SALISBURY — At a press conference Wednesday, Matthew A. Maciarello, State’s Attorney for Wicomico County, announced no charges will be filed in a recent fatal accident.
Maciarello released a document entitled Report and Conclusions of the State’s Attorney that detailed an investigation into the motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death of a minor, T.S., age 15, on Camden Avenue on March 7.
In the report, the State’s Attorney explained that the Salisbury Police Department officers observed the motorist manifest the following signs of impairment as he drove his vehicle through a Salisbury neighborhood: sharp turns, improper signaling, crossing prominent yellow lines, crossing white lines, driving through turn lanes, driving through red lights, driving through stop signs, swerving, driving through oncoming traffic, and failure to acknowledge the officer during a traffic stop.
Based upon what the officers’ observed and the Maryland State Police Crash Team’s Oral Report, witness statements and other evidence obtained during the investigation, it was the opinion of the State’s Attorney that the officers acted prudently and professionally, and that charges were not warranted.
Around 10:15 p.m. on March 7, police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Camden Ave. near North Blvd. The suspect vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued, which ended when the suspect vehicle was involved in a single-car crash on Camden Ave. near Pine Bluff Rd. The driver and lone occupant of the vehicle, a 15-year-old Bennett High student from Fruitland, was killed as a result of the impact.
Protective Order Leads to Pot Arrest
BISHOPVILLE — A Bishopville woman was arrested on possession of marijuana and other charges last week after police questioned her about a protective order.
Around 6:45 a.m. last Wednesday, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence on Campbelltown Rd. in Bishopville to question Lisa B. Kerstetter, 51, of Bishopville, in reference to a violation of a protective order. Kerstetter was then placed under arrest for violation of an ex parte order, and while in the residence, deputies also located marijuana.
When confronted about the marijuana, Kerstetter allegedly became extremely aggressive and hostile, according to police reports, and was also charged with resisting arrest.
First-Degree Rape Conviction
SALISBURY — A Salisbury man was convicted last week of first-degree rape, two counts of second-degree rape and two counts of sexual abuse of a minor by a Wicomico County jury for an incident dating back to 2007.
Montire Brown, 35, of Salisbury, was found guilty last Tuesday on multiple charges dating back to an incident in 2007 when he sexually assaulted a minor in Salisbury. Brown faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing is expected to occur in the next 60-90 days.
Guilty Plea In Heroin Bust
SNOW HILL — An Ocean Pines man, arrested on heroin distribution and other charges last October after a months-long investigation into drug trafficking in the north end of Worcester County resulted in one of the largest heroin seizures in county history, pleaded guilty last week and now awaits his fate pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation.
Throughout late 2012, the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team, in partnership with the Ocean City Police Narcotics Unit, conducted several joint heroin investigations in the north end of the county. During the course of the investigation, a suspect identified as Leck Lyons, 38, of Ocean Pines, was identified as a source of the heroin being distributed in the north end of Worcester.
As a result, a search and seizure warrant was authored for Lyons’ home in Ocean Pines and his vehicle. On Oct. 19, 2012, Lyons was observed in his vehicle at the intersection of Worcester Highway and Bishopville Rd. near Bishopville. Lyons was in the company of a female passenger later identified as Jayna Lynn Griffith, 27, also of Ocean Pines. The vehicle was stopped and Lyons and Griffith were taken into custody.
Pursuant to the warrant, a search of Lyons’ vehicle resulted in the seizure of 1,678 individually-wrapped bags of heroin along with a little over $2,000 in currency. The individually-wrapped bags of heroin had an estimated street value of $41,940, making it the largest heroin seizure in recent history in Worcester County, according to police reports.
A search and seizure warrant was executed a Lyons’ Ocean Pines residence resulting in the seizure of an additional seven bags of heroin.
A sentencing hearing has been set for April 29. Meanwhile, Griffith is scheduled to appear for trial on April 16.
Dealer Sentenced
SNOW HILL — The second of two local men arrested in October on numerous drug charges at a West Ocean City motel pleaded guilty last week to possession with intent to distribute heroin and was sentenced to seven years in jail, all but 18 months of which was then suspended.
On Oct. 4, members of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team executed a search and seizure warrant at the Rambler Motel on Elm Street in West Ocean City after a heroin distribution investigation. The criminal enforcement team members along with an Ocean City Police Department Narcotics Unit made entry into a unit and located and seized numerous items including 164 individually wrapped bags of heroin, 25 tablets of Alprazolam, three grams of marijuana, various items of paraphernalia and over $700 in cash.
Arrested were Jake L. Docca, 25, of Ocean Pines, and Frank Wray King, 25, of Berlin. Each suspect was charged with possession of heroin, marijuana and Alprazolam, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin-large amount, and possession of paraphernalia.
Last week, Docca pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and was sentenced to seven years in jail, all but 18 months of which were then suspended. Docca was also placed on probation for three years upon his release and was fined $500. In February, King also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and received the exact same sentence.
Police Nab Burglary Suspect
SALISBURY — A Salisbury man was arrested on burglary and other charges this week after allegedly breaking into a house and being discovered still inside by the resident.
Around 10 a.m. on Monday, Salisbury Police responded to Jackson Street in reference to a burglary in progress. Salisbury Police made entry to the residence and determined the suspect was, in fact, still on the scene.
Officers made contact with the suspect, later identified as Willie Lee Hope, Jr., 20, of Salisbury, who fled the residence on foot. Officers chased Hope on foot and were able to apprehend the suspect a few blocks away.
Assaulted With Syringe
SALISBURY — A Salisbury man was arrested on first-degree assault and other serious charges this week after allegedly assaulting a female victim with a syringe and holding her against her will before fleeing the scene.
Around 7:15 p.m. on Monday, Salisbury Police responded to Priscilla Street in reference to an assault. Officers met with a female victim who told police a male suspect had forced his way into her residence, assaulted her with a syringe and held her against her will. The suspect then fled the scene on foot.
The victim told police she knew the suspect, later identified as Tyler Andre Gaskins, 19, due to a prior relationship. Gaskins was later seen driving his vehicle on Riverside Drive and was stopped and arrested without incident.