Westminster nonprofit discontinues youth programs after founder is investigated for sexual solicitation of minor

The Westminster-based nonprofit Together We Own It has terminated all youth programs and begun laying off staff as of April 6, after Carroll County Public Schools, the county commissioners and the county’s Department of Citizen Services canceled contracts with the group late last month. The organization’s founder and former executive director, Katie Speert, 26, was the subject of a police investigation in February involving alleged sexual solicitation of a 17-year-old minor, according to Carroll County State’s Attorney Haven Shoemaker, but no charges were filed.