Allan Tyson
POCOMOKE — Two Connecticut men are facing drug trafficking charges after police found a shoebox full of cocaine with a street value of approximately $45,000.
On Nov. 25 at 8:39 p.m., members of the Maryland State Police Berlin barrack conducted a traffic stop on a 2015 Chrysler 200, which had been noted for a speed violation near the Maryland-Virginia line.
During the stop, a State Police canine conducted “a K-9 free air sniff” of the vehicle, according to a news release. The scan resulted in a positive alert for drugs and a search found a shoebox full of cocaine hidden inside a suitcase in the trunk of the vehicle.
Allan Orville Tyson of Prospect, Conn. and Christopher H. Williams-Eason of Northfield, Conn. were placed under arrest and charged with importation of CDS into the State, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of cocaine. The suspects were each being held as of Wednesday on $100,000 secured bond.
Christopher Williams-Eason
According to police, the cocaine was found to have a “bulk value” of nearly $20,000 and approximate “street value” of $45,000.
Crashed In Ditch, Went Home
GIRDLETREE — A Girdletree woman was arrested on drunk-driving charges last weekend after allegedly crashing her vehicle into a ditch before fleeing and heading home.
Around 2:45 a.m. last Saturday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a reported vehicle in a ditch in the area of Snow Hill Rd. and Pike Lane in Girdletree. Upon arrival, troopers discovered a Chevy Malibu had left the roadway and entered a ditch, sustaining significant damage. The driver, later identified as Linda Arsenault, 53, of Girdletree, was not at the scene but was located at her residence a short time later.
Through the investigation, it was determined Arsenault was impaired and she was subsequently arrested. She was not injured in the collision.
Another Ditch Accident
BERLIN — An Ocean View man was arrested on drunk-driving charges last week after first crashing his vehicle in a ditch near Berlin and then knocking on a stranger’s door.
Around 5 a.m. last Sunday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to the area of Shingle Landing Rd. for a reported individual knocking on the door of a residence. Upon arrival, troopers located a suspect identified as David Russell, 31, of Ocean View outside the residence. Russell, who was extremely intoxicated, did not reside there, nor did he know the homeowner.
The investigation revealed Russell had been involved in a motor vehicle accident prior to knocking on the door of the residence. Russell had been operating a Ford pick-up truck towing a flat-bed trailer on northbound Route 113 when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a ditch. Russell then left the collision scene and was later located in the area of Shingle Landing Rd. He was administered field sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested and charged with driving under the influence.
Suspended Sentence For Pedestrian Hit
OCEAN CITY — One of two men arrested in August after one allegedly hit a pedestrian in Ocean City on Coastal Highway at 55th Street and attempted to flee the scene on foot while the second got behind the wheel and attempted to move the vehicle pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to 60 days, all of which was suspended.
Around 2:20 a.m. on Aug. 17, Ocean City Police responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian on Coastal Highway near 55th Street. OCPD officers arrived on the scene and observed a female lying in the roadway in the northbound turn lane of Coastal Highway in front of a white four-door Cadillac with Florida tags. The pedestrian, a 21-year-old female, had severe head trauma and was transported to PRMC with injuries not believed to be life threatening.
The 21-year-old female victim was treated at PRMC and was released the following day. The pedestrian was not in a crosswalk when she attempted to cross Coastal Highway and was struck by the vehicle. The area around 55th Street was one of many hotspots identified for frequent pedestrian-vehicle collisions and enhanced crosswalks and other safety features were added in the area.
OCPD officers observed the vehicle’s driver at the time of the collision, later identified as Branden Whitley, 31, of Salisbury, walking westbound away from the scene of the collision with the victim still lying in the roadway. Witnesses on the scene identified Whitley as the driver and said the suspect could have stopped, but instead sped up before striking the victim.
OCPD officers had to run after Whitley in an effort to identify him and the suspect attempted to elude police by walking around a white van on the opposite side of the highway. According to police reports, Whitley was angry the police were approaching him and began to yell. By now, a crowd of around 30 people had gathered around and had their attention drawn to the suspect’s verbal outbursts.
OCPD officers attempted to get Whitley to sit on the curb, but he refused to cooperate, according to police reports. After several attempts, an OCPD officer unholstered his Taser before Whitley complied. OCPD officers observed several indications to suggest Whitley had been drinking alcohol prior to the collision including slurred speech, glassy eyes and a strong odor of alcohol on his person.
Whitley was subjected to a battery of field sobriety tests, which he did not complete as instructed. He later admitted striking the pedestrian. Whitley also was found to be driving on a suspended license and could not provide documentation to the officers. He was ultimately arrested and charged with driving while impaired, hit-and-run and numerous other traffic and criminal citations. He was taken to the Public Safety Building for processing and was found to have a breath-alcohol concentration of .09, which is just above the legal limit.
Meanwhile, back at the collision scene, when officers arrived they say the victim in the roadway and another man, later identified as Lester Simpson, 31, of Salisbury behind the wheel of the white Cadillac that struck the female. Simpson was allegedly attempting to move the vehicle from the roadway when he was approached by police.
OCPD officers stopped Simpson from moving the vehicle and noted a strong odor of alcohol on his person. Simpson was administered field sobriety tests which he failed to complete to the officers’ satisfaction. A breath-alcohol test administered registered a reading of .09. Simpson was also arrested and charged with driving while impaired.
