CASE UPDATE:
Howard County State’s Attorney Richard H. Gibson announced that on June 10, 2026, Wyketa Burgess, 40, of Columbia, was sentenced by Howard County Circuit Court Judge Mary M. Kramer for her role in a revenge-motivated shooting that left two teenagers wounded in October 2024. Burgess was sentenced to 20 years of incarceration, with all but 12 years suspended, followed by five years of supervised probation.
In March 2026, a Howard County jury convicted Burgess of 10 charges, including two counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, multiple firearms offenses, and conspiracy-related charges.
The conviction stems from a shooting that occurred on October 12, 2024, in the parking lot of Columbia Place Plaza near the Giant Food store in the 8800 block of Centre Park Drive. At approximately 9 p.m., a gunman opened fire on two teenage boys, striking both victims in the legs as they attempted to flee. The victims survived their injuries.
The investigation revealed that Burgess and co-defendant Dieneba Sekou Traore conspired with an unidentified gunman to target individuals believed to be connected to an armed robbery committed against Traore’s son several days earlier. Evidence presented during trial included cell phone and cell tower data placing Burgess and Traore at locations consistent with the planning and execution of the shooting, as well as communications between Burgess and the individual believed to have carried out the attack.
Co-defendant Dieneba Sekou Traore was previously convicted and sentenced to 20 years of incarceration for her role in the shooting.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Patricia Cecil and Tiffany Vaira.
CASE UPDATE:
Benjamin Sungjin, also known as Benjamin Uhrmacher, 42, of Columbia, Maryland, pleaded guilty on January 8, 2026, to Attempted First-Degree Murder and Second-Degree Assault stemming from a violent home invasion attack against his elderly neighbors in Columbia.
On November 2, 2024, at approximately 7:11 p.m., officers with the Howard County Police Department responded to a residence in the 5000 block of Dry Well Court in Columbia for a reported shooting. The investigation revealed that Sungjin forcibly entered the home of his longtime neighbors after becoming upset that the couple could not provide him with a ride to work.
According to the investigation, Sungjin attacked the 83-year-old female victim, knocking her to the ground and attempting to strangle her with a zip tie while wearing a makeshift ski mask. She sustained severe injuries, including a broken hip that required multiple surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing physical therapy.
When her 85-year-old husband tried to intervene, Sungjin attacked him as well, placing his hands around his neck and pursuing him into a bedroom. The male victim ultimately fired his revolver in self-defense, striking Sungjin in the leg after repeatedly warning him to stop. Sungjin then fled the residence before being located by police, hiding under a bed inside his nearby home.
On May 6, 2026, Sungjin was sentenced to life imprisonment, with all but 50 years suspended, for Attempted First-Degree Murder, and a consecutive 10-year sentence for Second-Degree Assault, for a total aggregate sentence of life, suspend all but 60 years to serve.
Upon release, Sungjin will be placed on five years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to undergo mental health and substance use disorder treatment, have no contact with the victims, stay away from the victims’ residence, and pay restitution.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Tiffany M. Vaira.
CASE UPDATE:
Tracee Octavious Parker, 19, has been sentenced in connection with the 2024 fatal shooting of 26-year-old Kendrick McLellan. On March 19, 2026, Parker was sentenced to life imprisonment, with all but 45 years suspended, following his guilty plea on November 13, 2025, to first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence.
According to the investigation, on October 9, 2024, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Parker and co-defendant Elijah Hale shot and killed McLellan while he was seated in his vehicle in the 5500 block of Waterloo Road in Ellicott City. Following the shooting, the defendants transported the victim’s body to an office building parking lot in the 8800 block of Centre Park Drive in Columbia.
On October 12, 2024, at approximately 2:14 a.m., Howard County Police officers located a suspicious vehicle in that same parking lot and discovered McLellan deceased inside. Parker was apprehended on October 15, 2024, on the grounds of Howard High School, where he was taken into custody on an outstanding felony warrant. At the time of his arrest, officers recovered a firearm from his backpack. Co-defendant Elijah Hale is scheduled to be sentenced on March 26, 2026.
This case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Karen Gross and Scott Hammond.
CASE UPDATE:
Michael Hincke, age 40, of Columbia, was recently sentenced to 18 months in the Howard County Detention Center after entering a guilty plea to Solicitation of Child Pornography. Howard County detectives executed a search warrant on Hincke’s home after receiving information that he was in possession of child pornography. Through their investigation, detectives discovered that Hincke was engaged in an online conversation with a 16-year-old minor wherein he solicited sexual images/videos. Upon Hincke’s release from incarceration, he will be on 5 years of supervised probation with the sexual offender unit and will be required to register as a Tier II sexual offender for the next 25 years. This case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth M. Loebl.
CASE UPDATE:
Columbia Teen Sentenced to Twenty Years for Home Invasion and Assault
On August 19, 2025, a Howard County jury found Emmetson Zeah guilty of one count of Home Invasion and one count of First-Degree Assault for his role in an attempted stabbing that occurred on Thanksgiving Day in 2024 involving a juvenile victim.
