SNOW HILL — A Bishopville man, who pleaded guilty in August to second-degree assault and other charges after an incident last February during which he fired multiple shots from a handgun and threatened to kill a female acquaintance during a domestic dispute, was sentenced last week in Worcester County Circuit Court to seven years in jail.
On Feb. 19, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the victim of an assault at a residence in Bishopville. The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) was contacted and responded with a uniformed officer to meet with the victim. The victim told police she had been in a relationship with a suspect identified as Isaac Cook III, 51, and that the couple had resided together at the residence in Bishopville.
The victim told police on Feb. 18, she was at the residence with Cook when he asked her to drive him to Salisbury. When the victim told Cook she would not drive him to Salisbury, he allegedly became angry and exited through the front door of the residence with a black handgun and fired multiple rounds. The victim told police Cook then re-entered the home, stood a few feet away from her and allegedly threatened “to blow her brains out” while holding the handgun.
The victim told police that after threatening her with the gun, Cook approached her, grabbed her by the throat and threw her down on a bed. The victim was able to flee the area a short time later. The victim also told police Cook had left several threatening voice mails and text messages on her phone after the incident. Detectives reviewed the voice mails and text messages and they were found to be very aggressive toward the victim and implied Cook would find her and do her harm.
Based on the victim’s statements and additional investigation, an arrest warrant was obtained for Cook, charging him with first- and second-degree assault and telephone misuse. Cook was later apprehended in Wicomico County by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.
In August, Cook pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and telephone misuse-repeated calls and a pre-sentence investigation was ordered. Back in court last Friday, Cook was sentenced to 10 years for the second-degree assault conviction, three years of which were suspended. He was also sentenced to three years for the telephone misuse count, all of which was suspended, resulting in a net seven year sentence. Cook was also placed on probation for five years upon his release.
Guilty Verdict In High School Rape
SALISBURY — A Delmar teen arrested in May on rape and assault charges after forcing himself on a teenage girl at Parkside High School during regular school hours was found guilty this week of second-degree rape and now awaits his fate pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation.
Around 8 a.m. on May 5, the victim was walking with the suspect, later identified as Jocori Marece Scarborough, 17, when he began to make sexual advances toward her. Scarborough then allegedly grabbed the victim by the arm and forced her to an area not captured on the school’s video surveillance system. The victim is a student at Wicomico High School, but was taking a class at Parkside at the time of the incident.
According to police reports, the victim repeatedly told Scarborough no, but the suspect continued to force her by grabbing her by the hips and dragging her down a hallway. Once in an area outside video surveillance scrutiny between two sets of double glass doors, Scarborough allegedly pulled up the victim’s skirt and removed her underwear. Despite her attempts to resist and continued pleadings of no, the suspect was able to control the victim and allegedly raped her. The incident occurred at a time when the students were supposed to be in class, according to police reports.
Scarborough was charged as an adult with first-and second degree rape, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, false imprisonment and molesting another at school. His trial began on Monday and carried over into Tuesday. According to reports, the victim gave a somber account of the incident from the witness stand.
The jury was out for about 90 minutes before returning with a guilty verdict for the second-degree rape count. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered.
Another Guilty Verdict In Cocaine Dealing Case
SNOW HILL — The second of two men arrested on drug distribution and other charges in March after a large quantity of cocaine was found in the engine compartment of their vehicle was found guilty last week in Circuit Court and now awaits his fate pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation.
Around 1:45 p.m. on March 2, a Maryland State Police trooper was patrolling in the area of Route 13 and Brantley Rd. in Pocomoke when he observed a vehicle with its passenger not restrained by a seatbelt. The trooper initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, later identified as Vashawn Walker, 27, of Newark, N.J. The passenger did not have any identification.
While talking with the occupants, the trooper noticed several criminal indicators and called for another trooper to assist in identifying the passenger. During questioning, both Walker and the passenger gave false information regarding the passenger’s identity. The passenger was later identified as Thomas Lee Richardson III, 31, of Norfolk. Richardson was found to be wanted on an extraditable warrant in Virginia for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute.
While speaking with Richardson, the trooper noticed the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and a search was conducted. During the search, troopers opened the air cleaner box in the engine compartment and located a black plastic bag. Inside the plastic bag was a quantity of compressed powder cocaine weighing over 121 grams.
Richardson and Walker were arrested and transported to the Berlin barrack for processing. MSP troopers were assisted by the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team, the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs officials. Both Walker and Richardson were charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and false statement and Richardson was also charged as a fugitive from another area.
Earlier this month, Walker pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He was sentenced to seven years in jail with all but 18 months suspended. He was also fined $500 and placed on probation for three years upon his release. Last week, Richardson was found guilty in Circuit Court but sentencing was deferred pending the completion of a pre-sentence investigation.
Strong Arm Robbery Suspects Sought
SALISBURY — Salisbury Police this week are seeking the public’s help in identifying two suspects wanted in connection with a strong-armed robbery last week.
Last Tuesday, Salisbury Police began investigating a robbery that occurred in the area of Cynthia Place. Around 3:30 p.m., a victim was walking on Lorecrop Drive toward Pinehurst Ave. when he observed two individuals walking toward him from the other side of the street. The two suspects then turned around and approached the victim from behind.
One of the suspects punched the victim in the face, causing him to fall to the ground, while the other suspect kicked the victim in the chest. The suspects then demanded money from the victim, who surrendered his wallet. The suspects then fled the area on foot.
The victim then went to Salisbury University Police to report the incident. The victim suffered a minor abrasion under his eye, but refused medical treatment. Salisbury Police attempted a K-9 search of the area for the suspects to no avail. The officers were able to determine the suspects had fled into the Cynthia Place housing complex.
One suspect is described as an African-American male about 20 years old with a medium complexion, dreadlocks, a goatee and about 5’7”. The second suspect is described as an African-American male about 20 years old with a bald head and a dark complexion about 6’3”. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165, or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Crime Solvers will offer a reward of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to arrests.