OCEAN CITY — The first batch of defendants arrested after a series of related incidents on the Boardwalk in late July were in court this week with varying outcomes including jail time for the alleged catalyst in the melees.
On July 29, an unusually large crowd of college-age individuals roaming the Boardwalk amid the rest of the big crowd on a hot summer night reached a crescendo with several incidents breaking out in different areas. The first incident began around 9:45 p.m. in the area of 1st Street and the Boardwalk and resulted in multiple arrests. The lawlessness continued with several more incidents reported later in the night in the area of 7th and 8th streets.
Kevin Rusten
When the dust settled, at least 12 were arrested on various charges with a common theme including second-degree assault, resisting arrest, obstructing and hindering, reckless endangerment and failure to obey a lawful order, for example.
For example, Kevin Rusten, 26, of Silver Spring, Md., who was the catalyst for the initial incident at around 9:45 p.m. at 1st Street, appeared in court on Tuesday. Ocean City Police observed Rusten kick a trashcan and push it to the ground. Rusten then dragged the trashcan to the middle of the Boardwalk and emptied its contents. When OCPD officers attempted to place Rustin under arrest, he became aggressive toward the officers and a large, hostile crowd began to form. Numerous suspects assaulted police officers as they attempted to disperse the crowd.
On Tuesday, Rusten pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and resisting arrest. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail, which he began serving immediately, and was fined a combined $500 for the two convictions. According to a legal source, the conviction and subsequent sentence, as opposed to probation before judgment, for example, appears to signal the court’s understanding of the seriousness of the Boardwalk melees. A typical guilty plea for lesser resisting arrest and/or second-degree assault pleas would likely result in probation and no conviction on the defendant’s permanent record.
Jayvon Jackson
Also arrested during the initial incident at 1st Street on July 29 were Charles Mapp, 21, of Accomac, Va.; Jiare Darden, 20, of Baltimore; Ogni Assimaido, 20, of Potomac; and Antwan English, 21, of Baltimore. Each of those suspects go to court in October.
The incident on 1st Street was a precursor of sorts for a larger incident yet to come early Sunday morning further up the Boardwalk. Around 12:40 a.m., Ocean City police observed a large, disorderly crowd estimated at over 200 in the area of 7th Street and the Boardwalk. According to police reports, individuals in the crowd were yelling profanities and some began throwing bottles and other objects. The crowd was hostile and aggressive toward police officers attempting to disperse them.
A total of seven arrests were made during the incident on the Boardwalk at 7th Street including Steven Williams, 20, of Baltimore; Jayvon Jackson, 19, of Silver Spring, Md.; Germane Levenbury, 21, of Upper Marlboro, Md.; and Savanah Nelson, 21, of Capitol Heights.
Savanah Nelson
Also arrested during the 7th Street incident was Nickolet Serrano, 19, of Beltsville, Md.; Tuflah Davies, 19, of Silver Spring; and a 17-year-old juvenile from Largo, Md. In separate trials this week, Jackson pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and was also sentenced to 10 days and fined $500. Nelson was found guilty of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and was fined a combined $800 for the two convictions. The rest of the defendants in the later incidents further up the Boardwalk are also scheduled to appear in court in October.