During sentencing this week, the State recommended 20 years of active incarceration in the Division of Corrections for each count, to run concurrently. The defense requested a significantly lesser sentence of 18 months of local confinement followed by probation. After considering all arguments and evidence, the Court imposed the following sentence:
- Home Invasion: 20 years, suspend all but 7 years of active incarceration,
followed by 5 years of supervised probation upon release - First-Degree Assault: 20 years, suspend all but 7 years, to run concurrent with the home invasion sentence
- Credit for time served
- Waiver of costs and fees
- No contact with the victim or the victim’s family
This case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Tricia Cecil.
CASE UPDATE:
Jury Convicts Frederick Man of Indecent Exposure
Rony Ariel Gonzalez, 59, of Frederick, Maryland, was found guilty this week by a Howard County jury of Indecent Exposure following a one-day trial. The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on May 29, 2025, around 11:00 a.m., at a gas station located in the 7100 block of Montevideo Road in Jessup, Maryland.
Evidence and testimony presented at trial revealed that Gonzalez exited his work truck, made eye contact with the victim, and intentionally exposed himself and engaged in lewd conduct in plain view of the witness and the public.
This marks Gonzalez’s third conviction for indecent exposure.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 7, 2025.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Raymond Gambrill.
The convictions stem from a firebombing that occurred on April 5, 2022, at an apartment complex in the 10300 block of Hickory Ridge Road in Columbia. Evidence presented at trial revealed that, in retaliation against a resident, Tomlin conspired with two accomplices to construct and throw Molotov cocktails through the window of an occupied apartment around 3:00 a.m. The attack caused extensive damage to the targeted apartment and the building itself.
Howard County Fire and Rescue responded to control the blaze. All twenty residents of the building were evacuated and displaced as a result of the fire, and one firefighter sustained injuries while attempting to suppress the flames.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 18, 2025. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Tricia Cecil and Colin Campbell.
Thomas Veo Rivers, Jr., age 38, of North Carolina, was sentenced to 25 years without the possibility of parole for the following charges: 1st Degree Assault and Carrying a Deadly Weapon Openly with Intent to Injure. On June 7, 2024, at approximately 9:24 a.m., Howard County Police officers responded to the 6500 block of Fruitgift Place in Columbia for the report of a person who had been assaulted. EMS was already on scene and transported the victim to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Rivers, who was related to some of the household occupants, took a metal baseball bat from an upstairs room, proceeded to the basement, and began beating the sleeping victim with the metal bat. The victim did not know, nor had he ever met, Rivers. A jury convicted Rivers of these offenses on March 5, 2025.
This case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Tiffany Vaira.
Andre Maxwell Cooper, 48, of Elkridge, pleaded guilty to Attempted First Degree Murder and was sentenced to 30 years, suspend all but 20 years of active incarceration. On July 14, 2024, Cooper and one of his roommates got into a dispute over food and household items. Cooper indicated to their other roommate that he was going to “[mess] her up” referring to the roommate he was having an argument with. He then forced his way into the victim’s room and began punching and stabbing her. She was taken by their other roommate to the hospital where she was treated for her injuries. Upon his release from incarceration, Cooper will be on 5 years of supervised probation.
This case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Tiffany Vaira.
Delano Draine, of Owings Mills, was sentenced today to 24 years suspend all but 7 years for his role in a Peeping Tom incident. At the State’s recommendation, the sentence was 3 years over the recommended Maryland Guidelines calculation for Mr. Draine’s conduct. In the fall of last year, Draine pleaded guilty to eight counts of Illegal Computer Access and four counts related to Visual Surveillance for his involvement in a voyeur incident involving several women and a young girl.
On Dec. 9, 2023, a 16-year-old female victim reported that while in a dressing room at a clothing store in The Mall in Columbia, she observed a male suspect recording her under the door. Through investigation, police identified Draine as a possible suspect and later in the month seized various evidence through search warrants.
An analysis of Draine’s digital devices and additional search warrants revealed the scope of his activity. Detectives recovered numerous upskirt and dressing room videos of at least 11 unidentified female victims at various locations in Howard County and in the region.
Detectives also discovered that while working as a dental assistant, Draine captured the cell phone passcodes of women – both patients and coworkers – by recording the victims using their phones. Then, when he had access to their phones, he would go through their media galleries and record their compromising videos and photos on his phone. Detectives identified 36 victims from the dental office.
Detectives believe Draine may have been participating in a Telegram chat group with individuals engaged in similar conduct. Through investigation it was found he received several ‘pinhole camera’ videos from other group members and was keeping them for his personal consumption. Detectives were able to determine that none of the photos Draine distributed during his participation in the group were of the identified victims.
Of Draine’s 36 victims, 11 appeared and provided victim impact statements today in court, including the 16-year-old female victim and her father. Additionally, as a part of his sentence, Draine will have to participate in sex offender specific supervised probation for 5 years and register as a sex offender. The Court additionally imposed conditions requiring that Draine successfully participate in a sex offender treatment program, be prohibited from possessing or owning a cellphone with a camera, that he sign a letter ordering Google to delete the three known Google accounts associated with his criminal conduct. Finally, the Court ordered that Draine stay away from the Mall of Columbia and be prohibited from engaging in employment at any medical facility.
This case was prosecuted by ASA Michelle Sloan.
Russell Scott, age 66, was found guilty of Driving While Impaired (DWI), Reckless driving, Negligent Driving and Speeding (90mph in a 65mph zone) and was sentenced to 120 days suspend all but 10 days of active incarceration with 3 years of supervised probation and a $1,000 fine. On August 11, 2024, at 3:00AM, Scott passed a Maryland State Trooper on I-95 at a high rate of speed. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but it took Scott a minute and a half, while passing other vehicles, to notice the lights and sirens behind him. When the officer approached Scott, he smelled the odor of alcohol and despite Scott refusing to do the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and the Breath Test, the officer had more than enough observations of the defendant’s driving, speech and overall demeanor to believe he was impaired, and Scott was placed under arrest.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Matera.
Derrick Berkeley, age 59, was sentenced this week to 25 years suspend all but 15 years for armed carjacking and the use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence. Berkeley pleaded guilty to these charges earlier this year.
On January 20th, 2024, at approximately 12:03 p.m., detectives from the Howard County Police Department responded to the 6500 block of Dobbin Road at an auto body shop and met other police units on the scene. The detective learned that the defendant, Derrick Berkeley, came to the autobody shop to pick up his vehicle which had been there for repairs. Berkeley told the office worker that his insurance company would send them the $3,741.77 check to cover the cost of repairs. The office worker informed Berkeley that the repair shop contacted the insurance company, and they were told that the check had been sent to Berkeley and had already been cashed and that Berkeley could not take his vehicle without payment. Berkeley asked the worker to show him his vehicle and start it up, so he knew that it worked. Once this occurred, Berkeley then pulled out a gun and told the worker to open the garage door so that he could drive the vehicle away. The worker complied and Berkeley got in the vehicle and drove it out of the garage. The vehicle ended up crashing into another vehicle on its way out. Berkeley eventually drove away in his vehicle without making any payment. The worker identified Berkeley as the person who pointed a gun at him and drove away in the vehicle. Upon release from prison, Berkeley will be on 3 years of supervised probation.
The chief of our General Crimes Unit (GCU) Mike McAllister prosecuted this case.
Michael Roary, age 37, of Columbia, pleaded guilty this week to six counts of Rogue and Vagabond (being in the motor vehicle of another with the intent to commit a theft) and one count of Identity Theft. These cases, combined with two other counts of Rogue and Vagabond previously scheduled for sentencing, stemmed from a total of 12 incidents spanning from April through October of this year in several different areas of the county, where he entered over 20 vehicles that did not belong to him. In each incident, at least one citizen called the police reporting a suspicious subject walking around their neighborhood pulling on motor vehicle door handles, entering vehicles, and removing items from vehicles including purses, wallets, loose change and other items. Roary was located by the police in each case in the area and in a number of the cases was observed on surveillance videos entering vehicles belonging to residents. In several of the incidents, Roary gave police the name and date of birth of another person in an attempt to avoid prosecution for his actions. Roary was sentenced to a total of 22 years suspending all but 13.5 years of active incarceration. Upon release from incarceration, Roary will be on three years of supervised probation with conditions he pay restitution to those who suffered a loss as a result of his actions and stay away from the locations involved in each case.
District Court Chief Devora Kirschner prosecuted this case.
Dominic Crosby, age 44, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to one count of identity fraud $25k to $100k and one count of theft $25k to $100k, for stealing and using the identity of the victim to obtain cash, credit cards, and vehicles. Crosby will be sentenced on 12/19/24.
This case was prosecuted by Senior ASA Tricia Cecil.
Delano Draine, age 43, of Owings Mills, pleaded guilty this week to eight counts of Illegal Computer Access and four counts related to Visual Surveillance for his involvement in a “Peeping Tom” incident involving several women and a young girl.
On Dec. 9, 2023, a 16-year-old female victim reported that while in a dressing room at a clothing store in The Mall in Columbia, she observed a male suspect recording her under the door. Through investigation, police identified Draine as a possible suspect and later in the month seized various evidence through search warrants.
An analysis of Draine’s digital devices and additional search warrants revealed the scope of his activity. Detectives recovered numerous upskirt and dressing room videos of at least 11 unidentified female victims at various locations in Howard County and in the region.
Detectives also discovered that while working as a dental assistant, Draine captured the cell phone passcodes of women – both patients and coworkers – by recording the victims using their phones. Then, when he had access to their phones, he would go through their media galleries and record their compromising videos and photos on his phone. Detectives identified 36 victims from the dental office.
Detectives believe Draine may have been participating in a Telegram chat group with individuals engaged in similar conduct. Through investigation it was found he received several ‘pinhole camera’ videos from other group members and was keeping them for his personal consumption. Detectives were able to determine that none of the photos Draine distributed during his
participation in the group were of the identified victims.
Assistant State’s Attorney Michelle Sloan prosecuted this case. Draine will be sentenced on February 28, 2025.
This week, Angelo Deans, age 21, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree murder, 1st-degree assault and other firearm-related charges for the fatal shooting of Anthony Patterson, age 20, of Owings Mills, and one other victim involved in the incident.
On December 4th, 2020, Howard County Police received a call just before 10:30pm for a report of a shooting in the Columbia Mall parking lot in front of an entertainment venue. When officers arrived, they found Patterson laying on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound. After a thorough investigation, police believe Patterson had a brief exchange with Charles Thomas Busey, of Washington, D.C., outside the venue. As Patterson and his friends entered a vehicle and began to exit the parking lot, Deans fired shots at the vehicle hitting the vehicle and killing Patterson. After firing additional rounds, Deans entered Busey’s vehicle and Busey drove off. There is no indication that Patterson knew Deans or Busey before the incident.
Busey pleaded guilty to Accessory After the Fact Murder-Second Degree and a firearm related charge for his role in the incident and was sentenced to ten years of imprisonment.
Deans is scheduled to be sentenced on November 25th, 2024.
Senior Assistant State’s Attorney and Deputy Chief of our Major Crimes Unit Natasha Byus prosecuted this case.
Kennard White, age 18, of Columbia, was sentenced this week to a total of 18 years of active incarceration for his involvement in three separate crimes.
C-13-CR-24-00067– On November 13, 2023, at approximately 7:27 AM, Howard County Police were dispatched to an apartment complex on 7600 Monarch Mills Way in Columbia for a reported robbery. Patrol officers contacted a juvenile victim, who stated that he was walking to the bus stop when he was struck on the back of his head. He stated that he observed two suspects – one with a baseball bat and another with a handgun with an extended magazine. One suspect pointed the handgun at him, but the victim was able to flee the area. During the incident, the suspects stole the victim’s headphones. An investigation led police to White—who targeted the victim due to a group assault that occurred at Hammond High School.
C-13-CR-24-000153: November 15, 2023, at approximately 6:46 PM, Howard County Police received multiple reports of a shooting that had just occurred at the Columbia Mall. Witnesses reported two gunshots coming from the direction of the Lidl supermarket. Upon arriving at the scene, police conducted an area canvass and located a parked, unoccupied vehicle in the lower parking lot that had a bullet hole in the front windshield, and a projectile that was lodged in the frame of the windshield. Police also found cartridge casings near the vehicle. Surveillance video revealed that the suspect and the victim had exchanged words while riding the Regional Transit Authority bus to the mall.
Howard County Police later executed a search and seizure warrant at White’s residence in Columbia. Inside White’s bedroom, police discovered the handgun used during the robbery and the shooting at the mall, multiple rounds of ammunition, along with a stolen shotgun. White later confessed to his involvement in the incident at the apartment complex and the mall.
C-13-CR-24-000366: Police also discovered that the shotgun found in White’s bedroom had been reported stolen after the burglary of an apartment in Columbia that occurred on December 4, 2023. DNA evidence found at the scene of the burglary was determined to belong to White.
These cases were prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Karen Gross and Dillon Yeung.
Jamaal Keitt, age 47, was sentenced this week to 20 years in prison for the Use of a Firearm in a Drug Trafficking Crime, the maximum penalty for that charge.
On June 15, 2023, Keitt sold cocaine to two undercover detectives. On June 21, 2023, Howard County Police officers served a search and seizure warrant at the motel located in the 9900 block of Washington Boulevard in Laurel, MD. Keitt was placed under arrest and inside his motel room officers located money, drug paraphernalia, and a handgun with a box of ammunition. The motel-room stash house Keitt was distributing out of was discovered through the investigative efforts of the Howard County Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Unit.
Keitt was on probation for two prior convictions of possession with the intent to distribute for which he received a sentence of 5 years concurrent to the above. This case was successfully prosecuted by ASA Colin Campbell.
Dennis Lee Graham, age 40, was sentenced to 70 years in prison this week suspend all but 40 years for his involvement in a fatal killing from last year. Graham pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree murder and 1st-degree arson earlier this year. On March 3, 2023, at approximately 10:30am, Howard County police were called to the 6000 block of Old Washington Road for a reported home invasion. When police arrived, they encountered Graham inside of the residence and smoke was coming from a bedroom. Upon entering the residence, police found the deceased victim who was identified as 64-year-old James Sents, Jr. Graham was detained on the scene and later charged. Through investigation, detectives believe Graham entered the residence and assaulted Sents, Jr. Graham also set a small fire in a bedroom that was extinguished by first responders. Upon release from prison, Graham will be on 5 years of supervised probation. This case was prosecuted by ASA’s Jonathon Church and Ciarra Roulhac.
Demitri Anwar Duhart, age 33, was sentenced to 35 years in prison today in Howard County Circuit Court by The Honorable Judge Quincy Coleman for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting last year. In April of this year, Duhart was found guilty of attempted 2nd-degree murder, 1st-degree assault, use of a handgun in the crime of violence and possession of a firearm with a disqualifying crime. On June 2nd, 2023, at approximately 12:42p.m., Howard County police responded to the Cedar Motel in the 8000 block of Washington Boulevard for a report of a male victim who had been shot. After the shooting, Duhart ran to his apartment nearby where he discarded his clothes and tried to disguise his appearance by cutting off his dreadlocks and shaving his facial hair. He was taken into custody several days later in another jurisdiction. The victim was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center and was later released. This case was successfully prosecuted by Senior ASA Dillon Yeung and ASA Matthew Matera.
