Crime Archives - Page 247 of 265

Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for Series of Maryland Carjackings (Including in Montgomery County) Committed While Wearing an Ankle Monitor on Pre-Trial Release

Published January 14, 2023 at 8:33AM

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang today sentenced James Albert Borum, age 20, of Washington, D.C., to 11 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for carjacking and for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in connection with a series of carjackings he committed in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Chief Jarod Towers of the City of Hyattsville Police Department; Chief Robert J. Contee III of the Metropolitan Police Department; United States Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew M. Graves; Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy; and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy.

MS-13 Gang Member Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison After Being Convicted of Racketeering, Including Murders, and Federal Drug Charges

By MCS Staff

Published January 14, 2023 at 8:27AM

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Brayan Contreras-Avalos, a/k/a “Anonimo,” “Humilde,” and “Malia,” age 28, of Langley Park, Maryland, late yesterday to the statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison on charges related to his participation in a racketeering enterprise known as La Mara Salvatrucha, or “MS-13” and a concurrent five years in prison for a drug distribution conspiracy. Contreras-Avalos was convicted after a three-week trial, along with co-defendants Luis Flores-Reyes, a/k/a “Maloso,” “Lobo,”’ and “Viejo Lovvon,” age 42, of Arlington, Virginia and Jairo Jacome, a/k/a “Abuelo”, age 40, of Langley Park, Maryland.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Washington Field Office Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration – Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III of the Drug Enforcement Administration – New York Division; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department.

Police Investigate Armed Carjacking That Occurred Wednesday Morning

By MCS Staff

Published January 11, 2023 at 9:19PM

On 01/11/2023 at approximately 11:52 am, Takoma Park Police units were dispatched to 6400 block of New Hampshire Avenue Takoma Park, for an armed robbery carjacking that just occurred at a gas station. Upon arrival, Officers met with victim, who advised he was robbed and carjacked by an unknown suspect, described as a black male about 6 “3” in height, wearing a black ski mask and all black clothing.

The victim exited his vehicle which he left running and locked at the time. He further advised that he observed a black Dodge charger with black tinted windows drive into the parking lot and park nearby. When the victim exited the store, and he observed the suspect attempting to open the driver’s side door to his BMW X6 vehicle. Once he reached the field/grass area the suspect then chased him and pointed a black handgun towards him demanding his car/fob keys and wallet.

Beyond MoCo (Frederick County): High School Staff Member Assaulted by Student During Fight on Tuesday Morning

By MCS Staff

Published January 10, 2023 at 9:35PM

Per the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office: Today at approximately 11:30 a.m., a fight occurred in the Governor Thomas Johnson High School cafeteria. Several students were involved in the incident that stemmed from a recent verbal conflict. A FCSO School Resource Officer as well as additional deputies responded.

While intervening in the fight, a third student assaulted school staff after refusing direction from the staff to disperse from the area of the fight. The student who assaulted the school staff will be charged and all students involved will receive disciplinary consequences in accordance with FCPS policy.

Man Found Suffering From Multiple Gunshot Wounds in Rockville Early Tuesday Morning

By MCS Staff

Published January 10, 2023 at 7:14AM

A man was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds at approximately 12:30am on Tuesday morning on the 500 block of Monroe Street in Rockville. According to police, the man was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries

Per the Rockville City Police Department: This morning at approximately 12:30 a.m. officers located an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso in the 500 block of Monroe St. Fire/Rescue responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Rockville City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation’s Unit at 240-314-8938.

Montgomery County Man Sentenced Following Scheme Involving Tax Returns Filed With Information Taken From The Trash of Office Building

By MCS Staff

Published January 10, 2023 at 6:46AM

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced the sentencing of Patrick Mpeck, 51, of Silver Spring, Maryland, for felony theft scheme. Anne Arundel County District Court Judge Kemp W. Hammond sentenced Mpeck to five years of incarceration, all suspended, with two years of supervised probation. Mpeck was also ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution.

During tax years 2007, 2008 and 2009, Mpeck filed false tax returns with the comptroller and received refunds to which he was not entitled. Mpeck obtained the personal identifying information of unsuspecting victims from the trash at the office building where he worked. He then filed the returns using that information supported by fraudulent W-2’s. Mpeck would then use fraudulent driver’s licenses with the victim’s information, but displaying his own photo to cash the refund checks at check cashing facilities.