Last week, Whitley pleaded guilty to driving on a suspended license and was sentenced to 60 days, all of which was suspended in favor of probation and a $500 fine. Earlier in November, Simpson pleaded guilty to driving while impaired and was fined $250.
Guilty Plea For Head Kick
OCEAN CITY — A Chesapeake City man, arrested on first-degree assault and other charges in June after allegedly kicking another man in the head to the point the victim nearly lost consciousness during a fight in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant in Ocean City, pleaded guilty last week to second-degree assault and was sentenced to 90 days, almost all of which was suspended.
Around 2:25 a.m. on June 1, Ocean City Police were dispatched to the McDonalds on 32nd Street to assist with an unconscious individual who had been involved in a fight. When OCPD officers arrived, restaurant employees pointed out a vehicle where the victim had been seen. The officers spoke with the victim, who said he had been involved in a fight about another man about an incident that had occurred earlier in the evening.
While speaking with police, the victim fell in and out of consciousness and as he leaned against the car, he fell to the ground in a seated position and started to nod off as EMS arrived, according to police reports. OCPD officers spoke with the victim’s sister, who said a suspect later identified as Craig Meredith, 20, of Chesapeake City, had kicked her brother in the head during the fight.
Meanwhile, the officer noticed another vehicle parked nearby with the occupants paying close attention to the investigation. The officers questioned the driver, who said Meredith had been in her vehicle, but she made him get out after he assaulted the victim.
Around 3:10 p.m., an OCPD officer observed a suspect matching Meredith’s description walking on Baltimore Ave. in the area of 31st Street. The officer detained Meredith and questioned him about his involvement in the fight. After acknowledging his rights, Meredith agreed to speak with the officers. He said he had been in an argument with the victim about going back to Baltimore. The argument escalated with the two pushing and shoving each other. Meredith said the victim punched him in the face, at which time Meredith and the victim ended up on the ground. Meredith admitted kicking the victim, but said it was an accident. “I ain’t gonna lie. I kicked him,” he told the officers, according to police reports. Meredith said the kicking was an accident and told police he felt like he was getting jumped.
Meanwhile, back on the scene, the victim was slipping in and out of consciousness. EMS treated his wounds sustained when falling to the ground, but the victim refused to be transported to the hospital to have his head injury checked out further. The McDonalds employee told police he called 911 because he was seriously concerned about the victim’s health.
Last week, Meredith pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, all but one of which was then suspended. He was given credit for one day served, resulting in no jail time. He was also fined $500 and placed on probation for two years.
Jail For Drunk Driving With Toddler In Car
POCOMOKE — A Pocomoke man, arrested on drunk-driving and drug charges in July after crashing his vehicle in a ditch and striking a fence while having a toddler in the car, pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to 60 days, most of which was suspended.
Around 2:15 a.m. on July 13, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of Stockton Rd. in Pocomoke for a reported motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival, deputies learned a 2004 Chevy Impala had left the roadway, traveled through a ditch and struck a fence before coming to rest in the backyard of a residence. The vehicle was operated by Demosthenes Skouzes, 28, of Pocomoke, and inside was Skouzes’ toddler son, who was restrained by a child safety seat.
Deputies could smell the odor of alcohol on Skouzes, who also did poorly on field sobriety tests. Skouzes was placed under arrest at that point for suspicion of drunk driving and was issued the appropriate citations. During a search of the vehicle, deputies found a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and possession charges were added. Last week, Skouzes pleaded guilty to driving while impaired and was sentenced to 60 days, all but four of which were then suspended.
Illegal Smokes
BERLIN — A New York man was fined and hit with probation after pleading guilty to cigarette smuggling charges in August after getting pulled over for speeding on Route 113 in Berlin.
Around 10:45 p.m. on Aug. 2, a Berlin Police officer pulled over a vehicle for speeding on Route 113 and Burley Street in Berlin. The officer questioned the driver, identified as Ahmad Aljaludi, 33, of the Bronx, N.Y., who gave conflicting stories of his departure and destination. During the investigation, the officer observed two cases of cigarettes in plain view on the rear seat.
A search revealed Aljaludi was transporting 538 cartons, or 5,380 packs of various brands of cigarettes. The Maryland Comptroller’s Office was alerted and responded and seized the cigarettes and the vehicle. The retail value of the cigarettes is estimated at $24,701, and the Maryland tax loss is estimated at $10,760. Aljaludi was arrested and charged with possessing and importing unstamped cigarettes.
On Wednesday, Aljaludi pleaded guilty to transporting unstamped cigarettes and was placed on probation for 18 months. He was also fined $2,690.
Probation For Pot Bust
OCEAN CITY — An Ocean Pines man arrested in June on drug charges after getting pulled over for a routine traffic stop in Ocean City pleaded guilty last week and was placed on probation and fined.
Around 3:45 p.m. on June 27, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle at 63rd Street in Ocean City for an equipment violation. The deputy identified the driver as Brenden Waller, 20, of Ocean Pines. A K-9 alerted to possible controlled dangerous substances and a probable cause search was conducted.
During the search, the deputy recovered suspected marijuana, drug paraphernalia, Percocet and a replica handgun, which was contained in the glove compartment. Waller was arrested and charged with possession of CDS. Last week, Waller pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and possession of a gun replica. He was placed on probation for one year and fined $200.