Two defendants were sentenced this week for their involvement in a series of lawncare equipment thefts during the summer of 2023 in which 8 small businesses were targeted. Thomas Groomes was sentenced to 35 years suspend all but 5 years of active incarceration and Christopher Clark was sentenced to 35 years suspend all but 7 years. Both pleaded guilty to Theft Scheme over $100,000 and 2nd Degree Burglary. Upon release from prison, both defendants will be on probation for 5 years and must pay a restitution cost of more than $100,000 dollars to the victims. This case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Joy Dodge.
Eric Vacarro Henson, age 52, of Cooksville, MD, was found guilty this week of 1st-degree assault and other firearm-related charges after a court trial before the Honorable Lara Weathersbee. On February 5, 2024, police responded to a report of a road rage incident involving a firearm. Police met with the victim who advised that the driver of a Toyota Camry was driving aggressively towards her on Route 40 westbound near Frederick Road. The victim reported that while stopped at a traffic light, the driver of the vehicle pointed a handgun at her. The victim subsequently fled the scene and contacted 911. Police identified the suspect as Eric Vacarro Henson. Police later executed a search and seizure warrant at Henson’s home where they recovered a handgun that was registered to him. Henson will be sentenced on July 19, 2024. This case was prosecuted by ASA Dillon Yeung. Anthony James Dispenza, age 35, of Ellicott City, MD, was found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor, 2nd-degree sex offense and two counts of 3rd-degree sex offense after a jury trial before the Honorable Quincy Coleman. From around 2015-2017, Dispenza sexually abused his girlfriend’s minor child, who was then around 7-8 years old. She tried to disclose to her mother years ago but was not believed. In 2023, the victim finally found an adult who alerted the proper authorities and allowed an investigation to begin. The victim disclosed that Dispenza committed several acts of sexual abuse over this time span, and used the access he was granted by being her mom’s boyfriend to exploit her. Dispenza will be sentenced on November 8, 2024. This case was prosecuted by ASA Maria Stamidis. Kevin Davon Mobley, age 48, of Columbia, was found guilty of illegal possession of a regulated firearm by a prohibited person and other related charges following a 2-day bench trial before the Honorable Judge Porter. As a result of the conviction, his bond was revoked. He will be sentenced on July 24, 2024. This case was prosecuted by ASAs Tricia Cecil and Colin Campbell.
Demitri Anwar Duhart, age 33, was found guilty earlier this week of attempted 2nd-degree murder, 1st-degree assault, use of a handgun in the crime of violence and possession of a firearm with a disqualifying crime. On June 2nd, 2023, at approximately 12:42p.m., Howard County police responded to the Cedar Motel in the 8000 block of Washington Boulevard for a report of a male victim who had been shot. After the shooting, Duhart ran to his apartment nearby where he discarded his clothes and tried to disguise his image by cutting off his dreadlocks and shaving his facial hair. He was taken into custody several days later in another jurisdiction. The victim was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center and was later released. Duhart will be sentenced on July 12, 2024. This case was successfully prosecuted by Senior ASA Dillon Yeung and ASA Matthew Matera.
Teshan Jordan, of Temple Hills, MD, was sentenced today to 35 years suspend all but 23 years for his involvement in a criminal act with a United States postal worker. Jordan was convicted by a jury last month of armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence and theft scheme. On June 21, 2022, Jordan and another individual, Fermon Nichols, followed a U.S. postal worker from the Oak Hall Post Office and robbed her at gunpoint at the beginning of her route. The postal worker was targeted for a universal key that can break into mailboxes in the Howard County area to steal checks and debit cards. Jordan also faces charges in Baltimore County for another armed robbery of a U.S. postal service letter carrier. That case is set for February 27, 2024. Jordan was on probation in Prince George’s County at the time of these offenses. Assistant State’s Attorney Karen Gross prosecuted this case.
Annette Melvina Bouldin, age 65, of Baltimore, was recently found guilty after entering an Alford Plea to 2nd-degree assault last week. On September 5, 2023, Bouldin was one of the paraeducators assisting in the Academic Life Skills (ALS) dance class at Mount Hebron High School. That class had students with special needs matched with other peer students. As paraeducators and student assistances were monitoring the activity in the class, Bouldin went to assist a student learning a new dance move. During the excitement, one of his hands accidently swiped against Bouldin’s eye. Peer students, a paraeducator and two student assistances then watched Bouldin as she took a few seconds to reflect before she took 2 steps toward and punched the student with a closed fist. This incident was immediately reported to school administration, and Child Protective Services was called. The non-verbal student was assessed by the school nurse and returned to his classes with a red bump to his forehead. The court ordered the guilty finding to stand and placed Bouldin on 1 year of supervised probation. A special condition is Bouldin not seek employment with minors or anyone with a disability. Assistant State’s Attorney Lisa Romano prosecuted this case.
Fermon Nichols, of Bowie, pleaded guilty earlier this month to armed robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence for his involvement in an incident with a United States postal worker. Teshan Jordan, of Temple Hills, MD, was found guilty this week of armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence and theft scheme. On June 21, 2022, both men followed a U.S. postal worker from the Oak Hall Post Office and robbed her at gunpoint at the beginning of her route. The postal worker was targeted for a universal key that can break into mailboxes in the Howard County area to steal checks and debit cards. Nichols will be sentenced on March 22, 2024. Jordan’s sentencing in Howard County is set for February 16, 2024. He currently faces charges in Baltimore County for another armed robbery of a U.S. postal service letter carrier. That case is set for February 27, 2024. Jordan was on probation in Prince George’s County at the time of these offenses. Assistant State’s Attorney Karen Gross prosecuted this case. Bruce William Laidlaw, age 67, of Baltimore was convicted this week on charges of Private Place Surveillance with Prurient Intent and Peeping Tom for his actions at the I-95 North Welcome Center/Rest Area in Savage. On June 11, 2023, at around 7:40 PM. Laidlaw followed a 16-year-old juvenile male into the men’s restroom. He then pretended to use the sinks to position himself directly in front on the stall the juvenile was using. The victim’s father caught Laidlaw in the act of crouching down and looking at the boy through the cracks of the door. The father yelled at Laidlaw three separate times to leave, or he would call the police. The father and son then followed the suspect north on I-95 to photograph his vehicle registration and capture images of Laidlaw driving. This case was investigated by the Maryland State Police ICAC Task Force and was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Lisa Romano. Laidlaw will be sentenced on May 9, 2024.
Malachi Smith, age 20, of Columbia, was recently sentenced to 20 years suspend all but 10 years without the possibility of parole for his involvement in an armed robbery in December of 2021 and an additional 5 years for conspiracy to commit robbery for a second incident (non-fatal shooting) that occurred in 2022. Smith was also sentenced to 4 years and 41 days for a violation of probation stemming from a previous robbery in 2021. His total active sentence is 19 years and 41 days. Upon release from prison, Smith will be on 5 years of supervised probation. This case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Tricia L. Cecil.
Ellicott City Resident David Crawford Sentenced to Multiple Life Sentences Plus 75 Years in Serial Arson Case
Howard County, MD (June 27, 2023) – David Crawford, age 71, was sentenced today by Howard County Circuit Court Judge Richard S. Bernhardt to eight life sentences plus 75 years in a serial arson case that spanned throughout multiple counties in Maryland. Crawford’s actual executable prison sentence is two life sentences plus 75 years due to some of the sentences running concurrently. Crawford was found guilty of eight counts of attempted 1st-degree murder, three counts of 1st-degree arson and one count of 1st degree malicious burning by a Howard County jury on March 9th of this year. He was arrested in March of 2021 in connection to 12 arsons that occurred in Howard, Frederick, Charles, Montgomery, Anne Arundel, and Prince George’s County from 2011 to 2020. Investigators had surveillance video in many cases where Crawford displayed a similar pattern of starting the fires with gasoline. Investigators linked multiple cases following a 2020 fire when they discovered Crawford had previous disagreements with multiple victims. In January 2021, a search of Crawford’s residence found several pieces of evidence, including a list of targets that were known victims. Here’s a chronological list of the Howard County fires (date/location/time):
March 5, 2017 – 2900 block of Country Lane, Ellicott City, MD
At approximately 3:05am, fire and police responded to a report of a vehicle fire. Fire was contained to the vehicle itself. Vehicle was unoccupied.
June 23, 2017 – 6000 block of Avalon Drive, Elkridge, MD
At approximately 4:19am, police responded for a reported house fire. On scene, police and fire located a single-family dwelling with a fire located in the attached garage. The family, three adults and two juveniles, were inside the home sleeping at the time of the fire and escaped. Fire was determined to be arson.
December 9, 2017 – 4000 block of Spring Meadow Drive, Ellicott City, MD
At approximately 3:17 am, units responded for a reported house fire. Once on scene, crews found a single-family home with fire on display. The family, two adults and one juvenile, were home at the time of the fire and escaped. Fire was determined to be arson.
September 22, 2018 – 4000 block of Spring Meadow Drive, Ellicott City, MD (same address as previous two fires on the same block) At approximately 3:45am, units responded for a reported house fire. The home was unoccupied as renovations had just been completed from the previous fire. Investigators determined the fire originated along the front of the house to include the garage and spread to most of the rest of the
house.
Victims included a former City of Laurel official, three former law enforcement officials, including a former City of Laurel Police Chief, two relatives, two of Crawford’s chiropractors, and a resident in his neighborhood. Crawford was the Police Chief for the City of Laurel, where he last served from 2006 until his resignation in 2010. Prior to that, Crawford was Chief of the District Heights Police Department and served as a Major for the Prince George’s County Police Department. Investigators say none of the civilian victims of the fires were connected to Crawford through his law enforcement career.
“After careful consideration of the state’s recommendation, arguments and victim impact statements, Judge Bernhardt delivered a sentence today that we believe is wholly appropriate for the defendant’s crimes. The horror and nature of arson is so deeply powerful in its impact and complete in its destruction in the victim’s peace of mind that it is only fitting the defendant spend the rest of his natural life behind bars,” said State’s Attorney Richard Gibson. “These families have waited several years for justice and we are grateful to play some part in delivering that for them. It is particularly egregious that someone who dedicated their life to law enforcement and was the chief of police at some point in their career would take it upon themselves to engage in conduct that was evil and terrifying in its nature. This sentence should send a message that prosecutors are capable of holding law enforcement accountable if they violate our laws.”
Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys’ Tricia L. Cecil and Scott A. Hammond prosecuted this case
Man Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder and Several Other Charges in Columbia Shooting
Howard County, MD (June 26, 2023) – Jerome Tyrell Thomas, age 31, was found guilty today of all counts to include 1st-degree murder and several firearm-related charges by a Howard County jury for the shooting death of a Baltimore man in 2020.
On May 1st, 2020, at approximately 12:15 a.m., Howard County Police were called to the intersection of Governor Warfield Parkway and Twin Rivers Road for a report of a fight among several people with shots fired. Upon arrival, police located Anthony Tayvon McNeill, age 24, from Baltimore, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in a nearby parking lot in the 10000 block of Nightmist Court. McNeill was transported to Howard County General Hospital where he later died. Police believe the shooting originated from an argument earlier in the evening between acquaintances of Thomas and McNeill.
Through investigation, detectives collected surveillance footage in the area and developed Thomas as a suspect. Thomas fled to North Carolina but was eventually taken into custody at a motel in Annapolis on May 15th, 2020.
“The loss of Anthony McNeill’s life was tragic and unnecessary. The defendant, Jerome Thomas, had a prior criminal record and did not learn from his past mistakes. Instead, he chose to commit one of the worst crimes a person can commit upon another by violently taking the life of McNeill,” said State’s Attorney Rich Gibson. “The state has filed for life without the possibility of parole in this case and we intend to ask the court to hold Thomas accountable for his actions to the maximum extent of the law.”
This case was prosecuted by the Deputy Chief of our Major Crimes Unit (MCU) Michael A. McAllister.
Anil Ahmad Malik, age 37, of Millersville, was sentenced this week to 10 years suspend all but 4 years for Driving While Impaired by Alcohol (DWI), Concealing a Dangerous Weapon (CDW) and other related offenses. Upon release, Malik will be on 3 years of supervised probation and is expected to participate in alcohol treatment and the ignition interlock program during his probation. Malik was found guilty of the charges earlier this month. On February 2, 2022, Malik crashed his vehicle into the guardrail while traveling northbound on I-95. Howard County Police responded and subsequently arrested Malik for Driving While Impaired by alcohol. Assistant State’s Attorney Ciarra Roulhac prosecuted this case on behalf of the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Columbia Man Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder in Fatal Shooting of Young Man Sentenced to Life in Prison Without Parole
Howard County, MD (March 3, 2023) – Franck Herman Ngande, age 25, was sentenced today to life without parole for the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Taiwan Dashon Dorsey plus life for the attempted murder of another individual plus an additional 40 years for other related crimes in the shooting death of Dorsey in 2019. On October 24, 2022, Ngande was found guilty by a Howard County Circuit Court jury of 1st-degree murder, attempted 1st-degree murder, two counts of 1st-degree assault, reckless endangerment, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, and possession of a rifle having been convicted of a disqualifying crime.
On Saturday, July 20, 2019, Howard County Police responded to the 12000 block of Little Patuxent Parkway at approximately 1:28 p.m. for a report that a man had been shot. Once officers arrived at the scene, they located Dorsey who was suffering from a gunshot wound.
Investigation by police revealed that Dorsey and a friend had an ongoing dispute with Ngande. On the day of the shooting, Dorsey and the friend went to Ngande’s neighborhood where a fight ensued. After the altercation ended, Ngande went into his residence, retrieved a rifle, and fired multiple shots at Dorsey and his friend as they fled the scene. Dorsey was struck once in the back and ran toward Little Patuxent Parkway, where he later collapsed. Dorsey was transported to Maryland Shock Trauma Center where he later died.
Police apprehended Ngande on July 22, 2019, in the area of Little Patuxent Parkway without incident.
“The defendant made the choice to fire a gun in our community, taking the life of one victim and nearly killing another while exposing everyone in that neighborhood to lethal harm,” said State’s Attorney Rich Gibson. “The sentence handed out today should send a clear and resounding message that violence will not be tolerated here and those who engage in violent actions in Howard County will receive a severe sanction.”
Major Crimes Unit Chief Douglas L. Nelsen and Assistant State’s Attorney Dillon C. Yeung prosecuted this case.
Thomas Dehner, age 52, was sentenced this week to 18 years suspend all but 8 years (5 years probation) for a charge of theft scheme over $100,000 dollars. Dehner pleaded guilty back in October of 2022. On November 16, 2017, Dehner began working for a local company located in the 9800 block of Broken Land Parkway in Columbia. Originally, Dehner was the controller of the company, but he was later promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2019. As CFO, Dehner began to have job performance issues and on September 15, 2020, Dehner submitted his resignation in lieu of being terminated and his last day at the company was October 15, 2020. Shortly after Dehner left the company, a senior accountant who worked under Dehner began analyzing the company credit card use and noticed that Dehner had made numerous nonbusiness-related purchases on the company credit cards. The senior accountant previously did not have access to the company credit card statements when she worked-under Dehner. Based on the unauthorized credit card purchases, the company performed an extensive forensic audit of all expenses pertaining to Dehner. The audit revealed that between November 29, 2017 and September 30, 2020, Dehner made approximately $514,542 in unauthorized credit card purchases on the company credit cards, approximately $15,000 in unauthorized wire transfers from the company’s bank account, and approximately $7,731.70 in unauthorized check card purchases/ATM withdrawals from the company’s bank account. Some of Dehner’s unauthorized expenses included numerous vacations for himself and his family, golf equipment and golf trips, dental costs, various professional sports tickets, landscaping, and an engagement ring for his wife. Dehner withdrew over $100,000 in cash advances through the company credit cards. The total amount of unauthorized credit card/check card charges, ATM withdrawals and wire transfers made by Dehner between November 29, 2017 and September 30, 2020 total $537, 273.60. This case was prosecuted by Deputy State’s Attorney Josh Felsen.
