JESSUP, MD – Maryland State Police are investigating the murder of an inmate late Sunday morning, Aug. 14 at a state prison in Anne Arundel County.
The victim is identified as John A. O’Sullivan, 43, an inmate at the Jessup Correctional Institution, Jessup. His body has been taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.
Multiple inmate suspects have been identified by investigators. Those suspects remain in the custody of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Shortly after 10 a.m. Sunday, correctional officers in the Jessup Correctional Institution’s F Building responded to a fight in progress on a tier. They found the victim lying on the floor bleeding profusely from what appeared to be multiple stab or puncture wounds. The officers quickly took several inmate suspects into custody who were seen walking away from the victim. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical services personnel.
Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit were called to conduct the investigation. They have spent the day interviewing inmates, obtaining and serving search warrants in the prison, and working with State Police crime scene technicians who are processing the scene for evidence. They have been assisted by investigators from the State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, troopers from the Glen Burnie Barrack, and investigators from the DPSCS Internal Investigations Unit. Investigators remain at the scene tonight as the investigation continues.
Investigators have been in contact with officials in the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office regarding the ongoing investigation. No charges have been filed at this time. Upon completion, the investigation will be reviewed by the State’s Attorney’s Office before charges are placed.
Editor’s Note – An initial review of O’Sullivan’s criminal history on Maryland Judiciary Case Search indicates he may have had ties and faced charges in two Southern Maryland jurisdictions. The MSP is referring all questions about the sentence the inmate/victim was serving to the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.