Maryland

Flood Watch in Effect; Severe Thunderstorms and Damaging Winds Possible Monday

By MCS Staff

A Flood Watch is in effect from 8PM this evening to 2AM Monday for half of MoCo and many parts of the DC region. Per the National Weather Service, “showers and thunderstorms are expected to move through the watch area with the potential to produce 1-2 inches of rainfall in a short time frame. Locally higher precipitation totals are possible.”

We are not in the clear after the flood warning expires at 2am Monday, as severe thunderstorms are likely Monday afternoon/evening with the threat of damaging winds, large hail, and a couple tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service. Earlier today, FOX 5’s Mike Thomas tweeted, “Monday’s bullseye is shifting and that’s not good. Remember that an outlook is simply looking at the atmosphere and saying “this is where something is *most likely* to happen”. It’s not a promise, but if realized, Monday does have dangerous potential.” We’ll keep an eye on how things progress for Monday. Featured photo courtesy of NOAA, photo below courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Go to Flood Watch in Effect; Severe Thunderstorms and Damaging Winds Possible Monday Read more

Woman Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for the Voluntary Manslaughter of Her Girlfriend

By MCS Staff

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Janice Martina Mason, age 30, of Melbourne Florida, today to nine years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release for voluntary manslaughter.  On May 18, 2023, Mason was convicted after trial for running over her girlfriend on the Baltimore-Washington (“BW”) Parkway and leaving her to die.

According to the evidence presented at her eight-day trial, in the early morning hours of November 24, 2021, USPP officers responded to a citizen report for a body on the side of the BW Parkway northbound, north of Route 197, an area within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States.  Officers found the victim lying face down on the shoulder of the road.  Medics arrived on the scene and pronounced the victim dead.  The evidence showed that that there were no skid marks or vehicle parts located at the scene.  A cellphone belonging to the victim was found on the grass and another cellphone with a broken screen was found in the roadway and was later determined to belong to Mason.

Go to Woman Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for the Voluntary Manslaughter of Her Girlfriend Read more

Maryland Teens Complete Outdoor Jobs Skills Program

By MCS Staff

The Maryland Park Service graduated 33 young Marylanders from the Conservation Jobs Corps after four weeks of job training, conservation education, hard work, and fun. A celebration and ceremony was held August 1 at Sandy Point State Park in Anne Arundel County with the Acting Superintendent of the Maryland Park Service, Ranger Angela Crenshaw, as the keynote speaker.

The Maryland Conservation Jobs Corps is a summer program that provides opportunities for youth ages 14-17 and young adults ages 18-20 to complete hands-on projects throughout Maryland’s State Parks. They engage in tasks that benefit communities and public lands while learning about public service and stewardship, and participate in exciting outdoor activities, including camping and wildlife observation.

Go to Maryland Teens Complete Outdoor Jobs Skills Program Read more

Governor Wes Moore Announces $6.3 Million to Protect Against Hate Crimes and Enhance Local Police Recruitment and Retention Efforts

By Patrick Herron

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced $6.3 million in funding to protect against hate crimes and to enhance local police recruitment and retention efforts through the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services.

“Every Marylander has a role to play in combating racism, bias and hate and in keeping our communities safe,” said Gov. Moore. “Through this funding, we will help support both our community partners and our law enforcement partners as we work together to build a stronger, safer Maryland.”

Go to Governor Wes Moore Announces $6.3 Million to Protect Against Hate Crimes and Enhance Local Police Recruitment and Retention Efforts Read more

Attorney General Brown Announces Appointments to the Newly Formed Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown is pleased to announce appointments to the newly formed Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention. The Commission is composed of 20 stakeholders from a cross-section of law enforcement, state and local institutions, and organizations representing communities targeted by hate crimes.

During Attorney General Brown’s first 100 days in office, he successfully pursued several key legislative priorities focused on his mission of justice and equity, including the transformation of his office’s existing Hate Crimes Task Force into a permanent body known as the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention. In May, the General Assembly passed HB1066, creating the Commission that now offers Marylanders a permanent, long-term mechanism to address hate crimes at the state level. Governor Wes Moore signed the bill into law, and the Commission went into effect in June.

Go to Attorney General Brown Announces Appointments to the Newly Formed Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention Read more

Man Indicted, Arraigned in Federal Court in Multi-State Scheme to Defraud Home Depot Out of Almost $300K

By MCS Staff

A Connecticut resident, Alexandre Henrique Costa-Mota, has been arraigned in U.S. District Court in Providence, RI, on charges of conspiracy and wire fraud, as reflected in an indictment that alleges that he participated in a scheme to defraud Home Depot stores in eight states, including Maryland, of approximately $297,332, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Rhode Island, it is alleged in charging documents that, from at least June 2021 to February 2022, Alexandre Henrique Costa-Mota, 26, executed non-receipted return fraud schemes at more than two dozen Home Depot stores located primarily in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, but also in Maine, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.

Go to Man Indicted, Arraigned in Federal Court in Multi-State Scheme to Defraud Home Depot Out of Almost $300K Read more

Patrick Wojahn, Former Mayor of College Park, Convicted on Child Pornography Charges

By MCS Staff

Per the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney: The former mayor of College Park pled guilty to 60 counts of distribution of child pornography, 40 counts of possession of child pornography, and 40 counts of possession of child pornography with the intent to distribute. Patrick Wojahn pled guilty in court today to 150 years suspend all but 30 years.

In February 2023, the Prince George’s County Police Department received notification from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that suspected child pornography had been distributed by someone in the county. Subsequently, the Department opened an investigation which led to Wojahn who now stands convicted on a host of child pornography charges.

Go to Patrick Wojahn, Former Mayor of College Park, Convicted on Child Pornography Charges Read more

Deceased Victim Identified In Fatal Multi-Vehicle Crash Involving Man Driving in the Wrong Direction on I-270 That Killed 1 and Hospitalized 9 People

By MCS Staff

The Maryland State Police Crash team continues the investigation into a multi-vehicle crash which claimed the life of a Pennsylvania woman and injured nine others last night in Montgomery County. Full press release per Maryland State Police below:

The deceased is identified as Elizabeth Velez, 36, of Easton, Pennsylvania.  She was the driver of a Nissan Pathfinder involved in the crash. Velez is the mother of three children, ages 2, 5, and 15, all of whom were passengers in the vehicle.

Go to Deceased Victim Identified In Fatal Multi-Vehicle Crash Involving Man Driving in the Wrong Direction on I-270 That Killed 1 and Hospitalized 9 People Read more

Maryland Department of Health Highlights Importance of Back-to-School Vaccines During National Immunization Awareness Month 

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland Department of Health: Following Governor Wes Moore’s proclamation of August as Immunization Awareness Month in Maryland, the Maryland Department of Health has launched a social media campaign urging parents and caregivers to make sure their children are up to date on their back-to-school vaccinations. The campaign will take place across the Department’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.

“Our children deserve the best protection we can give them against preventable diseases, so we urge all parents to keep their children updated on their vaccinations, especially those required for school enrollment,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Laura Hererra Scott. “We want to start the new school year with every child healthy, happy and ready to learn.”

Go to Maryland Department of Health Highlights Importance of Back-to-School Vaccines During National Immunization Awareness Month  Read more
View More Stories