Police Looking For Information Regarding Broken Church Window

By MCS Staff

Published January 9, 2023 at 2:25PM

Per Takoma Park Police: The Takoma Park Police responded to the 7300 block of New Hampshire Avenue for the report of vandalism. Unknown suspect(s) threw rocks through a stained-glass window. The incident occurred in the overnight hours.

According to Fox 5, this incident occurred at the Bright Light Baptist Church. Anyone with information on this case should call the Takoma Park Police Department at 301-270-1100 and refer to case #230001043. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Germantown Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for the Illegal Possession and Distribution of Firearms and Drugs

By MCS Staff

Published January 7, 2023 at 4:21PM

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang today sentenced Dwight Luis Clarke, age 32, of Germantown, Maryland, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and four counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Clarke admitted that he sold crack cocaine and seven firearms, including five privately manufactured firearms, known as “ghost guns” to an undercover law enforcement officer.

According to his plea agreement, during late 2021 and early 2022, Clarke was identified as a suspected trafficker of narcotics and firearms. In February 2022, an ATF Special Agent, acting in an undercover capacity (the UC) contacted Clarke, who agreed to sell the UC crack cocaine and firearms. During three meetings that month, Clarke sold the UC: two privately made firearms (PMFs) that Clarke referred to as “ghost guns,” specifically, Polymer80 Inc. 9mm semi-automatic pistols, bearing no apparent serial numbers; a.22-caliber semi-automatic AR-style pistol; a 33 round 9mm extended magazine, which contained one 9mm cartridge; a .22-caliber extended AR-style magazine loaded with three .22-caliber cartridges, a .22LR caliber mini mag ammunition box containing 95 cartridges; a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol; and 44.48 grams of crack cocaine.

“Help! Call 911” Sign on Bus Signals Pedestrians and Other Drivers to Call For Help After Bus Driver was Assaulted on Thursday Evening

By MCS Staff

Published January 5, 2023 at 9:44PM | Updated January 5, 2023 at 11:00PM

A digital sign on the back of a RideOn bus alerted the public to call 911, according to a witness– “HELP! Call 911” The distress signal, for the most part, is used when disruptive or threatening behavior occurs on the bus and the bus operator cannot visibly call for help– using the sign to signal surrounding drivers.

Upon arriving on scene, near Safeway on Darnestown Rd in Gaithersburg, Montgomery County Police officers located an adult male victim who had been assaulted. The victim, who was also the driver of the bus, was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. No suspects are in custody at this time.

Weapons Charges For Man Caught Attempting to Illegally Hunt Deer in Clarksburg

By MCS Staff

Published January 5, 2023 at 12:22PM

On the night of Monday, January 2nd, while on patrol for illegal hunting in the area of Little Bennett Regional Park in Clarksburg, a car was observed spotlighting deer. Park Police officers stopped the car, and found that one occupant was illegally possessing a hand gun. The man was charged with numerous Maryland Department of Natural Resources offenses and weapons charges.

Monday night while on patrol for illegal hunting in the area of Little Bennet Park, a car was observed spotlighting deer. Officers stopped the car, and found one occupant was illegally possessing a hand gun. He was charged with numerous @MarylandDNR, and weapons charges. pic.twitter.com/hZji1Rxfha

9 Year Sentence for Potomac Teen in Parking Garage Armed Carjacking

By MCS Staff

Published January 4, 2023 at 7:12PM

In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Judge Christopher Fogleman has sentenced defendant, Herbert Randall, 19, of Potomac, to nine years in prison and five years of supervised probation upon release for charges of Armed Carjacking and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence. Randall had pleaded guilty to both counts in November 2022. He used a Privately Manufactured Firearm (PMF) or ‘ghost gun’ in commission of this crime. Judge Fogleman is recommending Randall be admitted to the Patuxent Youthful Offenders Program while incarcerated.

The sentence was handed down yesterday by Judge Fogleman and the breakdown is 25 years suspend all but 9: Count Two- Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, 10 years suspend all but five years, with credit for 207 days of time-served and five years of supervised probation and on Count One- Armed Carjacking, 15 years consecutive to Count Two suspend all but four years, and five years of supervised probation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Peter Larson and Daniel Kroepsch. There are three co-defendants which are being processed in juvenile court. This stems from an incident on June 10^th, 2022. Summery of events as adapted from court documents can be seen below: