According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Margaret Schweitzer, a jury has found defendant, Reginald Dunlap, 45, of Silver Spring, guilty of First-Degree Murder for the brutal slaying of his wife, 40-year-old Lauren Charles.
Charles’ body was found inside the couple’s home on March 7th, 2021. She had asphyxiated due to a pillowcase forced down her throat and was beaten to death. A decorative Buddha statue is believed to have been the murder weapon. After murdering his wife, defendant, Dunlap poured bleach on her body and ransacked their bedroom in order to stage a crime scene.
Dunlap faces the potential of life in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before Judge Schweitzer on July 7th, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.
Chief of our Special Victims Division, Assistant State’s Attorney Debbie Feinstein prosecuted this case along with Assistant State’s Attorney Sheila Bagheri.”
According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Kevin Hessler, a jury has found defendant, Rodjaun Neal-Williams, 21 of Clarksburg, guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter and Use of Firearm in Commission of a Crime of Violence for the death of 23-year-old Javon Gordon of Boyds. The jury returned the verdict on Tuesday, March 7th, 2023. Defendant, Neal-Williams, faces a maximum of 30 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before Judge Hessler on May 31st at 1:30 p.m.
This stems from an incident on April 13, 2021, on the 12900 block of Ethel Rose Way in Boyds. The defendant who was 19-years old at the time, was a passenger in a vehicle that pulled up to small group of individuals in the street. There was an altercation between Neal-Williams and Gordon while Neal-Williams was seated inside of the vehicle, and he fired a handgun, killing Gordon.”
“This is an example of a ghost gun fired in broad daylight in a neighborhood where families were out enjoying a beautiful spring day. I thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Gabriel Carrera and John Lalos for their work in this matter, as this type of brazen violence is not acceptable in our community. This defendant will face up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced,” said State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Robert Greenberg sentenced defendant, Maritza Ramirez, 57, of Germantown to five years in prison suspend all but 18 months and five years of supervised probation upon release. Ramirez was also ordered to pay $7,700 in restitution to the families of victims she stole from. Ramirez was a 14-year employee of Marian Assisted Living, located in the 19100 block of Georgia Avenue. On November 29, 2022, she pleaded guilty to Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adults in a Scheme.
The investigation began in March of 2022 when one victim’s family discovered that while their relative, a resident at Marian, underwent surgery and recovery, several items of jewelry and a cell phone had gone missing from the secured bedroom. The ensuing investigation by Montgomery County Police uncovered at least 11 victims and pawn shop records which show that between 2015 and 2022 Ramirez received at least $7,700 by selling 81 items including jewelry and several designer purses. Chief of our Special Prosecutions Unit, Assistant State’s Attorney Bryan Roslund prosecuted this case.”
“Maritza Ramirez was entrusted with the care of vulnerable adults and violated that trust when she stole their possessions and used the items for her personal financial gain. Multiple items had great sentimental value to the families who were victimized, and those items have not been recovered. We thank Judge Greenberg for this appropriate sentence. It should serve as a deterrent for anyone looking to use their position to exploit a vulnerable person in this way,” said Lauren DeMarco, spokesperson for the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect who committed multiple thefts from autos and credit card fraud in the Bethesda area. Detectives have released surveillance photos of the suspect. On Wednesday, August 31, 2022, a victim reported that his credit cards were stolen out of his car and were used a Home Depot in Bethesda to make fraudulent purchases of gift cards.
On Sunday, September 11, 2022, the victim, who is a Fauquier County, VA resident, stated that her credit cards were stolen out of her car, in the overnight hours of September 10, into September 11, 2022. Her stolen credit cards were then used at a Home Depot in Bethesda on September 11. Detectives determined that the suspect used the stolen credit cards to purchase gift cards.
On Thursday, January 12, 2023, a third victim reported that her wallet was stolen out of her car, in the overnight hours. The investigation revealed that the suspect made multiple transactions, purchasing gift cards, using the victim’s credit cards at a Home Depot in Bethesda. The suspect is described as a Black male, in his 50s-60s, of a slim build.
Anyone with information regarding this suspect or this crime is asked to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Callers can remain anonymous.
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Per MCPD: A Rockville man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a 20-year-old woman reported missing on Monday, January 2, 2023. Keylin Yolibeth Chavez-Dominguez’s body was discovered on Saturday, January 28, in the Upper Paint Branch Stream Valley Park under the Paint Branch Overpass of MD 200 – Inter County Connector.
Through the course of the investigation, Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes, Homicide Division detectives identified the ex-boyfriend, 30-year-old Francisco Ramon Lara Garcia, as a suspect. Lara Garcia and Chavez-Dominguez were living together at the time of her disappearance.
On Wednesday, February 1, Lara Garcia was located and arrested by U.S. Marshals at a residence in Kirkwood, MO. On February 13, detectives applied for and received an arrest warrant for Lara Garcia, charging him with First Degree Murder. Lara Garcia is being held in St. Louis, MO, where he is awaiting extradition to MD.
