OC Drug Dealer Gets 11 Years
SNOW HILL – A Dagsboro, Del. man arrested on cocaine distribution charges last August in Ocean City after an undercover investigation pointed to him as a potential dealer was sentenced last week to 11 years in jail.
Arnesto Smith, 28, was in Worcester County Circuit Court last week to face possession of crack cocaine and resisting arrest charges after getting busted in north Ocean City last August. Smith was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and was sentenced to 11 years in jail.
On Aug. 31, officers from the OCPD narcotics section working undercover were conducting an investigation in the area of 137th Street and Sinepuxent Ave. when they attempted to arrest Smith. When the officers attempted to take Smith into custody, he resisted and fled on foot, but he was apprehended a short time later by Pfc. Mike Richardson and his K-9 partner Semper.
Smith was found to be in possession of 50 individual pieces of crack cocaine, or roughly a quarter ounce, with an estimated street value of $1,100. He was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute and resisting arrest.
Key West Fugitive Nabbed
OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City man wanted in Florida for four counts of assaulting a police officer was arrested in north Ocean City on Monday after a routine traffic stop while riding his bicycle.
Around 3:15 p.m. on Monday, an OCPD officer on routine patrol observed a man riding a bicycle run through a stop sign. The officer stopped the bicyclist, later identified as Mark Joseph McMahon, 29, of Ocean City, and a routine warrant search discovered the suspect was wanted on an extraditable warrant from the state of Florida for assaulting four police officers in Key West.
While being taken into custody, McMahon allegedly said, “Officer, I have marijuana in my pocket.” A search of McMahon turned up a small amount of marijuana and paraphernalia. McMahon was arrested on the fugitive warrant from Florida and also charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.
OC Man Connected To Apartment Fire
OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City man was arrested on malicious destruction of property charges last week after allegedly throwing a potted plant through the window on a downtown apartment that later caught fire.
On Feb. 7, an OCPD officer responded to a reported building fire at the Bridgeview Apartments on North Division Street. The apartment’s renter told police someone had broken a window with a potted plant, entered his unit and set a fire in the kitchen area. The officer observed the broken window in question with a potted plant lying just below it. The fire had consumed part of the kitchen.
The officer than talked to another man, identified as Bernard Martin Rewers, 27, of Ocean City, who was standing on the porch. Rewers, who was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, told police he might have thrown the plant through the window but did not mention starting the fire.
Another occupant of the building told police Rewers had argued with the apartment’s renter earlier in the day and told him he was “going over to get” the apartment renter. The witness also told police he saw Rewers banging on the apartment door before the fire. Based on the information provided, Rewers was arrested and charged with malicious destruction of property.
Skipped Stop Sign Nets Drug Bust
BERLIN – Two people were arrested on drug possession and other charges last weekend after being pulled over for failing to stop at a stop sign in Berlin.
Last Saturday evening, Maryland State Police troopers pulled over a Toyota passenger car at Trappe Rd. and Germantown Rd. for failing to stop at a stop sign. When the officers approached the vehicle’s occupants, they detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the passenger, identified as James Anthony Haynes.
A search of the vehicle turned up a smoking device containing a trace amount of pot and two burnt marijuana cigars as well as a small quantity of marijuana. Haynes and the driver, Tiffany Lee Matsatsos, were then arrested for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. Matsatsos was also charged with driving on a suspended license.
High Speed Chase
SNOW HILL – A Snow Hill man faces serious charges this week after a high-speed chase during which he twice attempted to strike a Maryland State Police cruiser before the pursuit ended on a dirt lane near Pocomoke.
Around 9:45 a.m. last Thursday, MSP troopers attempted to stop Edward Bennett of Snow Hill for speeding along Route 113 in the south end of Worcester County, but the driver failed to stop. A chase ensued throughout the south end of the county reaching speeds over 100 miles per hour on several occasions.
Twice during the chase, Bennett attempted to strike a police cruiser. MSP Aviation assisted during the chase, as did the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, the Pocomoke Police, and troopers from the MSP Princess Anne barrack. The chase finally ended on a dirt lane off Lambertson Rd. in Pocomoke when Bennett stopped and surrendered without further incident.
Bennett was charged with first- and second-degree assault, possession of CDS and paraphernalia and several traffic-related charges.
Warrant Round-Up Nets More Arrests
BERLIN – An aggressive warrant initiative carried out by troopers from the Maryland State Police Berlin barrack continued last week with 14 more wanted criminals arrested.
In January, the MSP Berlin Barrack Warrant Initiative Team began the aggressive search for known wanted felons in the area and achieved great success with dozens wanted in Worcester County rounded up from all over the country. All in all, 30 suspects, including five felons, were apprehended and 39 total warrants were served, six of which were felony warrants.
