Judge convicts 2 Baltimore Police officers in misconduct case

A judge on Wednesday convicted two Baltimore Police officers who were accused of making false statements and engaging in misconduct during an arrest.

Baltimore Circuit Judge Lynn Stewart Mays found Officer Menachem Rosenbloom, 34, guilty of one count of second-degree assault and misconduct in office. She found him not guilty of two counts of making false statements and misconduct in office.

Mays found Officer Mordechai Mandelbaum, 35, guilty of two counts of making false statements and misconduct in office.

Outside the courtroom, Rosenbloom’s attorney, Joe Murtha, and Mandelbaum’s attorney, Chaz Ball, declined to comment.

“Police officers are entrusted with tremendous authority and a responsibility to uphold the law,” Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates said in a statement. “When that authority is abused, through excessive force, false statements, or misconduct in office, it undermines public trust and threatens the integrity of our justice system.”

Bates said the verdicts “reaffirm that no one is above the law” and vowed that his office “will continue to hold individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their position or badge.”

The following account is drawn from trial testimony and body camera video:

On June 26, 2025, Rosenbloom and Mandelbaum were twice called to an apartment on East Chase Street in Johnston Square after Khalil Smith, 30, got into a dispute with his partner following a night of alleged drinking. He then left his two young children alone and threatened to harm himself.

Police eventually moved to arrest him.

When Mandelbaum got out of a patrol vehicle to arrest Smith, he took a few steps and, prosecutors alleged, lost his balance and fell on the sidewalk.

Mandelbaum told Rosenbloom that Smith tripped and kicked him. Rosenbloom then called over the radio that there was a “10-30 for assault on police.” They continued the pursuit.

Later, Rosenbloom chased Smith down an alley, where he hit a dead end and briefly climbed onto an air conditioning unit. Rosenbloom ordered Smith to get on the ground and pepper-sprayed him.

Smith partially got on the ground. Rosenbloom then sprayed him another three times.

Mandelbaum walked up to Rosenbloom and remarked, “I appreciate you for avenging me.”

Prosecutors asserted that Mandelbaum and Rosenbloom made false statements about what happened.

On the witness stand, Smith testified that he did not believe he was under arrest. He said was in a depressed and emotional state as well as scared and confused.

“I just didn’t want to be harassed with the situation anymore,” Smith said. “All of my actions were submissive.”

At times, Smith sparred with defense attorneys, causing the judge to admonish him. “Mr. Smith, this isn’t a sport,” Mays said. “This is a serious situation.”

Smith acknowledged on cross-examination that he told police he was a personal trainer, kickboxer and wrestler who boasted he could beat people up. He said he was on probation in Baltimore County for theft and did not want to go back to jail.

A police supervisor, Sgt. Steven Langjahr, testified that he found Rosenbloom’s use of force to be reasonable, necessary and proportional.

Lt. Charles Smith, another supervisor, said he accepted those findings and concurred with the assessment.

Rosenbloom testified that Khalil Smith was not fully compliant and stated that he felt the man posed an imminent threat.

“I did not want to fight him,” Rosenbloom said. “Mace has an effect to calm people down.”

He denied that he made any false statements or used retaliatory force.

Mandelbaum also testified and disputed that he made any false statements.

In an email, Lindsey Eldridge, a spokesperson for the Baltimore Police Department, said Rosenbloom and Mandelbaum remain suspended with pay. They’ve both been with the department for five years.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 16.

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