Anthony Maurice Tarpley, age 53, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced this week to 35 years in prison (the first 15 years without parole) for a sexual assault incident involving a young child. On November 18, 2022, Tarpley was convicted of 2nd-degree rape, 3rd-degree sex offense and 4th-degree sex offense (sexual contact) by a Howard County Circuit Court jury. On January 9, 2021, in the 4900 block of Blue Wing Court, Tarpley raped an 8-year-old child who was sleeping on the couch. Tarpley was an overnight guest of the child’s grandmother and was caught by another family member, in the middle of the night, performing oral sex on the child and touching the child’s buttocks. A medical exam was conducted on the child and DNA evidence from Tarpley was discovered on the child’s body. Assistant State’s Attorneys from our Special Victims Unit Natasha Blount and Maria Stamidis prosecuted this case.
Anthony Guerra-Extrada, age 23, was found guilty of 2nd-degree assault this week and was given probation before judgment. On October 17, 2022, Guerra-Extrada called the police to report a suspicious vehicle without tags. The suspicious vehicle belonged to Guerra Extrada’s ex-girlfriend, which was parked at her place of work. Guerra-Extrada approached the car while his ex-girlfriend was on break and struck his ex-girlfriend’s current boyfriend in the face. At sentencing this week, Guerra-Extrada was ordered to complete anger management classes, write an apology letter, complete 40 hours of community service, and have no adverse contact with his ex-girlfriend. This case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Joy Dodge.
Zongping Zhang, age 55, of Columbia pleaded guilty this week to attempted 1st-degree murder in a non-fatal shooting from last year. On August 2, 2022, police responded to a residence in the 8400 block of Oak Bush Terrace in regard to a verbal dispute between two housemates later identified as Zongping Zhang and Matthew Ng. After being called out to the home a total of three times to resolve the verbal dispute, police were called back to the residence a fourth time at approximately 7:44pm that evening. At that time, witnesses reported that a subject had been shot. Upon arrival, police observed Zhang exit the residence with a firearm, later identified as a semi-automatic shotgun. Mr. Ng was found on the floor inside the residence with multiple gunshot wounds to his legs, buttocks, lower back, and head. Witnesses inside the residence reported that they observed Zhang retrieve the shotgun from his bedroom after a verbal dispute with Ng. Zhang was then seen shooting multiple shots at Ng as he went up the stairs. Police later discovered that Zhang had purchased the shotgun and the accompanying ammunition from a gun store earlier that afternoon. Ng was treated at Shock Trauma and underwent multiple surgeries resulting in the amputation of his left leg and limited to no mobility in his right leg and left arm. Zhang will be sentenced on May 21, 2023. Assistant State’s Attorney Dillon Yeung prosecuted this case.
Laurel Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Second Degree Murder in 40-Year-Old Cold Case
Howard County, MD (January 5, 2023) – Howard Jackson Bradberry, Jr., age 64, was sentenced today by Howard County Circuit Court Judge Richard Bernhardt to 25 years in prison. Bradberry entered an Alford plea on July 12, 2022 to a charge of second-degree murder in a long-unsolved kidnapping case dating back to the early 80’s.
On March 29, 1982, Laney Lee McGadney, age 28, left her apartment in Columbia to walk to a grocery store in the Owen Brown Village Center. Witnesses described seeing McGadney being abducted as she walked along Oakland Mills Road. Her body was discovered hours later in a vacant lot, now known as Water Lily Way. McGadney, a mother of four children, had been raped and stabbed to death.
At the time of the incident, police collected evidence from the scene and conducted a lengthy investigation but were unable to identify the person who committed the crime. Since then, cold case investigators from the Howard County Police Department have revisited the evidence to try and identify any new leads. In early 2021, DNA results performed on items discarded at the scene linked Bradberry to the crime.
“The brutal murder of Laney Lee McGadney fractured her family beyond repair and for 40 years there were very little leads in the case with no one being held responsible for her senseless killing,” said State’s Attorney Rich Gibson. “I want to thank Howard County police and our prosecutors for working so diligently on this case. We know today’s sentencing cannot bring back the matriarch of this family, but we do hope it provides some much-needed closure for her 4 kids, 22 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren knowing Bradberry will spend the rest of his life in prison for the innocent life he took and heinous crime he committed.”
This case was prosecuted by the Chief of our Juvenile Division Danielle Duclaux and Assistant State’s Attorney Natasha Blount.