With a highly successful January behind them, the warrant initiative team was back at it last week, nabbing 14 more suspects wanted on warrants in the area. Arrested by the team last week were: Earl DeShawn Garrison, 26, of Selbyville, who was wanted on a failure to appear bench warrant for driving on a revoked license and a rental agreement violation; Robert Neil Gardner, 27, Dunkirk, Md., failure to appear for a driving while suspended charge; Patricia Jane Ellis, 21, New Church, Va., failure to appear, disorderly conduct; Mark Fleming, 37, Berlin, FTA, CDS possession; Carla Maria Lauerman, 25, Salisbury, FTA driving while suspended; and George Glen Lynch, 48, Ocean City, violation of probation, driving under the influence of alcohol.
Others rounded up last week included Chastity Marie Brown, 23, Berlin, FTA, harassment and telephone misuse; James Gregg Chafin, 45, Berlin, FTA, violation of ex parte; Kevin Wilson Phillips, 26, Salisbury, three counts of failure to obey peace order; Sharon Marie Buss, 46, Ocean City, FTA, contempt of court; Chaquita Taiwan Farmer, 31, Berlin, FTA, driving while suspended; Robin Rochelle Hopkins, 41, Baltimore, second-degree assault and trespassing; Sarah T. Lutz, 21, Red Lion, Pa., FTA, driving while suspended; and Donna Millette, 42, Sarasota, Fla., arrest warrant for felony theft and forgery.
Two Arrested In Brawl
OCEAN CITY – Two individuals were arrested recently on disorderly conduct and other charges after participating in a brawl which caused a near riot on a mid-town night club parking lot.
Around 2 a.m. on Feb. 2, OCPD officers were patrolling in the area of the 45th Street Village when they saw a large crowd leaving the Pulse nightclub. The officers observed two males engaged in a fistfight with an estimated 100 to 150 people gathered around. One officer observed a man later identified as Kewaun Cresendo Pittman, 21, of Baltimore, go after another man, swinging at him with a closed fist. Although Pittman did not connect on any of the punches, he was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and affray.
Meanwhile, another OCPD officer observed a second suspect, later identified as Carl Thomas Miles III, of Salisbury, go after another man and strike his victim at least three times in the head with a closed fist.
Miles was also arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and affray.
Likes Banana Red
OCEAN CITY – A Wisconsin man was arrested on burglary and weapons charges last weekend after being observed sitting on a sidewalk drinking a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20 Banana Red in front of a residence he had tried to enter illegally.
Around 9:30 p.m. last Friday, an OCPD officer on patrol in the W. Biscayne Drive area observed a suspicious man sitting on a curb in front of the residence drinking from an open bottle of Mad Dog 20/20 Banana Red. As the officer watched the suspect, later identified as Jason Thomas McDonough, 26, of Sun Prairie, Wis., walk up to the front door of a residence and try the screen door.
The officer called to McDonough to return to speak with him, and when he returned, the officer found the suspect with the open bottle of wine. When asked if he intended to enter the unoccupied residence, McDonough replied “yeah, basically.” When asked why he was trying to enter the residence for which he did not have permission, nor did he know the owners, McDonough replied, “I’m new to the area” and “I’m trying to figure out how the cops work.”
The officer then placed McDonough under arrest for the open container violation and for fourth-degree burglary. The ensuing search of his person revealed a six-inch steak knife and a screwdriver in his pocket and concealed dangerous weapons charges were tacked on.
Boardwalk Theft Yields Jail Time
OCEAN CITY – Alton Lamie Smith, 21, of Washington D.C., pleaded not guilty to theft under $100 in District Court this week, resulting in a guilty sentence and 90 days in jail.
A witness in the case, an employee of a Boardwalk T-shirt shop, took the stand for the prosecution, claiming that Smith stole a sweatshirt from the store while she was working.
According to the witness, on Sept. 2, she and two other employees were getting ready to close the store when Smith and two other men came into the store and began trying on sweatshirts. The witness claimed that she turned her back and when she looked again, Smith and his two friends were leaving the store.
The witness noticed that two sweatshirts were missing and saw a white sweatshirt tucked in Smith’s pants and a tie-dye sweatshirt tucked in the pants of one of the other men. The witness told the other employees and they followed Smith, asking the three men to return and pay for the items. They all returned to the store but refused to pay, claiming they had not stolen anything. One of the men then ran from the store and Smith and the other man soon followed. All three were quickly apprehended by nearby Ocean City police officers.
Smith was found guilty of theft less than $100 and was sentenced to 90 days in the county jail, with credit for time served for 78 days.
Jail Time In WOC Drug Bust
SNOW HILL – An Ocean City man arrested in a cooperative drug bust last June at a West Ocean City shopping center parking lot was found guilty last week in Circuit Court of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and was sentenced to 30 months in jail with all but one year suspended.
