A suspended Baltimore Police Officer has been sentenced to 42 years in prison in connection to the 2021 death of his 15-year-old stepson, according to a news release from the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office.
Eric Glenn Banks Jr. entered an Alford Plea in the case on October 4, 2022. In an Alford Plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him.
On Jul 6, 2021, Banks and his estranged wife, Latrice Banks were at a temporary restraining order hearing just an hour before police were called to Banks' Curtis Bay home, according to prosecutors.
Latrice Banks told officers she was at the house to get her 15-year-old son Dasan "DJ" Jones, Leitess said, but got no response from him other than a text saying he fled from the house, say prosecutors. Police searched the neighborhood but had no luck in finding Jones.
Banks allowed officers to search his home where they found Jones dead and inside the wall of the top floor loft, according to prosecutors. Two young children were also located in the home and found unharmed.
Banks became combative with police while handcuffed and tried taking an officer's gun, saying "his life was over," and telling officers to "choke me, choke me," according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors say when he was questioned, Banks stated he found Jones gurgling in the bathtub and panicked.
The death was later ruled a homicide as the injuries were consistent with an assault.
"I am grateful that responding county officers insisted that DJ be located before they left the premises. I have no doubt that Banks' two other children were in grave danger as well as given the behavior of the defendant that day. This tragic case highlights the reality of the danger children can face when their caregivers are in crisis and all those who are in the position to intervene, must take that risk seriously," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess.