First-Degree Assault

OCEAN CITY — An Upper Marlboro, Md. man was arrested on first-degree assault charges this week after allegedly choking and trying to suffocate his wife during the domestic dispute at a downtown motel over his alcohol consumption.

Around 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Ocean City Police responded to the Monte Carlo Hotel near 2nd Street for a reported domestic assault. The responding officer met with the female victim, who told police she had been assaulted by her husband, identified as Derek Lambert, 52, of Upper Marlboro.

The victim told police she had been in a verbal argument with Lambert about his alcohol consumption. The victim said she was sitting on a bed when Lambert climbed on top of her and pinner her down. The victim told police Lambert allegedly said “don’t tell me to stop drinking [expletive deleted]” while thrusting his finger toward her, according to police reports.

The victim said Lambert then held her entire face in his hand and forced her head backward onto the bed. Lambert allegedly then grabbed a pillow and held it over the victim’s face and pushed down. According to the victim’s statement, Lambert also grabbed her by the throat and choked her. The victim told police she was struggling to breathe as Lambert held the pillow over her face and choked her.

The victim told police Lambert said to her “I’ll kill you. I’m sick of you anyway.” When asked if she believed Lambert intended to kill her, she replied yes, according to police reports. Meanwhile, a second officer located Lambert, who acknowledged there had been a verbal argument, but that is had not become physical. At that point, Lambert was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault and recklessly engaging in conduct, to wit strangulation, that created a substantial risk of death or serious injury to the victim.

During follow-up conversations, the victim told police Lambert had previously served a two-year jail sentence for a prior assault against her, during which he held a handgun to her head and threatened to kill her. The victim said she was not certain if Lambert still had access to firearms.

Traffic Stop Yields

Handgun, Drugs

WEST OCEAN CITY — A Florida man was arrested on drug and weapons charges last weekend after getting pulled over for using a cell phone while driving.

Around 8 p.m. last Friday, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle at Golf Course Rd. and Sunset Ave. after observing the driver using a phone while the vehicle was in motion. Deputies identified the driver as Peter J. Monti, 27, of Florida, and observed him acting extremely nervously.

Deputies detected an odor of marijuana and a probable cause search was conducted. During the search, a loaded .38 Colt semi-automatic handgun was located, along with hash oil and paraphernalia. The handgun has been reported stolen in Florida. Monti was arrested and charged with two counts of marijuana possession, possession of the stolen handgun and three counts of possession of paraphernalia. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was released on his own recognizance.

Driver Leaves Road, Hits Pole

SNOW HILL — A Washington, D.C. man was arrested on drunk driving charges last weekend after his vehicle left the roadway near Girdletree in southern Worcester County and collided with a utility pole.

Around 2:47 a.m. last Sunday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a reported motor vehicle accident on Snow Hill Rd. near Girdletree. The investigation revealed the driver of a 2006 Mercedes identified as Michael Anthony Cieslak, 27, of Washington, failed to maintain control of the vehicle, left the roadway and struck and took down a utility pole.

Cieslak was treated at the scene for minor injuries by EMS. During the investigation, the trooper believed the driver to be impaired. Cieslak was administered field sobriety tests on the scene and performed unsatisfactorily. He was subsequently charged with driving under the influence. At the MSP Berlin barrack, Cieslak submitted to a breath-alcohol test resulting in a .17.

Speeding Stop Nets Pot Bust

SNOW HILL — Two Capitol Heights residents were arrested on marijuana possession charges last weekend after getting pulled over for speeding on Route 113 near Snow Hill.

Around 1:30 p.m. last Saturday, a Worcester County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a vehicle for going 75 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone on Route 113 near Snow Hill. The driver was identified as Robert Beverly, 36, and the passenger was identified as Lakisha Beverly, 36, both of Capitol Heights, Md. During a search of the vehicle, marijuana and paraphernalia were located. Beverly was arrested for possession and Byrd was arrested for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. Both were taken before a District Court Commissioner and released pending trial.

Traffic Stop Nets Pot Bust

OCEAN CITY — An Ocean Pines man was arrested on drug charges last weekend after getting pulled over for a routine traffic stop in Ocean City.

Around 3:45 p.m. last Friday, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle at 63rd Street in Ocean City for an equipment violation. The deputy identified the driver as Brenden Waller, 20, of Ocean Pines. A K-9 alerted to possible controlled dangerous substances and a probable cause search was conducted. During the search, the deputy recovered suspected marijuana, drug paraphernalia, Percocet and a replica handgun, which was contained in the glove compartment. Waller was arrested and charged with possession of CDS. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was released pending trial.

Closure in Beach Melee Case

OCEAN CITY — Two suspects found guilty in February for their roles in a melee on the beach at North Division Street last July involving an Ocean City Beach Patrol officer and several OCPD officers were placed on probation this week after a reconsideration hearing in District Court, bringing some closure to a case that has gone up and down the legal circuit.

Two of the four suspects charged in the incident last July that attracted regional and national attention, including Dalima Palmer, 25, of Dumfries, Va., who was nine months pregnant at the time and ultimately needed an emergency C-section following the brawl, along with her fiancé, Musa Seisay, 25, of Garrisonville, Md., were found guilty of second-degree assault in February and each was sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Palmer and Seisay immediately filed appeals, which forwarded their cases to Worcester County Circuit Court. However, technical legal issues led to their appeals being dismissed and sent their cases back to District Court for reconsideration. In addition, because they failed to appear to serve their original 30 day sentences, they were technically considered wanted convicts and escape charges were added. However, the escape charges were not prosecuted. Back in District Court for the reconsideration hearings on Tuesday, both Seisay and Palmer received probation before judgment and were placed on probation for one year.

Abdul Kargbo, 25, of Woodbridge, Va., another suspect in the beach brawl, was found guilty of disorderly conduct in February and was also sentenced to 30 days, but did not appeal. A fourth defendant, Saidu Kargbo, 21, of Woodbridge, was found guilty of second-degree assault and was fined and placed on probation.

The incident began around 2:30 p.m. last July 21 when Ocean City Police responded to the beach at North Division Street for a reported group of disorderly males. When OCPD officers attempted to speak with Abdul Kargbo, he allegedly began cursing and yelling at the officers and attempted to leave the scene. As officers attempted to arrest Kargbo, several other members in the group began to yell at police and act in a threatening manner.

What happened next, according to police reports and witnesses on the beach, was a pushing a shoving match between the suspects and police, including punches thrown, as officers attempted to detain the combatants. According to police reports and testimony at trial, Seisay and Saidu Kargbo allegedly assaulted officers and resisted arrest. Palmer was also involved in the fray and allegedly verbally and physically abused the arresting officers. During the struggle, Palmer was wrestled to the beach by OCPD officers and an attempt was made to handcuff her. She was eventually taken into custody and transported to the Public Safety Building for processing.

During Palmer’s processing on charges of assault and reckless endangerment, she began to experience labor pains and she was transported to the hospital where she had an emergency C-section. Palmer was formally charged days later after the birth of her child with assault, resisting arrest, obstructing and hindering and disorderly conduct.

Delaware Launches

Checkpoint Campaign

BERLIN — The Delaware Office of Highway Safety along with law enforcement have launched the 14th Annual Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign this holiday weekend.

Sobriety checkpoints will be scheduled to take place each month during the six-month long Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign along with DUI saturation patrols.  There will also be stepped up enforcement during peak holiday times.

Last year alcohol was involved in 47% of the 96 fatal crashes, which resulted in 47 individuals killed.

The campaign’s enforcement activities will be supplemented by an intense public awareness and education campaign that highlight the fact that there are several types of DUI’s many individuals might fall victim to, including Dancing Under the Influence, Dating Under the Influence, and Dialing Under the Influence, but individuals who decide to Drive Under The Influence are not victims and are committing a criminal act. Paid messages will be placed on T.V., radio spots, billboards, print, online, Pandora, movie theater ads, store floor clings, and website www.DUIRealTime.com.