A Girl Scout troop that was selling cookies in front of the Safeway at 14939 Shady Grove Rd in Rockville had their money box stolen over the weekend. According to Rockville Police, “On Sunday, February 12, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. a mother and daughter were selling boxes of Girl Scout cookies outside of the Safeway in Fallsgrove Village Center. An unknown man walked up to their table and grabbed the money box containing approximately $300.00.” FOX5 reports that the troop does not want to press charges if the suspect is found, they only want their money back.
A parent involved in the incident posted the following message nextdoor: “Hi all, this is a community safety announcement as there are many Girl Scouts in the neighborhood. Today, my troop was robbed during their cookie booth sale in front of the Shady Grove Safeway. Fortunately, no one was injured. However, the “suspect” brazenly reached over the cookies on the table to grab the cash box directly in front of two girls with an adult female on either side…and a security camera looking directly on. Law enforcement are currently investigating.”
Per the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office: “On Feb. 9, members of the Frederick County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). Washington County Narcotics Task Force, and Hagerstown Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) successfully executed three search warrants in Hagerstown, Maryland, with the assistance of SWAT from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO). Deputies obtained the search warrants after a lengthy investigation that originated in Frederick County.
Per the Maryland Attorney General (2.6.23): Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced the indictments of nine Baltimore men for their participation in a criminal gang that operated throughout Baltimore City distributing drugs and carrying out violent acts. One of those men is responsible for the November 2022 homicide of Marquis Carter of Baltimore. The defendants are Keontae Moore, 23; Dayvonta Mackey, 27; Daquan Battle, 27; Jawaan Jordan, 28; DaMarvin Singletary, 28; Brandon Ledbetter, 29; Carlos Jordan, 32; Darrell White, 33; and Theodore Easton, 44. The indictments include counts for participating in a criminal gang, the distribution of narcotics, illegal possession of firearms and firearm drug trafficking, and acts of violence, including murder.
Over the course of nine months, an investigation led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Group 54, and the Baltimore City Police Department’s homicide squad revealed that a criminal enterprise known as the “1800 Boys” operated throughout Baltimore City, including in the 1800 block of Wilkens Avenue where they maintained an open-air drug market. The organization facilitated the sale of various narcotics to undercover officers, including, but not limited to, heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. Detectives observed the organization distributing narcotics daily and participating in thousands of apparent hand-to-hand narcotics transactions over the course of the investigation. Through the use of undercover officers, detectives also discovered that the organization was distributing large amounts of narcotics at a time for resale.
The “1800 Boys” organization is also responsible for acts of violence to maintain their drug operation, specifically the murder of Marquis Carter. On November 3, 2022, Dayvonta Mackey, who worked as a street-level distributor for the organization, shot Mr. Carter multiple times in the upper body in the area of the organization’s open-air drug market. On November 5, 2022, Mackey was found at a stash location used by the organization and arrested by police for Mr. Carter’s murder. Detectives learned that Mackey shot Mr. Carter as a result of a dispute over the organization’s drug territory to prevent Mr. Carter from selling narcotics there.
The defendants exerted control over their territory through acts of violence such as the murder of Mr. Carter and the continued possession of firearms while they were present in the area distributing narcotics, as well as in additional stash locations. As a result of search warrants, detectives recovered three handguns, one assault-style rifle, over 700 grams of a fentanyl and heroin mixture, over 300 grams of cocaine, over 400 grams of marijuana, and $6,730.
Detectives are seeking the whereabouts of Jawaan Jordan, who is currently a fugitive. Jordan is a black male, with black hair and brown eyes, weighing approximately 275 lbs. and standing 6’4” tall. Anyone with information is asked to contact Baltimore Police at 1-866-7LOCKUP (756- 2587). Callers can remain anonymous.
“Through these invaluable partnerships, and with access to additional resources, we can continue to target the organized crime, drug trafficking, and gun violence that cause so much suffering in our communities,” said Attorney General Brown. “Those who perpetuate illicit activity and commit violent criminal acts in our communities will be held accountable.”
“Today’s proceedings not only hold accountable these criminals for their violent efforts to operate a drug trafficking operation, but serves as a warning to those individuals who are taking advantage of our citizens and fueling the opioid epidemic with deadly drugs in order to profit and destroy people’s lives,” states Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge Drug Enforcement Administration Washington Division. “I’m grateful for the hard work of the DEA teams, the Attorney General’s litigative efforts, and our partners at the Baltimore PD, with whom we were able to investigate, arrest and seize illegal drugs and firearms from violent drug trafficking organizations like this one.”
“I want to thank the men and women of the Baltimore Police Department for their relentless efforts in identifying and arresting those responsible for violence and illegal drug distribution in our city. Our continued collaboration and partnerships not only make these takedowns possible, but they also help make Baltimore a safer place to live, work and visit,” said Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison. “These operations are often time- and labor-intensive, but as we have seen in this case, they can also prove to be very fruitful. The 1800 Boys indictments illustrate the work the BPD continues to do every day to disrupt drug trafficking and open-air drug markets in our neighborhoods.”
In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked Organized Crime Chief Katie Dorian, Assistant Attorney General Megan Greene, Assistant Attorney General David Wiseman, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, and the Baltimore City Police Department, with special recognition to the Homicide Unit, Undercover Unit, Southern Intelligence Unit and District Action Team, and Warrant Apprehension Task Force. Attorney General Brown also thanked the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, Ivan J. Bates for his Office’s assistance in this investigation.
A criminal indictment is merely an accusation of wrongdoing, and a defendant is presumed innocent until the State proves the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division have arrested and charged 29-year-old, Dennis Morris Hinnant Jr., of Silver Spring, with a homicide that occurred on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, in the 8800 block of Lanier Drive.
At approximately 12:44 a.m., Hinnant Jr., walked into the Rockville City Police Station and requested to speak with a homicide detective. Hinnant Jr., stated that officers would find the deceased body of his wife at their residence on Lanier Drive.
Officers from the 2nd District responded to the address for a check the welfare. Upon entering the residence, officers located an adult female, later identified as 28-year-old, Taresha Pendarvis of Silver Spring, with trauma to her body. Pendarvis was pronounced dead at the scene.
At that time, Hinnant Jr., was transported to the Montgomery County Police Headquarters to be interviewed by detectives. Detectives applied for and obtained a search warrant for the residence.
Hinnant Jr., was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit (CPU) and charged with first degree murder. He is currently being held without bond.
Dennis Morris Hinnant Jr. (Original Image)
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Montgomery County Police has released additional information regarding this morning’s homicide investigation in Silver Spring. Per MCPD: “At approximately 3 a.m., Montgomery County Police responded to a residence in the 8800 block of Lanier Drive for a check the welfare. Inside, officers located a deceased adult female.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore will conduct an autopsy to officially determine the cause and manner of death. At this time, a suspect is in custody. This is an active and ongoing investigation. The name of the victim and suspect will be released following proper notification of next of kin. A formal news release will be distributed as more information becomes available.”
MCPD is investigating a homicide in the 8800 block of Lanier Drive. A suspect is in custody and the scene is secure. There is no threat to the community. #mcpd #mcpnews pic.twitter.com/v52Z2mTar5
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) February 1, 2023
The Maryland Attorney General released the following press release on January 26, 2023: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced the plea and sentencing of Darvin Kevin McCoy, 36, of Odenton, Maryland, on charges including drug kingpin and supervision of a criminal organization, which relate to a long-term investigation into a fentanyl distribution ring that was operating in Howard County, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County.
On January 23, 2023, McCoy pled guilty before Judge Stephanie P. Porter of the Howard County Circuit Court to several charges, including drug kingpin, supervision of a criminal organization, conspiracy to commit robbery, solicitation of robbery, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, possession of a firearm with nexus to a drug trafficking crime, possession of a large amount of fentanyl mixture, and two counts of distribution of fentanyl. The robbery charges pertained to McCoy’s role in the robbery of money, drugs, and jewelry of a co-conspirator as a sanction for transgressions against the criminal organization. McCoy was sentenced to 20 years of incarceration without the possibility of parole.
The case began as an investigation by Howard County Police into a non-fatal opioid overdose that occurred in their 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 that occurred throughout Maryland and Virginia, including at least one fatal overdose. During the investigation, police seized more than one kilogram of fentanyl and six handguns. Detectives observed hundreds of hand-to-hand drug transactions in multiple jurisdictions and intercepted communications that confirmed the distribution of large amounts of fentanyl throughout Maryland.
Darvin McCoy is one of six defendants charged in this investigation. On November 22, 2022, another defendant, Jawan Markeys Fulton, 28, of Baltimore, pled guilty before Judge William V. Tucker of the Circuit Court for Howard County to supervision of a criminal organization, conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of a firearm with nexus to a drug trafficking crime, possession of a large amount of fentanyl, and distribution of fentanyl. Fulton was sentenced to 20 years of incarceration, suspending all but five years to be served without the possibility of parole, and three years of supervised probation. Charges are still pending for the remaining four codefendants. In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked Organized Crime Chief Katie Dorian, Assistant Attorney General Paul Halliday, Assistant Attorney General Krystle Sanders, Assistant Attorney General Shannon Price, the Howard County Police Department, the
Strike Force 7 Group, led by the Maryland State Police, and the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office. Attorney General Brown also thanked the Baltimore City Police Department, State’s Attorney for Howard County Rich H. Gibson, Jr., and State’s Attorney for Baltimore County Scott Shellenberger for their assistance in this investigation.