The combined effort of the OCPD Narcotics Task Force and the Worcester County Narcotics Task Force resulted in the arrest of Gary Croney, 47, of Ocean City, last June. The cooperative effort by the two allied agencies resulted in the arrest of Croney in West Ocean City when narcotics officers located the suspect and served an arrest warrant on him. Croney was found with a third of an ounce of cocaine on his person. A search of his residence in Ocean City incident to his arrest revealed three ounces of marijuana and various items of drug paraphernalia.
Croney was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and cocaine, possession of marijuana and cocaine and possession of paraphernalia.
Guilty Despite Illegal Search Claim
OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City man was found guilty in District Court this week of possession of the painkiller Vicodin despite his attorney’s arguments that the search was unwarranted.
On Oct. 11, OCPD Officer Joe Melena observed James Michael Rechterman, 49, riding on the back of a moped in the area of 8th Street. After the driver ran a red light, the moped was pulled over and the driver was searched.
After arresting the driver, Melena told Rechterman that he was free to leave. Rechterman took a few steps and returned, asking what was going to happen to his friend. Melena then asked if he could search Rechterman for any drugs or weapons and found four Vicodin pills in his possession.
Rechterman’s attorney argued that the search was unwarranted, but despite the arguments, Rechterman was found guilty and was fined $357.50.
Disorderly Conviction Results In 30-Day Sentence
SNOW HILL- A Parsonsburg woman arrested in Ocean City last may for resisting arrest and kicking police officers was found guilty last week of second-degree assault and resisting arrest and was sentenced to two 30 day stints in the county jail to be served concurrently.
Last May 28, OCPD officers working in the area of Philadelphia Ave. and Talbot Street stopped a woman, later identified as Bobbi Cook, 24, of Parsonsburg, for a noise violation. The situation quickly escalated into a disorderly conduct case and the officer called for back-up to assist with the arrest.
As more officers arrived, Cook refused to comply with police orders and began kicking the officers. She was ultimately subdued with pepper spray and arrested on assault and resisting arrest charges.
Shots Fired At Dump Yields Crack Conviction
SNOW HILL – A Berlin man arrested last August on possession of crack cocaine charges after being caught firing a handgun at the Worcester County landfill in Berlin was found guilty last week and sentenced to two years in jail with all but 60 days suspended.
On Aug. 29, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Berlin Police responded to the landfill for a report of shots fired. The officers soon located a semi-automatic handgun and another 9mm pistol belonging to Kevin D. Johnson, 29, of Berlin. Johnson was found nearby and held for questioning. A search of his person revealed about two grams of crack cocaine and cash in his pocket and he was arrested and charged with possession.
Didn’t Listen The First Time
SNOW HILL – An Ocean City man told last July to take his scooter off the road for the night after being stopped on suspicion of operating the vehicle while intoxicated before taking it out again hours later was found guilty last week of driving while impaired and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, all of which was suspended in favor of probation.
Last July 8, an OCPD officer on routine patrol observed a man, later identified as John R. Turner, 29, of Ocean City, failing to safely stop his scooter before dropping it on the ground at a mid-town parking lot. The officer detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from Turner and told him he would have to part with the scooter for the night. Turner complied and left the scene.
A short time later, the officer observed Turner return to the parking lot and drive off on the scooter. He was stopped again and given field sobriety tests, which he failed. Turner was then arrested for driving while impaired.
Sex Offender Sentenced
SNOW HILL – A resort man who had sexual relations with a juvenile in Ocean City in 2006 was found guilty last week on a third-degree sex offense and was sentenced to three years in jail with all but one year suspended.
The initial incident occurred in July 2006 when a juvenile and her cousin were vacationing with Steven G. Clark, 39, of Ocean City, at his resort residence for 11 days. Clark invited the juvenile into the shower with him where he fondled her and had sexual relations with her there and later in bed.
The juvenile kept quiet about the incident until her mother learned what had happened and confronted Clark. Clark admitted having sexual relations with the girl and apologized to her mother and also to his wife. In August 2007, a Western Maryland police agency contacted the OCPD about the incident and Clark was arrested. Last week, he was sentenced to three years in jail with all but one suspended. Incidentally, Clark told the judge his wife had forgiven him for the incident.
Stiff Sentence for Cocaine Dealer
SNOW HILL – An Ocean City man caught dealing cocaine during a sting operation in January 2007 was found guilty this week of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to seven years in jail with all but two suspended.
On Jan. 24, 2007, an undercover OCPD narcotics agent contacted suspected dealer Christopher Kansak, 25, of Ocean City, about purchasing an eight ball of powder cocaine. Kansak agreed and arranged a date, site and time for the transaction, which was to be held at a downtown business. When the officer arrived, Kansak got into his unmarked car and swapped the cocaine for cash. Kansak was then arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine.