Crime

Three MS-13 Members Convicted of Racketeering, Murder, Extortion, and Federal Drug Charges After Three Week Trial

By MCS Staff

Today, a federal jury convicted Luis Flores-Reyes, a/k/a “Maloso,” “Lobo,”’ and “Viejo Lovvon,” age 41, of Arlington, Virginia; Jairo Jacome, a/k/a “Abuelo,” age 40, of Langley Park, Maryland; and Brayan Contreras-Avalos, a/k/a “Anonimo,” and “Humilde,” age 27, of Langley Park, Maryland, on federal charges related to a racketeering enterprise known as La Mara Salvatrucha, or “MS-13.”  Jacome and Flores-Reyes were also found guilty of murder in aid of racketeering.  Jacome was convicted of an extortion conspiracy and Flores-Reyes was also convicted of extortion conspiracy.  The jury also found Contreras-Avalos and Flores-Reyes guilty of a drug distribution conspiracy.

“These defendants wreaked havoc within our communities through murder, extortion, and drug trafficking, now they will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron.  “We will relentlessly prosecute MS-13gang members who terrorize our Maryland communities with intimidation and violence.”

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Rockville

Rockville Town Square Sold for $33 Million

By MCS Staff

Morguard North American Residential REIT announced earlier this week that it has acquired the retail portion of Rockville Town Square. Having purchased Fenestra Apartments in 2017, this acquisition of the remaining retail in this mixed-use asset expands Morguard’s investment in the City of Rockville. The transaction closed at a purchase price of US$33.0 million, excluding closing costs. The news was brought to our attention by The MoCo Source earlier this month.

Per the press release: “Morguard is pleased to expand our investment in Rockville, Maryland by acquiring the retail space,” said K. Rai Sahi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Morguard North American Residential REIT. “This acquisition along with our ownership and management of Fenestra Apartments gives Morguard the opportunity to better execute on our long-term vision.”

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Council Continues Deliberations on Thrive Montgomery 2050 on Oct. 4

By Patrick Herron

For 17 months, Councilmembers have been working with staff and listening to suggestions from residents across Montgomery County to develop a general plan for the County’s future. The Thrive Montgomery 2050 PHED Committee Draft Plan contains the text and supporting maps for a comprehensive amendment to Montgomery County’s current General Plan (On Wedges and Corridors).

The document establishes a vision for Montgomery County’s future growth and encompasses broad, countywide policy recommendations for land use, zoning, housing, the economy, equity, transportation, parks and open space, the environment and historic resources.

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Beyond MoCo

Rockville Couple Facing Federal Indictment for Allegedly Providing Confidential Information to Russian Representative to Assist Russia in Connection to the Conflict In Ukraine

By Patrick Herron

Gabrielian is scheduled to have initial appearance at 11:30 a.m. today, in U.S. District Court in Baltimore before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brendan A. Hurson.  Henry is also expected to have an initial appearance today, although a time has not yet been set.  The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.

As stated in the indictment, Gabrielian is an anesthesiologist and worked at Medical Institution 1, located in Baltimore, Maryland.  Henry, a Major in the United States Army, who held a Secret-level security clearance, is Gabrielian’s husband and a doctor.  During the time of the alleged conspiracy, Henry worked as a staff internist stationed at Fort Bragg, the home of the Army’s XVIII Airborne Corps, headquarters of the United States Army Special Operations Command, and the Womack Army Medical Center.

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Event

Closing Reception at “Inspired!” Art Show & Sales

BlackRock Center for the Arts

12901 Town Commons Drive

Germantown, Maryland 20874

Website Contact Social

Beautiful venue; great art, gifts and hand-crafted items; refreshments; and meet the award-winning painters, photographers, mixed media artists, ceramicists, fiber artists, and more – some 40 artists in all. It’s an extraordinary array of framed wall works, 3-d media including sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, and fiber pieces, and unframed prints.

Among them, you’ll see:

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MCFRS

Vehicle Struck by Freight Train; No Injuries Reported

By Patrick Herron

According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Pete Piringer, a utility truck was struck by a train in the area of the Nebel St railroad crossing in Rockville around 7:30pm on Thursday evening. The truck ended up on the CSX railroad tracks between Randolph Rd & Nicholson Rd and the driver/occupant(s) of the vehicle reportedly left the scene before fire and rescue arrived. There have been no injuries reported.

Update – Randolph Rd IAO Nebel St, CSX RR Crossing CLOSED/BLOCKED, CSX freight train struck a vehicle ON the RR tracks south of the RR crossing https://t.co/azUurWoD9P pic.twitter.com/Yy7sufiwKa

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Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: This Weekend’s Oceans Calling Festival Cancelled

By Patrick Herron

This weekend’s Oceans Calling Festival that was scheduled to take place on the Ocean City Boardwalk from September 30-October 2 has been cancelled due to to the forecast of inclement weather. The three day music and art festival was put together in partnership with Rockville natives O.A.R, who were also scheduled to preform several sets at the event. Rapper Logic, who is from Gaithersburg, was also scheduled to perform.

The members of O.A.R. met each other while attending Wootton High School in Rockville. They would play together at the Grand Marquis in Onley and pass out CDs to other students at school. After high school the band went to Ohio State, using Columbus’ nightlife to build the O.A.R.’s reputation. The band even came back to Wootton High School and played a concert on the football field, back in May of 2001. They achieved their biggest commercial success with the single “Shattered (Turn the Car Around) in 2008.

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Rockville

City of Rockville Cancels This Saturday’s Rocktobierfest

By Patrick Herron

The City of Rockville has announced that this Saturday’s Rocktobierfest has been cancelled due to the forecast of inclement weather. The event was scheduled to take place on October 1, from 11am-5pm at Rockville Town Center (originally scheduled to take place at RedGate Park). Last year’s Rocktobierfest was cancelled shortly before the event due to Covid-19 concerns.  There is no makeup date for the event, according to a post on the City of Rockville’s Instagram page.  The annual event attracts more than 3,000 people each year to Rockville Town Center.

Rocktobierfest was scheduled to feature two stages of entertainment, including German and rock music. Vendors that were scheduled to appear at the event included 7 Locks Brewing, Butterfly Spirits, Crooked Crab Brewing Company, Dawson’s Market, Denizens Brewing Co., Lone Oak Farm Brewing, True Respite Brewing Company, Twin Valley Distillers, Waredaca Brewing Company, and World of Beer.

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Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: DC Bars Allowed to Remain Open 24 Hours a Day During World Cup

By MCS Staff

The D.C. Council has approved an emergency measure that will “allow bars, restaurants, and breweries/distilleries who register for the privilege to remain open 24 hours a day during the upcoming November/December soccer World Cup, with alcoholic beverage service allowed from 6am to 4am.” Per the measure, alcohol cannot be served between 4am and 6am. The 2022 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be the 22nd running of the FIFA World Cup competition, the quadrennial international men’s football championship contested by the senior national teams of the member associations of FIFA. It is scheduled to take place in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 2022.

In addition, the tournament will be the last to involve 32 teams, with an increase to 48 teams scheduled for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Due to Qatar’s intense summer heat, this World Cup is being held from late-November to mid-December, making it the first tournament not to be held in May, June, or July and to take place in the northern autumn; it will be played in a reduced timeframe of around 29 days. The first match played at the tournament will be contested between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor. The final is due to be held on 18 December 2022, which also is Qatar National Day.

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Maryland

Governor Hogan Announces 4.5% Cost of Living Adjustment Increase For All State Employees

By Patrick Herron

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced that all employees across state government will receive a 4.5% cost of living adjustment (COLA )increase— effective November 1, 2022—as part of a series of measures to enhance statewide workforce recruitment and retention efforts.

The governor’s action follows official budget projections from the Board of Revenue Estimates showing that, for the second consecutive year, the state is reporting a multi-billion dollar surplus. Overall, after inheriting a $5.1 billiion structural budget deficit, the governor will leave office with a record $5.5 billion in reserves—a more than $10 billion swing in the state’s fiscal fortunes under the Hogan administration.“

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Education

MoCo Board of Education Discusses Evidence of Learning End-of-Year and Performance Data and Makes Administrative Appointments

By MCS Staff

The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) held a business meeting on September 22, 2022. During the meeting, the Board discussed the Evidence of Learning end-of-year and performance data report and made administrative appointments.

The agenda for the meeting, with related links, can be viewed on the Board website. Watch the meeting recording. Evidence of Learning End-of-Year and Performance Data Report:

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