of unsupervised probation and initially offered the defendant one year of supervised probation.
However, defense attorney Lena Abboud highlighted Johnson’s well-rounded background, noting his service in the army starting in 1997 and his longstanding employment as a motor coach driver for the Maryland Transit Administration. Abboud emphasized that Johnson holds a valid commercial driver’s license and maintains his wear and carry permit in good standing with no prior convictions.
Judge Handy noted Johnson’s age and lack of a criminal record before finalizing the judgment. Following the sentencing, Abboud stated that the defense intends to pursue an early expungement of the record given the circumstances of the case and Johnson’s clean history.
