Band Booster Sentenced

SNOW HILL — The former president of the Pocomoke High School Band Boosters, convicted of theft in February after absconding with thousands of dollars of the organization’s funds, was sentenced last week to three years in jail with all but eight months suspended and was ordered to pay over $2,000 in restitution.

In October, Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) detectives met with representatives of Pocomoke High and the Worcester County Board of Education regarding a suspected theft. Board members told detectives the president of the Pocomoke Band Boosters, identified as Tracey Whittington Colbert, 39, of Crisfield, had been using the organization’s funds for her own benefit.

The alleged theft was reported to police as soon as the Board of Education was made aware of the crime. The WCBI investigation revealed that between August and October, Colbert allegedly not only forged other booster member’s signatures on checks, but also stole roughly $2,271 from the accounts of the organization. As a result, Colbert was charged with theft from $1,000 to $10,000, forgery and uttering, and theft scheme from $1,000 to $10,000.

In February, Colbert was found guilty of theft from $1,000 to under $10,000, forgery of public documents and issuing a false document and a pre-sentence investigation was ordered. Back in court last week, Colbert was sentenced to three years in jail with all but eight months suspended. She was also ordered to pay $2,271 in restitution to the victims and was fined $500 and placed on probation for three years.

Four Days For Dealing

OCEAN CITY — One of four New York man arrested last August on drug distribution charges after fighting with Ocean City Police pleaded guilty last week to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, most of which was suspended in favor of probation and a fine.

Around 12:40 a.m. on Aug. 16, 2012, Ocean City Police Narcotics Unit officers along with the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team were investigating the illegal distribution of marijuana in the area of Philadelphia Ave. and 6th Street. During the course of the investigation, OCPD detectives and uniformed officers attempted to arrest two suspects for distribution of controlled dangerous substances (CDS) on a porch at 6th Street and Philadelphia Ave.

As the officers were attempting to place the suspects under arrest, the suspects began to struggle and fight with the officers. At that point, several occupants of the residence came out and began to interfere with the arresting officers and fight police. The original officers on the scene had to call for additional units to assist with the arrests. In addition, marijuana was discovered in the top floor unit of the building where the suspect’s friends were staying.

A total of four suspects were arrested, including Thomas William Mullen, 20, of Pearl River, N.Y.; Andrew James McAllister, 20, of Garnerville, N.Y.; Michael Anthony Sadori, 20, of North Rockland, N.Y.; and Thomas Patrick Brannigan, 20, of Garnerville, N.Y. Mullen was charged with conspiracy to distribute CDS and resisting arrest. McAllister was charged with distribution of CDS, Sadori was charged with conspiracy to distribute CDS and resisting arrest, and Brannigan was charged with distribution of CDS.

Last weekend in District Court, McAllister pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. All but four days were then suspended and McAllister was placed on probation for two years and fined $500. Last fall, Brannigan was placed on probation for one year and fined $1,000. Sadori had the charges against him placed on the stet, or inactive, docket, while Mullen is scheduled to appear for trial next month.

Assault Charges Dropped

SNOW HILL — A Pennsylvania man arrested last August on numerous charges, including second-degree rape after allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl and physically assaulting others during a disturbance at an uptown Ocean City residence, had the charges against him not prosecuted this week in Circuit Court.

Around 10 a.m. on Aug. 12, 2012, Ocean City Police responded to a residence on 120th Street for a reported disturbance. Upon arrival, the officers were confronted by a group of individuals who advised police a male who had been staying with them, later identified as Jason Paul Mackulin, 31, of Littlestown, Pa., had been involved in either a physical fight or an argument with just about everybody in the unit.

During the incident, Mackulin allegedly displayed a Taser, but did not discharge the weapon. As officers were speaking with the group, Mackulin came out of the unit and was quickly detained by police. The preliminary investigation revealed Mackulin had allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and her 14-year-old son. Police also learned the original disturbance involving Mackulin may have been the result of the suspect being involved in the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl also staying in the unit.

OCPD detectives arrived on the scene and determined Mackulin had allegedly sexually assaulted the 15-year-old female. Mackulin was arrested and charged with second-degree rape, a third- and fourth-degree sex offense and second-degree assault involving the 15-year-old female. He was also charged with second-degree domestic assault on his girlfriend, and second-degree assault on her 14-year-old son. This week in Circuit Court, the charges against Mackulin were dropped, or not prosecuted.

8th DUI Nets Jail Time

SNOW HILL — A Denton man was arrested on drunk-driving and resisting arrest charges last September after getting bounced from the Casino at Ocean Downs and later being tailed by Maryland State Police troopers pleaded guilty last week to driving while impaired and was sentenced to a year in jail, six months of which was suspended.

Shortly before 5 p.m. on September 29, the Maryland State Police received two separate calls from the Casino at Ocean Downs in reference to a suspect identified as Sean Aaron Mitchell, 35, of Denton, who was allegedly intoxicated and was leaving the casino in a pick-up truck towing a jet ski. Casino staff advised MSP troopers Mitchell had been removed from the facility around 1 p.m. because he was intoxicated, disorderly and combative.

A short time later, an MSP trooper who took the calls about Mitchell took a stationary position on westbound Route 50 near the Berlin barrack in an effort to locate the vehicle. Not long thereafter, the trooper observed the described pick-up truck towing a jet ski traveling on Route 50. The trooper pulled over the vehicle near Caleb Rd. after observing traffic violations.

Mitchell refused all field sobriety tests and was arrested for driving under the influence. During processing at the Berlin barrack, Mitchell allegedly became combative and attempted to fight with MSP troopers and was also charged with resisting arrest. The September incident was Mitchell’s eighth DUI offense. He was also in violation of not having his vehicle equipped with an interlock system.

Last week, Mitchell pleaded guilty to driving while impaired and was sentenced to a year in jail, six months of which were then suspended. He was also placed on probation for two years and fined $500.