SNOW HILL — A Gaithersburg man, arrested in July on multiple sex offenses following an investigation into a sexual assault in Ocean City in June, was found guilty this week of fourth-degree sex offense and second-degree assault and was sentenced to 18 months with all but 15 days suspended.
During the week of June 10, 2013, Ocean City Police detectives began investigating a sex offense that had allegedly occurred on June 8. OCPD detectives met with a 20-year-old victim who told police she had come to Ocean City with several other individuals and was allegedly assaulted by one of them, later identified as Luis M. Calderon, 25, of Gaithersburg.
The investigation revealed on June 7, Calderon came to Ocean City with his fiancé and other friends, including the victim. When the group arrived at their rented condominium, they began consuming alcoholic beverages and became intoxicated. The victim told police she remembered going to sleep in one of the bedrooms where she was later allegedly sexually assaulted by Calderon.
On July 16, OCPD detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Calderon charging him with second- and third-degree sex offense, fourth-degree sexual contact, sodomy and second-degree assault. On Wednesday, Calderon entered Alford pleas to second-degree assault and fourth-degree sex offense and was sentenced to combined 18 months, all but 15 days suspended.
Tough Day For Birds
WEST OCEAN CITY — A juvenile was cited with multiple violations last weekend after allegedly shooting and killing a Canada goose near a West Ocean City fast-food restaurant.
Last Sunday, Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) issued multiple citations to an unidentified juvenile who allegedly shot and killed a Canada goose in West Ocean City. The juvenile and his father told NRP officers the goose was killed near a fast-food restaurant with an air-powered pellet gun. The juvenile was charged with hunting and possessing waterfowl during a closed season, hunting waterfowl on Sunday, hunting without a license, hunting waterfowl without a federal stamp and a violation of firearms restriction. The case is being referred to juvenile services.
On the same day, NRP officers issued citations to Cody Wayne Smith, 19, of Berlin, after he admitted illegally killing mallard ducks in Bishopville. Smith was charged with hunting and possession waterfowl during a closed season and hunting waterfowl on Sunday.
Untaxed Cigarette Bust
BERLIN — A Connecticut man was arrested this week after being found with hundreds of cartons of untaxed, unstamped cigarettes during a routine traffic stop near Berlin.
Around 8:30 a.m. on Monday, a Maryland State Police trooper stopped a Chevy Lumina for going 72 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone on northbound Route 113 at Shingle Landing Rd. During the traffic stop, the trooper noticed a blue blanket in the back seat that was partially covering multiple boxes of cigarettes.
The probable cause search revealed 310 cartons of untaxed and unstamped cigarettes in the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Paul Trepanier, 73, of Portland, Conn., was charged with possession of unstamped and untaxed cigarettes. The Maryland State Comptroller’s Office was contacted and continued the investigation.
Trespassing Arrest
BERLIN — A Berlin man was arrested on trespassing charges last week after parking his vehicle on a private driveway during a party.
Around 2:11 a.m. last Friday, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of Hall Drive in Berlin for a reported suspicious vehicle parked in a driveway at a residence. The vehicle was parked in an area marked with “no trespassing” signs. The owner and driver of the vehicle, identified as Vincent Vitillio, 18, of Berlin, was located at a party in the area. Vitillio was arrested and charged with trespassing on posted private property and was later released on a criminal citation.
Domestic Assault Alleged
BISHOPVILLE — A Bishopville woman was arrested on assault charges last week after allegedly striking her husband in the face during a domestic dispute.
Shortly before 9 p.m. last Thursday, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies received a call to respond to a reported physical domestic complaint at a residence on St. Martin’s Neck Rd. in Bishopville. Upon arrival, deputies met with a victim who told police his wife, identified as Paulette Curtis, 61, of Bishopville, had assaulted him. The victim had obvious signs of an assault on his face. Curtis was arrested and charged with second-degree assault. She was later released on personal recognizance.
Reckless Driving Spree
BISHOPVILLE — A Bishopville man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and multiple traffic citations last week after an alleged reckless driving spree.
Around 8:45 p.m. last Sunday, Worcester County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area of Back Creek Rd. for a report of reckless driving. The caller told police a white Ford F-150 was driving in a reckless manner, doing burnouts and possibly striking a sign. The vehicle was located a short time later and was found to be operated by Mark James Bell, 50, of Bishopville.
Bell allegedly exhibited signs of being intoxicated and was asked to submit to a battery of field sobriety tests. After unsuccessfully performing the tests, Bell was arrested for driving under the influence. He was also issued multiple traffic citations including negligent driving in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life and person.
Jail For Backing Into Chief
BERLIN — A local man, arrested on multiple charges after first backing into Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing’s vehicle morning then fleeing the scene and leading police on a chase through town, pleaded guilty this week and was sentenced to 20 days in jail and fined $200.
Around 11 a.m. on Nov. 6, 2013, Downing was stopped at the intersection of Abbey Lane and West Street when a Chevrolet SUV backed into his vehicle. The driver, later identified as Gordon Walters, 41, then sped off without stopping, according to police reports.
Walters fled the scene with Downing in pursuit down West Street to West Buckingham Rd. for about a mile, then down Tingle Street, Upshur Street and Middle Street before finally being stopped on Buckingham Rd. Walters was then arrested without incident and was found to be driving on a suspended license. He was also found to be wanted for failing to appear in District Court.
Passed Out Behind Wheel
SNOW HILL — A Salisbury man was arrested on drunk-driving and weapons charges last weekend after police allegedly found him passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle with its engine running and its lights off at a stop sign in Snow Hill.
Last Sunday, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to the area of Mt. Olive Church Rd. in Snow Hill for a reported suspicious vehicle parked in the roadway. The deputy observed a 2004 Chevy Suburban parked at the stop sign at the intersection of Mt. Olive Church Rd. and Snow Hill Rd. The vehicle was parked with no headlights illuminated and the engine running.
The deputy found the driver, later identified as Calvin Henry Harmon, Jr., 32, of Salisbury, passed out behind the wheel. The deputy detected an odor of alcohol and asked Harmon to exit the vehicle to complete field sobriety tests, to which he agreed. However, Harmon did not pass the tests to the officer’s satisfaction and was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed a set of brass knuckles, a large amount of cash and six cell phones. Harmon was then charged with carrying a concealed weapon. The remaining property was seized pending an investigation.