Judge Denies Incarcerated Cop's Request For Release To Fight Cancer

BEL AIR, MD — A federal judge has denied an early release request made by ex-Baltimore Police Gun Trace Task Force member Daniel Hersl, 53, of Joppa who currently is serving an 18-year sentence. He requested early release last month and cited a diagnosis of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his lymph nodes, liver and lungs.

U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III denied the request in an order Monday, noting the severity of his crimes and saying he can receive treatment and interact with family while incarcerated. Hersl was slated to be released in 2031, according to his latest court filing obtained by the Baltimore Sun. Doctors have given him 18 months to live.

"Although the defendant asserts he will be at a very low risk of reoffending because of his medical condition, there is a significant need for general deterrence. A message certainly needs to be sent that if you commit criminal conduct or otherwise engage in a racketeering conspiracy that you will be held accountable and punished,” Russell wrote in his decision. "His behavior demonstrates a continued lack of personal accountability."

The judge wrote that the court is sympathetic to Hersl's medical condition but said the Bureau of Prisons is capable of managing his medical condition and Hersl "is able to interact with his family during his period of incarceration."

Hersl was arrested and charged with racketeering in 2017 after an FBI investigation of his unit, the eight-member Gun Trace Task Force, discovered that officers were regularly robbing citizens of cash and drugs, lying in official documents and stealing overtime, among other things, The Baltimore Banner reported.

Hersl faced additional charges that predated his time in the unit. While some of his co-defendants had minor histories of misconduct complaints, Hersl was one of the most notorious officers in the Baltimore Police Department. He and another officer took the charges to trial in 2018, and they were convicted by a federal jury and sentenced to 18 years in prison each.

His defense attorney said in a court filing that cancer was first detected in December 2022. By August, medical staff concluded the cancer had spread throughout his body and was “likely ... terminal.” Hersl is being held at a federal medical center in Springfield, Missouri, The Baltimore Banner reported.

Related:

• Gun Trace Task Force Cop Seeks Prison Release Facing Terminal Cancer
• 2 Corrupt Baltimore Police Officers Convicted