A former Baltimore Gun Trace Task Force member, jailed for using his authority as a police officer to steal thousands of dollars from city residents, was granted an early release from prison because of his “terminal medical condition,” according to documents filed Friday in the U.S. District Court of Maryland.

Daniel Hersl, 55, will be placed on a three-year term of supervised release after serving a third of an 18-year sentence in federal prison for racketeering.

In 2018, a jury found him guilty, along with other members of the corrupt police task force, of scheming to rob people, deal drugs and commit overtime fraud.

“Mr. Hersl shall be released from the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons as soon as his medical condition permits, his release plan is implemented, and necessary arrangements can be made,” U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher wrote in the court filing. “This Court agrees, that Mr. Hersl’s terminal medical condition and limited life expectancy constitute extraordinary and compelling reasons warranting the requested reduction.”

Hersl was originally slated for release in 2031. His attorney, Christopher Madiou, could not be reached for comment Saturday.

Hersl penned numerous letters arguing his innocence and complaining about his treatment in prison during the early days of his incarceration.

He claimed he was a victim of “fabricated” stories, “prosecutorial misconduct” and “prison trauma.”

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2023; it metastasized to his lymph nodes, liver and lungs, according to an emergency motion for compassionate release filed in October of that year.

The motion said he had 18 months to live.

The request, and a subsequent appeal, were denied.

A U.S. District Judge ruled that, while he was sympathetic to Hersl’s medical condition, the Bureau of Prisons was capable of managing it and allowing Hersl to interact with his family.

U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III wrote in his decision that a message “certainly needs to be sent that those who engage in such a racketeering conspiracy will be held accountable.”

In an email to his attorney in March 2024, he stated that after “some soul searching,” he was ready to “accept full responsibility for [his] conduct” and agreed to dismiss pending motions filed on his behalf before the court.

Last week, an assistant U.S. attorney filed a motion on behalf of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons asking for Hersl’s release, saying his disease “has continued to progress” and “his life expectance is expected to be significantly less than 18 months.”

The motion, which Gallagher granted, said Hersl would live with his sister in Kingsville upon release.

Sun reporter Alex Mann contributed to this report. Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com or on X as @ToddKarpovich.