Beyond MoCo

On July 10, 2023, Maleik Christopher Moody, 28, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to several charges before Judge Mary M. Kramer of the Howard County Circuit Court, including participating in a criminal organization, knowingly distributing fentanyl, and the possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Moody was sentenced to 30 years of incarceration, with all but 10 years suspended, and will serve the first five years of that sentence without the possibility of parole. Moody was the last remaining defendant to be sentenced among the six charged in this investigation. All other defendants had previously pleaded guilty.

The case originated from an investigation by the Howard County Police Department into a nonfatal opioid overdose that occurred in its jurisdiction. The continued investigation, led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit, the Howard County Police Department, and the Strike Force 7 Group, led by the Maryland State Police, linked the overdose to as many as six additional overdoses in Maryland and Virginia, including at least one fatal overdose. During the investigation, detectives seized more than one kilogram of fentanyl and six handguns, observed hundreds of hand-to-hand drug transactions in multiple jurisdictions, and intercepted communications confirming the distribution of large amounts of fentanyl throughout Maryland.


MCPS

The Washington Post recently released a list of the area’s top high school sports programs, assigning points to schools in various categories, including end of season ranking for teams, All-Met student athletes, player/coach of the year awards, state tournament results, and championships. Montgomery County Schools took six of ten spots in the Maryland Public School category, and six of 20 spots in the Private School categories which included schools in the entire DC Metropolitan region, but were split into two separate lists for boys and girls athletics.

Montgomery County public schools listed in the top 10 for Maryland include, Whitman (155 points), Churchill (153 points), Poolesville (135 points), Sherwood (129 points), Damascus (124 points), and Quince Orchard (122 points). Montgomery County private schools in the girls category include Stone Ridge (176 points), Good Counsel (144 points), and Bullis (78 points). Montgomery County private schools on the boys side include, Georgetown Prep (233 points), Landon (208 points), and Bullis (119 points). Full lists can be seen here.


DMV

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has forecast a Code Orange air day for the metropolitan Washington region tomorrow: Tuesday, July 18. Smoke coming from wildfires in Canada will contribute to the increased levels of fine particle pollution. The Code Orange levels mean the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups, including older adults, children, and people with heart or lung disease.

Residents can check current air quality conditions on COG’s website or the Clean Air Partners website.


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Crime

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable John Maloney sentenced defendant, Kyle Noble, to 60 years in prison suspend all but 50 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release.” Noble was convicted last month on charges of second-degree murder and armed robbery for the death and robbery of 31-year-old Efrain Arias.

This stems from an incident on September 15th 2019, when the defendant, Noble, confronted Efrain Arias as Arias exited a vehicle in the parking lot of the Extended Stay America hotel on Milestone Center Drive in Germantown. Noble chased the victim down a hill into a field near the parking lot, fatally stabbed him, then came back and robbed the dying victim of personal property. As stated by the prosecutors in court, the attack was fueled by drug-seeking behavior and a jealous rage, as the victim was a friend of the defendant’s ex-girlfriend.


Beyond MoCo

Smith began her career with the United States Park Police in 1998 as a patrol officer in the San Francisco Field Office and received numerous commendations for her proactive efforts with drug enforcement, sobriety checkpoints, and community engagement. As she grew her career, she was reassigned to the New York Field Office where she continued her remarkable work ethic and joined the Canine Unit as a Canine Handler in the Explosive Ordinance and Detection Unit. She transitioned to a Senior Instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Law Enforcement Driver Training Program in Glynco, GA. She rose through the ranks as Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Deputy Chief and was ultimately promoted to Chief of Police, becoming the first African American woman to serve as Chief in the agency’s 230-year history.

As MPD’s Chief Equity Officer, Smith led the department’s efforts on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), making an immediate impact in the department by ensuring DEI issues remain a priority in the department. She developed an organizational channel for department-wide accountability by providing strategic advice to the Chief of Police, executive leadership, and senior management officials within the department. In addition to her DEI focus, she supervised the Directorates for Employee Well Being and Support Unit and Equal Employment Opportunity Office.


Kensington

Update: The camera has been removed. Full story here.

A NextDoor post depicting a fake speed camera that was built in a Kensington neighborhood has received over 150 comments and news coverage as neighbors debate if it’s a good idea. The “speed camera” is filled with books and doubles as a version of a “Little Free Library”, a space that allows neighbors to take and drop off books for the community.


DMV

Mulan Dumpling, LLC, a Hyattsville, Md. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,560 pounds of frozen meat and poultry dumpling products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. These items were shipped to retail grocery store locations in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Per the USDA: Several types of frozen dumpling products were produced between February 20 and June 26, 2023. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:


Crime

Per MCPD: A juvenile male has been arrested and charged for a burglary that he committed on Monday, July 17, 2023.  At approximately 12:10 p.m., 5th District officers responded to the area of Pickering Ct., in Germantown, for the report of domestic violence in progress. The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, who was armed with a knife and handgun, had attempted to force entry into the home of an acquaintance and left the scene. When officers located the suspect, he ran away toward Pickering Dr., and a perimeter was established.

The suspect was later located and taken into custody in the 13000 block of Waters Landing Dr. A backpack containing a knife and an air pistol were also recovered. The suspect was transported to the 5th District station, where he has been charged with first-degree burglary and related charges.   Feature photo courtesy of Google Maps.


Gaithersburg

Sam’s Club is offering a $20 annual membership for verified teachers (60% off), according to its website. “Verify your Teacher status now & become a member for just $20 after savings. Get access to low prices, Scan & Go™ shopping & more perks. Ends Aug 17”

Sam’s Club has one Montgomery County location, at 610 N Frederick Ave. Additional details per Sam’s Club: This offer is limited to U.S. teachers. Must join as a new Sam’s Club member through the link provided via ID.me to qualify for this Offer. Offer is valid for new Sam’s Club members only; and is not valid for (i) membership renewals, those with a current membership, those who were Sam’s Club members less than six (6) months prior to joining, or Walmart and Sam’s Club associates. You must be 18 years or older to become a Sam’s Club member and membership is subject to Sam’s Club’s qualifications. Membership cards are nontransferable, and valid at all Sam’s Club locations nationwide. Primary memberships are valid for one (1) year from the date of issue. Visit http://samsclub.com/privacy  to view our privacy policy.


Rockville

Brick facades are currently nearing completion after a couple months of work on the exterior of the buildings. “As we progress with the brick façades around all sides of the new building, a variety of building styles, brick colors, heights and architectural features will emerge to give visual interest to the block and provide a different “identity” for each side. The brick work will continue through the summer and into the fall.”

Interior work is also ongoing. “We are busy with interior work as well. We are framing the walls on the second and third floors that will define hallways, apartment interiors and other spaces. Plumbing pipes for water and sanitary, mechanical ductwork and electrical work are all in progress. Interior work will move progressively up the building, and well into 2024.”