Lionel Frederick denies alleged assault on pregnant woman

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Princess Anne Town Commissioner Lionel Frederick spent the last few nights at the Somerset County Detention Center after initially being denied bail, but was able to post bail Thursday.

Frederick is currently facing assault and false imprisonment charges.

Although, upon release, Frederick was quick to defend himself, telling 47 ABC, “They’re not true at all I’m not guilty. I apologize to all my constituents who have my back, you know but these allegations aren’t true and I will continue t work hard and support the people as I have been doing.”

The Commissioner spent two days behind bars after a 21-year-old pregnant woman gave a hand-written statement to authorities.

In it she details how Frederick held her and her one-year-old against their will saying in part: “I tried to fight him off but he started punching me. After that I grabbed my son and tried to go out the door again he then pushed me with my son in my arms.”

She also claims this isn’t the first time he’s abused her and that she was tired of his abuse. Now Frederick stands charged with assault and false imprisonment, but he says he’s innocent.

“I just feel that she is a little, really immature and so also to the commissioner who agreed with some of the allegations that she wrote in her statement aren’t true. I didn’t commit the acts,” exclaims Frederick.

47 ABC reached out to town commissioner President Garland Hayward, who said he can’t comment on anything regarding Frederick’s case. But while the commissioners remain tight lipped, those in the community are speaking out.

One resident says, “This is a shock to me because he doesn’t seem to be that kind of person.”

“Even if he’s found not guilty I feel like he should definitely explain himself and let all of us feel comfortable to able to address certain issues like that in the future,” explains another.

Frederick is currently running for Clerk of the Somerset County Circuit Court.

This isn’t Frederick’s first run in with the law, according to Maryland’s case search, Frederick was charged with extortion and theft back in 2016 but the charges were dropped.

In regards to this case, Frederick will have his day in court to defend himself, which is set for October 1st at 9 a.m.