Crime Archives - Page 239 of 265

Maryland Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Threatening a Member of Congress Via an Event Management Website

Published April 28, 2023 at 8:49AM

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Justin Kuchta, age 40, of Annapolis, Maryland, to four months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for threatening to murder a United States Member of Congress.

According to his plea agreement, Kuchta made threats to murder a Member of the U.S. Congress. Specifically, a U.S. Member of Congress’ district office in Texas reported that on July 18, 2022, it received a threatening message via an event management website. The website was being used by an event planner to coordinate an event held in the State of Missouri, being attended by Member of Congress 1. The Subject line of that email read, in relevant part: “Rally in Missouri – Featured Guest [Member of Congress 1], [Individual 1], and [Individual 2].” The message stated, “Thank you for the address!!! I’m coming to murder all of you Satanist f*ckers!!! Especially the chuckle-f*ck Zodiak [sic] Killer [Member of Congress 1]!! That fat fake f*cker ass will be the first on the gallows!! SEE ALL OF YOU F*CKERS REALLY SOON!!! With my fresh militia and weapons!!! Thanks for the info f*ckers!!!” The Member of Congress’ Washington office reported that a similar message was sent on July 22, 2022, using the same event management website.

Juveniles Involved in Stolen Auto and Attempted Stolen Auto

By MCS Staff

Published April 27, 2023 at 7:20PM

Per Takoma Park Police: On April 25 at approximately 5:31 pm on Wednesday, Takoma Park Police responded to the unit block of Hickory Avenue for an auto theft in progress. Arriving officers interrupted four juveniles as they attempted to steal a red Hyundai. The vehicle window was already broken, and the ignition was punched out.

Two of the juveniles jumped into another blue Hyundai, reversed into the red one they were trying to steal, and fled the area making good their escape. The remaining two juveniles attempted to flee on foot but were immediately apprehended by responding officers. They were identified as 14-year-old juveniles who were later released into the custody of their parents.

Postal Worker Robbed at Gunpoint in Olney

By Patrick Herron

Published April 26, 2023 at 4:51PM

A United States Postal Service mail carrier was robbed on Wednesday, April 26 in Olney. According to Montgomery County Police, “At approximately 2 p.m., MCPD responded to the 3100 block of St. Florence Terrace for the report of an armed robbery of a mail carrier. No injuries have been reported. No suspects in custody.” The US Postal Inspection Service will be handling the investigation. According to DC Realtime News, the carrier had their mail keys taken by an individual armed with a gun.

We will post an update when additional information is available. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.

Park Police Arrest Man Found With “AR-15 Style Rifle” at Cabin John Tennis Center

By MCS Staff

Published April 26, 2023 at 3:14PM

On Tuesday night, Montgomery County Park Police officers encountered a suspicious vehicle at the Cabin John Tennis Center after hours. Officers observed loaded rifle magazines on the floorboard and a search of the vehicle yielded an AR-15 style rifle. The driver was prohibited from possessing a firearm and was arrested.

Last night officers encountered a suspicious vehicle at the Cabin John Tennis Center after hours. Officers observed loaded rifle magazines on the floorboard, a search of the vehicle yielded an AR-15 style rifle. The driver was prohibited from possessing a firearm and was arrested pic.twitter.com/As1nIJtwzP

Defendant Faces Potential of Life in Prison for Rape of 9-Year-Old Girl

By MCS Staff

Published April 25, 2023 at 4:31PM

Per the Office of the Montgomery County State’s Attorney: In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before Jusge Michael McAuliffe, a jury has convicted defendant, Joshua Grice, 30, of Washington D.C., on charges of first-degree rape and first-degree burglary-home invasion for breaking into a Takoma Park home and sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl who was asleep in her bedroom.

Grice faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison and the potential of a life sentence. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. The verdict came back late yesterday afternoon after a six-day trial prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney’s Frank Lazzaro and Daniela Chavez.

Shoplifting Arrest Leads to Discovery of Fentanyl-Laced OxyContin Pills

By MCS Staff

Published April 24, 2023 at 6:00AM | Updated April 24, 2023 at 8:24AM

Chief Antonio DeVaul from the Takoma Park Police Department announced the arrest of Ever Umanzor-Martinez, 22, of Hyattsville, Maryland, for Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Oxycontin pills laced with suspected Fentanyl, as well as shoplifting.

On April 22, at approximately 3:50 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 1300 block of University Blvd., Takoma Park, Maryland (Walgreens), for the report of a shoplifting in progress. Officers arrived and made contact with Umanzor-Martinez. After a search incident to arrest, Umanzor-Martinez was found to be in possession of CDS Oxycontin pills laced with suspected Fentanyl. Umanzor-Martinez was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit and charged accordingly. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Maryland MS-13 Gang Leader Pleads Guilty to Participating in a Racketeering Conspiracy, Including Murder

By MCS Staff

Published April 20, 2023 at 11:05PM

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: Brayan Alexander Torres, a/k/a “Spooky,” age 29, of Adelphi, Maryland, pleaded guilty yesterday, to a racketeering conspiracy, including murder, related to his participation in the Weedams Locos Salvatrucha clique of the MS-13 gang. Torres admitted that he was the clique’s “First Word” or leader.

On March 24, 2023, co-defendants and MS-13 members and associates Brian Samir Zelaya Mejia, a/k/a “Chispa,” age 25, of Hyattsville, Maryland and Jorge Isaac Argueta Chica, a/k/a “Timido,” age 22, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, also pleaded guilty to their participation in the racketeering conspiracy, including extortion and accessory after the fact of first degree murder.

Boyds Man Sentenced to Over Three Years in Federal Prison for Purchasing and Distributing Drugs Through the Darkweb

By MCS Staff

Published April 20, 2023 at 11:02PM

The Defendant Laundered the Drug Proceeds by Converting Bitcoin into Cash, and Through a Series of Transactions, Transferring the Money into Bank Accounts He Controlled

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Vishesh Aragam Guruprasad, age 31, of Boyds, Maryland yesterday to 42 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for a drug distribution conspiracy involving the purchase and sale of drugs through darkweb marketplaces, and money laundering.

Police Responds to Two Separate Calls For Sound of Shots Fired Late Wednesday Night

By MCS Staff

Published April 20, 2023 at 12:02PM

Takoma Park Police responded to two separate calls for the sound of shots fired at 11:45 and 11:46pm on Wednesday night. Per Takoma Park Police:

On April 19 at approximately 11:45 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the area of Geneva Avenue and Hilltop Road for a report of possible shots fired reported by multiple callers. Officers from Takoma Park and Park Police canvassed the area on foot for suspects, potential victims and casings with negative results.

Three Juveniles Arrested for Carjacking Tuesday Evening

By MCS Staff

Published April 19, 2023 at 4:38PM

Per Takoma Park Police: On April 18 at approximately 4:45 pm, Montgomery County Police called out for a carjacking that had just occurred in Silver Spring; the vehicle was heading into the City of Takoma Park. At 5:45 pm, Takoma Park officers observed the carjacked vehicle in the 8100 block of Carroll Avenue but lost visual at New Hampshire Avenue and Merrimac Drive. A few minutes later, the carjacked vehicle was located in the 6300 block of New Hampshire Avenue. As officers approached the vehicle, three suspects bailed out and tried to flee on foot. All three suspects were apprehended. The three suspects were juveniles who were released to the custody of a parent/guardian. Charges are pending in Montgomery County and Takoma Park.

Investigation continues under case #230018572. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call the Takoma Park Police Department at 301-270-1100. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Rockville Police Investigating Suspicious Person Who Invited Juvenile To His Home For Candy

By MCS Staff

Published April 16, 2023 at 3:51PM

Per Rockville Police: Suspicious Person Alert – At approximately 9:45 a.m. on April 16, 2023, RCPD responded to the 400 block of Congressional Ln/Montrose Park for the report of a suspicious person. Upon investigation, officers were made aware that an unknown male subject in a wheelchair approached a juvenile and invited him back to his home for candy, the juvenile walked away and reported the encounter to his parents. The subject was described as a white male in his 50’s, wearing all black clothing, a yellow bandana and face mask, in a wheelchair.

RCPD Criminal Investigations Unit is investigating this incident and is asking the public to provide any information as to the identity of the subject and any similar incidents of this nature by calling 240-314-8938 or e-mailing [email protected]. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps